He stands angrily, not wishing to hear my apologies.
“You are not a punishment. You are my life. I love you with all my heart.”
He doesn’t allow me to explain and runs from the gardens, wounded by my choice of words.
Groaning, I massage my temples because I feel a headache looming.
“My Queen, forgive me for interrupting.”
“You never interrupt me, Lord Louis.”
Louis is more than a guard; he is my friend. He is one of the only people in this kingdom whom I can trust.
“We have visitors,” he informs me with a frown. “Spotted by our watches. Three miles from the palace. They carry the flag of East Frankia.”
And just like that, my headache turns into a migraine.
“Is it Prince Ludwig?”
“I do not think so. Has he sent his council to try to persuade you to accept his hand in marriage, perchance?”
“I think you may be right.”
“On your call, I can prepare the archers.”
I bite back a smile. “That will not be necessary…for now.”
Coming to a stand, I take one last look at the three circling ravens overhead and hope this is not an omen of things to come.
“Prince Ludwig once killed a bear with his bare hands,” says Lord Gunter, clearly not acquainted with dinner etiquette as he chews his meal with an open mouth.
I barely avoid the projectiles of meat hurtling my way and hope my suitor has better table manners than his adviser.
The fact that Prince Ludwig sent his adviser to Northumbria worries me because this demonstrates his persistence on the matter of becoming my husband. I wonder what extremes he will go to, to ensure I agree.
“That is tremendously impressive, considering the prince is small in stature.”
Lord Gunter inhales his food and dislodges it by thumping on his chest twice. Shame that, as this night could have come to an end with his death.
“I can assure you, Queen Emeline, that the prince is anything but small.” His slanted grin, which is dripping in innuendo, has me curling my lip in disgust. “This alliance benefits both kingdoms.”
I am unable to keep my discord at bay. “Northumbria is prosperous. There is no longer interference between the other kingdoms. King Raedwulf rules Wessex as it should be governed. His marriage to Princess Eloise of Frankia strengthens ties for England.”
“King Beornwulf rules Mercia as he was destined to. Do you forget, Lord, that I am still the queen of Mercia, but King Beornwulf is not the king of Northumbria, as I do not need a king to rule?”
“No one has forgotten your…unorthodox decision, Queen Emeline.”
My spine straightens because, beneath his smile, I can smell his offense that I have changed England. Most can see the future is bright, but men like Lord Gunter and Ealdorman Rufus despise me for changing the outdated laws.
We must move forward, something which I learned from the Northmen who adapted to this foreign land to better their lives. They are a nation to learn from because they continue to grow strong. There is peace between us because of Daneland—the area I set aside for the Northmen who wished to stay in England. We coexist happily for the most part.
I know this is because the Northmen respect me and also know the father of my sons.
Skarth is respected amongst his people, and tales of his bravery have no doubt spread far beyond England. We both have sacrificed so much for our people—just as every virtuous leader should. I have faced many battles and much retaliation for changing England, but I have won and overcome each war.
“Prince Ludwig only wishes to rule beside you, not change your ways.”
“Do you think I am a fool, Lord Gunter?”
