Chapter 36 #2
“Yes. We live in a world that pits us women against each other as it is. From the moment she is born, royalty, nobility, polite company or commoner alike, and from the moment she debuts, she is told to find a husband who is better than all the other husbands out there. She is forced to compete on a tilted stage and to perform in every single aspect of her life. In her appearance, in her jewelry, in her clothes, in whom she loves—Yet, from my very first moment here, Miss Agatha welcomed me into her private circle, despite being very much enamored with your son, who I was to marry. She was never once cruel to me. She taught me games. She taught me names and that is important. Every part of who Agatha has been is important. I value kindness; I value resilience. She has both.”
There was rustling from the audience.
“That parchment elevates Miss Agatha into Oreian nobility, which gives you everything you require concerning the Treaty, Your Majesty. Political influence. Power. Protection.”
He stared at me. Then he looked at Agatha.
I opened my mouth to reply, but she spoke first, nervous. “I will agree to marry the Prince in your stead if you allow me to adjust the terms of this offer. What say you, Your Majesty?” she asked.
I shifted, surprised but Elías nodded, near imperceptibly.
“...State them,” I said.
She worked her jaw. “I am elevated to Duchess regardless of His Highness’s acceptance of the marriage. And, in exchange, should Chalke refuse my hand, House Adeline pulls their support from House Azarii altogether, and serves your name instead.”
I was stunned. My gaze flickered to Elías. Elías nodded again, subtle.
“Yes,” I said. “I accept. We’ll make the change in wording.”
The King scoffed. “You can’t just—”
Then Agatha’s father rose from his seat, cautious, but intrigued or somewhere in between. “I think this is a very advantageous adjustment, Aggy. Yes.” He came and stood closer to her. “I also agree to these terms, Your Majesty. Agatha marries Prince Sameer, or House Adeline serves Oreia.”
I lost a shaky breath. “T-Thank you, Mr. Adeline.”
He nodded, slowly, studying me. He inclined his head, neatly.
King Azarii narrowed his eyes.
I stood taller. “Your Majesty, accept my original offer. You gain a partner for your son who is willing to risk everything for him, and you guarantee his undying happiness for as long as he may live. There is no better deal I could create.”
“My son’s undying happiness,” he repeated. He looked at Sam. Then Agatha. Then he was silent.
Sameer looked at me. His face softened. He stepped closer, sighing quietly. “Svana… I don’t deserve this.” He followed my gaze to his friend, then seemed to understand. A small smile warmed his face. “It’s not for me, is it?” he whispered.
Willem’s brows were set in caution, but he was focused. He looked through me like I was made of glass.
I barely parted my eyes from his, readdressing the King.
“Within the Duchy of Farham is a plethora of natural resources, including the minerals inside the mountain. Your son’s marriage to my Duchess would grant Chalke direct access to those things, thus leveling the field in trade and commerce, not just political power.
Farham is larger than Dawne, and it comes with the bonus of belonging to the woman His Highness has chosen for himself.
You cannot tell me you don’t believe that King’s should choose for themselves. ”
His Majesty was quiet. He watched us both, then looked over the scroll once more. “And what do you get out of this?” he asked. “If your father taught me anything, it’s to ask that question. There’s always a fine print somewhere.”
“There’s no fine print, Your Majesty. I get out,” I said. I half-laughed. “I get out of a marriage I did not want, I did not plan, I did not choose. A marriage that was decided for me and without me. I get choice. Just like Sameer.”
The Prince went to him, hooking his hand against his father’s shoulder. “Father,” he said.
The King waved him off.
“Listen to her,” Sam said.
“Nothing else in the Treaty changes,” I told him.
“Your advisor’s daughter is elevated. Your son gains immense land access and influence in a region far nearer his home than what he would’ve gotten with me.
That makes it easier to manage affairs, to travel between the Capitol and his wife’s manor.
He gets to marry the woman he loves, and I get to decide my own fate.
That is all I get out of this, sir. That’s all I want out of this. ”
Sameer pressed him. “Father. Yes, say yes,” he said. When the King tried to dismiss him again, he was louder. “We accept!” he said to me. He reached for Agatha’s hand. “Miss Agatha and I will marry. Right now, if it pleases the Queen.”
“Sameer!” the King spat. “You don’t decide–”
“And why not?” he asked. Why shouldn’t I decide?
” Sam bristled, talking with his free hand.
