The Queen's Crown

Chapter 17

The second the door to her bedchamber closed, Sabine sank to the floor. The weight of the day crashed upon her. Someone had tried killing her. If it hadn’t been for her brother teaching her a few basic things, she’d be dead right now.

Memories of Alina inundated her. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep the images at bay to no avail. The two of them playing hide and seek as children, running through the fields chasing their brothers, riding horses together, fighting over a piece of jewelry. And then, the last time they danced together. Her dear, sweet sister. Murdered.

Sabine glanced down at her hand—the one that had dried blood on it. It had to be the blood of her attacker, possibly the man who’d killed Alina. She scrambled to her feet and ran over to the wash basin, scrubbing her hands clean.

In her current state, she didn’t want to be alone and was thankful she at least had Harta at her side. Every noise she heard startled her. She feared the assassin would burst out from behind a closet door or from under the bed to try to stab her.

She splashed water on her face, trying to calm herself. Her stomach ached with nausea. She needed to pull it together. She was going to be the queen of Lynk. It would not be good for anyone—even servants—to see her behaving so emotionally.

Going over to the large canopy bed that reminded her of her mother’s bed, she climbed on top of it, Harta jumping up alongside her. She curled on her side, her arms around the dog, and fell fast asleep.

She awoke, the room bathed in warm sunlight from the windows. She sat up, and Harta licked her face. Her stomach growled and she realized she didn’t have anything to eat last night before she fell asleep.

“We need to go and find food,” she mumbled to Harta, scratching her side.

A soft knock resounded on her door. She called out for the person to enter.

An older woman came in carrying a tray of food, a smile on her face.

“You must be Cassie, Lance’s wife,” Sabine said.

“Yes, Your Highness.” She curtseyed. “I brought you something to eat. I will take the dog downstairs with me where we have something prepared for her as well.”

Sabine slid out of bed and stretched. “Thank you.”

“While I’m here, I am to get the late queen’s wedding dress from the closet for you.”

“I’m going to wear King Rainer’s mother’s wedding dress?”

“Yes. She kept it here and I think it’ll fit you beautifully.” She went inside the dressing closet and emerged a few moments later with an off-white dress.

Sabine went over and took it, surprised by its weight. She’d assumed she would be wearing a flimsy dress based on the current Lynk fashion. However, if this one was made before Rainer was born, then that would explain why it was so different. This dress had an abundance of pearls covering the bodice and there were yards and yards of fabric for the skirt. “It’s beautiful.” She went over to the canopy bed, laying the dress on it. It was even more gorgeous when spread out on the bed. “Why is it here and not at the palace?”

“Her Majesty preferred this castle over the one on the mainland. She always felt like she was on display there. Here, she could be herself.”

The admission surprised Sabine. Not only did it shock her that Cassie was being so forthright, but she found this tidbit about the queen to be interesting. She wondered at which residence the queen spent most of her time. “This castle does feel a bit like home,” she admitted. “I like it here.” There was something comforting about the stone walls and floors, the dark wooden beams along the ceilings, the curtains hanging at each window, and the thick glass windows. Sabine blinked, realizing it reminded her of her own home in Bakley.

The woman smiled. “I’m glad. The king wishes for you to get ready. He left early this morning. Oh, I almost forgot.” She reached into her pocket and withdrew a letter. “He left this for you.” She handed it to Sabine.

Opening the letter, she quickly read it. Rainer said he’d gone to the mainland to get a marriage binder and would be back later this afternoon for the wedding. An odd sensation jolted through her. It seemed she was getting married today.

“Would you like my help dressing?” Cassie asked.

“I’d like to get ready on my own. If I need help, I’ll come and find you.” In other words, she needed to be alone to process everything.

Cassie smiled. “Of course, Your Highness.” She bowed and left with Harta trotting along after her.

Knowing this was the queen’s room and that the queen preferred this residence to the palace, Sabine observed the quarters with fresh eyes. This room was the opposite of the one in the palace. It had a canopy bed with heavy blankets. Even the rugs covering the floors contained deep, rich colors instead of whites and tans. She meandered over to the dressing closet, wondering what all it contained. Opening the door, she found it filled with dresses. She went into the room, browsing the large selection of clothing; some in Lynk fashion, others more along the lines of what people in Bakley typically wore.

