Page 42 of Bride By Coronation

There's a gold key and matching box with my father's skull design on it. My chest tightens.

What is this?

I unlock the box, remove the lid, and my mouth turns dry.

The biggest marquise diamond I've ever seen, with a gold band, is nestled inside.

I pick it up and swallow hard, examining it closer. It's beautiful and unlike rings most women have. The diamond appears flawless. The inside of the band has something engraved on it, but it's too small to see.

I curl my fist around it, taking deep breaths, trying to wrap my head around everything.

I can't. It's all too much.

I haven't read the letter.

I open my fist, put the ring back in the box, and pick up the envelope. I turn it over. There's a seal with a gold skull on it. I carefully pop it off, pull out a matching piece of paper, and unfold it.

What the heck?

Someone ripped the top off. I assume it's the king's letterhead.

This secrecy is ridiculous.

I take a deep breath and read.

My dearest Fiona,

This is the fifth letter I've written to you today, and I'm going to have to trust whatever I write will be the correct thing. As we both know, time is running out. The moon will soon be ripe for your coronation, and you must make the biggest decision of your life.

For that, I'm sorry.

You deserve better. If I could get you out of this, I would. Please believe me when I tell you I've tried. Yet your father's world gives no one full power, even the king.

However, I will take full responsibility for this situation. I waited too long to choose a queen, not wanting to subject any woman to my flaws. When you find out who I am, you will realize what this means, but this has put you in a position I do not wish for you. Again, I extend my sincerest apologies.

In a few days, you must choose to take your seat or not enter The Underworld. I won't blame you if you decide not to take your place at my side. Yes, there are consequences, but you have the right to not accept your crown.

My peers tell me you are leaning toward taking your rightful seat. If this is the case, please choose the dress you would like to wear. I picked one, and theseamstress chose the other two. If all three are horrible to you, please let me know. I will fly back to Monaco and retrieve more.

I just realized I didn't give you choices on the lingerie. The same applies, and I extend another apology. I know you value beauty and uniqueness and have your pulse on what's fashionable and what's not. I will admit to you I claim to know nothing. If my personal shopper didn't select my outfits, I wouldn't know what to wear. So, full disclosure, if you marry me, you'll be the fashion expert in our relationship.

It was merely a gut feeling that made me choose the dress and lingerie, but I know I might be wrong. I can see you in it, but let me know if you don't like it. You'd look incredible in anything or nothing. Okay, I'll stop this part of the conversation before I have to crumple this up and write a sixth letter.

The ring is also your choice. It is my wish that you love it and are proud to wear it, but if it is not to your taste, I will get you another one to wear in public.

Regardless, you should have it. This ring was your father's. He had it made for your mother. It's seven carats. Your father had a thing for numbers, but I'm sure you already know that from memorizing the Royal Doctrine. By the way, I'm super impressed with how quickly you memorized it. It took me a lot longer. Seems like you've got brains and beauty.

Anyway, there's an inscription on the gold band that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. It reads, Mine for eternity.

Your father was going to present it to your mother when he was assured it was safe enough to tell her about The Underworld. It was always his vision that she would sit by his side, but not until it was safe for her.

I cannot tell you how sorry I am he was unable tofulfill that wish. Your father was a great man. He helped me at a time when I was at my lowest. If it weren't for him, I would not be here. It was very painful for me, and still is, to think about his demise.

Now that I've written this long, drawn-out letter to you, please know that tomorrow morning, before work, the courier will arrive to collect the packages. Feel free to write back to me regarding your wishes.

Sincerely,

The King

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