AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ah.” Rune sounded satisfied with my answer. “The marriage of Louis’s only daughter to Yutrik the useless pig. I wondered why a man known as ‘the Great’ would marry his only daughter to a tit-sucking prick like Yutrik. Surprise, surprise. I see now that the great king of the West seems to have bigger plans.”
I stared at him in awe. Was the whole North as cunning as this one and Alrick?
Rune suddenly looked away. “I-I’m sorry, my lady. The way I just spoke. I’m not used to speaking to women of high birth. I hope I didn’t offend—”
I laughed. Loud and wholeheartedly.
“Tit-sucking baby?” I said. “Is that what they call him? And I thoughtNight Queenwas bad.” My shoulders bounced as I chuckled. This man was so raw. He spoke his mind without the slightest worry of what others might think of him. It was the first time someone treated me kindly and with respect without knowing who I was.
Rune grinned. “I’ve said enough. I’ve insulted both of our rulers in a few sentences. Talking is not my strength. I don’t do it often, as you have now witnessed firsthand.”
“I didn’t know men from the North were so amusing,” I said, laughter still in my voice. It felt great. It was the first time I’d felt anything other than grief, hatred, worry, and sadness in weeks. Then I noticed how Rune was staring at me.
“And I didn’t know the women in the South were this captivating and—” He paused as my smile faltered.
This didn’t feel right. I was promised to the man I loved. To be out here with Rune alone...laughing, getting compliments.
I felt nothing for this man, nothing but curiosity. But still.
“Would you please excuse me, I have an important matter to attend to,” I excused myself. And, just like that, I turned and strode off.
“Please let me apologize, I didn’t mean—” Rune was shouting after me, but I kept going, all the way until I saw Wimfred and Dieter rushing toward me from the castle’s terrace with soldiers spreading out to their left and right.
“What’s the matter?” I said the moment I reached them.
Wimfred shook his head, as if the world was coming to an end.
“He is here, at the castle!”
My brows drew together. “Who?”
Dieter directed a few soldiers to secure parts of the garden, then turned to me.
“King Algar’s bastard.”
“His monster,” Wimfred added. “He’s a killer for the North King. They say he can slay five men without a sword. He was not invited to the ceremony. It’s possible King Algar sent him to harm you.”
I peeked over my shoulder, to the rose garden.
“How he gained entry is a mystery,” Dieter concluded.
I looked back toward the garden, picturing the giant of a man. Rune.
Foolish Mina, spending time alone with a man in the garden.Luckily, he didn’t know I was the queen, so he didn’t try to kill me.
“From here on, Your Majesty will have to be escorted wherever she goes. The whole palace will be secured,” Wimfred insisted.
I hated the thought of being followed everywhere, but, considering my encounters with not only Rune but also Gunther this morning, it was indeed a reasonable suggestion.
“I’m afraid you’re right. The castle might not be as safe as we’d like it to be. This morning I received a note from Alrick, delivered by Gunther’s hand.”
Wimfred gasped. “What? How did it get into his hands?”
“I’m not certain, but he might now suspect an alliance with the rebels and myself.”
Wimfred and Dieter knew of my plans to marry Alrick and thought it wise as long as I could prove to my people that the rebels hadn’t killed my father.
“Has Gunther said anything regarding the note?” Dieter asked.
