Finally! I re-wrote this chapter a couple of different times. I really had a trip trying to get it out. We are so close to the finish line I just need to get it together.

Thanks for the reviews!

I'm planning on writing more this weekend so we should get cracking here soon.

Chapter 37

Agnes was used to my odd request, so she didn't blink an eye when I asked for a bowl full of ice water. She also did not have much of a reaction when I dunked my head in it.

Teresa and Sonya however were audibly disturbed.

It needed to stop. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate or how hard I tried to focus, all I thought about was Newt.

I could still feel his hands climbing up my thighs and his lips down my neck. It was not very conducive to productivity.

Things had not progressed past heavy petting and loads of kissing. But for a second, I thought it might have. The flashbacks of it all were making it impossible to get anything done.

Hence the ice water. If the cold didn't freeze me out of it, I didn't know what would.

I knew however, it was a temporary solution. It would all start back up again the minute I laid eyes on Newt.

I only hoped I had enough strength to at least hide it for a couple more hours.

Georgios threw a grape inside his wine goblet before he looked up at us. Thomas had finally been able to dig up Georgios from god knows where.

"So…now you come running," He examined another grape before continuing "Weeks after I warned you about the potential risk."

Georgios was savoring the moment as he shook his head and tisked.

"Well, you are young… it's to be expected. Now, what are we… to do about it, that is our question…." The former regent stood and began to pace.

"We already have two investigations going, An official one and a covert one to find the real culprits. We're planning on blaming bandits to separate the two events," Newt explained, leaning forward, in an attempt to recapture his uncle's attention.

"The culprit is easy. It's always the person who benefits the most. Who gains the most from the crown completely massacring a group of innocent schoolboys?"

Who did benefit the most? An unstable young king was a breeding ground for opportunistic ambition.

"It needs to be someone who has a good claim if Newt were to be dethroned. I would naturally assume you, former regent. But you were there" I replied, as I wrung my hands.

"Ah! But I was there! Now you're on to something. With Rosemary being bartered for peace. Which by the way very convenient for our culprit, almost too convenient. My son deceased, and Newt and I in the dungeons. That leaves the Isaac line completely out of the question. Well… unless you two have happy news."

"You're right," I said "We are completely vulnerable on all sides."

The nerves of the reality made me stand as I spoke.

"Lord Benjamin has the strongest claim; he is the only one that is viable to take the throne."

Newt shook his head "That is not possible. Lord Benjamin has a lot of land but for him to take the throne he needs more land in the South."

Georgios squinted and shook his head at Newt as he sat down again. "Nephew, you disappoint me. You should know your court. Lord Benjamin's sister is married to that putrid Lord Bowen. If he dies, considering his age and habits, it might be any day now. Without an heir, his southern lands would go to Lord Benjamin, making him a strong contender for your throne.'" Georgios emphasized his point by pointing his wine at Newt.

He was right and we had been too stupid to see it coming,

Newt abruptly stood "That's impossible, that would never happen, there are laws to prevent such land grabs."

Georgios rolled his eyes "But nephew you allowed it. When you signed off on Isabelle's marriage. Should have consulted your council on that one. They would have warned you. Quite clever of Lord Benjamin, to pick Isabelle. You say no, it's a public slap in the face to your wife, who you are infatuated with, you say yes, which you did, and you create a direct risk to your claim."

We were fools, inexperienced, stupid fools.

Newt was a bright red as he slammed his fists on the table. "Uncle that is not possible. It can't be. You are wrong and I will prove it to you."

Georgios turned towards me, a bored look overtaking his features.

"I trust you will see that this is taken care of. I'd hate to be stripped of all my pretty privileges."

Newt's eyes bore into me. His gaze was angry and impatient. He never looked at me that way.

The weight of his mistake was crumbling around him. And he didn't know how to handle it.

I needed to be careful of what I said. Georgios was right but Newt refused to believe it.

"Regardless of whether it is true or not. Your uncle has a point. Lord Benjamin cannot be allowed to have any more land. We need to find an infraction on Lord Bowen, something to give us cause to strip him of his lands. If we also strip Isabelle's father of some of his lands, Lord Benjamin will call the marriage off himself. He won't marry a penniless and landless prospect. He is too smart for that. We will however need to secure a match for Isabelle, she will be out for blood otherwise."

Newt stared at me, his face undecipherable. I would have reached out to touch him had Georgios not been in the room.

Terse seconds passed before Newt, turned and silently left the room.

"You know, I thought the Queen mother had picked you because you were the best breeding mare out there. Imagine my surprise to know you are a mare with a brain. Quite the deal we got on you." Georgios said as he sipped his wine and put his feet on the table.

"My nephew is young and still sees the world in a positive light, unless he smartens up, it will be this kingdom's undoing."

I did my best to not run through the halls, but I needed to find Newt, and quickly.

We had been stupid and naïve, too caught up in each other to see the real threat. It could not happen again; I would not let it happen again.

