"Delia Vivian Dervax, as stated by the laws of the land, you forfeit the title of a queen as you have murdered a child of royal blood" Vivian's ears rang as she stood before the people of the royal court "on the accusation of attempted murder of Belle De la Rose, you have been found guilty'' this was the verdict of the judges.

It was true she had tried to kill that woman multiple times, and she had made mistakes that led to her being caught. She had not lost the will to live and was sure she still had a card to play, her son. The deaths of her father and older brother were necessary. She shrugged it off. She did not feel the need to prove her innocence. After all, she did have a reputation.

"on the accusation of the murder of a royal offspring, you have been found guilty of treason against the royal house, and you Delia have no more connections to the Thorne name and have been sentenced to death by hanging". Vivian had pled guilty to all charges except that of murdering Belle's unborn child; she was aware of the pregnancy and had done nothing this time around. The public knew her past atrocities, and there was no evidence to exonerate her.

She had been imprisoned for months, and during her imprisonment, she learnt a few things. Her father and older brother had tried all they could to get her a lighter sentence, and when she realised that her husband, the emperor, was set on having her executed. She had put plans in place to implicate them and thought the most that would happen was that they would lose their ducal title as punishment. This time she was innocent, and since her family had supported the empire she thought they would get lighter punishment compared to her and her miscalculations resulted in their deaths. Her heart was heavy, but she ignored it. ''Durian will come'' she smiled, looking at her husband and the Empress Belle.

The events had put a strain on the kingdom because her father was a duke and the head commander of the kingdom's military forces. She was waiting on her son Durin who just turned thirteen, she considered him a soft child one that was too naive for the life of a prince, and she had always resented that. He was too kind, and she wanted him strong. Because of that, she was strict with him and never let him enjoy his childhood. From the moment he could walk, he would undergo extensive training, making Durin fear his mother unbeknownst to her. She thought she was showing him her love by making him strong.

After all, her husband did not love her and brought in another woman whom he named Empress. As she expected, Durian had appeared. All he had to do was make a plea as the crown prince; that way, Delia would be put under his care, and when the time came, he would become emperor, and the dowager empress would be her. But to her surprise, her son stood beside Belle. ''Are you ok, mother?'' He was talking to Belle. Delia's world came crashing down. Her son did not even look at her. She suddenly felt cold. She could not understand why her son would address Belle as his mother. 

''D-D-Durian'' her voice caught in her throat. ''you have gone too far this time, Delia'' Durian sounded cold and distant. She wanted him to be strong so that no one would take advantage of him, but now she realised he was already lost to her. She wondered what all her work was for; all she had done and endured was for nothing. Her son was her only way out, and now it was sure she was going to be executed. 'where did I go wrong?' she thought to herself. 

''No, Durian listen to me. I did not touch that woman, not this time, I swear it!!!.'' Her pleas fell on deaf ears as she was dragged away; she was going to be hunged at sundown. She had a few hours left to live. All she wanted now was to see her son, but he refused to grant her audience.

When it was time, the guards dragged her outside to the gallows. There was an audience waiting. People had gathered around to watch her final moments. Delia snorted as she glared daggers at them; she did not want to be looked down on by anyone. She had steeled herself to go out with a sneer. Soon her eyes found a tent where her ex-husband and the empress were sitting to watch her demise, and she was shocked to see Durian was with them.

Her resolve to die with her head held high dissolved. The last thing she wanted was for Durian to see her like this. Her eyes watered, and she spoke, ''Please, Aiden, send him away,'' she said to the emperor, begging him to send Durian away. Her husband ignored her as he soothed his mourning empress. "You can't be here; close your eyes, please don't look!!''' Delia said to Durian, she was thrashing and screaming but to no avail.

They put the noose around her neck, but she fought them every step of the way. ''I will accept my punishment; just send my son away, don't let this be his last memory of me, I beg of you.'' Her pleas fell on deaf ears as her sentence was carried out. The sounds of her thrashing and her splatter of urine as she soiled herself were all that could be heard.

Different emotions filled the crowd. No one felt sorry for Delia, but most, who were parents, could understand her pain. In the end, they all rejoiced. An evil queen had paid for her crimes, and peace should reign now that she was gone. They were yet to realise how wrong they were. This was just the beginning of even darker days to come for the kingdom of Mael. 

News of Delia's execution spread like wildfire across all kingdoms. Many who had seen her in action believed she would meet such an end sooner or later, after some time passed banquets and festivals were held, time did not stop, and people continued to move forward. The Mael Kingdom flourished thanks to their ruler Aiden. He was viewed as a wise and kind emperor by his people.

Aiden had not loved Delia, and he was not a good husband to her. He had heard rumours about her before they wed and was reluctant to marry her. He was advised to marry her to gain her family's support because his half-brother had been fighting for the throne. Aiden did not want to live like his late father, who married multiple wives and caused him to fight his blood for succession. He Had decided to marry Delia as she would help his claim to the throne, his advisors showed her to be the best strategic partner, she was from a noble house, one as old as the Mael kingdom and had the Dervax house supporting him would aid him if there were to be a war for the throne. He decided to marry a woman he saw had an unquenchable thirst for power, Delia. 

Belle was very different to Delia; she was kind, warm and uncalculating. She cared for his son more than anything else and was more of a mother to him than Delia was. He had married Belle because she put him at ease and provided a solution to stop Delia from ever becoming empress. Aiden had hoped to banish Delia, but he could not risk her retaliating. She had killed his second child. He did not want the mother of his child to die; however, Aiden felt it was the best decision. When her father and brother stood against his decision, proof of their involvement in the murder of his child was presented to him, he could not believe his eyes, he never thought that the Dervax house was a greedy one. 

