The Haunted Portrait

I shot up out of bed with a scream. "Why won't you leave me alone!"

My ladies come running.

"Your Majesty?" Nan asked.

"She was here. She plots to kill my children."

"Who?" Madge inquired with a confused look.

"The Lady Mary of course!" I snapped.

"Madge! Alert the King."

She didn't move. "Now!"

I paced back and forward. Was it all a dream? No. A prophecy. You intend to haunt me after you're dead, do you?

"Majesty?" I looked up.

"His Majesty is here to see you."

"See him through."

Henry appeared. "Sweetheart. What's wrong?"

"Everything Henry. She plots to kill our son and daughter."

"No. She's harmless. But if you're that concerned I can have her removed from the children's household and put on house arrest. Does that please you, my love?"

"Yes. And more guards for the children's safety."

"Of course. Now you must rest."

He kissed my forehead and left. My ladies gave me poppy seed syrup mixed with warm wine to sleep, but you wouldn't stop. You haunt me still.

"My Lady?" Alice asked.

"Yes?"

"A late birthday gift has come for you."

I put down my needlework and smiled.

"Oh? Who sent it?"

"There is no name, Madam."

The present was set before me and I got a bad feeling. My curiosity outweighed my gut feeling but I was right. Because I peeled back the paper and there you were in a portrait, hugging my darling Elizabeth, with a knife in your hand