She turned to exit the room when her shoulder bumped one of the dresses, making a clinking sound. Curious as to what made the noise, she shook the dress and felt it hitting something. Reaching back behind the dress, her fingers came across a sword. She wondered why it was there and who it belonged to. She shoved several of the dresses aside, trying to see the weapon. With the clothing out of the way, the back wall was on full display revealing daggers, knives, arrows, and swords.

While Sabine knew nothing about the previous queen, these weapons indicated that she had to have some sort of formal training. However, she couldn’t fathom why the weapons were hidden unless at one point in time, being a female warrior had been frowned upon. After sliding the clothing back into place, concealing the weapons once again, she exited the dressing closet.

She eyed the wedding dress on the bed. It seemed odd to be doing something so momentous, so important, in a private ceremony. An odd sensation filled her—a feeling of wrongness. Shaking her head, she shoved her feelings aside. Instead of fretting over getting married, she should be getting ready.

Her bag had been placed on the chair across the room. Someone must have put it there last night after she’d fallen asleep. Going over to it, she picked it up and looked around the room. Spotting an armoire, she went over and opened the doors. She began taking her stuff out of her bag and putting her things inside the armoire. She pulled out Harta’s ball, placing it on the bottom shelf. The ball rolled out, bouncing on the floor. She lifted her foot to stop it but ended up kicking the ball under the armoire instead. Groaning with frustration, she knelt on the floor and reached underneath, grabbing the ball. As she pulled it out, she noticed something hanging from beneath the armoire.

Reaching up, her fingers came across something hard. She yanked it out, discovering a book of some sort. She stood and opened it, the cover creaking as she did so. Inside, the pages were covered with elegant writing that had faded from time. Each page had a day and date. This wasn’t a book but a personal journal. Sabine traced her fingers over the pages, reading them. The person talked about being a mother and her concerns for her child that had yet to be born. This had to belong to the late queen. As to why it had been hidden under the armoire, she didn’t know. She flipped through it, wanting to learn more about Rainer’s family.

The late queen talked about the violence of the military and her husband’s obsession with training the people of Lynk to be bloodthirsty soldiers. Then the queen went on to mention the king’s valet and how she’d begun talking to him. Sabine turned a few pages, discovering the queen’s relationship with the valet turned into something more than mere friendship. She wondered if he was the father of the twins.

Flipping through a few more pages, Sabine noticed the writing became jolted and several words were smeared, as if from drops of water or tears. The queen expressed her hatred for her husband who’d killed his valet when he learned of her affair. She’d yet to tell him she was pregnant. The queen went on to write that her husband had begun hitting her where no one could see.

Sabine turned a few more pages. The queen wrote about having weapons hidden around her room in case the king tried to do something more sinister. The thought of being in such a relationship seemed unimaginable. She turned to the last page that had writing on it.

I fear the king intends to kill me. He’s managed to keep the secret of the twins from most at the palace though there are some who suspect. Now that I am pregnant with the king’s second child, he’s stopped hurting me. But I see the look in his eyes and the twitch of his hands as if he wants to strangle me. It’s as if he’s just waiting for me to deliver this baby. Once I do, he’ll have two heirs and no need for me. I pray he doesn’t hurt the twins. I’ve put certain precautions in place to try to ensure their safety. I hope it works. I fear that once this child is born, my life will be over.

Sabine closed the journal, holding it against her chest. She’d had no idea the previous king had been a violent man. When she had more time, she wanted to read through the entire journal. There was a reason the late queen wrote it. Sabine decided to put it back where she’d found it. Since it had remained hidden there for so long, it seemed the best place.

Once the journal was safely concealed, she stood and closed the armoire’s doors.

As she headed over to the bed, she looked at the wedding dress differently. Instead of beautiful fabric, she saw a cage. Once Sabine married, her life would be in Rainer’s hands. While she didn’t think he was a violent man like his father, she didn’t know him that well. When she saw him fight in the training facility, another side of him had been unleashed. As to how much he was able to keep that side of him under control, she didn’t know.