“It’s my future isn’t it?” He gestured to the room.
“I may not be King this very moment, but I will be in time, and it is my future that we are building together here. Yes? If Her Majesty wishes to be free of me, I accept her terms. I won’t force a woman to marry me.
I won’t let you force me to force her. And I will not stand here in front of the woman I love and say that I do not wish for her, too.
” He faced me. “Svana, you do me a great honor by refusing me. I think that speaks very well to our friendship. If you are willing to give me everything I want–willing to expose yourself to such scrutiny and danger as to challenge the Treaty and to spend such effort in devising a solution that serves my country and myself, all I can say is that I admire your tenacity and I wish I could be as strong as you. Thank you for giving me the chance to do that. Courage is the mark of a true leader. A leader I would be honored to follow for the remainder of my days.”
The chamber was quiet, save for a breath or two.
Finally, His Majesty relaxed, and reluctantly, he nodded.
“I suppose there is some relief to such amendments…” He scanned the parchment.
“There may not be fine print, but there are other conditions here. This one, what is it?” he asked. “Who is Willem ólason?”
Cyrus tensed. “What?”
“That is a contract of employment, Your Majesty,” I said.
“I see that. It says here that ‘Willem ólason is to be released from contract of service with the King, and is to relocate himself to Oreia for special detail as to be determined by Her Majesty.’”
“Yes,” I said.
“Svana,” Cyrus breathed.
The King waited for his answer. “Am I supposed to know a ‘Willem ólason,’ Your Majesty? Who is he? One of my servants?”
I laughed, a sharp and disbelieving breath. Then I turned, turning over my palm toward my Sword. “Mr. Evergreen,” I said. “Would you prefer I answer or would you like to do the honors?”
Willem was still for a moment, then took a step. “It’s…It’s me, Your Majesty,” he said. “I’m Willem ólason.”
The King made a face. “Your name is Evergreen. You instruct my son. I know you.”
“Yes,” Will said. “I answer to Evergreen, as well. But ólason is my given name. Willem ólason. That’s who I was before I came to Chalke.”
“What on God’s green acres is happening exactly?” the King asked. “Marriages being canceled, names being changed! Does anyone want to explain what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain,” I said. I raised my hand. “Cyrus Evergreen is a rake and liar.”
“What?” the King barked, confused.
“Brillaint. Thanks, love,” Evergreen said.
“I–” I groaned, then sighed. “I meant, Cyrus Evergreen is a rake and a liar, but this man is not Cyrus Evergreen. This man is Willem ólason, named after his father, and his. He used to work for mine when I was a child. His father was our ostler. We’ve known each other since I was a girl.
He is also the bravest, boldest man I have ever known, and he’s Oreian.
Which only matters, because he belongs in Oreia.
That clause–that contract of employee, it says that with this amendment, I keep him here with me in King’s Land. In my home.”
“Home,” Evergreen said.
The King waved lazily. “Fine. Take him,” he said. “A strange ask, but by all means. He’s yours.”
I lost a gasp, closing my eyes in realization. “Then you accept my terms?”
He studied me a moment longer. “Yes, I accept the terms.”
“Oh, God be good,” I muttered.
Sam cheered, he embarrassed Agatha, she was stunned. And I, I felt an impossible weight lift from my shoulders. My eyes stung with sudden tears that threatened to fall down my face. I held them in as I looked at Elías. He looked at me.
“Good,” I said, nodding. “Good.” I let the word hang in the air a second longer. Then I signaled to the Lord Commander who pulled his sword, moving to position himself. “Then there’s something else,” I added.
The King scowled. “I knew it!”
I dismissed him. “Not like that,” I said. We moved toward Willem.
“What are you doing?” he asked. He looked at Eli, then at me, eyes widening. “What is he…What are you doing, Svana? No. We talked about this.”
“Aye, we did talk about it,” I said. I bobbed my head, but Elías still raised his blade, flattening it in front of his face for the rite. I inhaled deeply, then began. “And now we talk about it another time.”
“You can’t–”
“I can, actually,” I said. “I’m Queen, remember?”
“Alright. I’ll ask. What is going on?” the King said.
Sam watched in what could have been awe. “She’s knighting him, Father,” he said. “Brilliant. Bloody brilliant.” It was genuine. “Very well-deserved, Svana.”
I locked in. “Willem ólason of King’s Land, you have served me with honor and heart. You have shed blood for your crown and country. You have protected the realm not by birthright, but by choice, and have saved my life more times than I could say,” I said.
