Conclusion

The bell was ringing! It was ringing and I was running to save her but I couldn't, it seemed as though her grave only drifted further and further away and the bell continued its ring, ring, ringing.

I jolted upright suddenly, my asthma was acting up I couldn't breathe! No matter how much wheezing came from my lungs no oxygen came to them. I couldn't breathe! Why couldn't I breathe?! What should I have done?!

"Freddy!" The sudden voice only panicked me further, until I realized it was Grey whom sat upright quickly and began to rub my back. "Calm down, you're alright!" I began to cough uncontrollably which didn't help my breathing. "Lay back," he took me by the shoulders and gently pushed me back. The door to my chamber was suddenly thrown open, Irene came rushing in.

"Is everything alright?! I heard yelling!" She exclaimed.

"Water, get her water! She's having an attack!" Grey ordered sternly and I tried to calm my breathing, but the clamp on my lungs only seemed to tighten, the rattling in my chest increased and I felt myself trembling uncontrollably. Everything became hazy all at once and then I was looking at Charlie, she was hovering over me along with a crowd of children and then everything faded away.

Waking once again, that time without doing so in terror, I found that my vision was still a bit hazy and that my breathing was still strained but not nearly as bad as the time before. I began to sit up only to have someone guide me to lay back once again.

"Take it easy." He said, my eyes were watery which didn't help the haziness of it all.

"Mongrel…"

"You took an attack in your sleep it would seem, you woke up during the worst of it though." He said as he looked down to me, "I called a doctor, even though you didn't want me to the first time this happened. He gave you some sort of medicine and your breathings only been getting better since." He explained everything too fast, I couldn't take it all in.

"…The bell…" I saw his shoulders slump, "it rang…"

"No it didn't, Freddy."

"It rang and I couldn't get to her, no matter how fast I tried to run it just kept getting farther and farther away and I heard her say I let her down."

"H-huh? Freddy, I think you're confused." He said calmly, I shook my head.

"I'm not! That's the dream I had just before I woke up." I coughed.

"Alright, alright, no need to re-live it. Just go back to sleep." He said.

"What about you?" I questioned, between wheezes.

"Well, I stayed here last night to make sure you were okay, and I'll stay here tonight too. Now sleep." I closed my eyes without question.

I slept through that entire day and through the entire night, I didn't stir until Grey shook me awake the next morning and I glared at him furiously.

"Why're you waking me up like this?" I growled, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"You were so peaceful throughout the night and when I woke this morning you hadn't moved from the position you laid in when I went to sleep, I feared you might've died…"

"…Well I didn't," I sat up and yawned, "so there's no need to worry about it." I was trying my best to be kind to him considering I had worried the poor man so much the day before, but it was a chore to do first thing in the morning.

A forceful kiss was suddenly placed on my lips and Grey took either of my wrists into his hands as he pushed me against the headboard roughly, his tongue harshly roaming my mouth, I did my best to return the kiss but I hadn't much energy then. After a moment or so he pulled away then he rested his head on my shoulder and nuzzled his face into my neck.

"Doctor said you nearly died," his voice cracked as he spoke, "I hadn't known how serious asthma could be or what could trigger it..." I stroked his hair lightly.

"Look I'm not dead, so don't talk about me as if I am." My voice was stern then probably a little too stern given the situation. "I'm sorry for worrying you." I added lightly, he wrapped his arms around me tightly, too tightly, and held me close for a long moment; I allowed him to do so as I usually did when he was feeling overly affectionate, and did my best to return the favor.

"You didn't eat all day yesterday," he said as he released me and moved away, keeping his head down. "You hardly ate at all in the days leading up to the Queens passing." He raised his head to look at me, "it's already obvious to anyone who sees you that you've lost weight. Come eat."

"I'm not hungry…" As I said it I could see his expression harden and I knew he was ready to scold me, "but I'll eat anyway." I added quickly. "Wait for me in the dining room, I'll join you shortly."

As Irene helped me to dress I began thinking: Mother had passed away the day before, the next day I was bed ridden, two days England had been without an official queen for two whole days, when Mother died the throne of England was automatically handed down to me, but an official christening ceremony would have to take place before any of the citizens or any of England's alley's would see me as the Monarch. It would have to be done quickly, ideally I was supposed to be married before the christening but the wedding would have to be after as the christening was more important. What else was there to think of? Ah yes, a meeting with all agents my Mother had assigned missions to. It might've seemed cruel to be thinking of business directly after Mothers death, but the country came before anything else, before health, family, love, everything else was second to that and things had to be done quickly.

Exiting my room and marching down the hall with a stern expression I called on Phipps who was standing near my door.

"Set up the arrangements for a christening immediately, the citizens must be unnerved by the fact that such a ceremony didn't take place before the Queen's passing."

"Right away." He answered quickly.

"Milady, a christening before a wedding? It goes against tradition!" Irene exclaimed as I entered the dining room.

"Tradition be damned! England needs a ruler more so than a marriage, and only the citizens who truly care for the country will understand that. The christening will happen today." I exclaimed, as I took a seat and a platter was placed before me, "the wedding will be tomorrow." I looked across the table to find Grey smirking at me. "What's that look for, Mongrel?"

