Happily Ever Afters

by Melanie Cellier

  Happily Ever Afters

  A FOUR KINGDOMS NOVELLA

  MELANIE CELLIER

  Luminant Publications

  Making Life Brighter

  HAPPILY EVER AFTERS: A FOUR KINGDOMS NOVELLA

  Copyright © 2016 by Melanie Cellier

  First edition published in 2016

  by Luminant Publications

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, stored in, or introduced into a database or retrieval system, in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  ISBN 978-0-9806963-6-3

  Luminant Publications

  PO Box 203

  Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064

  melaniecellier@internode.on.net

  http://www.melaniecellier.com

  Cover Designed by Duong Covers

  Main Title Font by CuttyFruty

  For Deborah

  in memory of all the fun we’ve had as sisters

  and in anticipation of all the good times still to come

  Contents

  Enchantment

  Chapter 1 - Sarah

  Chapter 2 - Evelyn

  Chapter 3 - Sarah

  Chapter 4 - Evelyn

  Chapter 5 - Sarah

  Chapter 6 - Evelyn

  Chapter 7 - Sarah

  Chapter 8 - Evelyn

  Chapter 9 - Sarah

  Chapter 10 - Evelyn

  Chapter 11 - Sarah

  Chapter 12 - Evelyn

  Chapter 13 - Sarah

  Chapter 14 - Evelyn

  Chapter 15 - Sarah

  Chapter 16 - Evelyn

  Note from the author

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Enchantment

  “It wasn’t an easy item for me to acquire.” The strange man twirled the red jewel through his fingers in a casual manner. “The cost will be high.”

  “Whatever it is, I’m willing to pay it.” The young man eyed the stranger before him with distaste. The man’s leathery, wrinkled skin barely looked human. It was almost bronze in colour, unlike anything he had seen before in the Four Kingdoms.

  “I’m not talking about gold.” The short man seemed amused by the younger man’s disapproval.

  “I will have that jewel, whatever the cost. Just as long as it does what you say it does.”

  “Of course.” The stranger remained unoffended. “I, ah, acquired it from a godmother. You’ve seen its power for yourself. But are you sure you don’t want to hear my terms?”

  The young man shook his head. His eyes had drifted down and latched onto the gleaming surface of the gem. He didn’t bother to look back up. He had already seen a demonstration of the jewel’s enchantment, and he knew it was the only way for him to get what should have been his all along.

  The many facets of the stone reflected the light until it bathed the entire clearing in a red glow. Still he kept his eyes fixed on it. First he would claim his rightful place. After that, the possibilities were endless.

  He could bide his time. Eventually the perfect opportunity would present itself, and Rangmere would be his to control. He just knew it was his destiny.

  The stranger chuckled, but the young man, lost in the red radiance of his dreams, didn’t notice.

  Chapter 1 - Sarah

  I twirled in front of the mirror and sighed in satisfaction. The pink silk swished around me in a luxurious swirl. It was definitely the most beautiful – and expensive – dress I had ever worn. In the back of my mind I kept calculating the cost of the gown and marvelling at the sum. I hadn’t grown up in a merchant caravan for nothing.

  Thinking about the way the dress complimented my colouring made me think of my cousin. I looked at the closed door and sighed again, this time in exasperation. In another moment it had changed into a giggle, however. No wonder she was late. It didn’t matter that Evelyn’s dress would suit her just as well, she was going to hate the pink. I grinned.

  Only a royal decree, issued by Rangmere’s new queen, had convinced Evelyn that she had to wear a dress instead of her guard’s outfit. She had tried to use her new role of personal guard to the queen as an excuse, but Ava had overruled her.

  “For this one day, you’re off duty,” the queen had said. “And I won’t hear any more arguing about it.”

  Even Evelyn had subsided after that. Truth be told, Ava could be a little scary when she put on her royal manner. Sometimes she would get a certain look on her face, sort of cold and calculating, that reminded me she had once used me as a human shield, thrusting me into the reach of several hostile soldiers to cover her escape.

  I knew she had changed – was doing her best to keep on changing – but she couldn’t entirely erase the person she used to be. I don’t think she even wanted to. On some level those attributes were necessary for a monarch, especially a queen. As long as they were properly balanced by a true concern for others.

  So I wasn’t scared she would ever do something like that again, to me or to anyone else. But it didn’t stop the occasional nightmare, or the shiver I got when she assumed her cold and queenly voice.

  I shook off the thought. Ava had only been queen for two days, and Evelyn and I had helped to make that happen. Now was a time for celebration. I was wearing a dress that would have cost my parents an entire month of their earnings, and I looked incredible. I refused to think any but happy thoughts.

  I returned to twirling in front of the mirror and imagining the look of horror that would soon be on Evelyn’s face. The smile was back within seconds.

  I was just wondering how I would ever bear to take the dress off when the door opened.

  “Finally!” I turned around to confront the latecomer. But to my surprise it was Mathilde, not Evelyn, who was letting herself into the room.

