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“Let’s begin,” Wimfred said as the guards opened the doors. “The queen!” he shouted down the hallway, and we all entered the throne hall. Its gold-framed mirrors and chandeliers glittered above the large crowd as trumpets announced the royal arrival. A path lined with people had formed leading all the way to my golden throne.
The moment Rune and I stepped in—followed by Wimfred, who announced us both by name—the crowd’s mutters turned to loud gasps and chattering. I tried not to look at anybody but still glanced the occasional shocked face.
“This can’t be,” a woman exclaimed.
“Now I’ve seen it all,” a man said.
“Is that not King Algar’s bastard?” another man gasped.
I didn’t care much what others thought of Rune; rank in itself was nothing to a queen of my wealth and powers. But what did frighten me was the occasion itself.
Engaged to be married.
What if the marriage couldn’t be annulled, and I was stuck with Rune for the rest of my days?
We reached the throne and turned to face the crowd. As often as I had pictured this moment, worried I might faint, feeling Rune’s steady arm grounded me, made me feel stronger.
My gaze wandered to the first row of guests. Among them were His Holiness, King Algar, Yutrik, Gabrielle, and King Louis the Great. All of them had their own versions of shock written on their faces—except for His Holiness, whose emotionless facial expression seemed bored.
No Gunther, though, which gave me the strength to grin at each and every one of those conniving, power-hungry people. Yutrik looked pale, constantly wiping sweat off his forehead.
Was this what revenge felt like? If so, it wasn’t beautiful; it was ugly, even, but it felt goddamned amazing.
A footman came rushing over and handed Wimfred his dreadful rod, which he instantly hammered onto the floor. The room grew silent except for a few coughs here and there.
“The Rhine Queen thanks you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to celebrate the most wonderful news.” Wimfred then held his hand up to invite His Holiness to join us. Smiling, he stepped beside me and faced the crowd.
Oh my god, this was really happening. Now. After this announcement, there was no turning back. My eyes scanned anxiously for Alrick. Where was he? Had he abandoned me so quickly?
“It is with great pleasure that I am here with you today to announce that God has decided to unite our beloved Rhine Queen with Sir Rune Blackwood of the Dark Forests,” His Holiness declared loudly as he lifted his arms heavenwards. Then he cleared his throat. “May this young couple find the happiness they both deserve.”
It was as silent as a funeral. And, to me, it felt like one.
Somewhere, from the crowd, a voice called out over the silence. “Sir Rune is getting married to the Rhine Queen!” Within moments, the whole room had erupted into cheers and applause.
I was completely and utterly surprised. I hadn’t expected half this reception. But now that I thought about it, people must see this as a sign the war was coming to an end—one way or another.
Rune looked at me, just as stunned as I was. I felt myself wanting to smile at him. But before I could, I saw Alrick in the middle of the crowd.
“Alrick,” I said, removing my hand from Rune’s arm. There he was. Looking straight at me, and although his face was emotionless, I could read it like a book.
Sadness. Frustration. Pain. Anger.
And yet, despite it all, he had come to be with me during this moment. To show me his support—even if our bodies could no longer unite as one.
His lips turned upward into a loving smile. He mouthed a few words to me, but I couldn’t make them out.
I love you?
Farewell?
He stared at me a moment longer, then turned and was swallowed by the ecstatic crowd.
My chest tightened and I felt close to the fainting.
“E-excuse me,” I said to Rune and Wimfred and stepped away from the throne toward the doors, when a sudden jerk on my arm pulled me back. My eyes shot to the hand that had dared to grip mine, then to the man who it belonged to.
King Louis.