"Nothing, you're just as strict as your Mother was when it comes to matters of the country. I've never seen this side of you before and honestly I find it rather provocative." He took a drink of wine.

"So you're attracted to my Mother then?" Grey choked then spit what he'd drank out before jumping to his feet and slamming his hands on the table, looking quite unnerved all the while.

"N-no!" He shook his head furiously as he seemed quite embarrassed, "what kind of question is that?! I'm only attracted to you!" He exclaimed and I laughed at his nervous outburst the smirk that crossed his lips told me he'd purposely overreacted to get me to laugh.

"I shall never be bored with you around, Mongrel." I said to him then turned to Phipps a smile still on my lips, "the christening will be in the evening in order to give all the important nobility time to prepare."

"Yes." He bowed before taking his leave.

"What is it that you'll have me do?" Grey questioned, as he took his seat.

"We've yet to marry so that means you're still my guard for the time being, of course you and Phipps will be part of the ceremony. For now, eat and then go assist with the planning along with getting the word out to guests."

"Right!"

"Taking orders well makes for a good husband." I commented and a deep frown took his place as he spoke with a fork hanging out of his mouth.

"Hey, hey now! Don't go getting overconfident!"

"Can't get what you already are." I stated as I began to eat.

Everything had to be done quickly, after the christening ceremony I would have a meeting with the agents hired by Mother to discover what they've been up to, a basic report of sorts. What a stressful day.

The ceremony went on without any problems whatsoever, though it had been many years since a christening had taken place without one of the previous Monarchs being alive. Then after I went to Mothers- I mean, my throne room, along with Grey and Phipps; awaited my meetings with each of the agents. Each one gave me a report on the current happenings of their missions and I gave them orders accordingly, I was becoming exhausted the stress was getting to me as I could hear myself beginning to wheeze.

"Milady," Grey whispered, "this should be enough for the day your breathings become strained."

"Hush now, we've only one more meeting to go, I can get through it just fine. Besides it would be rude to turn him away when he's already arrived." The grand doors opened as the next agent approached.

"Earl Ciel Phantomhive reporting." I looked to a small boy whom I recalled seeing before, he bowed on one knee and I took a couple deep breaths before speaking.

"Its… The Tattler…" I said, my wheezing wasn't that notable and with the distance between the two of us it should've gone unnoticed, however, his head snapped up to me as though he knew something was awry.

"Your Highness, are you well?" He questioned, I waved my hand at him.

"Fine, fine, just…" I took a rattling breath, "just a bit tired. Give me your report."

"Yes, well, my mission involving the serial kidnappings has been completed." He said first, "the perpetrator died and he subsequently disposed of the children which, I regret to say, I had arrived too late to save." His report caused me to narrow my eyes. That account of the events seems inaccurate, according to what I'd been informed with that is.

"Is that so?" My question caused the boy to flinch a bit as well as my two guards

"Yes, Your Majesty." He answered, another shuttering breath, the boy wasn't telling me something or completely lying I wasn't sure which.

"Very well then." I took another rattling breath, "You're dismissed now, Tattler."

Once the boy left the throne room I doubled over due to a coughing fit which I'd been struggling to hold back during his report. Grey came forward and began to rub my back.

"You need to rest for the day, Freddy, stress can trigger asthma attacks." He said calmly and I looked to him with a smirk.

"I thought you said you didn't know the triggers of asthma." I said between wheezes.

"I read up on it and I also spoke with the Doctor while he was here, you need to take another day of rest."

"I'll rest once the wedding ceremony is done."

"No we'll put it off a day, your health is more important than that." I gave him a strong glare.

"Grey! This wedding isn't for either of us! It's for the good of the country damn it! I know how I feel about you and how you feel for me that's enough for me personally, but not for the citizens whom insist the Queen be married, it must be tomorrow to put the populace at ease. There will be no arguments!" I growled, Grey clearly wanted to argue.

"I!" he stopped short and his expression softened, "… I understand and I know your right… Very well, but you'll stay in bed for the rest of the day and until the wedding tomorrow." He demanded.

"Fine, I'll give you this compromise." I said as I stood from my throne, then Grey swept me off my feet immediately so that he was cradling me in his arms. "What's all this then?" I questioned with a wheezy laugh, Grey grinned to me.

"You said you'd rest for the remainder of the day; I should surely take you to your room." He exclaimed and went on.

Lying in bed already feeling completely useless I looked to Grey to do my work for me and ordered him about furiously, whatever he'd had in mind for me earlier was definitely not going to happen, not with my orders at least.

Later Grey joined me in my lounging, which I wasn't too fond of, he looped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close that time I fully embraced the action.

"Somethings bothering me." Grey said and I could feel him looking down at me.

"What is it, Mongrel?" I questioned while keeping my eyes closed.

"I've… Not seen you cry yet…" His answer made my shoulders tense.

"It's none of your business," I said honestly, "whether I cry or not is only my business and nobody elses."

"Hmph, the Queen thought the same way and because of that there was never a moment when her eyes didn't appear sad."

"Stop pretending to be wise," I ordered, "it sounds silly." He chuckled at that.

