Oh.
See.
No, I didn’t, not yet.
Skyfire sat and Grizzly stood. “I second Skyfire’s nomination of Lady Legs. When we few Houses gathered to move against Merlin, it was she who led us, who guided us. She, though young, has all the experience and wisdom needed to lead our nation into peace… and Spirits-Forfend it should happen again… into war.”
And now I was starting to see. I’d seen it then as well, when I’d been called to meet with Grizzly, Tanuki, and Spike to decide how to move against Merlin. They were all life-long political Nobles, and had little experience with what I’d been doing all of my — admittedly short — time as a Noble… fighting to defend my nation. They had expected me to lead them… and I had, with them as my Council. And that’s when it clicked for me. I wouldn’t be leading alone if chosen now. I’d have all of these Nobles to help me. I had little experience with politics, but they did. They could guide me through that, but it was clear to me now, as I looked around, that none of them wanted to lead. They were happy to follow… me.
Lady Tanuki voted for me as well.
It didn’t feel right to vote for myself, so I voted instead for Lady Skyfire. She chuckled and shook her head. Clearly, she didn’t want to be queen.
But other than myself it became unanimous. I was voted to be the next Queen of Elista. And when all the votes were in, everyone looked at me.
“Say something,” Crane advised in a whisper. “Keep it short and simple, be gracious.”
I had her to help me as well.
I rose and drew in a long breath. The crowd cheered in the gallery and chanted “Queen Legs” and “Liberator of Elista!”
Everyone hushed after a moment.
You can do this,Auwei said, sounding so very proud.
“My dear people,” I said, raising my voice and hoping it carried. “I thank you for your confidence in me. As has been said, I hope to bring only peace and prosperity to Elista. I am honored and humbled to be chosen as your queen and see it as my duty to serve you, the people of this great nation.”
Another resounding cheer went up, and I sat slowly.
“Well done,” Crane said, and I glanced over to see her smile of motherly pride.
When the cheering died down, a single voice rose above the rest. “Might I approach the esteemed Council of Nobles and Her Majesty, Queen Legs of Elista?” Everyone looked to see Alvere, dressed as a king — even with a crown on his head — in a lush purple cape edged with pure ermine, and his usual blue-trimmed-with-gold suit.
“Approach, King Alvere of Vauphan,” I said.
He grinned at me and stepped forward before the Council of Nobles. He took a long moment to look at everyone, then spoke. “Not long ago, I promised my hand in marriage to whom-so-ever you chose as your queen.”
Oh!
His gaze landed upon me. “I would like to keep that promise now, if it is the will of the Council and The Queen?” He approached and knelt before me. “Will you bring our nations together, Queen Legs of Elista?”
Pits yeah I would!
Please don’t say that out loud,Auwei giggled.
I looked to the other Nobles. “What say you?” I asked them.
“This would bring peace and expand our influence,” Lady Tanuki said evenly. Then, she surprised me by winking at me.
“Oh… just marry him, we all know you love him,” Dove said and everyone — after a moment of stunned silence — laughed.
I rose and went to Alvere. I gave him my hand and he kissed it, rising.
“Have you discussed this with the others?” I asked in a breath of a whisper.
“Yes, we’ve worked it out. Everyone’s on board.” He smiled.
Louder I said, “I accept your hand in marriage and bind our nations together in peace.”
