"Your Highness!" Flora stepped forward and steadied her trembling hand, "Please calm down."
"I can't calm down!" Sophia's voice was already hysterically sharp, "How can I calm down? He's my son! He's the son of Garth and me! If this secret gets out... my whole life will be ruined! Everyone will say I'm dirty, despicable, that I seduced the King's attendant! I'll become a symbol of shame for the royal family! If my mother knew, she'd curse me from beyond the grave!"
Her voice suddenly stopped, as if something had gripped her throat. Her face showed a mix of terror and self-loathing, and her knees gave way as she collapsed onto the carpet.
Flora quickly supported her, helping her back to the sofa, and took a blanket to cover her trembling legs.
"Your Highness, please listen to me. Panicking is of no use now. You are the daughter of George III; you cannot lose control. Trust me, there is still a chance to turn this around."