“Svana,” Cyrus said, warning me.
I didn’t falter. “I know we spoke of this—I know you declined before, but once again, and for as many times as I must ask you until you accept, I give you this choice. If you are willing—before your queen, your empire, and before God—kneel so that I may knight you.”
Willem and I met eyes. The church was silent. A glimmer of color flickered over us as sunlight shifted outside. He ran his hand through his hair, moved to Sameer’s eyes, and Sam nodded. Then, after another moment, he took his knee.
My breath caught at the sight. Immediately, I reached for Eli’s sword as he gave it to me.
I wielded it, to touch the blade to Willem’s left shoulder.
“In the name of Oreia and in my own, Queen Svana Eisson, I dub the Willem ólason, knight. With courage…” I moved to touch the right side.
“Honor...” And finally, I touched his head.
“And wisdom.” A pause. “Rise now, not a commoner, not a swordsman, not even an ostler’s boy, but as a Blade.
Rise as Ser ólason of the Queensguard, whom you have always been meant to be, and may no man say you did not earn your place by my side. ”
“...You humble me,” he said, near a whisper. Then he stood.
There was a rumble of applause but all I could see was my Knight. I smiled as Elías took back his sword and sheathed it.
“What happens now?” he asked.
“Well obviously you remain here in Oreia,” His Majesty said. “This has been lovely, really, but if there’s not to be a wedding–”
“I’ll marry,” Sam said, offering.
I laughed, giving him a look. My posture eased and I smiled, meeting Ser Willem’s gaze one more time. Then it hit–full force, like a runaway carriage. It wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough and I finally knew why.
“W-Wait,” I said. “Wait.”
All eyes came to me. I shut my mouth, moving toward Ser Willem. I took his hands, and then I was scared, like a little girl, facing her first ball. I squeezed gently, then I knelt before him. There were gasps.
“Whoa, what are you–?”
“Willem,” I murmured. I cleared my throat. “We once promised each other this very life. I would be your Queen, you would be my knight. My bravest knight.”
“Yes,” he said, cheeks flushing red with the audience. “What of it?”
“It’s not enough,” I told him.
“It’s not enough?” he asked.
“No. It’s not enough for you. You are my knight, just like you vowed, and I am your Queen by rite, but I should be your Queen by more than words. …This is my declaration.”
“Your…Your declaration?”
“Yes. And yes, I’m well-aware that women do not declare themselves in Oreia, but maybe they should.
Maybe their Queen should. Maybe I should set the pace.
Maybe that’s what I’ve been working for my whole life?
Choice. Equality. Love,” I said. I breathed deeper.
“A woman should be allowed to pick her husband.”
“Husband.” He checked around us, then me again. “Svana…You don’t have to do this.”
“No, I don’t. That’s what makes it so beautiful. I want to do this. I want everyone in this church to hear me. I want them to know that in all the world, I’ve never met a man like you, and I love you, and I choose you. Every time. Every name. Every life.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“I’m certain. I love you, Ser Willem. I have loved you since the very moment we met and I had to scheme to be everywhere you were until you noticed me.
You have eluded me for years. I’ve thought of nothing else but your light every single day.
I’ve searched my whole life for even a slither of what I felt when we were kids, and in all the lands, in all the houses, I have felt nothing else but you.
I don’t wish to be apart from you again.
Ever. So this is my declaration. I declare myself to you.
I want you, Ser Willem. I want to marry you.
I want to make you my king. I want you to stay with me as more than my bravest knight, as my everything. …Do you accept?”
He swallowed. He knelt next and let go of my hands to take my face, then pressed his forehead to mine. “Of course I accept, you absolute loon,” he said. “I’ll be your Knight. I’ll be your King. I’ll be your everything.”
I was crying. I sucked in a burst of air, then kissed him.
There were cheers as we wove together. The room was alive with warmth and fire, and even the sun that peered at us between the colored panes could not hold a torch to our love.
When we parted, Willem stood and pulled me with him.
Sameer leaped for him, playfully, his hands latching to his arm in pure glee.
They embraced, and everything felt perfect somehow.
Perfectly balanced. Perfect shielded. Perfectly strong.
I closed my eyes and for the time in my life, I felt hope.
Elías touched my back. His voice was steady among the celebrations that had begun around us. He said, “You should be very proud of yourself, Svana. You did not shatter.”