Page 81 of Besotted
“He will be a good ambassador, first to Warwick and then to other nations as needed. He is a born peacemaker and will make Scania proud.”
My father’s brows rose higher with each of my pronouncements. And the Lagting’s murmuring grew louder.
“I, Prince Kresten, was made to form an alliance with a neighboring country. With my marriage to Mercia’s Queen Aurora, I shall solidify the ongoing peace and prosperity between our two nations that Mother started when she married you.” Joanna, as the youngest sister of King Alfred the Peacemaker, had begun the alliance. And now I would be honored to continue it.
By the time I’d finished, everyone was talking. I sat back against the cushions at the headboard, attempting to look relaxed, but inside, I was twisted into a dozen knots. I’d already spoken to Mercia’s ambassador earlier in the day and urged him to wait to make a decision about cancelling the betrothal until I met with the Lagting. He’d been hesitant, since he’d been given strict orders to sail directly to Norland from Scania and make arrangements with one of the princes there.
After a few moments more of arguing, my father raised his hand. The Lagting’s discussion tapered to silence. And when he had everyone’s attention, the king nodded at me, a new look of respect in his eyes. “Prince Kresten has spoken wisely. We will do as he says.”
Most of the men nodded in agreement, and I released a soft breath of relief. The discussion continued around me, but I couldn’t focus, could only think of Aurora.
When the Lagting filed out of the chamber, my father stopped at the side of my bed and peered down at me with his serious eyes. “Let us be clear on one thing. I always believed you would make a worthy king for Scania. Your wise decision in this matter of kingship proves it. Now you must go and be a worthy king for Mercia.”
“I will, Your Majesty.”
As he strode out of the room, tears stung the backs of my eyes. I would do my best to be a worthy king and worthy husband. Now I just needed to make sure Mercia and her queen would still have me.
Chapter
30
Aurora
I stood rigidlyat the front of the cathedral. My father and other members of the royal court had assembled to witness my betrothal ceremony. In the four months since All Saints’ Day and my coronation, I’d been dreading this day.
I faced the nave and the doors at the back of the cathedral, my nerves tensing more with every passing moment. Though the early March sunshine was bright as it cascaded through the long stained-glass windows, I could take no pleasure in the beauty of the colorful glass or the arched ceilings and massive colonnades as I had the other times I’d come to worship.
I could also take no pleasure in the elegant gown I wore, one that spilled over in thick layers, the train filling the floor around me. I’d chosen the cornflower-blue color in memory of the flowers I’d picked so often in the woodland around the cottage. But now the color served to remind me of the crowns Kresten and I had woven, crowns I’d rather be wearing than the circlet of gold and pearls.
Only that morn, before allowing my maidservants to attend to my needs, I’d finally folded up and set aside the scarf Kresten had given me. I’d worn it underneath my garments every day since then. And though I’d loathed to part from it, I’d known I couldn’t meet my future husband wearing another man’s token.
Mercia’s ambassador had been gone for weeks working out the details of my betrothal. The first prince my father had chosen was now unavailable, and so the ambassador had been traveling to make new arrangements, which had taken more time due to the constraints of winter.
I’d wanted to tell my father and his advisors I would rather remain single than wed a man I didn’t love. But I had to do my duty as queen. I must put my country and people first, just as I’d been doing over the past months.
Even if I’d wanted to delay this moment of meeting my intended, the joy I was experiencing in my new role as queen would surely carry me through the days ahead. Though I hadn’t been able to travel far during the winter months, I’d made a point of visiting smaller villages and hamlets close to Delsworth, always with my ladies-in-waiting and always with an escort of knights, including Chester. I’d relished the opportunity to see the countryside and meet people, stopping often, entering their humble cottages, and listening to their concerns.
I had no trouble interacting with them on their level nor they with me. I realized, then, that one more blessing had come of living all those years as a peasant. I could relate to the people as no other could. I understood their problems intimately. And I truly cared about helping them through the difficulties.
One of the first issues I’d addressed was their desire to put an end to the threat of basilisks. I’d given Chester the task of eradicating them from Inglewood Forest and the surrounding areas. I had every confidence Chester would be able to accomplish the feat.
I’d recently heard that they’d started calling me the People’s Queen, because I was one of them. And when I’d heard the name, I’d realized God was using my inadequacies and insecurities in a way I’d never anticipated. I was becoming the queen God had planned, one unlike anyone else, one based on my unique strengths.
I was eager for the spring thaw, when I’d be able to sail up the Cress River and visit the industrial towns and mines in the Iron Hills. I loved my country and loved being able to fulfill my destiny as queen.
Even so, through all the visiting and meeting people, an emptiness remained, a spot that would always be reserved for Kresten.
As the double doors in the nave swung open, I tensed so much that Father, who was standing at my side, touched my arm gently. “Aurora, my dear, if you do not like him, you are not bound to wed him. Have I not assured you of this many times?”
Being with my father again was another joy of becoming queen. The past months had been filled with love, laughter, and many conversations. Even now, as he regarded me with his kind eyes, I smiled at him in return.
Tall and regal and with a dignified countenance, my father had served as my regent these many years without once considering taking the throne for himself. As a result, I respected him even more for his loyalty and wisdom. “And I have told you, Father dear, it does not matter who I marry as long as he is good and kind like you.”
As the ambassador entered, I couldn’t keep from stiffening again. Who would he bring? And even after everything I’d just told my father, could I truly make myself go through with the betrothal?
I twisted my hands together, staring at them and wishing for a bouquet of wildflowers from my garden behind the cottage. What I wouldn’t give at this moment to hold something in my hands.
“Oh dear heart, oh dear heart.” At Aunt Elspeth’s gasp from where she stood in the front row, I cringed. What was wrong with my future husband that my aunt would react this way?
