The Indentured Queen

by Carol Moncado

  “I literally have no idea what any of that was, except the Robin Hood part.”

  Katrín leaned back to see amusement in his blue eyes. “Really?”

  “Not a clue.”

  “We’re going to work on your 90s movies sometime soon.”

  “I have a feeling it wasn’t quite in my preferred genre.”

  “There are sword fights.”

  Suddenly interested, he swung her around. “I might be able to get on board with this after all.”

  “There’s also a brief view of Kevin Costner’s bare tush. We can skip that part, though. From a plot perspective, it does nothing.”

  “As long as we leave in the sword fights.”

  “Absolutely.” There were sword fights, weren’t there? It was during the Crusades. They had to have sword fights. “Tell Chamberlain to schedule a movie date for us.”

  “You know we have a theater in the palace. We can watch there.”

  Of course they did. “Works for me.”

  The song came to an end, and her hand automatically slipped into his as he led the way back to the table. A smattering of applause came from around the room. For what? Not tripping?

  Benjamin held her seat for her this time. Someone had moved his tableware so it was in front of his new seat location.

  She was very aware that every eye was on them. This night couldn’t be over soon enough. Being on display after a long day at work, and before another one, would get old fast.

  Waiters appeared with their first course, followed quickly by their second, then third. They didn’t talk much, but that was fine with Katrín. Benjamin did ask if she was enjoying the food.

  “It’s all new to me, but yes, it’s delicious.”

  “I’m glad.” He wiped his mouth on his napkin. How did he never get any food stuck in his beard? She’d always wondered how that worked. Would anyone tell him if he did? Which was worse - letting the king be embarrassed by food in his beard or telling him he didn’t eat as impeccably as he thought?

  Thor held her car door as she climbed in. By the time they reached the palace, she’d nearly nodded off. Benjamin shook her back to wakefulness.

  “What does your week look like?” he asked as they walked back toward their shared common area.

  “I work every day, but only half a day Thursday.”

  “How about plans for a movie night then? You’ve got me curious.”

  “As long as I can wear comfortable clothes and shoes with no heel.” Her feet were killing her.

  “Of course. We won’t even leave the family’s private quarters.”

  “Then it’s a date.”

  The words reverberated through Katrín’s mind until Thursday when she got off work after lunch. Laurie asked if she wanted to grab dinner later, but she had to tell her friend she already had plans. Someday soon she needed to tell Laurie the truth.

  She rummaged through her clothes and finally dug up a pair of old sweat pants and a t-shirt left over from high school. Soft and faded and perfect. At least it hadn’t been thrown away in the move.

  Benjamin waited for her outside their rooms when she emerged to look for him. “Ready?” he asked, looking up from the tablet he seemed to have with him almost all of the time.

  “Do you ever stop working?” she asked, falling into place half a step behind him as he started for the hall.

  “I wasn’t working, not really.”

  “Then what were you doing?”

  “The public relations office sent me a report earlier today, and I didn’t have time to look at the links.”

  “What links?”

  “Stories about our dinner the other night. Apparently, the public loved it.”

  “Of course they did.” She shrugged. “You were behaving like an actual human. Out for dinner with your wife, dancing to romantic songs of the 80s and 90s.”

  He didn’t reply.

  “What? The actual human comment bothered you, didn’t it?”

  “I know how people see me.”

  “How?”

  “Stern. Cold. Unfeeling.”

  “Perpetually grumpy.”

  “Yes.”

  “Wouldn’t you like to change that?”

  He stopped in the middle of the hallway then turned to look at her.

  Was that pain in his eyes? Whatever it was, it fled as quickly as she noticed it.

  “I’d give just about anything to change it. I’d even give up my crown if it meant the public would approve of my family again.”

  15

  Benjamin joined Katrín, grateful she didn’t push him to talk more about his family’s popularity with the people - or worse, his own abysmal approval rating.

  “Have you been to the screening room?” Changing the subject seemed like the best bet.

  The look on her face told him he hadn’t succeeded in distracting her but she let it go. “What do you think?”

  He managed to give her a half smile. “That you’ve never explored the private quarters.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Except the screening room isn’t up here. It’s on the floor above your old one.”

  “I knew there was a movie theater there, but I never went. I didn’t know it was for the private use of the family. I thought it held showings every weekend.”

  “It does, unless one of us has reserved it.”

  “So the king of Eyjania shares his theater with the plebes.”

  Benjamin wasn’t sure what to make of her matter-of-fact statement. “I’m not sure the last time I watched a movie in here. Almost certainly before my father...” He didn’t finish the sentence.

  “So it’s been a while.”

  The rest of the walk to the screening room was completed in silence. Once inside, he led Katrín to their seats.

  A member of his staff had set it up so there were two recliners, with no arm rest between them, near the back with tabletops covering the seats next to them. On the tabletops were silver domed trays containing their dinner. His server would make sure they had refills on their drinks and dessert later. Chamberlain told him the meal was one of Katrín’s favorites, though Benjamin had no idea what it would be.

