Page 111 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Magnus said, “Och, tis great news, just what we needed on our convivial night, who wants tae go?”

Quentin, Magnus, and Fraoch all left. James and Lochinvar stood at the end of the walkway watching down the beach.

CHAPTER 50 - KAITLYN

THE DO-OVER - MAY 15, 2025 - FLORIDA

Emma and I cleaned up some of the food. Zach was on his phone selecting his ‘Lady Mairead is going to visit’ playlist for the music. I started to tell Archie and Ben that she was coming and they should probably straighten up their pallet of bedding on the floor where they were watching Star Wars, but then, why? It was a surprise visit, the kids didn’t need to straighten up.

But then, over their protests, I paused their movie and used the handheld vacuum to clean up the spilled popcorn anyway. I put my hands on my hips,fine, this looks fine.

Archie said, “Can we start the movie again, Ma?”

“Of course, go back to what you are doing.”

Emma said, “All of us need to act natural.”

We rushed back out to the table to pretend like we hadn’t been bothered enough to do any straightening up.

A while later Lady Mairead was in our living room, speaking to the children, and then she walked out to the deck followed by a handsome young man.

“Well now, here ye are, once again, gathered around yer dinner table, outdoors, in a Florida night with the stench of seafood permeating the air.” Magnus gave me a look that meant ‘get a load of this’ as he sat down. Lochie and James were pulling up two more chairs.

Magnus said, “Lady Mairead, perhaps ye can introduce yer friend.”

She said, “As I explained tae ye in the truck, Magnus, Wilfred is not myfriend, he is going tae be my husband.”

He bowed. “King Magnus, Queen Kaitlyn.” And kept his eyes down.

Magnus raised his brow. “Tis fine, Wilfred, ye daena hae tae bow anymore, hae a seat.”

Everyone at the table had wide eyes as Wilfred pulled out her chair and she settled haughtily in it. Then Wilfred sat beside her and took her hand.

Magnus said, “Now ye must explain. What dost yemean, Lady Mairead, byhusband?This is verra irregular.”

She said, “Wilfrey?—”

Magnus said, “Wilfrey!”

“Aye,Wilfreyhas asked for my hand in marriage, and I hae accepted his offer, and before ye complain, Magnus, I hae done a thorough background check and he has signed a prenuptial agreement.”

Magnus said, “Just so I am clear, Wilfrey, is Wilfred Weaver, theactor?”

Wilfred nodded his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. I am the winner of the Golden Crown award for best performance by a lead in the movie The Shadow of Nothingness. I go by Wilfrey amongst friends and family.”

Magnus said, “Och nae…” and leaned back in his chair with his eyes narrowed.

Wilfrey was very handsome, he looked like a young Robert Redford. I glanced at Hayley, fanning herself.

Magnus said, “Ye ken I canna allow it.”

She said, “Tis not up tae ye tae decide.”

Magnus grunted.

Fraoch said, overly merry, “And Wilfrey, where did y’two kids meet?”

Wilfrey said, “Mairead escorted me to the award?—”

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