Aveline’s first official of duty as Queen of Paxmouth was to hold public court.
It only happened once a week, citizens with quarrels formed a line to the castle at the crack of dawn.
The monarch ruled all, and everyone must follow their word.
Except, some cases were better to not include the monarch.
Such as the case of the stolen dog.
A farmer claimed that his beloved mutt went missing one night, only to find it in the arms of a noble lady a week later.
The noble lady claimed it was hers.
The farmer begged to differ.
“Please You Majesties!” The farmer cried on his knees.
“Rocky is my best friend! I raised him since he was a pup!”
Aveline glanced at Theo.
His face was impassive like the first time they met.
Must be his ‘business’ face.
The king gave nothing away as he idlily rubbed his wife’s knuckles in the ajacent throne.
“Lies!” The noble woman’s voice screeched above the crying man’s.
Some things never change no matter where I go…
“My canine is a pure breed! I got him from a breeder.” The woman held the dog tighter in her arms as it tried to jump towards the man.
“Is the breeder here today?” Aveline asked.
The woman gasped like she was offended.
“Your Majesty, this dog is not from just anyone!” She went on a speech about travelling three days and night to find the seller of the purest breeds.
Through it all, Aveline and Theo glanced at each other.
What a load of horse manure!
By the time the woman was done, Aveline felt like she took a micro nap with her eyes open.
What did she say again?
Doesn’t matter – this is an easy fix.
Aveline cleared her throat to command attention back to her.
“Since you are here, you agree to terms of the outcome, yes?” She had to double check to be extra sure.
There’s nothing worse than entitled people causing a fuss.
The noble woman arrogantly shrugged.
“I know that I am innocent.”
The farmer’s teary eyes told a different story as he shook his head.
So, you’ve made your choice.
Aveline nodded to Fourth and the young man took the animal away from the noblewoman.
The dog panted excitedly in his arms as it licked his face.
“Ugh.” Fourth grimaced as he tried to lean away.
“The test is simple: whoever the dog run to, that is it’s owner.”
The woman suddenly stiffened when Aveline finished her sentence.
She nodded to Fourth again, for the younger to release the dog.
It barked a couple of times before facing the two people who claimed to be it’s owner.
Both parties were trying to call the dog to their side.
Ultimately, it ran to the farmer.
“I knew it!” The man cried as he held the dog tight.
“You would never forget me, Rocky! Thank you, Your Majesties!” He bowed as he made his way out.
The noble woman looked like she swallowed something sour as she stepped out of the hall.
Aveline rubbed her forehead at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Did they really need our opinion on that?
“At least that was a simple one.” Theo commented as he poured a cup of water.
“You can sort it out quick.”
“Are all the cases like this?” Aveline held out her hand to accept, but Theo pressed it to her lips instead.
In front of everyone?
She blushed as she looked around.
Everyone was in their own world with their own issues.
The only ones paying attention were her retinue and some guards.
Nevertheless, Aveline accepted the gesture as Theo poured the drink into her mouth as she tried to keep up.
Through it all, her eyes were locked on his as the man intensely watched Aveline gulp the liquid down.
“Better?”
Aveline couldn’t say anything but nod shyly.
I can’t believe he did that…
The rest of the cases were equally asinine.
Two neighbours arguing over how could pick fruit from a tree that overhung both their gardens.
Some kids claiming innocent to shaving someone’s sheep.
It got to a point where Aveline wondered why she lost sleep over the public court.
But when the final case came, the reality of it hit her.
The girl looked young; younger than Fourth.
Her hair was cut short at her chin and her clothes were in tatters.
The parts of her arms that were exposed was dotted in patches of purple and blue.
Immediately, Aveline sat up in her seat.
“Your Majesties, I implore you to talk some sense into my daughter-in-law.” There was a large burly man who held onto her arm.
“I have paid a costly bridal price for her, yet she refuses my son and claims to love another.”
The girl shook her head as she cried.
“I never agreed! I don’t even love your son!”
“Shut up!” The man raised his hand.
Aveline gulped.
Something painful settled in her chest.
No!
“No!” The girl screamed as she curled away with her whole body, but the man was stronger.
