by K. M. Shea
“Think of him as your squire,” Benjimir suggested.
Gwendafyn tilted her head. “High Elf Knights used to have squires…”
“I am also learned in High Elf history and Lesser Elves’ cultural customs,” Wulf added.
“He’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades,” Benjimir said.
Gwendafyn frowned slightly. “Where on earth did you learn all of this?”
“I was originally set to become a Translator but was cut from the process at age twelve. I then worked as an assistant scribe for two years before joining the army. In the army, I served as a foot soldier for six years and then left to become a Royal Ranger stationed in Sacred Wood, which I left to join your service, Your Highness,” Wulf said.
“And he’s supposed to keep me out of trouble?” Gwendafyn asked.
“Not at all,” Benjimir smirked. “He’s just supposed to inform me whenever you get into it.”
“And that is why you got me a squire and not a wolf,” Gwendafyn said.
“He also knows smoke signals and bird calls,” Benjimir curled an arm around her waist.
“Fine, fine. I see the wisdom in this. I would love to have Wulf as my squire,” Gwendafyn said.
“Good,” Benjimir said.
“Can I take this bow off?” Wulf asked.
“Yes,” Benjimir said. “But that is a sash to one of Princess Claire’s dresses. We have to return it.”
Wulf bowed slightly. “I shall endeavor to do so.”
Gwendafyn watched the warrior trot off. “Is Wulf even his real name?”
“It is now,” Benjimir said.
When Gwendafyn scowled at him, his smirk grew into a warm smile. “It was his ranger name,” he admitted as they strolled towards the palace. “So, what is my anniversary gift?”
“You will find out on the day of our anniversary,” Gwendafyn said. “Oh, and did you hear? Thad is officially courting Evlawyn.”
“Am I supposed to care about the romantic entanglements of my troops?” Benjimir asked.
“Yes,” Gwendafyn said. “Particularly given that Thad is from Calnor and Evlawyn is a Lesser Elf.”
“I still fail to see what I am meant to marvel over,” Benjimir said as they climbed the stairs. “You predicted our marriage would spawn closer relationships between our people. This is expected.”
Gwendafyn paused at the palace entrance and looked back out over Rosewood Park with a fond smile.
Haven had become her home. While she loved touring Calnor and still adored the country of her birth, there was something about Haven that was perfect. Perhaps it was because she identified with the city. Haven was the meeting of two different countries, just as Gwendafyn and Benjimir symbolized the mixture of two different people and cultures.
“Are you really going to make me wait for my gift?” Benjimir murmured into her ear as he again wrapped his arms around her.
Gwendafyn’s smile grew as she leaned back into him. “Very well. Benjimir, my husband and my love, I offer you the first official invitation to visit Lessa.”
Benjimir froze. “What?”
“We’ll visit the best of Lessa—the forests, markets, several festivals, all of that. We’re also supposed to visit one of the royal treasuries so you can pick out a High Elf-forged blade and see the royal stables so you can have your first elf-bred horse. But while I think you’ll enjoy that part, that isn’t the real focus of the gift,” Gwendafyn said. “Ever since the final bandit raid, I know you’ve been interested in the Evening Stars. So I also got permission for us to visit the coastal cities where the Evening Stars stay. They’ve agreed to let us watch their practices and drills.”
Benjimir was silent.
Nervous by his lack of response, Gwendafyn turned to look at him. She admitted, “I know it’s a bit of a political move. Father and Yvrea want Lessa to open up more, and as you are my husband, they thought you would be the ideal first visitor. But I thought you would think of it as an adventure…” She paused, then asked in a smaller voice. “Do you not want to go?”
“Fyn…even Arion has not set foot in Lessa,” Benjimir said.
“Yes. But I am a princess,” Gwendafyn mildly pointed out.
The emotionless mask of Benjimir’s face finally broke, and he released a rare laugh. “Yes, I would love to visit Lessa. You said I get to pick out an elf horse?”
“And a High Elf blade, yes,” Gwendafyn said, feeling relieved.
Benjimir’s expression turned thoughtful. “It’s amazing…how much can change in the span of a year.”
“Yes,” Gwendafyn agreed.
“I look forward to what another year will bring us,” Benjimir added.
“As do I,” she said. “But now, there are some members of elven nobility we are supposed to greet.”
Benjimir blinked. “I thought being a general meant I wouldn’t have to pretend to be nice anymore.”
