The Isle Queen looked down her nose at the Alearian Queen: “Kingdom and duty always come first. An important part of being a Queen is learning to be adaptable. I had great respect for your parents, which is the only reason I agreed to make this visit. But may I give you some advice?” Queen Ocea offered. Annie nodded, unsure what else to do. “If you are going to remain Queen then you need to develop some backbone quickly. You are royalty, you do not have the novelty of time,” the foreign Queen stated matter-of-factly. “Every move you make is scrutinized by not only your own people but the entire realm. You do not have the novelty of taking time to court a prospective husband, and to waste a suitor’s time is equally disrespectful. I am unsure why you were not available to greet us upon our arrival, but not to do so was equally rude and disrespectful. If we are to maintain our alliance, then you need to start acting like a Queen.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Annie replied tight-lipped, “for your thoughts. However, the fact that I am taking my time in choosing a husband shows that I am taking my responsibilities seriously. I need to know that I am making the right decision for my Kingdom as well as myself. I will not be manipulated into choosing a King until I am ready. I will not justify my absence yesterday because as Queen I do not have to. But I do promise that it was unavoidable, as I am sure your son will attest to,” Annie declared, straightening her back.
The Isle of Treseme Queen gave the Alearian Monarch a wicked smile, her right eyebrow raised. Her body language relaxing, clearing pleased with Annie’s response though Annie didn’t have the faintest idea why.
“I do believe I may have underestimated you Queen Annie,” The Queen declared. “Forgive me for my rudeness earlier, but I needed to know what you were made of. My son is obviously smitten with you and I wanted to make sure you were worthy of him and our alliance. I believe we will get along just fine,” Queen Ocea declared now with a warm sincere smile.
Gobsmacked, Annie attempted to hide her shock.
“Thank you, Queen Ocea,” Annie replied confidently, “I believe we will too.”
‘Holy Goddess, what just happened?’
*
Princess Anastasia
Queen Ocea escorted Queen Annie back to her suite, and the pair of them were conversing like old friends, much to Anastasia’s shock.
‘How on earth did Annie win her over?’
“Thank you for an enlightening walk, Queen Annie. I look forward to maintaining our alliance with Alearia, hopefully for many generations to come,” Queen Ocea replied warmly as she farewelled the Alearian Queen and made her exit.
Annie collapsed into a chair by the hearth, a mixture of confusion and happiness painted across her face.
“What did the Queen of the Isle want to talk about? What was she like? Was she as intimidating as she seemed?” Anastasia asked eagerly.
Anastasia had remained in the Queen’s suite the entire time that Annie was out, awaiting her return to find out all the gossip. Alecia, who assured Anastasia she had better things to do with her time than wait around, had left straight after Annie did. A great smile spread across Annie’s face as she turned to face her twin, completely speechless.
“So? Don’t keep me in suspense! How did your conversation with the Queen go?” Anastasia asked excitedly.
Annie looked at her twin in awe, “she was exactly like my old mentor, Lily. I adore her!”
“What?!”
“Her intimidating, tyrant impression was all an act! She is an incredible Queen,” Annie honestly recounted. “She was testing me. Judging from her statement regarding our continued alliance, I guess I passed.” Annie relaxed back into her chair after helping herself to a pastry, her appetite having finally returned.
“Does that make your decision on selecting a husband any easier?” Anastasia asked, intrigued.
“I think it might...” Annie replied, amazed by her response.
~ ◊ ~
45
Queen Annalyse of Alearia
The next day following breakfast with the two suitors, Annie had her final wedding dress fitting. Annie had only permitted her grandmother, the Queen of Quillencia, and her lady’s maid to attend the fitting, wanting to keep the dress a surprise from her sisters.
‘I can’t believe that tomorrow I will be a married woman and Alearia will have a new King. Today I must choose the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Goddess, I pray that I am making the right decision.’
Annie stood before a full-length mirror in her suite, Lady Margarette arranging the long train delicately behind her. The ivory wedding gown with overlaid lace detail had been re-tailored to fit her like a glove. Annie stood in awe at her reflection, completely at a loss for words.
