“Yes, you did,” he said. “You just doubt yourself sometimes. It slows you down. You would have found a solution one way or another, I have no doubt.”
“Not like this,” I said. “Not without you. I am indebted to you forever.”
“You humble, my Queen. Now.” His attention went to the window as the sun broke over the horizon, finally filling the sky. “You’ll need to get ready.”
I straightened. “Am I really doing this, Eli? Am I really destroying my own wedding?”
“You’re not destroying anything, Your Majesty. You’re doing exactly what you should. Iron does not shatter; it protects; it builds. Remember that.”
“Right. It protects. It builds.” I found a stronger resolve in that. “I am of iron.”
“Yes, you are.”
“But I don’t even know how to convince the King of this,” I said, scared again. “And time has run out– this will absolutelyhave to occur in public. This could go very badly for me, for us–His Majesty might think I’m delusional or declare war right there! And I’m sure Sam would leap at the opportunity but… What are the odds that I’ll actually succeed? What if he–”
Elías paused his writing. “He won’t,” he said. “Listen to me. Most fathers, even the bad ones, want what’s best for their children. Sometimes they just need a little clarity of what that looks like. Just as you fought to convince me that your Willem was yours forever, the King will be…relieved…to be able to actualize the Prince’s dreams and protect his people.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so much.”
“This is a good plan, Svana. This is a good trade. His Majesty will see it.”
Chapter 35
Miss Jocelyn fastened the back of my wedding gown for me. She spoke happily to the other maids who were fussing over my hair and jewelry, dressing me for the day. We shared the occasional glance in the mirror as she worked, but she did well to maintain her smile and keep the bedchamber bright with pre-martial joy. At least, outwardly.
Internally, I was revisiting every detail of the plan Ser Elías and I had created. The barony, the duchy, the esteemed companion title–my cousin and his father. She pulled the last of the ribbon through its final hook and fashioned a large bow at the small of my back. I nodded, half-smiling, half-shaking, and just as I was going to dismiss the other women, there was a knock on the door.
Ser Elías nodded cordially to Josie and then to the other girls. He handed me a brown folder, and then stood patiently as I unwrapped its binding. I met his eyes just as I opened it, scanned the document, and then nodded.
“If you’ll excuse us ladies,” I said. Josie curtsied, then began to move. “Not you, Miss Jocelyn.”
Her brows rose, then she glanced between us both. “Is everything alright, Your Majesty?"
“Yes, of course,” I said. I looked at the Lord Commander. “Is this official?”
“As soon as you sign it, yes,” he said.
After a second, I moved to the desk and took the pen, scrawling my signature across the bottom. “There.” Then I handed it back.
Ser Willoughby arrived at the door. He and Josie met eyes but didn’t speak, instead he canted his head slightly, as if he could feel a shift in the room.
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
I nodded again. “Yes. With me, I’m fine.” I sought Elías’s approval. He gave it. “Daniel,” I squared my shoulders. “Do you or do you not harbor feelings for Miss Jocelyn?”
Josie gasped, she lifted her hand in protest, reaching for my arm. “Svana! Please!”
I frowned but then regained my stoic posture. “I’m not asking as your cousin, I’m asking as your Queen. Yes or no.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then maybe thought better of it. He looked somewhere beneath my eyes, staring at nothing as he considered.
“It’s an order to answer me,” I said. “In case that wasn’t clear.”
His eyes found mine; he was furious. “Yes, Your Majesty. I am fond of Miss Jocelyn.”
“Good.” I turned my attention to her. “And do you, Miss Jocelyn, share this affection with my knight?”
She broke my gaze to find Ser Willoughby’s and her attention went nowhere else. “I…Yes, Svana,” she said woundedly. “You know I do.”