Gwendafyn patted his cheek. “Sorry—your language skills are too invaluable.”
Benjimir raised an eyebrow. “You are quite fluent in Calnoric.”
“I was hoping so as well, until I called Lady Dula’s pet pigeon a pigpen,” Gwendafyn said.
Benjimir smirked. “I see what you mean. Very well, let us return to our rooms.”
Gwendafyn fell into step with him. Together they walked in silence, though he glanced frequently at her.
“What is it?” Gwendafyn asked after a few strides.
“I have a request for another anniversary gift—though it is not born out of a disdain for what you have already gotten me,” he was quick to add. “It’s just something I badly want.”
Gwendafyn eyed him. “And what is it you badly want?”
Benjimir grabbed her hand and pulled her to a stop. “Could you call me Ben more often?”
Gwendafyn blinked. “What?”
“Since we got married, you’ve only called me Ben about five times,” he said. “Even though I call you Fyn all the time.”
“I wasn’t aware you wanted a nickname,” Gwendafyn said.
“I don’t particularly; I just want the nickname you have given me,” Benjimir said.
Curious, Gwendafyn tilted her head and tried not to smirk. “You don’t like Yvrea’s nickname for you? Benji?”
Benjimir narrowed his eyes. “I have hated that nickname since she first uttered it.”
Gwendafyn laughed. “You mean you let her call you that this whole time just because you liked her that much?”
“I let her call me that because when I was young and had the thought to erase its existence from her mind, Father threatened physical punishment,” Benjimir said dryly.
“Ben does suit you better.”
“It does,” he agreed. “So, will you do it?”
Gwendafyn chuckled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. “Happy Anniversary, Ben.”
Ben maneuvered so instead of brushing his cheek, their lips touched instead. “Happy Anniversary, Fyn.”
The love of Benjimir and Gwendafyn was surely as blessed as it was passionate. Together, none could withstand their prowess in battle, and their love—as strong as the world’s core—brought Calnor and Lessa into a new age of joy.
Calnorian historian and scholar Quinaby Demult on the subject of Princess Gwendafyn of Lessa and Prince Benjimir of Calnor.
The End
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Afterword
Thank you for reading Royal Magic, I hope you enjoyed Gwendafyn’s story! If you want to read more of my work, sign up for my newsletter to receive my free K. M. Shea Starter Pack ebook.
It contains:
A King Arthur and Her Knights prequel short story
A Red Rope of Fate prequel short story
An original fairy tale, Princess Snow and Queen Ruby
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Thank you for your support and encouragement. I am proud to say I have the best readers. Therefore, it is my dearest wish that Gwendafyn and her friends made you laugh and warmed your heart. Thank you.
Other books by K. M. Shea
Life Reader
Princess Ahira
A Goose Girl
Timeless Fairy Tales
The Princess and the Pea: A prequel novella
Beauty and the Beast
The Wild Swans
Cinderella and the Colonel
Rumpelstiltskin
The Little Selkie
Puss in Boots
Swan Lake
Sleeping Beauty
Frog Prince
12 Dancing Princesses
Three pack (Beauty and the Beast, The Wild Swans, Cinderella and the Colonel)
The Snow Queen:
Heart of Ice
Sacrifice
Snowflakes: A Snow Queen Short Story Collection
The Elves of Lessa:
Red Rope of Fate
Royal Magic
King Arthur and Her Knights:
Enthroned
Enchanted
Embittered
Embark
Enlighten
Endeavor
Endings
Three pack 1 (Enthroned, Enchanted, Embittered)
Three pack 2 (Embark, Enlighten, Endeavor)
Robyn Hood:
A Girl’s Tale
Fight for Freedom
The Magical Beings’ Rehabilitation Center:
Vampires Drink Tomato Juice
Goblins Wear Suits
The Lost Files of the MBRC
Second Age of Retha: Written under pen name A. M. Sohma
The Luckless
The Desperate Quest
The Revived: Coming Soon!
About the Author
K. M. Shea is a fantasy-romance author who never quite grew out of adventure books or fairy tales, and still searches closets in hopes of stumbling into Narnia. She is addicted to sweet romances, witty characters, and happy endings. She also writes LitRPG and GameLit under the pen name, A. M. Sohma.
Hang out with the K. M. Shea Community at…
kmshea.com
