Page 15 of The Forgotten Queen
“Aren’t there plenty of other working-class women who could marry the king?” her words came out sharp. What was wrong with the king that he had to pay someone for a wife?
Otis shook his head. “None that he wants.”
Her hand went to her chest where her scar was. “But why would he want me? I’m not even from Cristole.”
Otis’s lips raised. “Your mother was.”
No one had told Sydria that before.
“In fact,” Otis continued, “this marriage was your mother’s idea, the entire reason you were traveling to Cristole in the first place.”
Her heart pounded with this new information.
“You see, King Marx made an announcement that he was looking for a working-class wife.” Otis glanced at Edmay. “Your aunt wrote to your mother and told her. When your mother found out, she sent a letter to the Cristole royalty, entering your name into the running. I guess King Marx liked the idea of marrying someone from another kingdom who also had ties to Cristole because he selected you.”
Sydria didn’t believe him. Her gut told hernotto believe him.
“What’s in it for you?” There had to be a reason why Otis was there negotiating all of this.
He shrugged innocently. “Only a small finder’s fee.”
Finder’s fee?
Sydria glanced around the room to her aunt and uncle. “So I’m to be sold?”
“Don’t look at it that way,” Aunt Edmay said from her place on the couch. “This is a huge honor,andyou’d be helping us out. Don’t you want to help us?”
Was this manipulation? It felt like it, but she didowethem.
Otis raised his shoulders. “And don’t forget that your mother wanted this.”
Sydria shook her head. “What if my memory comes back in a few days or weeks or months, and I remember the life I had before I came to Cristole? If I’m married to the king, I won’t be able to leave and go back home.”
“Why would you want to go back home when you could be the queen of Cristole?” Otis asked.
Her hard eyes went to him. “Because I don’t belong here.” There was a constant longing inside of her, an ache to gohome.She couldn’t explain it, but everything inside of her knew this wasn’t where she was meant to be. “Besides, I don’t even know who I am. How can I be the queen of a kingdom when there are basic things that I don’t remember or understand about life?”
Otis waved her words away with the swoop of his hand. “The king doesn’t need you to be a ruler. He just needs someone to look good by his side.”
“Perhaps we should get him a puppy, then.”
Otis glared at her. “A puppy isn’t the same as a wife.”
“It sounds like he doesn’t want a wife, just an ornament.”
“Either way,” Otis raised an eyebrow, “you will be the one fulfilling that role. It’s what your mother wanted.”
“Well, my mother isn’t here anymore. I’m sure there are other available women he could choose from.”
“Please, Sydria,” Uncle Von pleaded. “We’re desperate. We have no money left.” He glanced at Edmay. “We’ve given everything we have to save you.”
Her focus snapped to Von. “You’re a doctor. Can’t you go find work andearnmoney another way?”
“I, uh…” Von stammered.
“He can’t work in Cristole,” Otis broke in. “He’s been banned from the hospitals for using unorthodox medical practices.” He walked to Uncle Von’s side like some sort of manipulation tag team. “Isn’t that right, Von?”
“Uh, yes. I can’t practice medicine anymore.”