  “Thank you,” she said softly as another server lifted the dome on her tray. “I’d like a Coke to drink, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” the aide replied.

  Katrín stared at her hands in her lap.

  Benjamin leaned closer to her and spoke softly. “I grew up being addressed much more formally than most people, but it took me a long time to get used to being addressed that way.”

  She nodded and adjusted the seat so her legs were stretched in front of her then picked the cheeseburger off the plate and took a big bite. “Mm. This is delicious,” she mumbled around a mouthful of food.

  He turned to his own plate, recently uncovered by the server. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “And maybe the evening dishwasher will do the job correctly, and I won’t even have to wash these tomorrow.”

  Benjamin watched her out of the corner of his eye. She didn’t seem to be making any kind of commentary on her job, just making a statement.

  “When does the movie start?” she asked before taking another bite.

  “Whenever we’re ready. They can leave the lights up a bit until we’re done eating.” He motioned to the aide in the back of the room.

  A minute later, the picture filled the screen as the lights went down.

  As they finished their burgers - Benjamin’s with a salad and Katrín’s served with what she called “the best fries ever” - the plates were removed quietly and their drinks refilled.

  The lights were lowered the rest of the way, with just a few small lights on the floor in case of emergency.

  Benjamin remembered why he didn’t come in here to watch movies. He didn’t feel quite as closed in as expected during the outdoor scenes, but when the screen showed tightly enclosed spaces, he found himself starting to hyperventilate. Though he
was able to control it by focusing on his breathing, it did inhibit his enjoyment of the movie.

  Until he realized Katrín was holding his hand and her head rested on his shoulder. Then it wasn’t as bad.

  “What did you think?” Katrín didn’t move her head when it ended.

  “I would have preferred a few more sword fights.”

  “And a little less gushy love stuff?” It sounded like she was smiling.

  It made him smile a little more. “Maybe.”

  “So Princess Bride is probably out. It has a princess, but also a giant and a pirate and Rodents of Unusual Size.”

  “Does it have sword fights?”

  “Yep.”

  “It might not be too bad then.” He hesitated. “Maybe we could make this a weekly thing?”

  She didn't answer for a few seconds, then, “I’d like that.”

  Benjamin rested his head on hers. “We could even watch that rodent movie sometime, but I get to pick sometimes, too.”

  “Have you seen that many movies?”

  “Not really, but I can at least pick the genre and you or Chamberlain or someone can pick the actual movie.”

  She nodded against him. “Okay, but none with too much cursing or gore. I can’t stand that.”

  “Agreed, but this is probably about as romance-y as I’d prefer. Surely we can find plenty that we’d both enjoy.”

  “I would think so.” Katrín yawned. “As much as I’ve enjoyed this, it’s time for me to get some sleep. I have to be at work early in the morning.”

  Conviction settled over him as she moved away. She was the queen. She shouldn’t be working in the kitchen anymore.

  No.

  She was his wife.

  He could pay off the indenture in half a heartbeat if he wanted to, or even forgive it all together, though that would be entered in the public record.

  Benjamin stood and offered Katrín a hand. She grasped it. He didn’t let go as they walked toward the door. A glance around told him the staff members had left as soon as dinner was done, leaving them alone together.

  As they went up the stairs to the back of the room, Katrín tripped into him. He turned and helped her up. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. Just missed the step.”

  In the dim light, he found himself staring into her eyes. What would it be like to kiss her?

  For real.

  Not like the kiss the night they met.

  Benjamin reached out and brushed a bit of hair off her forehead. “I enjoyed this.”

  She smiled. “I did, too.” Her voice was soft and made him wonder if she was thinking the same thing.

  Taking a chance, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers before coming back to linger. Before it could intensify, he backed away.

  Katrín’s eyes remained closed for a moment. “That was...” she whispered.

  “Nice,” he finished for her.

  “Very,” she answered with a nod.

  The DVD went back to the menu screen and music blared, ending the moment.

  So that’s what it was like to kiss his wife. Benjamin thought he might like to do that a little more often.

  Katrín took half a step back and cleared her throat. “Why don’t you go back upstairs? I need to see if I have any mail while they’re still open.” The outer room where the boxes were never closed, but she didn’t think he probably realized that.

  Benjamin put more distance between them. “Sounds good. I’ll see you later.” He held the door open to let her out into the mostly vacant square around which the virtual town was situated.

  He closed the door behind them and looked at her before he walked toward a staircase.

  Katrín watched him until he disappeared up the steps then turned toward the mail offices.

  “Katrina!”

  A feeling of dread swept over her as she heard Laurie’s voice. She turned. “Hi.”

  “Were you coming out of the theater?” The other woman fell into step beside Katrín as she started for other side of the square.

  “Uh, yeah. I watched a movie.” She shoved her hands in her pockets and walked faster.

  Laurie kept pace. “I thought there was a notice posted that the king was watching a movie in there tonight.”

  “I didn’t see that anywhere.” There had been a notice on the door, but Katrín hadn’t read it.

