Cecilia's Lament

"Well then, your Majesty, I shall retire as well." Belboz said with a smirk. "We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Sleep well, my darling fiancee." With that, Belboz departed as well.

Cecilia felt sick to her stomach. She sat for a long while on the throne, the very seat of power from which her father had ruled Allaria for the past 40 years. Sitting there, as Queen, she felt utterly powerless. She wept bitterly.

Cecilia heard the faintest noise, a brief shuffling of footsteps, from outside the throne room. Was someone spying on her? She rose and exited the room. Looking down the darkened corridor, she saw a figure, obscured by the shadows.

"Come forward" , she demanded. Slowly, the man emerged from the shadows. Cecilia breath caught in her throat. The man knelt, and said, softly "Long live the Queen."

"Gunther!"

She ran to him and collapsed in his arms, crying. "Oh, Gunther, how I've missed you."

"And I you, my Queen." He whispered, hugging her to him.Cecilia smiled for the first time since she had been turned back to normal. After a long, comfortable moment, they broke their embrace.

"Gunther, I'm so sorry for what has happened. This is an awful circumstance. You were my betrothed. You should be the one to take my hand in marriage. I have fallen into this wizard's plot, and I don't know how to get out!"

Gunther gazed into her eyes and replied...

1. "Let us be married then. I will challenge Belboz's claim to the throne, ...and to you"
2. "You have given your word, as Queen, and it is binding. I am sorry, but you must marry Belboz."
3. "You were gone for 5 years. I searched for you, but eventually lost hope. I am sorry, but I have married someone else."

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