She rubbed her eyes. Yesterday, when he admitted to having an idea of who hired the assassin, she assumed he’d tell her when the two of them were alone. However, she’d gone to her room and had fallen asleep before they had the chance to talk. Once he returned with the marriage binder, he’d probably share his suspicions with her.

Now that she was awake and thinking clearly, something occurred to her—if the assassin had exited the palace the same way they had, how did he know about the escape route? And if he was savvy enough to know that, he probably knew about this castle as well. That knowledge could only be known by a select few people. Which meant she needed a list of everyone who knew about it.

Several times she’d wondered if Heather could be responsible for hiring the assassin. Since Heather had an intimate relationship with Rainer, she could know about the escape route. If so, she could have told the assassin. If Rainer suspected Heather, that could be why he hadn’t shared it with Sabine. The mounting stress made her feel ill.

Glancing back at the armoire, she considered the journal. It could hold a clue to this family or her sister’s murder. She rushed over and reached underneath, grabbed it, and shoved it into her bag. Needing to conceal it, she took her clothing back out of the armoire and put it on top of the journal. Her hands shook. She wasn’t stealing, so she didn’t know why it felt as if she were doing something wrong. The late queen had written her story and left it here for someone to find. That someone happened to be Sabine.

She hurried to the bed, quickly undressed, and pulled the wedding gown on. After tying it as best she could, she went over to the free-standing mirror in the corner of the room to look at herself. The cream-colored dress hugged Sabine’s curves, but it wasn’t too tight. The previous queen must have been rather petite. She turned, liking how the dress swayed around her legs as she moved. The long sleeves stopped just shy of her shoulders, cutting straight across her chest.

She decided to pull her hair back into a simple braid, draping it over her right shoulder. At the vanity table, she found some dusting powder and she applied it to her face. Satisfied with her appearance, she went into the queen’s dressing closet, peering at the hidden weapons. One of the sheathes had a strap attached. Lifting her dress, she exposed her thigh. She took a knife, slid it in the sheath, and then adjusted the strap around her leg, finding that it fit nice and snug just above her knee. She stood, testing it out. While she could feel the weapon and wouldn’t forget it was there, it didn’t bother her.

Taking a deep breath, she went over to the door and exited the bedchamber. She wandered through the old castle, wanting to get a better sense of the man who owned it. The place had an odd feeling to it, one she couldn’t pinpoint but felt, nonetheless. The wind howled outside, rattling some of the windows.

“There you are, Your Highness,” Lance said from behind Sabine, making her jump. “King Rainer has returned and is requesting your presence in the sitting room.”

“Please show me the way,” she said, forcing a smile on her face. Not having her dog at her side made her uneasy as well. She hadn’t realized how used to having Harta with her she’d become.

The elderly man nodded before leading her through the castle, up two flights of stairs, and to a door. “He’s in there.” Lance bowed then left.

Sabine opened the door and stepped into a grand sitting room. A fire roared in the hearth on one wall, bookshelves lined another wall, and several portraits were hung on the third. The fourth wall contained several windows revealing the turbulent ocean below.

“Princess Sabine,” Rainer said. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you.” Sabine walked over to the windows, gazing outside. He looked the same as before and had not prepared for the wedding ceremony. Perhaps something had changed. “Is the plan for us to still marry today?” she asked, not looking his way and instead, trying to see his image reflected in the glass.

He folded his hands behind his back. “Yes. But I want to speak with you first on a delicate matter.”

At that, she turned around, leaning on the window ledge. This had to be about the assassin.

His dark eyes bore into hers. “I don’t know how to ask this of you, so I’m just going to come out and say it.” He took a step closer. “After we marry in private, you will be crowned queen of Lynk.” He took another step closer. “However, I do not wish for my subjects to know we are married or that you’re their queen until we have a public ceremony.”

She raised a single eyebrow. “When will the public ceremony be held?”

“After the Avoni delegation arrives.”

“And the reason for this?” It had to have something to do with the assassin, and she wanted to know what he wasn’t telling her.

