Page 11 - RotalTutor

the maids scrubbing the floor. By the time they reached the throne room, the din of the courtyard had faded far behind. As they stepped inside, the silence pounded in his ears. When the large oak doors shut behind them, the huge hall and the stillness within mixed to give the feeling of a morgue. Jacob found himself lagging behind as they approached the throne, and he had to quicken his pace to catch up. He was sure the only sound in the room was coming from his heart, which was trying to climb out his throat. Lord High Chamberlain didn’t even pause before the queen, but took his place at her side as Jacob bowed himself before her. She was dressed in a long sleeping gown, which was covered with a velvet robe. Her robe was open slightly, and her hair was disheveled. He had never seen her this way before. Every other time he had been in her presence she had always been dressed meticulously, and her hair was impeccable. The queen was facing away from him and did not immediately look at him, but seemed deep in thought, as if contemplating his demise. Slowly, she turned toward him. “You may rise, Captain. Lord High Chamberlain informs me that there was another attempted breach of security.” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Jacob replied. “If I am correct, that would be the fourth one already this year,” she said. 9