Father had promised that the banquet was going to be an intimate family affair.
So why are all these people here?
Aveline should have known better than to believe him.
The man was willing to let his flesh and blood into the tiger’s den to save his own hide.
“A wonderful wedding, your highness!”
“Many well wishes to the happy couple!”
“I hope your marriage lasts for eternity!”
One by one they passed the head table.
Aveline recognised them enough to know that they were Astra’s friends who were all aristocrats of some kind.
Lastly came Astra herself looking timid and fickle.
Is that how she sees me?
“Congratulations, sister. Your Majesty.” She curtsied to each of them.
King Magnus nodded to acknowledge her, as a king should, but Aveline didn’t share that sentiment.
“I hope His Majesty doesn’t mind me speaking out of turn.” As soon as she had the male’s attention, she reverted to her bashful demeanour.
“Please.” He nodded.
“I do not mind, as we are family now.”
You don’t mind, but I do!
Astra smirked like she had a plan up her sleeve.
“Since this is your first meeting, Your Majesty might not know just how special my younger sister is.”
Perplexed, Aveline stole a glance at her father, who was too engrossed in Astra’s words to look her way.
“Therefore, please treat her gently, unlike earlier when you unlaced her bodice!” For extra drama, Astra got on her knees while the entire Farren delegation stood.
So this is her game.
“What is the meaning of this?” King Stellan’s tone brought the Paxmouth side to their feet.
“What did you do?”
Since when did he care?
The music stopped.
A simmer of chaos began to stew on both sides, but the Paxmouth crowd was louder.
They all looked like warriors, even the women.
Nobody really seemed like a noble at that table.
But just before things got out of hand, King Magnus raised his hand for silence and all obeyed.
Witnessing this, King Stellan did the same, but Farren nobles were used to getting their own way, so his efforts weren’t as successful.
“Barbarian!” Someone shouted.
It was the first well-wisher from earlier; Astra’s friend, the Duke of something.
Making his repulsion clear, the duke threw a goblet into the middle of the hall and spilt wine on the floor.
The tension was so thick that Aveline could drown in it.
“Barbarian? You are the ones devouring a divine animal!” A bearded man closest to King Magnus nodded at the platter of swan before the Duke.
It was a mound of meat decorated with various herbs and berries, its wings on each side for extra extravagance.
“At least we don’t strip naked and dance in the woods!” The Duke fired back.
He was not going to back down.
“How dare you -” The bearded man’s roar practically shook the walls as he ripped his cape off to prepare for a scrap.
Someone is going to die today!
BANG!
Aveline slammed her hands on the table with enough force that it even surprised her.
The cutlery rattled, beverages splashed, and decorations toppled.
With all eyes on her, she stood.
I stopped the argument, but where do I go from here?
She bided time by putting on her most intimidating glare as she scrutinised everyone.
They all gazed back expectantly, apart from one.
This was all because of you!
“Thank you for your worries, elder sister.” Aveline straightened her posture when Astra looked up at her.
There wasn’t an ounce of guilt or regret in those eyes.
Only satisfaction.
“While it was true that King Magnus unlaced my bodice.” This time, even King Magnus’s eyes snapped to hers.
This whole time, he had been idly sipping his mead and enjoying the disorder that unfolded before him.
All the other times, his face was unreadable, but now confusion as written all over his face.
You’re not the only one who can surprise people.
“But it was at my behest.”
Gasps scattered around the hall.
Astra blinked a few times to gather herself before she stuttered out, “But – wha – you… why?”
You want a spectacle?
Here!
Turning to King Magnus, Aveline made a show of cupping his face in her hand, as he did to her earlier.
Their eyes locked, and King Magnus looked more lost than ever.
This type of expression suits you!
“You’ll understand when you have a husband of your own.”
To strengthen her point, Aveline leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her husband’s forehead; just above his brow, below his crown.
It was quick, like one would to a pet.
There was nothing behind it.
Cheers erupted from the Paxmouth side as people clapped and voiced their support for the couple.
The Farren side was locked in silence.
Did their princess really defend someone like King Magnus?
“How marvellous!” The bearded man was the loudest.
His plump cheeks were flushed from joy.
“You are… unexpected!”
There’s that word again.
“My name is Lark.” The bearded man dropped onto one knee and bowed his head.
“I am the Prime Minister and the closest thing to His Majesty’s family!” Lark playfully shoved his king’s shoulder.
The latter rolled his eyes, but the slight smile he sent to his friend told another story.
Aveline curtsied back before signalling the musicians to play and taking her seat.
“You are the Prime Minister of Paxmouth?” Ignoring King Magnus’s presence, Aveline leaned closer to Lark to hear him better.
“I didn’t know they had one.”
I never knew that they were so organised.
“Someone has to look after the place when this one goes to war!” Lark’s chortles were infectious, and Aveline found herself smiling along.
The men were so comfortable with each other that Lark was able to not-so-gently slap his king’s shoulder and only received an unimpressed raised brow in reprimand.