Given that they raised Delia, Aiden no longer doubted their involvement, eradicating the Dervax house was the solution his advisors presented, he was reluctant to do it, but as an emperor, he had to put his kingdom first. Marrying Belle was not planned, a year after his marriage to Delia, he met Belle at the annual royal ball to celebrate a fruitful year, she was meek and seemed to enjoy his company, he was intrigued by her, she was nothing like his wife who was queen and was trying to move forces to be crowned empress. After six months of meeting Belle frequently, he decided to make her empress to keep Delia in check. 

Darkness surrounded Delia,she could not tell where she was"Dear child of mine'' a voice called out to Delia. ''who are you? where is this?'' she asked ''It is I, Lumina'' the voice answered ''You are with me now, much too soon I might add'' the voice said sounding displeased. ''The Goddess Lumina?" Delia inquired as the memories of her life came back to her. ''Dear Goddess, where are you? Why can't I see you?" she asked "Of all my children you were one of my most beloved, born of your mother Lumine who was named after me'' Delia felt cold. 

''I have to say, I am very disappointed at how you lived your life, your actions will ruin a land loved by me" The Goddess sounded more angry with each word ''what do you mean my actions?" Delia was stubborn, she knew the Goddess was right, still, she argued ''in this form you should have no influence over you still, have you no remorse?" the Goddess asked. "influence? what influence? I am Delia Vivian Thorne, who would dare influence me" she stated to the darkness around her. 

"very well, I will not accept your soul, I will leave you to witness the fruits of your labour'' Lumina said to her "Wait, what does that mean" Delia asked but Lumina ignored her. Delia was stuck between worlds, unable to cross over; her resentment towards everyone only grew stronger. She watched as everyone moved on. Her soul lingered by the Jade place where her son resided. She was sad yet grateful she could watch him grow. Before she realised it, days turned into months and months to years. 

Durian was growing into a fine young man; however, Delia could see the darkness growing with him. He was becoming inconsiderate and would punish maids and guards for the simplest things. Durian grew more distant from his father while simultaneously growing closer to Belle. Delia could see that Belle had a strong hold on her son and would suggest how he should lecture his subordinates.

She saw how Belle would preach discipline to her son and turn to tell Aiden how worried she was about the changes in Durian's behaviour. Delia was infuriated; there was nothing she could do. Delia had suspected that Belle was as vicious as she was while alive but could not prove it. Now she was watching it with her own eyes. Belle was vile, more than her who had been dubbed the evil queen. 

"Aiden, can't you see what's right in front of you?'' she groaned in frustration. Delia could not understand why Belle was creating a rift between Aiden and Durian. Before Delia could comprehend it all, minor conflicts had turned into harsh and severe arguments. Aiden and Durian could not stand to be in the same room. Belle was playing the father and son like a pair of marionettes. ''if I was still alive, there is no way I would let you do this'' Delia cursed at Belle with all she had. She would attempt to interact but alas she was no longer among the living. 

She feared the worst on the night her son turned eighteen. She watched him leave the Jade Palace dressed in all black, armed and headed for the Diamond Palace. In all the time that she had been dead, she had never once prayed to the Goddess Lumina, but at that moment, she prayed and begged that her son did not do something that would condemn his soul. It was too late, and he was too far gone. On the night that Durian turned eighteen and was officially crowned as the crown prince, Aiden Amos Thorne I of Mael Kingdom was assassinated by his son.

It was more than evident to Delia that Belle knew who had killed Aiden. Belle played the role of a distraught widow perfectly and was now a dowager empress. She was now ruling the kingdom how she wanted; while manipulating Durian. She had made him a tyrant to be feared. He waged senseless wars and killed multitudes. Those who questioned him were met with his sword. Delia watched her son become something else.

She had no one to blame but herself. Just when she thought it could not get worse. Durian had become obsessed with the daughter of marquees, who was engaged to the son of a duke. It was the Duke who had taken over Delia's father's position after his execution.

'Goddess Lumina, do you mean to punish me still', she thought to herself. Her son was now a madman who ruled with an iron fist and coveted what belonged to others. Belle gave him ideas on how to win the object of his obsession. Durian listened to all that Belle told him. He had his guard storm the marquess's home and took their daughter to the palace.

''You are the emperor; all you have to do is get her pregnant and she is yours'' Belle said sweetly to Durian. Delia cursed Belle, screamed and swung at her. She was no longer a part of the world of the living and could therefore do nothing. ''Lumian can you hear me?" After all she had seen, she had not once called for the Goddess. Delia felt desperate and still Lumina did not answer her. 

Her heart broke further when she saw Belle meeting in secret with a resistance formed to overthrow Durian. The leading commander was the fiance of the girl her son had kidnapped. Delia cursed everything. But she cursed herself evermore. She wanted more than anything to claw her eyes out however she was unable to feel physical pain. She watched as the resistance stormed the castle and as her crazed son met his inevitable end.

She walked to him as he lay on the floor bleeding and his eyes unfocused, tears streamed down her face as she cried for her son ''mother'' she heard him faintly call out. She was too shocked to respond. 'can he see me??' she wondered as she watched him slip away '' I am so sorry for everything'' she cried desperately ''Durain'' she uttered as he was now lost to her forever.

''Goddess Lumina are you here, please I beg of you please let me have a do-over, this cannot be his life, it is all my fault'' She cried desperately watching her son's body on the ground. 'I did this' she thought to herself 'It was all me'' Delia cried for the longest time before she could feel her conciseness slipping away. She closed her eyes and embraced the darkness.