Chapter 3
Crowned.
I am Crowned.
I am Queen.
It is difficult to breathe. I stand here in the middle of St. Charles' Cathedral with a crown on my head, a sceptre and orb in my hands and I cannot breathe.
Calm yourself Isabella. You can do this.
The crowd are still applauding and I do not know how many times they have hailed long live the queen. The archbishop holds out his hand to guide me back to my throne. My throne. I have sat on thrones all my life but this is different. This is the throne of the soverign. The ruler of the country. The role which is now mine to carry out. I sit down as the items are taken from my hands and the service continues. I rest my hands on the side of the throne and feel the new addition to my right hand tap the solid gold arm of the chair. My signet ring. My royal seal. This is my mark as Queen. This is how people will identify communications from me. I must wear it at all times during my reign, like my father did before me, and his father did before him and so on. I suppose I missed my next cue as the archbishop is now gesturing me to follow him. With the crown still firmly atop my head we process our way into the vestry. I am guided towards the seat at the desk and am instructed to sign. Sign my royal title.
HRH Queen Isabella of England.
I feel a jolt in my stomach. A painful jolt. My ribcage and hips went numb ages ago due to my attire but this is different. This...really hurts. I move my left hand towards my stomach and try not to wince in pain. It really hurts. I try to arch my back slightly but another hand places yet another piece of parchment for me to sign. I wave it way as I try to stand up. There is a flurry of men questioning what I am doing as I hold a hand up and move away from the table.
"Your Majesty?" asks one of my members of parliament as I hobble my way over to the Archbishop.
"Is there somewhere I can have a few seconds of silence?" I ask the Archbishop as the noise in the vestry become louder. He nods as he gestures towards a door on the nearest wall. I make my way towards the door but before I open it, I turn to the gaggle of men behind me.
"Gentlemen, I understand this is unusual. But as your new Queen, hear me now." I say with as much strength as I can muster. "I will sign your pieces of parchment, when I have had the chance to read them. I may be young but I am not foolish. I will not be an absent ruler. Now, if you'll excuse me." I say as I glide as gracefully as I can through the door. It seems to be a smaller office area. I lean against the door to try and catch my breath. It is mighty painful. I stagger over to a desk and place my hand on it to arch my back forwards. Ah! This hurts just as much! I grip my lower stomach as if my hand alone could cure the pain. I try to calm my breathing. I do not need to faint on my coronation day!
"Isabella? Are you alright, Dear?" I hear Mother call through the door. I swallow shallowly.
"I'm fine!" I reply. "I just need a moment!" I hear her begin to talk to someone on the other side of the door.
I close my eyes once more. If I do not move too swiftly, I should be fine. Just as I am about to open my eyes, a hand clamps down on my mouth.
My eyes fly open.
I try to take a breath in to alert someone outside but everything gets foggy. Dark figures walk towards me but my eyes roll back.
It is just me and the darkness now.