Amelia stood in stock stillness as the dressmaker worked around her. She was important. The queen had told her so and now she being treated like a princess.

Hair done up and dripping with pearls and gems made it hard for Amelia to lift her head more than an inch. Not that she minded, it was where her eyes belonged. And as the dressmaker pulled the starch white fabric tight around her her hip she winced. Just before the pin stuck her, as it had done so many times before. But each pin in her flesh that sent waves of pain down her spine was worth it.

Lifting a timid hand Amelia chewed on her nail anxiously. She had been at the dressmakers for quiet awhile. She didn't want the Queen to forget her promise.

Within the next hour though the Queen arrived and Amelia's nerves were calmed.

"Are you ready Ame?"

"Forever for you my Queen."

The Queens mouth formed a thin line before cracking into a smile. She had secrets to hide but the child didn't need to know. Taking Amelia by the hand the queen then leads her outside where the sea breeze was rolling inland in waves.

"Is he handsome?"

"Very." The Queens words had a particular sort of coldness to them that Amelia easily glossed over in her state of excitement.

The Queen had promised her a handsome, young, wealthy husband for years of loyal service.

As they arrive at the cliffs though, Amelia gives a confused look.

"My-"

"Through here child." Helping Amelia through an opening in the hollowed out cliff the Queen presses a bottle to Amelia's palm and closes her fingers around it.

"I send my love to you."

Steeping away from the opening Amelia watch as a slab out rock obscure the Queen from her view and the light is snuffed out. She felt raw. She felt tricked, deceived, deluded.

A quick survey though shows her that dim light is being emitted from a few torches. And atop a large slab a young man sleep. That Queen had delivered!

Rushing over Amelia kisses his brow in happiness but the man doesn't move. She frowns.

"My love?" Stroking his face her brow furrows with worry. "Are you alright?"

It isn't until she takes her glove off that she understands. The queen had never promised her husband to be alive.