Please –
Don’t!
Aveline gasped.
Theo raised his brow and guards immediately pulled the man away from her.
The girl’s body collapsed to the ground as if she had no strength.
“Whore!” The man yelled.
Murmurs spread across the hall.
“Dishonour to you, and your shitty family! No one would even help you but me!”
Tears flowed like there was no tomorrow from the girl.
Her eyes were so swollen and red.
How much have you suffered?
When did my hand start shaking so much?
He gave it a squeeze.
Aveline squeezed back despite her chest feeling tight.
“Your tongue is extremely vulgar for someone of your status.” Theo’s voice was calm, too calm and quiet.
She’s heard this tone before.
At least I’m not the only one unnerved by this…
“I do not take dishonour well, Your Majesty!” The man still had the gall to defend himself as he shook free from the guard’s hold.
“This whore -” He pointed at the girl.
Her smaller body instinctively jerked to protect herself.
He didn’t even touch her, and she’s acting like this.
What did she go through?
“Cheated my family! She’s the reason my son is bedridden with heartbreak!”
That’s rich.
Aveline wanted to scoff but had to stay neutral.
Her hand squeezed Theo’s as she composed herself.
“What is your name?” She looked at the girl.
The father-in-law opened his mouth to reply but Aveline snapped at him.
“I didn’t ask you.”
The girl wiped her tears, sniffling as she sat up.
“Velma, Your Majesty.” Her voice was small as she bowed her head in greeting.
“Tell me Velma, did you ever agree to this marriage?”
Velma bit her lip as she glanced at the man she came with.
“Do not be afraid. You are safe here.” Aveline made sure to keep an eye on the guard’s position in case.
After a beat, Velma slowly shook her head.
“My father was the one who set this up!” The girl cried into her hands.
“I already promised my hand to another, but he forced me!”
At her confession, Aveline wondered if the gods were playing a joke on her.
A father making promises on his daughter’s life.
Her stomach turned.
Sounds familiar.
“He said that we will lose our farm, and our family will have nowhere to go!”
So he manipulated you?
Also sounds familiar.
For the first time that day, Aveline sighed.
She let her real emotions show in the court as her royal façade slipped.
No matter how hard Theo held her hands, or rubbed her knuckles, the knot in her chest was too much.
It hurts.
Hales and View didn’t even put a corset on her this morning, only the undergarment bodice for support.
So why did it feel like her chest was getting pressed by a pile of rocks?
A ringing pierced her ears and Aveline tried to ignore it, but it was persistent.
Words were exchanged but she couldn’t fully hear.
The father-in-law rolled his eyes at something Velma said; even the guards were shaking their heads at him.
I can’t hear –
I can’t –
What’s wrong with me?
“Aveline.” The timbre of Theo’s voice made her gasp.
He was leaning into her space to whisper something only the two of them could hear.
“Breath.”
“I am.” Aveline gritted.
Except she wasn’t.
Not properly.
“Liar.” Theo’s response was swift as if he already knew.
Knew how she was feeling; knew how to handle her.
“Look at me.”
Aveline shook her head.
Her eyes are fixed on Velma on the floor as she eyed the older man with fear.
“Wife.”
Suddenly, that was the only sound Aveline could hear.
Her eyes met Theo’s.
His grey ones softened as his hand petted hers.
He turned to the rest of the hall and the authoritative tone slipped out so naturally.
“Court will recess for ten minutes.” Theo stood and Aveline rose with him.
She opened her mouth to protest but no sound came out.
“Keep them apart.” He pointed to the latest case.
“Fourth.”
Without further instructions, Fourth helped Velma up and took her away.
“Wait -” Aveline could barely get a word in before Theo hauled her out of the balcony.
“She came for solution!”
“And the poor girl deserves someone who can focus on her case.” Theo raised a brow.
Aveline sighed.
He’s right.
Why am I so weak?
Cursing under her breath, Aveline looked out at the ocean.
She closed her eyes and focused on the sounds of the waves.
Waves in – inhale.
Waves out – exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I’m alright.
It’s going to be fine.
She opened her eyes and took a moment to appreciate the sea air caressing her skin.