  “Still wearing it?” She smiled at me.

  “I can’t bear to take it off.” I stroked the material lovingly. “How did yours fit?”

  “As excellently as I can see yours does. They must have been up all night working on them.”

  “From what I understand, they had just about every seamstress in the city working shifts. They did a marvellous job.”

  “Oh, that’s right, you talked to the head seamstress, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I couldn’t risk them putting us in something horrid.” I scrunched up my nose at the thought. “I shouldn’t have worried though, they’d already picked out the material, and it’s perfect. They were friendly too. The head seamstress is splendid and was even interested in some of my suggestions. The sashes were my idea.”

  I pointed at the light gold sash that highlighted my trim waist. It was the perfect complement to the deep rose of the dress, and I felt yet another glow of satisfaction. The Rangmeran court wasn’t going to know what hit them.

  I grinned. “She’s offered to work with me to design some dresses when all of the excitement is over, too. I can’t wait.”

  Mathilde glanced at the second, untouched dress lying across my bed.

  “I take it Evelyn hasn’t found the time to try her dress on?” Mathilde’s voice mirrored my own amusement. “Has she even seen it yet?”

  “I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “And don’t you dare spring it on her when I’m not around. I have a score to settle with her. You wouldn’t believe how she laughed at me yesterday! I think this dress is the perfect way to do it.”

  The smile crept back onto my
face. I knew Evelyn thought I should take life a little more seriously, but I just didn’t see the point. If I could simply choose to be happy and see the lighter side of things, why in all the kingdoms wouldn’t I?

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Mathilde said earnestly.

  The Arcadian girl had been a good friend to me in the weeks we had spent as Ava’s protectors. Now that Ava had succeeded in winning her kingdom, I wished Mathilde was staying in Rangmeros instead of heading straight back to Arcadie as soon as the wedding and coronation were over.

  “You’ll need to get back into your regular clothes now, though,” Mathilde continued. “We’re all due in the gold sitting room for some sort of official pre-wedding lunch. Apparently it’s a Rangmeran tradition for the bride’s party. You’d better bring both dresses. I think we’ll all be getting dressed there, too.”

  With a sigh, I slipped out of the beautiful dress and into my regular clothes.

  “I’ll be wearing you again soon,” I promised the dress as I laid it out on the bed on top of Evelyn’s.

  When I turned around Mathilde was laughing at me with her eyes.

  “Come on, then,” she said.

  “So, I hear you’ve already got your eye on a couple of the young noblemen,” said Mathilde, as we made our way through the castle.

  I laughed. “Who told you that? Evelyn? Ava?”

  “That’s not a denial.” Mathilde raised her eyebrows at me.

  I smiled with self-satisfaction. “And why should I deny it? Clearly this court needs to be whipped into shape, and I’m just the girl for the job.”

  Mathilde chuckled. “Well, that’s probably true.”

  “Of course it’s true!”

  I was about to launch into a more detailed explanation when we were accosted from a side corridor. Turning, I saw a group of young nobles approaching us. I recognised several of them as the richest and most popular young people at court, but I wasn’t familiar with the one leading them. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and with his wavy dark-gold hair, just on the long side of short, he was exactly my type.

  I privately admitted that, if I had seen him before, he would have gone straight to the top of my list of attractive Rangmeran men. I would have been astonished to find out that any fewer than half of the girls present were in love with him. And it was immediately obvious that despite his earlier absence, he was the leader of this particular set.

  A challenge, then. I smiled.

  He glanced condescendingly in our general direction. “We need food and drink brought to the small salon immediately.” His tone was imperious and slightly arrogant, and I couldn’t help my metaphorical hackles rising.

  A challenge indeed, but not the one I had at first supposed. He was immediately transferred from the top of my ‘fall in love with’ list to the top of my ‘teach a much needed lesson’ list.

  My narrowed eyes must have tipped him off because he gave us a more careful look, dwelling on the pile of fabric in my arms.

  “Oh, apologies,” he said, “I thought you were servants. We’re having the most difficult time finding anyone.” He flashed an unconcerned grin that was clearly supposed to melt us into little puddles at his feet.

  I remained unmelted.

  “Well, it is a rather important day,” I said, my tone deceptively mild. “Perhaps the castle servants have something more important to do than wait on you.”

  He raised both of his brows and looked me over again. “You’re two of the Arcadians, aren’t you?”

  “Arcadians?” I scoffed and turned towards my companion. “Come on, Mathilde, we don’t have time for this. Ava is expecting us.”

  I sailed off down the corridor, trusting that Mathilde would follow me. When I didn’t hear her steps, I glanced back and gestured for her to join me. Several of the noble girls were tittering behind their hands, but the mystery man was staring at my retreating form with curious eyes.

  When I turned away again I allowed myself a smile. Overall, I felt that had been a success.

  “Sarah, really!” Mathilde waited until we’d turned a corner before tugging on my arm to slow me down. “Was that necessary? Do you even know who that was?”

