After the song ended, King Stellan announced to the hall that it was time for the couple to retire.
When the candles were re-lit, Aveline saw that the head table was empty.
Where did they all go?
The couple were led out to a heated argument with the leaders of the kingdoms.
On one side stood Prime Minister Cedric with Queen Celia and Astra behind him.
The women had their arms crossed and looked unimpressed.
Opposite them, Lark was red in the face as a similarly dressed woman, who shared his same face but had fiery hair, held his shoulders.
“This was not in the agreement!” Lark was even taller than King Magnus as he approached Cedric.
“Paxmouth agreed to all traditions of Farren.” Queen Celia stepped between her brother and the taller man.
“To refuse would be an insult and the marriage incomplete.”
“Your tradition is an insult to the sanctity of marriage!”
How can someone so jovial be so fearsome?
Maybe that’s why he’s the perfect fit for his job.
“Is there a problem?” King Magnus took the cue to approach the verbal quarrel.
That was when Aveline noticed their hands were still entwined.
How long have we been holding hands?
Lark turned to his king, but there was a shadow of shame in his eyes.
He refused to explain.
Cedric, the weasel, had no shame.
“Your Majesty, it is time for the final tradition.”
Final?
I thought it was the dance…
“Please, come this way.” Cedric motioned for the couple to follow him as he led the way.
With their hands still together, King Magnus guided Aveline next to him.
She tried to look back at her family as they followed behind, but her father refused to look at her; stepmother gave a supportive smile; Astra had a spiteful sneer on her face.
What do you know?
❀
“I remember my wedding night.”
At the end of the hallway, there were two doors.
King Magus was led into the left one by the men, and Aveline by the women in the other.
It was a bedroom, but not one that Aveline knew about.
The bed was too ornate to simply be another guestroom.
Queen Celia guided her to the dressing area.
Astra wasted no time taking her possessions off her sister.
First was the tiara: a 16th birthday gift from their father.
Then the silver belt, then the brocade bodice.
Through it all, Aveline remained locked in confusion.
“I missed you so much, my lovies!” Astra hugged the golden choker and pearl necklace before she put them in the box.
“What’s happening?” Even though Aveline was glad to be out of the oppressive layers, Cedric’s words weaved an uncomfortable fear in her stomach.
“I’m not going to get any rest, am I?”
At her words, Queen Celia giggled.
“Now that you’re married, you’ll understand, sister.” Astra’s snide remark landed deep.
Her hands were cruel as she plucked the final layer off Aveline.
“I can’t believe they have me disrobing you.” Astra rolled her eyes as she gathered her things and left.
Everything I wore was hers…
“Do not fret, Child.” Queen Celia handed Aveline a nightgown.
It wasn’t the typical style, as it had a detailed lace collar around the front.
Why is the cut so low?
“Change into this, and I will take care of the rest.” With that, Aveline was left alone.
It wasn’t that she hated the queen as much as her daughter, but Aveline knew just how cunning Celia could be.
Queen Celia did what her duty asked of her, but never more.
Even when the king ordered her to raise Aveline as her own, she did that, but sent a clear message: you are not my kin.
❀
It took a while for Aveline to leave the safety of the dressing divider due to the nature of the nightgown.
My chest feels cold…
“You look wonderful!” Her lips were smiling, and her tone was friendly, but Queen Celia’s eyes showed no warmth.
“Your husband won’t be able to keep his hands off you!” She led Aveline to sit at the dressing table.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on now?” Aveline hardened her gaze as she watched her stepmother in the mirror.
Queen Celia’s smile didn’t falter as she began undoing Aveline’s updo.
“The most important tradition.” Dramatically, she leaned down to whisper, “To guarantee an heir!”
Like mother, like daughter.
The older woman’s smile was chilling.
Her fingers on Aveline’s shoulders squeezed until it was almost painful, as if she was trying to stick her in place.
“We all have our duties to fulfil.” She hummed in one ear.
“You know yours…” Queen Celia muttered in the other.
