The King Let His Queen Kill Five Heirs

Thanks to the System, I managed to give birth to a fifth heir for a king who was destined never to have children. However, my baby was killed by the queen, Vasya Edolina. Sebastian Sylvestrion comforted me, saying, “Vasya lost the ability to have children after helping me conquer these lands. She’s jealous, and she’s only expressing her unhappiness. Don’t mind her.” Everyone thought I would rage against Queen Vasya for my lost baby’s life as I used to, but I only nodded numbly. “Nightmares plague Queen Vasya. You should visit her, Your Majesty,” said Mathild, the queen dowager’s head lady’s maid. “Your Majesty, Her Majesty is crying because she dreamed of the five late princes coming for her life. She won’t rise. Please go and see her.” Sebastian’s face froze. “You can’t wake her, so what can I do?” However, once he said this, he regretted it. He patted my hand. “Vasya is sensitive. I will be back. You must take care of yourself. You will eat and sleep like the queen herself. Once you are better, you can have more children.” I nodded calmly and watched him leave. What Sebastian did not know was that the System only allowed him five children. Once the last one was born, my mission in this world was over, as I had fulfilled my duty by giving him heirs. In three days, I would return home to my modern world, and he would be destined to lose his kingdom to civil war without heirs. Chapter 1 When Sebastian Sylvestrion came with Gregory Adelard to visit me, the queen dowager’s head lady’s maid came as well. “Your Majesty, the queen dowager has decreed that the loss of five heirs in succession must be the fault of Lady Merione’s lack of virtue. “She is unfit to be a mother. The royal lineage is a matter of state, and jeopardizing it is a capital offense! As this is a grave matter currently being discussed in court, Lady Merione must provide us with an explanation!” Sebastian, the king, frowned as he gently brushed aside the hair on my sweat-sopped forehead. “I understand. Report back to your mistress that I will settle this matter personally.” However, the lady’s maid, Mathild Helmann, did not leave. “Your Majesty, the queen dowager would like to know how you intend to deal with this matter, so that she can pray for guidance if necessary.” I clutched the hem of my skirts, feeling a sense of anticipation that I should not have. I waited for Sebastian to recount the truth of his lost heir. However, Sebastian did not do so. He only snapped impatiently, “What do you want, then? Are you expecting me to have Lady Merione dragged off to the gallows right after giving birth?” Mathild immediately fell to her knees. “I wouldn’t dare suggest such a thing!” Gregory tugged the corner of Sebastian’s shirt. “Your Majesty, Mother is only concerned. Do not upset her because of this. “In my opinion, the queen dowager and the royal council will be displeased at best. At worst, Vasya will have another episode. “Why not punish Lady Merione with a pilgrimage to the Church of Sorrows and pledge her service there for a time? That will kill two birds with one stone. What do you think?” Sebastian paused and considered with a haggard countenance. He looked visibly pained by the idea. “All right, we shall do as you say. Go and ask Mother if this is acceptable.” Mathild hurriedly bowed. “I shall do so at once!” Gregory left as well. Sebastian was regretful as he clutched my hand tightly. “This is my fault, Meri. I know how aggrieved you feel. Don’t blame me for hiding the truth, for I only want what’s best for you all. Vasya isn’t doing this to irk you. She is only doing what she thinks is right for the kingdom. “Mother is only upset that she cannot do anything to help ensure the royal lineage. If she finds out that Vasya caused little Henrik’s death, Vasya will die.” Sebastian had already said this, or something like it, five times before, or surely even more than that. However, the 3,000 steps leading up to the Church of Sorrows might as well be a death sentence to a woman who had just given birth. It was not as if I had never tried to refute my supposed crimes or to beg Queen Dowager Ysolde for help. Once, Sebastian had ignored the matters of state to cook for Vasya personally, sparking Queen Dowager Ysolde’s ire. She had wanted to punish Sebastian’s concubines for distracting the king. Without hesitation, Sebastian offered me up on a silver platter despite the fact that I had been four months pregnant. As I felt it was unfair, I immediately blamed Vasya for doing the deed in truth. Yet, though Queen Dowager Ysolde had punished Vasya, Sebastian had my head lady’s maid, Cora, whipped to death despite my begging. The excuse he used was that Cora had failed to talk me out of my poor decision and was punishing her to warn the other maids. My heart had long since gone numb. In any case, the System had notified me that I would perish three days after labor. I watched as the gossamer sheets over my bed stirred calmly in the breeze. “It is an honor to split the Queen’s burden. I am not aggrieved.” Chapter 2 Astonishment flashed in Sebastian’s eyes, but it faded when Vasya came over. “Your Majesty, Queen Dowager Ysolde means for Lady Merione to depart today.” Sebastian clenched his fist. He was about to speak when I forced down the pain to get up and curtsy to them both. “Your Majesties, you need not worry about me. I shall depart at once.” After saying this, I clutched my back and painfully draped a coat over myself. “Meri…” Sebastian reached his hand out to hold me, but I ducked his attempt. Vasya was crying. “Your Majesty, do you blame me for being cruel to Merione? Do you feel pained at her plight?” Sebastian’s