Mónica used to be sweet. It wasn’t as though she was rude now, but she didn’t go out of her way to be kind, nor.. Interact with anyone, for that matter. She wasn’t the same, carefree Queen she used to be. Not after the divorce with the King.

To keep face and to ensure their children led a semi-normal life, Mónica remained in the palace. She and Alexander maintained a positive(ish) relationship, but of course, nothing was perfect. Slowly, Mónica drifted away. Slowly, she wore less extravagant outfits, taking off the jewelry Alexander had once given her. Slowly, she isolated herself.

She trusts one person though. Maybe trust wasn’t the word, but she felt safe around them. She felt like she could speak her mind, be herself again, if just for a little bit.

“I want to take a walk today,” she whispered with the faintest ghost of a smile, that same servant she adored braiding her hair patiently while Mónica thought aloud, “I’ll go see the garden and maybe visit the markets in the village. You should come with me. I give you permission.”