“Her father chose for her.” The words came out before she could think it through.
Theo joined her at the edge.
He kept silent as he watched the sea.
“He decided her life was worth less than his land.”
Theo shifted to look at her.
Aveline watched before she took matters into her own hands and pulled Theo around her.
They both watched the view in silence.
“You had to do this every week?”
“When I was back, yes. Lark or the deputy Prime Minster took over.”
“Where was Wren?”
“In battle with me.”
Aveline smiled at the thought of someone fierce like Wren having to sit through public court.
“I don’t think I can protect you from her if you suggested a switch.”
The fact that he knew what she was thinking made Aveline laugh a little.
She leaned back against his solid chest as his arms tighten around her.
I didn’t expect being queen was like this.
Father never held court nor listened to his people.
Yet, look at the state of everything….
“I’m ready.” She turned around in her husband’s arms to gaze up at him.
“No need to rush.” A finger tucked a stray lock behind her ear.
The updo was slowly becoming undone from the wind.
“I don’t want to wait anymore.”
❀
When everyone was called back, Velma was in more suitable clothing and the marks on her face seemed less severe.
Her father-in-law stood at the other end and flanked by guards.
Aveline griped the armrests as she cleared her throat.
“Velma, is your father present today?”
The girl meekly shook her head.
“He is ill, Your Majesty.”
So, that’s why you were struggling with money.
But not ill enough to sell his daughter away.
Aveline turned to Theo.
“Can parents legally promise their child’s marriage without their consent?”
“I don’t think. The last time we reviewed the laws was when I ascended.” Theo shook his head.
Perhaps we need another review.
“Hear my decree.” Aveline nodded to the scribe.
“From this day on, no marriage contract shall be binding without the consent of both parties. The council will draft the appropriate penalties for coercion and present them to us.”
For the second time that day, the whole hall gasped.
“A debt may be inherited, negotiated or repaid. A person may not.” The scribe nodded as she wrote everything down.
She sneaked a nervous glance at Theo who was nodding along.
“But -” The father-in-law sneered but Aveline’s icy glare put him in his place.
“You deserve repayment, but you are not entitled to a person.” Velma’s shoulders visibly relaxed at Aveline’s comment.
“I am no expert in finances, but the Treasury will assess what the farm can reasonably repay and work out a repayment plan.”
The man grimaced.
I’m offering a solution but you still act like this?
“Unless, you are so generous that you would give the poor family the money without attachments?”
“Why – wha – you!” The man stuttered as muffled laughter spread through the room.
Even Theo huffed a chuckle beside.
“Then you accept the repayment plan?”
A beat passed.
A sea of silence fell over the hall.
People held their breaths as they eagerly waited for the answer.
Come on – don’t be stupid!
Her hands tightened on the chair.
“I accept, Your Majesty.” The father-in-law sighed in defeat.
He hung his head.
A murmur of approval swept through the hall.
Aveline schooled her expression as she went for the final blow.
“Understand that neither you nor your son may enter the family’s farm without royal decree.” Aveline looked at Velma.
“All repayments will be delivered through the local magistrate.”
Velma nodded enthusiastically as she practically bowed to the monarchs.
“You will get what you are owed.” Aveline looked at the man.
“But Velma was never her father’s to give you.”
From the side, Fourth began clapping enthusiastically.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Hales and View simultaneously pinched an arm.
He stopped.
Aveline couldn’t help but return the smile.
“Velma.”
The girl looked up.
“You said you had already promised yourself to another.”
Velma nodded.
“Do you wish to marry them?”
Her eyes widened.
“I… yes.”
“Then that decision belongs to you.”
Velma stared at her.
Aveline knew that look.
Disbelief.
The disbelief of someone who had spent so long being told that her life belonged to everybody except herself.
“Your life is yours.”
Velma bowed deeply.
By the time the last petitioner had left and the doors finally closed, Aveline was still thinking about those words.
Ironic.
I told her that, but what about me?
She looked to Theo who was matching Fourth’s beaming smile.
“Proud of you.” He leaned over and kissed her nose.
“I knew you could do it.”
I said those words to someone else.
But why do they feel like something that I needed to hear instead?