After some searching and asking, some servants finally pointed me to his private council stateroom. I had never been in there before; the room was lined with scrolls and law books. A large desk sat in the center of the room, and a large window illuminated the space.

Minho and Thomas were lounging on some leather settees when I barged in. I did not miss the knowing look they shared when they saw me.

I glared at them before approaching Newt. He was standing behind his desk. Scrolls and loose paper covering it.

I braced myself before I spoke. He had already looked annoyed.

"Newt, we need to have an heir now. It's the only way to ensure this madness doesn't happen again." I clutched my hands together as I spoke.

I had ruminated the notion long enough and it would ensure that if all else failed; a viable heir would be our saving grace.

"And that is our cue to leave," Thomas said.

I turned to see him stand, I expected to see Minho smirking but all I found was a tense scowl.

He knew I was right.

Without any more quips or witty remarks, they both left the room.

Newt stared at me in utter confusion. "Roan, what?

"Newt, Lord Benjamin's plan all hinges on the Isaac line not being a viable option. If we have an heir, the whole plan falls apart."

I had expected many reactions from Newt. Hesitation, confusion, embarrassment… what I did not expect was the irritated look that overtook his features.

"Roan…I will not repeat myself…Lord Benjamin is not vying for the throne. My uncle is being a nuisance, like always, and why are you taking his side? You are the one that did not want him here in the first place."

I struggled to keep my composure. I needed to make Newt see reason and that wouldn't happen if I lost it.

"Newt you made a mistake…its all right. You are new to being king, but we still have options. Having an heir will keep us protected. There bounds to be some bitterness with the southern lords." I walked around the desk to stand in front of Newt. He needed to see reason.

Newt sighed and avoided my eyes.

"That is not what is happening-"

"Newt it is what is happening, and we need to get ahead of it," I said, urging once more.

Newt finally met my eyes, his gaze annoyed and clouded.

"Roan when we have an heir it will not be like this. I will not have my heir be rushed about."

I couldn't help the surge of indignation that overtook me.

"Your heir? Since when is it only your choice? Do I not have a choice?!"

Newt pinched his nose. "Roan that is not what I meant. Last night you were too scared to kiss me and now you want to have an heir? We are not ready. You do not know what you are asking."

As much as I hated it, his words stung. "I do not care if we are ready. I do not want you to be killed you bloody fool! What do you think the nobles will do if they find out about their children? Huh? What do you think will happen then?"

Newt reached out to grab me, but I pulled back.

"So, I'll just bugger off then, sit around and wait for them to kill you and I'll be shipped back home where I'll live my days in misery thinking about how you could have lived had you only listened to me. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. My gratitude to you Newt."

"Roan-"

I ignored Newt and made sure to slam the door as I left.

Bloody Idiot.

Why could he not see that we were on the verge of losing it all?

I didn't care if the stupid court saw me cry. I let the hot tears roll down my eyes. I would be back home soon enough if Newt didn't see reason.

I hated how the emotions rolled in my chest. It stung to have him throw my fear about kissing him back in my face.

He was being impossible, but I did not want to see his head roll. There was only one person who would get him to see reason. And she had wanted an heir for much longer than I had.

Antonietta was sipping from her cup as she faced a window. She awaited the arrival of all she had summoned.

I sat with my legs and arms crossed. I didn't want to talk to anyone, and I knew they could all see my puffy eyes.

Rosemary had arrived first, then Thomas and Minho together, Janson and the horrid Counselor Ava, with Georgios strolling in not much later.

His Royal Majesty was last.

I sensed the angry look he sent me, but I refused to look at him.

Once everyone was settled in, Antonietta started, still facing the window. She recounted what I had told her and the solutions I had posed. The usually quiet Rosemary gasped at the revelations.

It was dire enough for her to leave her usual decorum.

When Antonietta finished speaking, she finally turned towards us.

"This could easily be fixed if we act quickly." Janson said, "I can easily find a reason to strip Isabelle's father and I am sure we could do the same for Lord Bowen. However, we would be creating four enemies and fostering resentment amongst the southern lords."

Georgios interceded "Four enemies are better than a horde of nobles after our heads."

"The simplest option would be to stop the marriage between Lord Benjamin and Isabelle Winchester. Once Lord Bowen dies, we can forge some fake new heir." Councilor Ava spoke.

"How would that even be possible? Newt already approved the marriage." Antonietta asked.

"Not very difficult, I will have the health council write a direct rejection of their marriage based on lack of compatibility of blood purity. Before Lord Bowen dies, we will forge a new heir, someone favorable to us, to take his lands. In the meantime, we will devise a plan to fully get rid of Lord Benjamin."

I envied the Councilor and her quick, level-headedness.

"That all sounds good to me but with Rosemary engaged and Zart dead, we are still vulnerable. We need an heir." Antonietta said, she stared down at her son who was still standing.

Newt's face contorted once more in irritation.

"I would like to formally apologize for my misgivings about Lord Benjamin since you all seem to be convinced. I still think we should do a full investigation. Councilor Ava, we will go through with your plan. However, I would like to make it very clear, that I will not breach the topic of an heir any longer, with anyone."

