“He sent you hundreds of flowers, Svana. It’s enough for him,” he said.
With that, Ser Elías exited the carriage first and checked his surroundings. Despite the loud rumble of cheers, he was satisfied. He came forward and offered me his hand. I placed my glove in his and slid out. There were even more in attendance than I had seen, and suddenly my chest was very tight, and at the very front of everything, there was a little girl with my crown braid. She looked up, reverently at what must have been her mother, as the woman pointed to the carriage and then to my knights. The child laughed, cheerfully, then clapped. The moment they looked at me, I waved, and the woman’s eyes widened in shock. The girl laughed again.
Elías’s hand met the small of my back, he led me toward the door.
My heart was fast.
My thoughts were faster.
“Breathe, Your Majesty,” he said. He and Ser Willoughby flanked either side, and the footman who stood at the door nodded one politely. Josie trailed along. The herald did next, then turned to the conjugation inside.
“Presenting Her Majesty, Queen Svana Eisson, of the Oreian Empire!”
Music began. Elegant music. Light broke over those seated on either side of the aisle. At the far end of the room, Prince Sameer was standing with his hands collected. To his left, behind him, was Mr. Evergreen. Willem.
Chapter 36
Willem was tall and dignified in his dress attire. He wore a burgundy vest over a linen-colored blouse, hues that only emphasized the deep and warm facets of his complexion. From where I stood, it was as if time had stilled. Him, standing there at the forefront of the church for all of Chalke and Oreia to see; me, replete in my gloom, existing near the door. Ser Willoughby and his bride took their seats on our side of the pews. I took a deep breath, Elías’s arm in mine, then I took my first step toward Sameer. My knight coached me through it.
“Deep breath, Svana. You can do this.”
“Everyone is watching,”I whispered.
“Yes,”he said. He nodded cordially to a lord we passed.“They are watching and they will watch you make history as well.”
The Prince smiled, though there was a distance behind it. He kept his eyes on mine as I traveled toward him, but soon, there was a whooshing in my ears. The music was gone. The men and women around us had silenced, despite how certain I was they went on. All I could hear was my breathing in and out, in and out, and my shoes tapping, moving me.
“Dearly beloved,” the priest began as I came to a stop.. “We have come here today in our Lord’s home, to bless the union ofthese two souls as they join together in holy matrimony. And so–”
“Excuse me,”I said, quietly, almost too soft.
He didn’t pause.“And so,in the presence of the God, I ask you both to state your intentions, so that–”
“Excuse me,” I said louder.
The priest stopped, confused. He leaned in. “Yes, Your Majesty? Is something wrong?”
Sam narrowed his eyes. “Svana?” he asked.
“No, not wrong, but I need to say something,” I said.
“What?”He gave me a look. “Right now? Can we not talk after the ceremony?”
“No, I–” I looked at him, then turned, facing the room. “Hello,” I said, weirdly. Murmurs. And then, “I have something to declare.”
Sam sighed in relief, he nodded. “Ah! Yes, of course, the declaring.” He addressed the crowd himself. “It’s alright, everyone! She’s Oreian, this is a thing they do, I’ve learned. They declare their intentions and such. It’s supposedly romantic.”
I frowned. “What?No.That’s not what I’m doing,” I said. I looked past him to see Mr. Evergreen. Mr. Evergreen was just as lost. “And onlythe mendeclare themselves, Your Highness. Not women.”
“What? Then what are you doing?” he asked.
My brows peaked. His bent.
I started over, turning from him another time. I stepped away. “I’m sorry you’ve all gathered today, but I can’t marry this man.”
Shock. Gasps. Commotion.
“Please, listen to me!” I tried to say over the mess.