concern was evident. “No, certainly not. I know that things are difficult for you as well, Vasya. Do not overthink this. You are my priority. I’m only afraid that Merione might resent you for this.” Those words would have hurt me deeply, given how much I used to love him. However, I knew that his treatment of me only made me Vasya’s target. Naturally, those words no longer affected me. After I left through the palace gates, misty rain began to fall. It mingled with the blood still pouring forth, staining the Royal Way red. Every step made me feel like I was being split apart, and I could barely stand up straight. Yet, I knew that I would be closer to home after completing this journey. The mist became thicker and thicker, so thick that I could barely see in front of me. I suddenly felt myself in a warm embrace. The next time I awoke, I was in my chambers. Sebastian was holding my hand tightly. “You’ve finally awoken. I heard you mumbling about home. Do you miss it? You’re unwell at the moment, but it is Vasya’s birthday feast. I can have your family stay with you for a time.” Sebastian spoke gently, but I knew that he did not want me to see my family. If so, he would not have asked me this. Sebastian was worried that Vasya would be saddened by it. Although I had been born in the Edolina household, I had been lost. I had only been found seven years ago. Vasya was the daughter that the Edolina family had loved so dearly for nearly twenty years. When I was found, Vasya had tried to kill herself. We both fell into the water, where I drowned. Or rather, the body of the original Merione Edolina had drowned. It was through that death that I was pulled into this universe. Ever since then, “my parents” had been distant toward me. The only blessing I had was to become Sebastian’s concubine, along with Vasya, although I was a simple village girl. When my family found out Sebastian had slept with me after I cured him of poison, they were not at all happy. They only warned me not to be too ambitious and especially not to sabotage the relationship between Sebastian and Vasya. Later, when I was found to be pregnant, they force-fed me in an attempt to help Vasya. In the end, I had a difficult labor and nearly died. When Sebastian found out it was Vasya’s scheme, he did not even say anything. He only started treating me better after that. He treated me so well that everyone thought he had really developed feelings for me. I shook my head. “It’s nothing,” I said. After saying that, Runa, Vasya’s lady’s maid, who had come from the Edolina household, came in. “Your Majesty, Queen Vasya has prepared dinner.” Sebastian released my hand. “Rest well, Meri. You must be present at Vasya’s birthday feast on the morrow.” In the past, his solemnity would have convinced me that he truly cared about me. However, I knew that he was worried rumors would spread that Vasya had caused Henrik’s death because of our poor relationship. Only my presence at the feast would disprove such rumors. If Sebastian truly cared, we would be in mourning instead of throwing a birthday feast for the baby’s murderer the day after his death. Nothing mattered anymore. As compensation, the System would make sure that those five dead souls would find new life in good homes elsewhere. I nodded perfunctorily. The next day, my maid, Astrid, had to slap on three layers of powder to hide the exhaustion on my face. At the feast, I sat at the head of the table closest to the thrones. Vasya was speaking happily with Mother and Father, and Sebastian’s gaze never left her. Those in the castle were shrewd. Knowing the punishment that had been meted out to me the day before, no one dared to speak with me. However, that was good, because at least I got some peace. I had just taken a sip of mead when Vasya started vomiting. Sebastian was immediately alarmed. His hand was stained with Vasya’s blood. “Summon the royal healers!” However, even after various examinations, none of the half dozen royal healers could figure out what was wrong. Just then, the royal diviner, Master Gilpin Talebot, suddenly stood up. He had a compass in his hand. “I have read the stars and found an abnormality in the constellations. Someone in the castle must have used witchcraft to curse the queen!” Chapter 3 All of a sudden, everyone panicked. Sebastian was incensed. “This is absurd! How dare anyone harm the queen? Get to the bottom of this! I will have the perpetrator’s entire family hanged!” The needle of the compass spun wildly until it stopped with a plink, pointing to the southeast corner. Master Talebot immediately went to his knees. “It’s pointing to Lady Merione’s chambers!” With that, the hall plunged into silence. Sebastian stared at me with a complicated look in his eyes. Meanwhile, Vasya spat out a mouthful of blood. “It is my own fault; my sins are too great! This has nothing to do with Merione. Don’t listen to Master Talebot, Your Majesty!” Mother’s eyes were red-rimmed as she clutched Vasya’s hand. I was about to explain when Father rushed over and slapped me, sending me to the floor. “You wench, it’s bad enough that you couldn’t keep the royal heirs alive, but now you curse your sister? How could we have had a heartless wench like you?” Tears streamed down my face even as pain cut through me. Sebastian ordered my chambers to be searched. In the end, they found a wooden box filled with dirt. In it was a doll with Vasya’s name and date of birth. With it were tokens of my four eldest departed sons. Master Talebot looked overjoyed. “Yes, this is it!” After a moment, Master Talebot’s expression turned somber. “To restore Queen Vasya’s health, we must pierce the witch that cursed her