21. Epilogue
Zimyn sat next to his wife. She wore his mother’s ring with pride. The carriage bounced against the uneven road, while Ludelle busily read through some papers on trade deals. He loved watching her lead and attend to her courtly duties, even if it meant spending less time with him. She was a Queen without an advisor now. He couldn’t complain, though. Balvan deserved his death. She had made the right choice.
When they stepped out of the Undertaking, many of the court’s people waited on the other side, wanting a glimpse of the new couple. There was a uniform gasp that sounded when they saw Ludelle and Zimyn together. Ludelle had a lot of convincing to do, especially with the other nobles. But she did it, with her head held high and not a sliver of hesitance. She had won the Undertaking. She had retrieved the Heart and power was restored for one more year. That’s all that mattered. Who laid in her bed was only for her.
She already offered a solution to the issue of having no advisor. Each region of the court would choose a representative that would have a seat on a council. Ludelle hosted them as guests at the castle, and they all spoke to her about any issues they may be experiencing. It kept her busy, but when she came back to their room, Kotyn and Zimyn spoiled her.
They kept the fact that the Heart was inside of him from everyone except Sveta, who seemed to know immediately what had transpired. She had agreed with Ludelle’s assessment. Zimyn would now need to risk himself as Ludelle scoured her Undertaking each year to save him. He couldn’t be more honored to play such a monumental role.
His father had also learned the truth. He cried, nervous for his only son to be put into danger, but Ludelle reassured him. She would gladly claw her way to her love each year.
Best of all, Zimyn got to attend any official court business across courts with Ludelle as his wife. His scales were gone, and he was happier without the weight of them, even refusing when Ludelle offered to replace them. Flix had been managing as Captain perfectly.
“You’re distracted,” Ludelle quipped.
Zimyn leaned over, lightly biting her neck. “You’re distracting. Especially when you are busy thinking.”
“I’m always thinking.”
He chuckled against her skin and he could feel the gooseflesh that he caused. Only he could make the Snow Queen shiver with his heat. “That’s why you’ll be the death of me.”
He meant it in jest, but there was a bigger truth there that even Ludelle didn’t know. After they spoke with Sveta, she took him aside and informed him that because the Heart was inside him, it would need to be removed once their heir took the throne and began their own Undertakings. He would need to die so that his future child could rule. It was a sacrifice that Zimyn had no qualms with because they had a long while until then, so he would savor each breath he had.
One day, once Ludelle had settled into this new way of ruling, he would tell her. He wasn’t scared for when that time came. He didn’t want her to have any regrets either. She saved him, she chose him, and that was the greatest gift of all.