Page 2 of Chosen

Chapter Two

Truth

I thought about drowning myself right then and there. Perhaps I might have, if I’d known what lay in store the next morning. My door was thrown open at sunrise and a group of giddy young women rushed inside. They jerked the curtains open and sunlight assaulted my eyes and rudely interrupted my dreams. Gisla was behind them like a sheep herder, clapping her hands and directing them without a word.

“There you are, niece to be.” She grinned.

I laughed, on a sigh, not having looked at it in that way. I supposed she was correct. Baby Sigurd, the heir apparent, was her nephew. Thus, she would be my aunt by marriage someday.

Gods, I had to stop thinking of him as Baby Sigurd or I would always see him that way. Our future marriage would be fated for ruin if I was unable to look up to him as a man.

“You’re growing pale, are you well?” Gisla rubbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes.

“I think perhaps I vomit.” I waved my hand, letting her know that it would pass.

“You and I never really got a chance to sit down and talk.”

“Talk.” I grunted. “We should have had talk before you put Truth’s name in bowl, no?”

She rolled her lips and nibbled on the bottom one.

“I’m sorry. It’s just… I needed an ally and I knew that you are above all things, a loyal friend.”

Her words melted my heart a little. I smiled and sighed, but tears suddenly stung my eyes. She took my hand but gave me a chance to collect my thoughts and words before she said anything.

“If my mother were still alive.” My smile trembled and I laughed. “She never would believe that her Truth would someday be…”

I couldn’t even say it. I feared someone would assassinate me just for thinking it.

“It’s true,” Gisla whispered, blanketing my hand with her own. “Go on… say it. Her Truth will be Queen of the Bay someday.”

The tears spilled down my cheeks and I covered my gasp. It was too much. I’d never even dared to dream that I might someday be free, let alone a royal.

“Truth, I will not lie to you.” Enzo cleared his throat, and I looked up to find him in the doorway. “Working to improve one's station is hard. You will have to study and dedicate your time and patience to the art of ladyship and then beyond that, the ways of diplomacy and leadership.”

“Truth can do this thing,” I promised.

They both stared at me and Gisla smiled.

“Of course, you can, now come. You must meet your new tutors and receive your titles. First, you need to prepare.” She clapped her hands and shooed Enzo from the room. Before the door was closed, I had three ladies surrounding me. Their eyes were innocent, their smiles easy. I knew at once they were my maidens. A part of the dowry I had been promised. Three ladies-in-waiting, thrice my weight in silver and the titles. There was more, it had been listed at the Melting Pot Celebration, but at the time I didn’t think it applied to me. I hadn’t paid the scroll more than a passing glance.

“If it pleases you, I’m called Caralee.” A petite blonde with dainty hands and a pretty ribbon curtsied.

“Well met, Caralee.” I nodded.

My attention swung toward the tall brown-haired girl beside her.

“I’m Miralee of Ramir, Lady Truth,” she spoke up.

A thick-hipped girl with long, black curls and a big, beautiful smile stepped up next. “I’m called Stephana Lee.”

My brows had climbed with each Lee.

“Apparently, the last Bay Queen was named Lee,” Gisla explained. “They honor their monarchs by naming their bairn after them.”

I’d never known that people named their children after royalty. I couldn’t imagine a thousand Svens running around. The world could only handle one.

“What will the people name their children when you are crowned?” Gisla smiled, “Trutha… or perhaps Truthena?”

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