“You look so beautiful my dear,” her grandmother replied warmly. “Just like your mother. Nothing would have made her happier than to see her beloved daughter wearing her own gown on the happiest day of her life.”
Annie looked at her grandmother, who now stood beside her, staring back at Annie’s reflection in the mirror. “Thank you, Grandmother. I just wish she could have been here with me,” Annie spoke softly.
Queen Annalyse of Quillencia turned to her granddaughter, Annie doing the same, so they were now facing each other. “Your mother never left you Annie. Amealiana and Lily are with you in here, where it counts,” the Queen spoke wisely, placing her hand over her granddaughter’s heart.
Annie smiled warmly in return, her eyes watering. The two royals warmly embraced, silent tears of remembrance trickling down their faces. “I love you, Grandmother,” Annie whispered quietly on her grandmother’s shoulder.
“I love you too Annie, more than you could ever know.”
*
Following the dress fitting, Lady Margarette escorted the Queen to morning tea with Prince Liquire, beside the fountain in the garden. The Queen had arranged for a picnic blanket, various pillows and a platter full of sweet and savoury delicacies to be laid out for the occasion. Lady Margarette discretely took her leave upon the Prince’s arrival.
Butterflies fluttered around Annie’s stomach as the handsome Prince of the Isle, dressed in a suit the color of the deepest depths of the ocean, approached from the garden path through the hedge maze towards the rose garden. The gentle trickling of the fountain helped to soothe Annie’s nerves. Annie had chosen a stunning softly flowing, mid-length burgundy day dress for the picnic, complete with a garland of red roses atop her loosely hung, sandy blond curls.
The Prince smiled warmly, taking in the vision of the young Queen siting upon the pile of pillows near the fountain. Scented candles twinkled around the edge of the nearby fountain and around the edge of the picnic rug and pillows.
“Greetings Your Majesty,” Prince Liquire bowed before taking a seat beside Annie. “You look as beautiful as the roses in your hair, my lady.” Liquire added, taking her hand in his own and pressing a firm kiss to the back of it.
Annie felt herself blush, “thank you Liquire, you look very handsome yourself.”
The Prince smiled gently in acknowledgement and then picked up a platter of strawberries dipped in chocolate, offering the plate to the Queen before helping himself.
“Thank you, these look delicious,” Annie moaned.
“Not as delicious as you look in that dress, Annie,” the Prince brashly commented, causing Annie to turn away with a surprised giggle.
“That is most kind of you to say Liquire, but very cheeky of you indeed,” Annie smiled as she felt her cheeks warm further, the Prince laughing in response.
“I heard that you had the privilege of meeting my darling mother,” Liquire commented nonchalantly. “I do hope she didn’t give you the third degree. She is such a sweetheart once you get to know her.”
“I think you mother is fabulous. I must admit, she scared me initially,” she replied with a laugh, “but I think I won her over,” Annie commented proudly.
“I’m sure you did,” Liquire replied warmly.
“Thank you,�
� Annie blushed.
“Annie, could you close your eyes for me for a moment, I have a surprise for you,” Liquire gently requested of her.
‘Goddess above...’
Annie gently closed her eyes, and to her surprise the Prince pressed a delicate kiss to her lips. His natural scent of sea salt and tropical fruit filled Annie’s core. Annie felt herself leaning into Liquire’s touch as he continued to kiss her softly but purposefully, his hands now buried into her softly fallen locks. Annie wrapped her own arms around his neck. After their lips parted the two sat in silence for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes, savouring the moment. Liquire unwound his hands from her hair and took her hands in his own.
“Annie,” Liquire spoke gently, his gaze lost in her own. Annie bit her lip in anticipation, her heart racing.
“Annie, since the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I wanted to marry you. You are everything I could ever want in a life partner and more. I know we haven’t known each other long but even if you and I had met under different circumstances I know I would still feel the same way. You have a kind heart Annie, and I love the way that you care so very deeply for your family and your people. You never put yourself first. You are fun to be around. I enjoy the time we share together. Until now, I didn’t think I could ever love anyone more than the love I share for the ocean and my family, but I was wrong. I love you Annie. Will you do me the honor of being my Queen and my wife?”