He took another step closer to her, now standing only a foot away. His eyes remained focused on hers, as if searching for something.

She refused to flinch or even blink.

After an uncomfortable minute of silence, he finally said, “I believe someone in my inner circle is trying to kill you to prevent me from maintaining my position as king. To keep you safe, we will marry, securing my position.” His voice was soft, louder than a whisper but not loud enough to carry outside the room.

An answer that only led her to more questions. And he hadn’t explained why the need for secrecy or who he specifically suspected. If he wanted to convince her to go through with this, then he needed to tell her everything. She folded her arms and tilted her head, looking up at him, waiting for him to explain.

He sighed and then came to lean against the window ledge beside her. “After we legally marry and you’re crowned,” he said, “I will inform my inner circle of your status. The marriage binder will have a record of our marriage and your coronation thus ensuring you remain safe.”

When she realized he wouldn’t elaborate, she asked, “Why keep it from the kingdom?” She wanted to know who in his inner circle wanted him to lose his crown. At first, she’d suspected Heather of hiring the assassin. However, she didn’t think Heather wanted to hurt Rainer or take the throne from him. It had to be someone else then. Maybe he didn’t specifically know who it was. If he did, he would have already arrested the person.

“We must keep it a secret because we still don’t have permission. That’s why we’re waiting for the Avoni delegation. If they give their approval, we can legally marry without any repercussions from the other kingdoms.”

“What you’re saying is that we are going to marry to secure your throne and keep me alive.”

“Yes.”

“But it will be done in secret.”

“Yes.”

“And once the League approves, then we can publicly marry?”

“Yes.”

She pushed away from the window ledge and started walking around the room, thinking. “What if we don’t get their approval? Then what?”

He stood. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Because if it does?”

“We’ll most likely be facing a war.”

Dread filled her. All she’d wanted to do was take her sister’s place to save her kingdom. And now Rainer was talking about a possible war. “What will happen to Bakley?”

“It will fall under my protection. I promise.”

“You swear?” she asked, wanting to be clear.

“Yes. You have my word.”

She nodded. “Very well.” She’d marry in private so long as she had his reassurance that Bakley would be safe.

“I must go and prepare myself for our wedding.” He bowed and then left the room.

Staring at the door he’d just exited through, she contemplated who Rainer considered to be in his inner circle and why one of his close confidants wouldn’t want him on the throne. Once he knew for certain who either killed her sister or hired the assassin to do so, Rainer had better have it in him to bring the person to justice. Otherwise, Sabine would do it for him.

A man in his late forties entered the room donning a long robe the color of sapphire. “Princess Sabine,” he said by way of greeting.

“I suppose you’re the marriage binder?” she asked.

“I am. My name is Herold.” He withdrew a golden crown from beneath his robe. “And I’m here to make you a queen.”

Sabine stood in the antechamber to the throne room where she’d been instructed to wait until the doors opened. So much had happened leading her to this moment. She couldn’t believe she was about to be married and crowned queen—especially in secret. Her hands shook from a combination of excitement and fright.

The doors swung open revealing a thirty-foot marble pathway leading to a raised dais where two golden high-backed chairs were perched atop the platform, Rainer standing between them. When he saw Sabine, he descended the steps and moved to the side, waiting for her to join him. He wore ivory pants and a form fitting shirt buttoned up to his neck. A gold crown adorned with emeralds, rubies, and pearls sat on his head, making his eyes appear brighter than usual.

If Sabine had to describe the king in one word, it would be breathtaking. She’d never seen such a handsome man before.

As she slowly made her way down the aisle, she noticed Lance and Cassie at the front of the room, off to the right. Their son Mika wasn’t there. To the left were Prince Anton and Markis, surprising Sabine with their presence. They must have come with Rainer and the marriage binder to serve as court witnesses to the ceremony. When she reached Rainer, they remained side-by-side and faced the dais.

The marriage binder moved to stand on the steps before them. “First, we will unite these two in marriage,” he declared.

Rainer knelt on the first step, so Sabine followed suit and did the same.