The rest of the afternoon passed without much to do.

I was not on speaking terms with Newt so dressing for dinner was icy and silent. Dinner was perhaps worse, the entire table but Newt and I were involved in lively chatter. The tea after was much the same. Newt sulked by the window while I sulked on the settees.

I was usually back in the room before Newt but this time he had beat me to it. He was staring at the fire.

I ignored him and let Agnes undress me. She could sense the tension in the room and did her job faster than normal. Eager to get out.

Here this morning, I had been dying for a moment alone with Newt. Now, I didn't want to breathe the same air as him.

I didn't understand how he could be so obstinate. His stubbornness was risking his life. I did not care about the discomfort, the pain, or the fear of making an heir. If it meant, that Newt would be safe, I would do it.

Against my better judgment, I turned away from the bed and headed for Newt. He seemed surprised to see me sit on the floor in front of him.

I reached out and took his hand, kissing each of his knuckles.

"Why don't want an heir Newt? It's what every king wants."

New took back his hand, the soft look that had briefly appeared hardening again.

"I said I did not want to talk about it any longer."

I sighed "But why, Newt? You must tell me why."

Newt tugged at his hair "Because Roan! We are not ready! You've never been with a man; you don't understand what it is you're asking."

You've never been with a man.

An icy bolt burned through my insides. "I've never been with man, but have you been with others?"

Newt looked up at me confused "What does that-"

"I want to know, Newt. Have you-"

"Roan-

"Newt answer the question."

"I do not understand what this has to do with anything." Newt slapped his legs before standing.

I followed suit. "I don't understand why you can't answer the question."

"That has nothing to do with what we are talking about."

"I beg to differ; I think it has a lot to do with what we are talking about. If anything, it would explain-"

"Fine Roan! Yes! I've slept with other women. Three, in fact. All before I married you, all before I was even engaged to you. Are you happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear?"

I tried to not let the hurt show, but I wasn't sure I was doing a very good job of it.

His words confirmed what I suspected.

It wasn't that Newt didn't want to have an heir; he simply did not want to have one with me.

The realization of the rejection made every membrane in my body sting in pain.

I broke away from Newt's tense gaze.

My lungs squeezed tight, and my heart felt like a cannonball in my chest.

I needed to leave the room. And I needed to do it quickly. I heard Newt call after me, but I ignored him.

I grabbed my robe and silently exited the room. I wanted fresh air, but it would be impossible for me to get to the gardens with the halls so dark.

I reached a tearoom I knew and after some struggle, I was able to open the window. The cold air made the heat on my face disappear.

If Newt didn't want an heir, there was nothing I could do to convince him otherwise.

I tried to push away the bitter taste of rejection, but it sprung back up. I didn't know what was so inadequate about me that having a child made Newt so angry. In any regard, what was the point of our union?

The entire purpose of my existence here was to birth heirs. I breathed in the crisp night air a couple more times before I pushed the window back into place.

My head had started to hurt from all the drama of the day. I missed the boring tea parties. They were much simpler.

There was barely enough light in the hallways.

I was not very surprised when I crashed into a mass of limbs. With the darkness, it was impossible to see anyone moving too fast.

I was surprised however to find Minho glaring at me as he rubbed his forehead.

"What are you doing here?! I thought princesses didn't trapeze around in their nightgowns."

I rolled my eyes. "I went for a walk, no one is supposed to be awake anyways."

"And neither should you. Let's go, we need to talk Newt."

"Why? He clearly thinks he knows best."

I hated the slight look of compassion that shone in Minho's eyes.

"Newt doesn't want to have an heir because he is scared you'll freak out in the process."

I wanted to rip my scalp out. "How would you know that? And frankly, I don't think-"

"I am his head guard; he tells me everything. Roan you've never been with anyone and you're kind of a prude. He doesn't want you rushing into something you don't fully grasp."

I crossed my arms in expiration. This was not something I wanted to discuss with Minho.

"And? I think I can decide for myself if I am ready or not. Besides what's there to grasp? It's pretty straightforward isn't it."

Minho shook his head before smirking "Depends how you go about it, your majesty."

"What are you doing here Minho? Why do you need to talk Newt?"

"Well, it just so happens that Rosemary's forbidden guard has disappeared."

I led the way back to the room. The guards looked confused to see Minho with me but otherwise didn't say much.

The room looked empty. Which was odd, Newt should be in bed.

"Newt," I called.

But there was no response.

I turned towards Minho "He is not here."

Minho was looking past me, his face pale.

Out of nowhere, he dashed forward. Pushing me out of the way.

The anger I felt at being shoved quickly disappeared when I saw him crouch on the ground near the fire.

I rushed over, feeling my bones freeze and stick together at the sight before me.

Minho was holding Newt's head. He was on the ground, his eyes rolled to the back of his head, blue veins crawling up his neck.

Poison.

Newt had been poisoned.