Page 12 of Enamored
The queen had allowed us to enjoy an infinite amount of time there—or so it had seemed to my young mind. She’d enlisted the best Sages from the Studium Generale to tutor the princess and had included me in the education. We’d shared nearly every waking moment, had been inseparable.
But when I arrived for our usual lessons that particular day, Elinor was absent. In her place at our table sat the king. Rasmus stood a short distance behind him, his countenance severe.
I braced myself against the closed door, ready to flee.
“Come, sit, Maxim.” The king patted the spot beside him, the chair Elinor always occupied.
I hesitated, but one sharp nod from Rasmus was enough to prod me forward. I crossed the chamber and sat. I’d only spoken directly to the king a few times, had never been as close to him as I was to the queen, so I tried not to tremble as I waited for him to inform me why he was there.
He regarded me a moment, almost sadly. And I couldn’t keep from thinking that he might be wishing he had his own son instead of a substitute like me. “You know the queen loves you dearly?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” My words were barely above a whisper.
“You have been good medicine for her these many years.”
I didn’t understand how I could be medicine for the queen when she wasn’t sick. I nodded anyway.
“This arrangement with Elinor”—the king waved around at the solar—“it has come to our attention you may have gained aspirations that go beyond your role as Elinor’s companion.”
I didn’t know whataspirationswere, but I shook my head, knowing it couldn’t be good.
The king shared a serious look with Rasmus, who cleared his throat before he spoke. “You told Elinor you would marry her when you grow up.”
My mouth dropped open. How had the king and Rasmus learned of my declaration? A declaration I’d spoken privately yesterday when we’d been studying the history of the royal family and memorizing the names of the previous kings and queens. She’d grown distressed after the tutor informed her of the weeklong courtship tradition that would take place before her eighteenth birthday.
When the tutor stepped into the hallway a moment later to request more ink, I’d reassured her she had nothing to worry about, that I’d marry her, that surely the Royal Sages would approve of me.
Had Elinor told the king of my offer? ’Twas the only logical explanation.
“You do know, Maxim,” the king said slowly, “you can never marry Elinor?”
I looked again to Rasmus for direction. Once again, he nodded, confirming the king’s words—that I would never be able to save Elinor from the anxiety of courting unknown suitors.
“Elinor must marry a Norvegian of royal or noble blood.” The king’s tone turned more forceful. “The laws prohibit royalty from marrying commoners.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Some part of me had acknowledged I was a commoner even though I lived among royalty. Rasmus had never discussed my origins other than to tell me he was a chieftain’s son and my mother had been a merchant’s daughter. I also knew Rasmus had an older brother with several children—cousins I’d never met.
The king folded his hands on the table over an intricate drawing Elinor had sketched of the various parts of a flower. I wanted to scoot the drawing away before the king smudged it. But I remained still and silent, somehow sensing the worst of the conversation was yet to come.
“Your father and I both agree you are growing too old to remain as Elinor’s companion.”
I couldn’t keep from glancing around the beloved classroom where I’d spent many happy hours, days, and years. Would Elinor and I have separate rooms now? Different tutors?
“Though you are yet young, this arrangement, if continued, may contribute to fostering false ideas and feelings between you and Elinor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Though I’d spoken the words already, I knew of no other acceptable reply.
“Very good. I’m glad you understand.” The king stood, and I did too, as the rules of conduct demanded.
With Elinor’s absence, perhaps my schooling would take place earlier than hers henceforth. I would miss studying together, but we would surely have time later in the day, after our tutors dismissed us, for discussing and debating all we learned separately.
The king started toward the door. “Your father has made arrangements for you to leave this morn.”
My heartbeat crashed to a halt. “Leave, Your Majesty?” I lurched after him, but Rasmus snagged my cloak and pulled me back. I knew better than to struggle.
“Yes.” The king paused at the door but didn’t look back at me. “You may say farewell to the queen, but you must refrain from further interaction with the princess.”
Two hours later, I’d been aboard a ship and sailing away from Vordinberg. I hadn’t been back since.