Annie was at a loss for words, and in her heart, she knew she felt the same way.
“It would be my honor Liquire, if you would be my King and my husband,” Annie replied before leaning in to kiss the man of her dreams once more.
~ ◊ ~
46
Queen Annalyse of Alearia
After an emotional proposal from Prince Liquire, Annie couldn’t wait to share the good news with her sisters, but first she knew there was someone else she needed to talk to first. Knocking on the engraved old oak door, Annie waited anxiously, her heart fluttering with happiness whilst guilt pooled in her stomach. Annie wasn’t sure how she would manage this conversation, but she knew she owed it to the Prince to offer him a proper explanation face-to-face. Prince Cimmeris answered the door himself to Annie’s surprise.
“What a pleasant surprise, Your Majesty,” Cimmeris smiled handsomely.
The sight of Cimmeris was enough to send Annie speechless. She suddenly felt lightheaded, as if the air was stretched too thin. Annie started to breathe more rapidly, and it was obvious to the Prince that something was not right. He put an arm through the Queen’s, ever the gentleman, and led her into the sitting room in his suite.
After assisting Annie into one of the chairs, he knelt at her feet and took her hands in his own. “What’s wrong my dear Annie,” he asked gently, genuine concern painted across his face. Annie could feel the tears slip down her cheeks.
‘Am I making the right decision? My heart feels so conflicted. Why do I feel so upset if I love Liquire? Goddess give me strength...’
Annie took a deep steadying breath and gazed into the Shadow Prince’s deep brown eyes, seeing a world of possibilities, hopes and dreams staring back at her.
‘Trust yourself, trust your heart.’
“I am sorry Cimmeris, but I cannot marry you. My heart belongs to someone else,” Annie explained, and even as the words fell out of her mouth, seeing the Prince knelt before her, she was not absolutely certain they were the truth.
Cimmeris dropped his gaze and pulled away from Annie. He moved to stand before her but could not bear to look at her again. Instead he walked over to the darkest corner of the room and just before he disappeared into the shadows, he softly spoke his final goodbye to the Queen that he adored.
“I am sorry that I was not enough for you, but I wish you every happiness. Goodbye Queen Annalyse.”
“I am so very sorry Cimmeris,” Annie began to reply, but he was already gone.
~ ◊ ~
47
Princess Anastasia
Anastasia searched the castle grounds and then the castle, floor by floor, trying to locate her twin who had unexpectedly missed a scheduled luncheon with the delegates from the various visiting countries. Alecia and Anastasia had smoothed over the guests with as much grace and poise as they could summon. Ever the gracious hosts, they had ensured that everyone had enjoyed themselves and passed on their apologies for the Queen’s unplanned absence, stating an urgent matter had arisen and she was needed elsewhere. Prince Liquire had seemed especially troubled by the Queen’s absence but had gone along with the Princesses’ excuse.
‘Ever the team player,’ Anastasia thought.
Finally reaching the top platform of the highest tower, Anastasia found Annie wrapped in a throw rug, sitting on the concrete floor. Her hair was a mess, and tracks of dried tears stained her cheeks. Anastasia slid herself down the wall to sit beside her dear sister, pulling her into an embrace with one arm and stroking her hair gently with the other hand. The sisters sat in comfortable silence for some time, Anastasia granting Annie the time she needed to process her thoughts.
Alecia eventually located her two sisters, carrying a basket full of wine and goblets. She set the basket down before the two girls and joined them on the floor in an embrace.
“I take it your decision wasn’t as easy as you thought it would be?” Anastasia asked Annie quietly, her head leaning on her twin’s shoulder.
“I didn’t think it was possible to care for two people so deeply in such a short period of time,” Annie softly responded. “But I love Liquire and what I feel for Cimmeris… It is not the same.”