with eighty-one nails made of willow. Then, all these items must be burned.” Hesitation was clear in Sebastian’s eyes, but it was soon dispersed by his love for Vasya. “Guards, apprehend Lady Merione and execute the punishment at once!” Seeing how decisive he was, I could only find the situation laughable. We had a few moments of sweet happiness, but because of them, Vasya had framed me for poisoning her tea when she visited me. I tried my best to deny it, even going as far as to drink all the tea to prove my innocence. However, Sebastian only laughed at my foolishness. He knew that Vasya was madly in love with him and that she was only doing all of this because of jealousy. He knew that she was framing me. Although I had been raised in a village, he knew that I was an honest person, not one who schemed. He said he could not love me but would always trust me. Thanks to those words, I used to think I could live by his side for the rest of my life. However, at this moment, I knew how ridiculous that idea was. I laughed without speaking, so hard that tears fell. I was tied to a wooden frame as everyone watched. A small willow nail—the length of a finger—was brought right before my eyes. Sebastian frowned, visibly unwilling to see this play out. “Does it have to be eighty-one nails?” Master Talebot was about to speak when I interrupted. I said, “Your Majesty, I am willing to undergo this punishment. But you must spare the children’s tokens!” The System said that the children’s souls could only be saved if tokens were preserved for them. These were the only tokens I had. Sebastian waved a hand. The nail was slowly pierced into my flesh, cutting through the nerves in my wrist, right into the wooden frame. The sound of hammering resounded in my ears. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails cracked. Blood flowed. The entire garden was filled with my heart-wrenching screams. Hours later, night had fallen. The last nail was hammered through my foot. Blood had turned my white dress red. I was weak all over. My weight pulled my body downward, letting the nails rip further into my flesh. Just then, Vasya spat out another mouthful of blood, heaving more violently. Master Talebot threw himself to the ground. “Your Majesty, the spirits of the children sense that their mother is being hurt and are getting violent. If we do not stop them, Queen Vasya will perish!” In that instant, I ignored the pain and struggled with all my might. I did not care that the nails hurt me even more. “Your Majesty, you promised me you wouldn’t burn the tokens! I didn’t do it! I didn’t do any of it! Why would I hurt Vasya when I’m about to die?” Sebastian’s expression changed. “What do you mean by that?” After he said that, Vasya fainted. At that moment, Sebastian no longer cared about any promise he had made to me. “How dare these spirits attack the queen? Burn them all!” Chapter 4 I was in so much pain that I was shaking all over. My heart felt like it had been riddled with nails as well. Sebastian had been there himself as I buried my first four sons. He had been so obviously regretful during those times, saying that he would show them the respect they deserved. Yet, he was still going to burn and destroy the last representations of them. I watched Master Talebot and some priests as they put the children’s tokens in the fire. Blood sprayed from my mouth. “I despise you, Sebastian Sylvestrion! You will die a wretched death!” After saying this, I fainted. I awoke the next morning. There was not much pain in my body. Instead, I even felt a little relaxed. The System informed me that this body would not be able to survive until the set time when I was supposed to return to my world. This strength was likely the last burst of energy I would have before I died. I could not help but cough, spraying blood on the bedsheets. With that, there was some bustle in my quiet bedchamber. A priest appeared before me. “Your Majesty, Lady Merione is awake.” Behind the priest were some royal healers, and they all looked at me solemnly. Some held daggers in their hands. “What are you doing?” Sebastian sat beside me. His eyes were bloodshot. He could see how weak and hurt I was, but he was unaffected. “Queen Vasya is still in a coma after coming under your curse. Master Talebot says only your blood can undo the curse.” I looked at Sebastian in disbelief. “I didn’t curse her! I didn’t do anything!” Sebastian caught my wrist tightly. “Enough, Meri. This is not the time to deny it. We don’t need much of your blood, only a bowl of it! Be good and give us your blood, and I won’t have you hanged. You should know you deserve to die for your crimes! “Let’s not waste any more time. Do it!” At his order, the royal healers pressed my bleeding body down. The priest used a curved blade and sliced into my chest, right above my heart. I trembled as I stared at Sebastian. “In seven years, I have given you five sons. Even if I were a dog, you should have developed some feelings for me by now. “Yet, you believe in rumors and lies, trying again and again to sentence me to death. I regret ever meeting you!” Sebastian looked furious as he turned away. The dagger cut into my hole-riddled chest, and the curved blade sliced through more flesh. Yet, I could not feel the pain. I only heard flesh being torn open and blood spilling. Suddenly, the System gave a warning with a beep. [User, be prepared. Your physical body is at its limit, and you are being extracted.] With a dull thump, I landed back on the bed. The priest withdrew his blade and carried a bowl full of my blood to Sebastian. Before Sebastian left the room, the royal healers shouted, “Lady Merione has passed away!”