“Don’t worry. A man with three wives should know what he’s doing.” She pulled away to pour some oil into her hands and lathered it into Aveline’s dark locks.
“Three dead wives.” The princess countered through gritted teeth.
The elder only shrugged to show just how much she cared.
“Did father know about this?”
“Who do you think insisted on this?”
Aveline blinked.
“Your old man said we had to make it as difficult for Paxmouth as we could.” Her tone was nonchalant, as if she was talking about the weather.
“Let them suffer a little for what they did in the war.”
❀
When things are tough, think happy thoughts…
“This is the most toughest yet, Mama…”
What are you supposed to do when you find out that not only did your family betray you, but hid that the wedding would end with you losing your maidenhood?
“Did father ever care about me?”
Aveline curled her knees closer to her chest as she stared at the moon from the window.
When Celia left, Aveline was in a daze.
It wasn’t that she was unaware of how things worked – she’d been around the townsfolk and heard about it all.
The tavern customers and market vendors were more explicit than the people in the royal household.
The issue was that the most she’d ever done was some heavy petting before the reality of the situation hit her and she ran away.
That poor travelling scholar was left high and dry.
“No amount of happy thoughts can make this better…”
The night air caressed her face as she opened the window.
From this angle, she could see the rose garden below and the main square in the distance.
On each side of the window hung a vibrant basket of primrose.
One broad pale yellow bloom caught her eye.
It swayed idly in the wind as the sweet scent wafted into the room.
Feeling fond, Aveline reached for it.
The flower was further than it looked, so she had to stand on the window ledge, one foot in and one foot out, in an attempt to obtain it.
The new stance allowed her fingers to brush over the petals a couple of times.
Just a little more…
Goosebumps broke over her skin as the wind blew into her nightgown, but Aveline didn’t care.
It was within her reach when –
“What are you doing?”
Without warning, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and she was hauled away from the window and into the seat by the fireplace.
King Magnus!
“Answer me.” He stood over her with his hands on his hips.
His tone was demanding and left no room for excuses.
“Were you trying to jump?” He ran a hand through his hair.
Just like Aveline, he had stripped down into a simple tunic and dark trousers.
His crown was gone, but his sword remained.
Even like this, he still had the commanding aura of a king.
When he got no reply, he crouched down to face her.
“Aveline?”
What did he say?
How does he know?
No…
I’ve been caught!
“What did you just call me?” A ringing filled Aveline’s ears.
“Absurd.” The king repeated.
His hands found hers, and that’s when Aveline realised that they were shaking.
“What were you doing?”
Did he say that?
I swear he just said my name.
“Are you that sleepy?” A gentle glow covered his eyes as a hand cupped Aveline’s cheek.
“You had a long day.” From there, the fingers tenderly brushed some strands of hair out of her face.
Aveline wasn’t sure what expression she had for her husband to wear such a fond look in his eyes.
Did you really murder your wives?
She wasn’t sure what to believe about this man.
“I want it.”
Suddenly, King Magnus lost all physical contact with her.
His back straightened as his hands hung stiffly at his sides.
His grey eyes darkened as his pupils almost swallowed the iris.
“What?”
Aveline pointed to the window.
“I wanted one.”
King Magnus followed the finger to notice the basket of primrose.
When he understood, his demeanour relaxed while he breathed a sigh of relief.
What did he think I wanted?
He was almost laughing as his hands returned to her shoulders to gently pat.
“I will give you all the flowers to your heart’s content.”
Why?
“Just, please – don’t do that again.” His eyes were almost pleading.
Wordlessly, Aveline nodded at his request.
The hands on her shoulders smoothed down her arms to take her hand in his.
A tender smile began to blossom over his face.
But it disappeared as fast as it came.
Clack.
The couple snapped their heads to a section of the wall near the bed.
Candlelight seeped through the maple-patterned wallpaper, outlining a small, dark rectangle.
That wasn’t there before.
Old wood creaked quietly, as if someone had just sat down.
They’re watching.