Page 15 of Quest for her Knights
“You want me to choose husbands?” she asks in surprise, finally stopping her meal to look up at the king with wide eyes.
“I know this must be strange for you. Is marriage something you were interested in, before you arrived here?” the queen asks gently.
“Well, yeah. Marriage doesn’t scare me, as long as I get to choose?” she asks. Her eyes quickly dart in our direction before moving back to the queen, sending a strange sensation throughme. Why did she choose that moment to look over here? Does she feel the same connection to me that I feel toward her?
“Of course. You can choose any of the men we’ve scheduled for you to meet.”
“What if I want to pick someone not on your list?” Elora asks carefully.
“I can assure you, all eligible lords, and even a few noblemen, are already on the schedule.”
“But what if I want to marry someone who isn’t a nobleman?”
Did she have someone in mind, or was she just trying to get clarity on the situation?
“Elora,” King Chase says, drawing her attention. “You have to remember you are a princess here, you can’t marry commoners.”
“Why not?”
I watch as the queen and king’s expressions turn surprised. They don’t answer right away. Instead, they exchange glances before the queen responds.
“Elora, my dear, it’s just not done. I promise you, there are quite a few men on the list. I’m sure you’ll like some of them. In fact, you might find you have too many choices.”
Elora’s eyes meet mine across the room, and I sense unease there. Her gaze moves over my friends standing beside me before she looks back at the queen.
“But I—”
“No, Elora. You will marry someone from the approved list, and that’s final. You are a princess now, and you need to start acting like it,” King Lewis says firmly.
Elora drops her fork and stares at her plate, clearly not liking the answer.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. We have it all planned out for you. You’re leaving tomorrow morning. We’ll have your bags packed so you can spend the day relaxing,” King Chase tells her, trying to ease the tension.
“Actually, maybe we can get Gerald to give her some etiquette lessons today. If we want her to act like a princess while on tour, she needs to be instructed on how to behave properly,” the queen suggests.
“Good idea,” King Chase replies. “Is there anything you need, Elora?”
She looks up at him like she’s a little surprised to be asked.
“Oh, actually, yes. Would I be able to get some sewing supplies? A couple of needles, some thread, and scissors?”
“Sewing supplies? Whatever for?” the queen asks in surprise.
“I’ve been making my own clothes for years. I’d love to alter some of the dresses in my closet to suit me a bit better.”
I have to admit, the long dress she’s wearing today doesn't suit her nearly as well as the short dress she arrived in yesterday did. But it was hard not to stare at all that skin on display, so this dress is probably more appropriate for a princess, or any woman in this realm.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Those dresses were made by the best seamstresses in all of Dyconia, and they are perfectly suited for a princess,” the queen tells her firmly.
Even from across the room, I can see the disappointment in Elora’s eyes.
“Alright, everyone is excused, except you three,” King Ian says, motioning to Draven, Blaze, and myself.
I watch as Elora silently leaves the room, and I’m happy to see Freya trying to comfort her as they exit.
When the door shuts and it’s just the kings, queen, and the three of us, they motion us over to the table.
“We are sending you three as her personal guards on the tour,” King Cole says, surprising me. When he sees my expression, he continues, “We trust you. But because of her curious nature, I think it’s best if we send someone else with you to oversee this expedition.”
