The Consequence: Sequel to The Choice

TW: Suicidal thoughts and talk of suicide

I woke up in my bed, my head pounding.

Imogen sat on the foot of my bed, her eyes widening as I woke.

"How long have I been out?" I croaked, blinking away the blurriness.

"About 2 hours," Imogen sighed. "You scared me, Madeline."

I sighed, still feeling groggy. "I had to have been dreaming or something. I can't believe you told me-."

Imogen was silent.

I sat up straight in bed, the squeezing sensation in my chest returning. "It was some kind of daydream right, Imogen?"

Tears welled in Imogen's eyes as she shook her head slowly.

Spots and tears clouded my vision as a ringing sound erupted in my ears, along with loud screams. The screams were excruciatingly loud and I had no idea where they were coming from. It was only until Imogen's arms held me tightly did I realise the screams were from me.

***

I had not eaten in 3 days. This time, I wasn't hungry. I was numb. I didn't feel anything- no pain, no sorrow, no anger- nothing. I refused to speak to anyone. Amancio requested my presence and for the first time, I declined his offer successfully.

I sat in my room, staring at the ceiling, occasional tears sliding down my cheeks.

I felt nothing because I didn't know what to feel. I felt like my world had fallen apart, everything I did was in vain. What I didn't understand was why. I was already married to Amancio- I'd fulfilled my end of the deal. Imogen hadn't told me any of the details. I didn't know how he died, or why. All I knew was that it was Amancio's fault. And I wanted to make him pay.

I still couldn't believe it. It seemed so foreign as I ran over the thoughts in my head. Carlos was dead. Carlos was dead. Carlos was dead. The tears came at full speed as I realised that if Carlos was dead, then there was probably no hope for me. I would live in the palace as Amancio's prisoner until I died.

***

"You have to eat Lady Madeline," Imogen's soft voice interrupted my dark thoughts.

I lay flat on my bed, facing the ceiling. My eyes were closed and my hands were placed on my chest, like I was in a coffin- which didn't entirely seem like a bad idea.

"Lady Madeline," Imogen pleaded. It was obvious I wasn't a Lady anymore. It was standard protocol to address me by my new title- Queen. But, it seemed like a habit Imogen wasn't willing to drop- which I appreciated. What I did not appreciate was her pestering me.

"Go. Away," I muttered, my eyes still closed.

"You haven't eaten in 4 days, Lady Madeline. Your skin is hanging off your bones- I'm worried about you."

"Worried that I could die?" I mumbled, concentrating on the dark abyss in my closed eyes.

Imogen gasped, "You're not thinking of...killing yourself, are you?"

I opened my eyes and my vision blurred. I wasn't hungry but I was feeling the aftereffects of my starvation. I felt weak and could barely move even if I wanted to. My head pounded, as if someone was hitting it with a hammer.

"No, I am not thinking of killing myself. Now, I would like to be left alone," I snapped.

"Look Lady Madeline, I understand you're mourning Carlos but you need to get over this...phase. The Royal Tour is coming soon, King Amancio has given you this week to do as you please but I'm afraid that's how far his patience goes," Imogen seemed frustrated.