She felt something sharp pierces her skin. The pain penetrated her, but she was conscious of where she was. Her smile never faded, as she looked down on the heavy snow deposit. The height of this snow on the road would hide her bloody feet, so she gritted her teeth and continued on. As she took another step, she felt something else penetrate her feet. The pain was horrible, but she could not scream.
Many thought the new queen was taking her time with that last step, but they did not know she was in pain, as Amie’s soft smile never left her face.
Amie looked round at where the nobles stood to watch her walk and could see the undisguised mockery in the eyes of a few nobles. She did not have time to think through who they really were, as the crowd was still watching her. Her smile remained in place as she straightened her back and brazed herself for the next pain and took the next step.