A husband who murdered three wives is fine with being manhandled?
“Do you not have a Prime Minister?” From anyone else, it would have sounded like an insult, but Aveline could tell that Lark was clearly curious.
Her eyes trailed to the man next to Queen Celia.
Her brother, Cedric.
“We do.” Aveline sipped her drink.
“He’s my uncle.”
Who got the job because of his connections.
Ask anyone at the market what they think of him.
“Ah.” The bearded man nodded in understanding before turning to his friend.
“People here like to keep it in the family.” He joked.
This time, the joke didn’t land.
“You also got the job because you’re family!” King Magnus hissed as he flicked Lark in the forehead.
All his hair was concentrated to the bottom half of his face, so there was no protection from the attack.
“But I was already doing the job before I gained the formal title!” Lark defended himself as he pitifully rubbed the reddening mark on his head.
“You created that title for yourself!”
“I wanted to feel important!” This time, Lark leaned closer to Aveline and winked mischievously.
That earned him another flick in the exact same place.
Aveline couldn’t help the smile on her face at the humorous pair.
“Is that your signature move?” She looked up at the king and realised that, by leaning closer to hear Lark, she was almost in Magnus’s lap.
Her head was by his chest as he leaned down to whisper, “I have many that I can show you when there are fewer people around.” When he pulled away, he wore a playful smirk while Aveline’s dropped.
“Seems like the lovebirds are at it again!” Putting his hands up, Lark backed away to converse with the other person next to him.
Once again, Aveline could feel heat rise to her cheeks at such comments from her husband.
How can someone be so shameless?
“Princess Astra.”
She almost didn’t respond until her father appeared in front of them.
Right, I’m not me.
The awareness made her jerk away from King Magnus, but the action made her bang her elbow on the arm of his chair in the process.
“Ahh…” A painful throb pulsed through her elbow.
Princesses do not screech or scream; their pain must be silent.
Through gritted teeth, Aveline faced her father with a smile that hid her pain.
“Yes, father?”
“Are you alright?” A familiar pair of hands were suddenly on the spot where the pain was still growing.
King Magnus looked more concerned for her well-being than her father – the elder looked away as if he was uncomfortable to be around them.
“I’m fine.”
“Shall I wreck this chair for daring to hurt you?” King Magnus’s brows were drawn, but there was a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Is he serious?
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Aveline shook her head as the man continued to gently rub her elbow.
“I was the one who did it – are you going to wreck me?” She wanted King Magnus to understand the lunacy of his actions.
But something shifted in his gaze.
That smirk, the same one from the drawing room, returned.
Memories of his hands on her waist flashed through her mind.
The very same hands that were now soothing the pain when her father hadn’t even tried.
What did I say this time?
“Seems like the Princess is tired.” King Stellan cleared his throat.
“You can retire after the first dance.” With that, he nodded to his aide, who began instructing the musicians.
He didn’t even ask me if I was ready.
The aide nodded back to signal that they were waiting for the newlyweds.
Candles along the walls were blown out, leaving only the main chandelier lit.
The hall suddenly felt smaller as the people blended into the walls.
Aveline heard rather than saw King Magnus stand.
He held out his hand to her.
“Are you ready, wife?”
No, I don’t think so.
Unknowingly, her leg became restless and started bouncing rapidly under her dress.
A nervous habit from her childhood.
Astra barely practised with me.
All the people she found barely wanted to touch me.
“Come.” King Magnus slid his hand behind her back and effortlessly lifted his bride to her feet.
Aveline was about to protest when he whispered for her ears alone, “I have you.”
A knot loosened slightly in her stomach as she wordlessly nodded at his words.
The hand remained on her back like a reassuring presence as they made their way to the middle of the floor.
King Magnus nodded to the aide who gave the signal.
Delicate plucked notes of harp strings began the song.
The pair stood across from each other, feeling like the only people there despite it being a not-so-intimate affair.
They bowed to one another when the plaintive draw of the vielle joined in, then the sweet whisper of a flute completed the ensemble.
Step, step, then turn?
No – argh!
With each passing note, Aveline could feel her frustration grow.
Who thought it was a good idea to do this in the dark?
Amazingly, her palm met his after a spin.
King Magnus raised a brow as they walked in a circle around each other.
Aveline could only smile awkwardly.
How long is this song?
She had some awareness that her back was supposed to be against the other’s chest.
However, when she spun again, she found herself in her groom’s arms.
“Stop thinking.” King Magnus’s hands settled around her waist again as he guided them in a gentle sway.
They were face-to-face; chest to chest.
“These are not the steps!”
“Doesn’t matter.” He brought her hands to rest on his broad shoulders as their so-called dance continued.
“I’d rather you be in the moment than mumbling under your breath.” The king’s lip quirked up slightly as he tilted his head.
Why are you doing this?
“I told you.” The groom drew his bride flush against him.
Aveline gazed at him in a daze.
“I have you.”
Closing her eyes, she felt a warm pair of lips tenderly kiss between her knitted brows.
Then all her worries washed away.