The Queen's Diary

Personal Journal - 14 June 2028
​We’ve sent high-res images of the journal, found inside the chest, to Jared for translation, but he seems to be having some trouble and it’s taking longer than expected. We were hoping to have the carbon dating information back already but we had to send another sample as the last one was contaminated - results inconclusive. I’ve decided to try translating the journal myself.  At the very least I might help Jared a little. Below is the first entry in the journal; I am surprised at how well preserved this entry is, considering the journal itself looks as if it was tossed in a fire at some point, then rescued.

Translated Entry:
I’m so very excited! Today I was crowned Queen of Chalmers. I was worried when the coronation was planned so long after my marriage to Nicholas, but everything worked out. I’m so excited I could shout it from the towers, but I must maintain a stately manner at all times. Instead, I’ll celebrate by getting started on one of my projects. Tomorrow is the usual tea with several ladies of the court. I’ll see who wishes to help me then.

I hope they aren’t angry. These are the women whom I competed with for the King’s hand, for Nicholas. K may be especially angry, after all she is in love with Nicholas. She would not have made a good queen though. She would leave everything as it is. I will make things better. I think I’ll start with my plans for a new school that will be open to anyone, not just the rich and aristocracy. V wouldn’t even allow rich merchants in the school. I wonder if she still has a bit of a limp from falling off her horse at last year’s hunt? No matter I’m Queen, not them. They’ll be clamoring to serve me. After my reign children will be required to learn about me. I’ll see to that!
(signed)
Queen Regan Jacqueline Althea I
End of Translation
*Note to self:   Research the name “Regan Jacqueline Althea I” - Queen of Chalmers
                        Research the name “Nicholas” - King of Chalmers
                        Research kingdom “Chalmers”*

Personal Journal - 30 June 2028
We’ve come to refer to the journal as “The Queen’s Diary.” After several sleepless nights I have completed the translation of another entry. This one seems to be the twelfth entry in the journal. *Note to self: Double check translation with Jared* It’s difficult to say due to the extensive damage to the previous entries. I’ve still not found any dates in the journal and we have yet to get conclusive results from carbon dating. I’ve yet to find any reference to a kingdom called “Chalmers” or to either “Queen Regan” or “King Nicholas.” Further study of both the journal and other contents of the chest will be needed.  
 
Translated Entry:
My heart and soul grieve today as the King, my Nicholas is laid to rest. I wish only to mourn my one friend and companion in all the kingdom yet I cannot. I must deal with affairs of state. First order of business is to find who killed Nicholas. Every minute those foolish advisors waste pointing their useless fingers at me, the real assassin gets further away. What must I do to gain their trust? Drink poison? Never. Nicholas trusted me. He chose me as his queen over a year ago, they’ve had that long to get used to the idea. So while my heart is buried with my husband and my soul grieves for him, I will rule this kingdom and avenge the King’s death.
(signed)
Queen Regan Jacqueline Althea I
End Translation
*Note to self: search records of regicide and assassinated royalty*

Personal Journal - 28 July 2028
Still no carbon dating results. The lab keeps saying the samples we are sending are contaminated. Jared is still working on his translation of the journal. We seem to be having the same difficulties. I’ve inquired at several universities’ history departments to see if anyone has records or clues regarding Chalmers Kingdom and it’s royalty. Perhaps we can at least get a rough estimate of when these people were alive. The Queen’s Diary is becoming a greater mystery than we expected. I’ve not had much luck with many entries in the journal itself either, just some incomprehensible bits here and there. I’m hoping the last entry, which is almost completely intact, will provide more clues.
 
Translated Entry:
Meeting the expectations of my people has a satisfactory feel to it. After finding my husband's assassin, I thought - Finally - Finally Nicholas can rest peacefully and I can be cleared of all suspicion. It’s tiresome to fight your own kingdom for every step you take.  
To learn that Nicholas wasn’t even supposed to be killed, that I was the target. If only I had died that day. I’m so tired.  But today is not a day to rest, it is a day to celebrate. Today my people finally have the Queen they wanted. They wanted a reason to hate me. I have given this to my people. They wanted to fear me. I have exceeded that expectation. Today, I saw to it that every person involved in my husband's death was punished. Now every person that wrongfully accused me, suspected me, did not support me in my time of need, they will all be punished as I raze this kingdom to the ground. Nothing will be left but dust. Perhaps then, I will be allowed to rest and mourn my husband.
(signed)
Queen Regan Jacqueline Althea I
End Translation
*Note to self:   Research kingdoms that were burned; possibly rebuilt
                        Research stories of Queens that may match this narrative

Personal Journal - 31 July 2028
There was a fire in the artifacts room last night.  Investigators have yet to determine how the fire started but it seems to have originated from where The Queen's Diary was kept.  The journal is a complete loss, all that is remaining is what I’ve translated here and the images sent to Jared for translation. *Note to self: ask Jared for copies of the images* We’ll need to rely on those images and the resulting translation.  I’m still hopeful we’ll find something in our historical research that will help to at least locate the kingdom, in time if not place.