“You feel everything so deeply because you have a kind heart Annie. That is not a weakness, it is strength,” Anastasia responded. “You and Liquire will rule Alearia together with kindness and compassion. You made the right decision,” Anastasia reassured her.
“For what it’s worth, I completely agree with Tash,” Alecia commented, surprising both Annie and Anastasia. “Liquire will make a good King,” Alecia continued, “he has the right amount of daring to balance out your sickeningly sweet demeanor,” she stirred Annie, breaking the tension.
Annie elbowed Alecia in retaliation, “not all of us were born with war in our blood, sister,” Annie sassily responded, causing Alecia to bark a shocked laugh.
“Well, well, well, little Annie does have some fire in her after all,” Alecia elbowed her sister back, before leaning forward to pour the carafe of wine.
“I think it’s about time we toast to the soon-to-be bride,” Alecia announced, pouring three goblets of wine and handing them out to her sisters; Annie reluctantly accepting hers.
“To the Queen of Alearia,” Alecia declared, raising her glass in the air. A soft afternoon breeze sweeping in from the mountains crept into the tower. “May your marriage be full of as much fire as I possess,” Alecia laughed.
Annie and Anastasia burst into laughter. Once the sisters had composed themselves, Anastasia toasted more sincerely. “To you, Annie. I hope that your marriage is full of a lifetime of happiness and that you and Liquire’s love grows as deep as the love our parents shared.”
“Thank you,” Annie replied warmly, before taking a sip of her wine. “I am so blessed to have you both in my life.”
*
After returning to Annie’s suite the three sisters gossiped in front of the hearth for hours. Annie recounted every romantic detail of her proposal. That night, the three sisters ate and danced at a feast beneath the stars and a thousand suspended tiny flames, celebrating Queen Annie and Prince Liquire’s formal announcement of their intention to marry. The Quillencian Queen and the Queen and King of the Isle of Treseme had been overjoyed by the news. The King and Queen of Shadows Peak respectfully passed on their well wishes to the royal couple, despite their son not being chosen as the future Alearian King. Annie spoke fondly of their son during their brief meeting, and for now their alliance appeared to remain intact.
Anastasia, who held great
respect for Prince Cimmeris, offered to attend the Shadow Kingdom following the celebrations, on a diplomatic visit to restrengthen their Kingdom’s ties. The idea of a visit to Shadows Peak intrigued Anastasia. The fire-wielding Princess had dreamed of seeing the Shadow Kingdom ever since she was a little girl.
According to the history books, the alps in Shadows Peak were so tall, narrow and clustered together, that a great proportion of the Kingdom was shrouded in shadows at any one time, hence the name Shadows Peak. This allowed the shadow walkers to transport almost anywhere and transport any item instantaneously. The Princess hoped that she would get the chance to travel by shadow walking during her journey.
~ ◊ ~
48
Queen Annalyse of Alearia
Just like the day Annie was born, the sky was dreary and overcast. The thick, dark clouds threatened to break at any moment. An unfavorable wind swept across the mountains. Alearian superstition would declare this a bad sign for the day ahead, but Annie was determined not to let superstition ruin the happiest day of her life. As the new day dawned, the three Alearian Royals were already busy being preened and pampered in Queen Annie’s royal suite. Lady Margarette seemed like she was floating on air, overjoyed to be playing her part in preparing the young Queen for her wedding day. The castle was all hustle and bustle as guests and servants were all busy preparing for the day’s events. Stunning arrangements of white roses had been hung all around the castle and the Alearian city proper’s main Goddess Temple in celebration of the royal wedding.
As was agreed upon at prior war council meetings, security was in place leading from the castle to the Alearian city proper’s main Goddess Temple. Fire-wielders, as planned, created a ribbon of fire stretching the entire length of the journey from the castle to the temple as a symbol of Alearia’s power. Its beautiful aesthetic and protective qualities were an additional benefit of the flames. Tens of thousands of Alearians had gathered in the streets along the fire-wielding barriers to catch a glimpse of the happy royal couple.
A Queen's Fate Page 20