  “That,” I said, “was a prime example of why the Rangmeran court is in such sore need of my influence.”

  Mathilde raised one eyebrow at me, and I burst out laughing. After a moment she joined in.

  “Sorry, Mathilde,” I said when we both subsided, “I just couldn’t resist. So, who was he?”

  “His name is Miles, and he’s Lord Adelmar’s only son.”

  She gave me a significant look and I winced. No wonder the rest of them deferred to him. His family was easily the most powerful family at court after the monarchs. I had possibly bitten off more than I could chew.

  I pondered for a moment and then shook my head. I might not be nobility but I had been handpicked by the queen herself as an attendant at her wedding. How much harm could it really do if I played, just a little, with this particularly handsome and arrogant member of the court?

  Chapter 2 - Evelyn

  I stood at attention before the desk, my spine rigid. The captain of the guard observed me for a long moment without speaking.

  “So,” he said at last, “you’re the new personal guard to Her Majesty.”

  “Yes, sir.” I kept my tone formal.

  “You weren’t my choice.”

  “No, sir.”

  He regarded me for another long, silent moment.

  “I would have preferred Her Majesty trusted me with the choice. But there’s no gainsaying her, of course. And I’m fair minded enough to admit that you excelled at the Trials.”

  The Monarchy Trials, where Rangmere chose their new ruler, had been well attended by local dignitaries, but I hadn’t realised any of the castle guards were present. I tried to repress an enquiring look.

  “Oh, aye.” He gave a chuckle. “I was there. You showed yourself to be capable and observant. Two important qualities in a personal guard.”

  I felt a glow of pride. I had come up directly against Ava’s brother and my pleasure at proving myself against royalty was still fresh.

  The captain of the guard shook his head. “His Highness, on the other hand. Well, he was always a little too sure of himself. Didn’t believe he could lose. I did my best to train him, and there’s no denying he had a natural proficiency.” He gave his head another shake. “But he wasn’t one of my guards, and there was only so much I could do.

  “Hans, however…” His face broke into an unexpected smile.

  “You mean His Highness?” I asked, a little coolly. Hans had received the honorary title when he became engaged to Ava.

  “Oh, aye, aye, right you are.” The captain nodded approvingly. “But I trained him from a lad, and it’ll take some getting used to. He was the best trainee I ever had.”

  He smiled reminiscently. “Almost broke my heart when he took the position of personal guard to Princess Ava, as she was at the time. I’d had my eye on him to take over my position is the truth of it. But turns out he landed on his feet. No surprises there.”

  He turned a suddenly sharp eye on me. “Don’t get any notions, mind you. I run a tight ship, and I won’t take any insubordination. I don’t know what it’s like in those merchant caravans, but personal guard or not, you come under my jurisdiction.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said. “In the caravan we answered to the Guardsmaster. I’m no stranger to the chain of command, and I assure you I have no desire to subvert it. My only aim is to ensure Her Majesty’s safety.”

  “That’s as it should be, and I’m glad to hear you say so.” The Captain regarded me for a short moment before heaving a sigh. “It’s only fair to warn you that you’re likely to meet some resistance from the other guards. They weren’t there at the Trials, and you’re an unknown with some big shoes to fill. It won’t help matters that you’re a woman, either. We’ve had female guards in the past but none at the moment. The men will want to test you
I’m sure.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The Captain watched my rigid bearing with a twinkle of amusement in his eye. “Yes, yes, that’s all very well, but you do understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.” I allowed myself a small smile. “Female guards aren’t so common in the caravans, either. It’s nothing I’m not used to.”

  “Ha!” His laugh was more like a bark. “A bit of adversity only makes you stronger.”

  “Exactly, sir.”

  He was silent for another moment as he eyed me again.

  “Dang it,” he said at last, a little explosively, “You impress me, girl! Makes me hopeful that Her Majesty might know what she’s doing after all!”

  “She usually does, in my experience,” I said, my voice dry.

  “Oh aye, aye, that she does.” He chuckled again. “Well, this will be interesting and no mistake. It’ll do my men good, too. It’s unsettled times we’ve been living through, and they could do with a good shake up. You come to me if any of them get too far out of line, though.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be necessary, sir.”

  “No, no, I daresay not.”

  He was smiling as he gestured for me to be gone.

  Outside his office, with the door firmly closed behind me, I allowed myself to slump a little. It had gone better than I’d expected, but it was still a relief to have it over. I considered my next move.

  Ava had insisted that I take the entire day off from my new duties as personal guard, but unfortunately that didn’t give me the day off from my responsibilities as a bride’s attendant. Reluctantly I admitted that I had reported in to the captain of the guard to avoid trying on my dress with Sarah. She wouldn’t be impressed, but I was trusting that her excitement over the wedding would overrule her annoyance.

  I couldn’t put it off any longer though. We were all due at some sort of bridal lunch, and it wasn’t the sort of event I could miss. I took off down the corridor, my stride steady. At least the food should be good and there would be dancing later. So it wasn’t all bad.