"Stop being foolish and I won't have to play like I'm wise."

"I'm in no mood to talk about this." I said lowly.

"Good, maybe that means you'll listen for once." I only huffed in response, "I think it's why you've taken so many attacks lately." I cringed at that, "the emotional stress, it's causing you to take fits you need to release the stress of it all- "

"I can't."

"You can."

"You don't understand, I can't!" I exclaimed, "it's not because I don't want to or because I'm holding back my emotions… There just aren't any tears right now. Please, Mongrel, leave the matter be for now. Tomorrow we'll marry and that will relieve most of my stress I promise."

"Very well, Your Highness." His amused tone made me laugh and cover my eyes.

"Uugh, don't do that!" I giggled. What a man I had next to me.

I woke in the middle of yet another horrible fit, the Doctor had said that if I wasn't watched more closely asthma might be the death of me, Grey offered him a temporary position as a live-in physician for me which the Doctor gladly accepted.

Grey once again tried to persuade me to push the wedding back a day, I told him the invitations had already been remade once and that we shouldn't appear so fickle to the nobility, the wedding would be that evening.

I made sure that it was a fast ceremony, neither Grey nor I really cared much for weddings anyhow, so that we could get it out of the way. Walking down the aisle in the dress Grey had chosen I listened to all the whisperings of nobility as I passed, some of the comments uncivilized others gracious. The vows were said as well as both the 'I do's' a kiss was shared and then we were married, Grey was no longer my butler or my guard he was King then, but that didn't mean I couldn't order him around.

Later that night I sat soaking in the ever sweet smelling water of my bath, Irene standing in her usual place waiting to be called upon. I thought back to that conversation I'd had with Mother, just after the ball of suiters. She'd so desperately wanted me to be wed and I was willing to make any decision to please her, to find that she had indeed planned for Grey and I to be together… Was a comfort somehow. But… Mother had spoken for so long of attending my wedding of actually watching the ceremony, she had been excited for so long and yet she never even got to see the event, she had approved of my dress and had seen me model it for her which seemed to make her content, but, I couldn't help but to wonder if it were enough for her. If only the wedding were placed just a week or so earlier, I would've known that she died completely content with everything.

"Your Majesty?" Irene's voice caused me to look to her, she then stood just beside the bath tub. She touched her fingers to my face, "has it finally sunk in then?" She questioned and I realized that I was crying.

"Ah, this?" I said as I looked away from her and wiped at my eyes with my wrists, "no this isn't… I'm just… I…" I felt my breathing become heavy, but not due to asthma, then I let out a loud wail and buried my face in my hands. Irene knelt down next to me clearly wanting to embrace me but not wanting to over step her boundaries, the doors to the bath flew open and of course Grey came rushing in dismissing Irene quickly while wrapping his arms around my still wet body.

The constant pressure that I'd felt on my lungs ever since Mother went comatose finally lifted along with most of my anxieties, and my breathing became normal for the first time in nearly two weeks. To have finally cried was truly a blessing.

Grey and I we were happy in our relationship, we never stopped our tomfoolery and I regret to say that our hopelessness had rubbed off on our two sons, but oh well, maybe they would be able to find someone whom was cut from the same cloth as they. To England we were known as the Porcelain Family, yes my nickname had come after even my sons, and with Grey at my side we were able to make England as prosperous as when Mother had ruled, and I began to feel as though I really hadn't let her down.

Our boy's came bounding into the throne room chasing one another when Nikolai, the youngest of the two, fell suddenly and began to cry I stood ready to calm the child's tears when his brother, Thomas, came to his side.

"Come on now Nick, you shouldn't cry over a little scrape!" He exclaimed, the younger of the two looked to Thomas with teary eyes.

"B-but it hurts!" He sniffled helplessly.

"It doesn't matter; don't you know the crown isn't meant for mild men? Just because we're called the Porcelain Family doesn't mean we're actually so fragile, get up now and let's go!" Nikolai only sniffled before standing and quickly running on after his brother.

"Thomas has your attitude," Grey stated and I scoffed.

"Hardly! I've never acted in such a way in all my life!" I exclaimed as I took my seat once again, Grey grinned sneakily.

"You've forgotten the first day we met already?!" He questioned, "the day when you spoke the very same way of 'mild men'?!"

"I can't recall," I lied, "It was ten years ago after all!" I was lifted out of my throne and Grey placed me onto his lap.

"What I don't understand is: why you bother to tell such an obvious lie." He said as we smiled to one another.

"What I don't understand is: why you're such a meddlesome busybody." He ignored me.

"You're clearly very aware that he has your attitude and yet you continue to deny it." He grinned in that patronizing way of his and I scrunched my nose at him.

"And you clearly don't know when to shut your trap," he chuckled at that. "What say you Mongrel? Shall I have you run the perimeter of the palace or swim London River with an eighty-pound pack strapped to your back?" He pulled my face closer to his.

"So long as Milady doesn't send me off to the sun I don't mind." He answered smoothly, and he pulled me in to a kiss which hadn't yet lost the passion of new lovers, once we separated I spoke in an unusually loving tone.

"Sarcastic Mongrel."