  “I thought for sure I saw King Benjamin walking upstairs right before I saw you.” Laurie stopped Katrín with a hand on her arm. “You came out of there together.”

  Laurie’s eyes went wide, and she leaned closer. “Are you having an affair with the king?” she hissed.

  Katrín wrenched her arm away. “No. He’s been married for less than a month. Do you really think he’d be having an affair already? Do you really think I’d have an affair with him, regardless of how long he’s been married?”

  “What’s going on?”

  Katrín closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Listen, it’s a whole thing. There’s legal issues to be dealt with that haven’t yet, so no one knows this, not really.” Except Thor and Chamberlain. That was about it. “My name isn’t Katrina. It’s Katrín. No one ever gets it right so I just don’t say anything.”

  “Katrín?” Realization then shock crossed Laurie’s face. “Like Queen Katrín? That Katrín?”

  With a nod, Katrín grasped Laurie’s wrist. “Seriously. My contract with the palace was signed a long time ago, and it can’t just go away. It’s got to be done a certain way to be legal, and it takes time. So we’re kind of keeping it quiet that I’m still working.” Tears filled her eyes, though probably not for the reasons Laurie would imagine. “Please promise you won’t say anything.”

  “What kind of contract can’t the king just cancel?”

  Katrín could see the wheels turning in Laurie’s head.

  “An indenture?” There weren’t many, but a few existed.

  “My mother was accused of stealing something. She didn’t, but couldn’t prove it. She had to pay off a fine. When I turned eighteen, I took it over so she could stay home with my brother who has health challenges. It’s got all kind of legalities that complicate things.”

  “And the king can’t just pay it off for you?” Laurie looked understandably skeptical. “He’s the king. He has plenty of money.”

  Katrín started for the mail center again. “It’s not that simple.” Maybe it could be. She didn’t know. “But I need you not to say anything.”

  Laurie gasped. “That’s why you weren’t here the day of the wedding! You were in it! You said you didn’t get a good look at the king!”

  “Have you seen the footage? The way Eyjanian royal weddings are, we didn’t actually look at each other until we were back outside.” She used her key to open her box and took out a stack of envelopes. “I didn’t lie about any of it, just left some of it open to creative interpretations.”

  “Is that why the guy from the security office started eating dinner with us?”

  Katrín nodded as they went back out into the square. “Because no one knows, I don’t need a ton of security, but yeah. That’s why Thor comes down for dinner now.”

  “But as soon as you get the legalities worked out, you won’t be down there anymore. You haven’t been in a while.”

  “We finally got everything moved upstairs, so I eat up there when he’s not working late.” Or grabbed something in the kitchenette in her quarters, but Laurie didn’t need to know that.

  They reached the staircase Benjamin had disappeared up earlier. Laurie stayed a step behind as they ascended. “I won’t say anything,” she promised, but Katrín heard a hint of something in her voice.

  Distaste? Resentment?

  They reached the top and Katrín started toward her next staircase, the one that led closer to the family’s quarters.

  “Yeah. I’m not allowed up there,” Laurie told her, walking backward toward a staff hallway. “But I’ll see ya around. Maybe.” She bobbed a curtsy then tur
ned and hurried off.

  Great. Her one kind of friend wouldn’t be anymore.

  It hung over her like a cloud for the next week. She had a half day off on their next movie day. After taking a shower and dressing in something more comfortable, but presentable, Katrín went to Benjamin’s office. He’d left a message for her to come by at her convenience.

  Ninety minutes after clocking out, she sat across his desk from him. “What’s going on?” she asked.

  He held up a finger as he scribbled a note. “You work in the kitchen so you might have a better idea.” He explained about a cooking show that was going to air in the Quad-Countries, an informal name sometimes used for Eyjania, Auverignon, San Majoria, and Islas del Sargasso. Each palace was sending a chef, but not one of the actual palace chefs, someone else to compete on their behalf.

  “Laurie,” she told him without hesitation. “She’s an excellent home chef, if you will. I’ve had some of her creations, and they’re excellent. She’s talked about wanting to be a pastry chef someday.”

  He made a note. “Done. Now, I have a little bit more work to do before our movie tonight.”

  She wandered toward the window. “Okay. I think I’m going to take a nap so I won’t be so tired.” Something caught her eye in a park some distance away. “Is that the Festival?” The annual celebration was held to commemorate the city’s founding, but wasn’t the more formal occasion celebrating King Alfred the First and his wife, Queen Akushla.

  “I think so. I’m not certain. I’ve never been.”

  Katrín gasped as she turned. “You’ve never been to the Festival?”

  “No.”

  “You should go!”

  He actually snorted. “I’m the king. I can’t just go to the Festival.”

  She crossed her arms. “Why not?”

  16

  “So why don’t you just do it?”

  Benjamin just blinked and stared at Katrín. “Why don’t I just what?”

  “Go to the Festival. Wear a baseball hat and sunglasses. Make your bodyguards stay in the background and go hang out.”