“The marriage alliance between Lynk and Bakley is noted in the contract behind me.” Herold gestured to a table containing two writing quills and several sheets of paper. “Before me I have King Rainer Manfred and Princess Sabine Ludwig. Once the marriage is consummated, nothing shall tear it apart.” He lifted his staff, gently tapping Rainer’s right shoulder and then Sabine’s. “Repeat after me.” He then went on to say a series of declarations about duty, respect, and honoring one’s partner. Once each had repeated the necessary decrees, the binder ordered them to stand.

The two of them stood and faced one another. Rainer pulled two rings out of his pocket. Sabine lifted the larger of the two, then slid it on Rainer’s ring finger. He then took the last one and put it on her finger.

“King Rainer, you may kiss your bride.”

Sabine peered up into Rainer’s eyes and found him watching her intently. She had no idea what he was thinking or whether he even wanted to kiss her. The thought of what lay ahead tonight on their wedding night lingered in the back of her mind, but she refused to acknowledge or think about it right now. She had to make it through this kiss first.

Rainer slowly lowered his head, his lips hovering near the corner of hers for a moment before he gently pressed his lips to hers in what she considered to be a warm, chaste kiss. And then it was over.

“Even if Princess Sabine is childless, this marriage cannot be dissolved,” Herold announced. “After tonight, it is done.” He moved to the side.

Rainer and Sabine joined hands and walked up the steps to the top of the dais.

“The marriage ceremony has concluded.”

The irony of the situation was that Sabine had never expected to be a queen or hold such an important position; however, she did imagine marrying in a small, intimate ceremony such as this one. Though, she had pictured marrying someone she loved. While she could see loving Rainer one day, she didn’t know him well enough to care for him that way. Strange that the marriage ceremony was complete in a matter of minutes.

“Now for the coronation. King Rainer, you will take your place on the throne chair,” Herold stated. He stood off to the side still holding his staff, reminding Sabine of a sheep herder.

She turned and faced those present in the small throne room.

“Repeat after me,” Herold said, his voice echoing in the room. “I, state your name, do hereby swear to uphold the laws of the great kingdom of Lynk.”

“I, Sabine Manfred, do hereby swear to uphold the laws of the great kingdom of Lynk.” It felt strange and foreign to say her new name. It didn’t feel or seem right.

“I will govern, guide, and help my people in any way I can.”

Sabine repeated the words, meaning each one she said.

“I will do what is in my kingdom’s best interest, I will keep our kingdom strong, and I will not yield to other kingdoms.”

Sabine said the words though she found them a little odd. She’d expected there to be something more along the lines of protecting her people and not so much about keeping Lynk strong. Then again, this kingdom was known for being focused on its military.

Herold came and stood before her. He tapped each of her shoulders with his staff while chanting a few words she didn’t understand. Then he took a step back, turned, and went over to the table where a box had been set on the shelf beneath it. After putting his staff aside, he pulled out the box, opened it, and then lifted the crown out that he’d shown her before. The crown matched Rainer’s, but it was slightly more petite and delicate. He carried it as if it were the most precious thing in the world, setting it atop Sabine’s head.

After adjusting it to be sure it wouldn’t topple off her head, she moved to the throne chair, taking her seat beside her husband.

“I now pronounce you Queen Sabine Manfred of Lynk.”

Hearing her new name and title sent a jolt through her. Within the last thirty minutes, she went from a princess of Bakley to not only the queen of Lynk but now a wife. She belonged to the Manfred family and not the Ludwig family. An unexpected sadness filled her.

Those present lined up before her. One by one, they knelt, took her hand, and swore their fealty to her. Even Markis came up to her, swearing his allegiance to her new title. Once they finished, Rainer stood, holding his hand out to Sabine. She stood and slid her hand into his. They went over to the table, each of them signing the contract for their marriage.

Sabine traced her finger over her father’s signature. She missed him dearly.

“Now that the ceremony has concluded,” Rainer announced to those in the room, “we must consummate our marriage.”

A chill slid over Sabine’s skin. She thought she’d have more time before she had to face Rainer in the bedroom. While her mother had told her what would transpire and she’d seen enough animals procreate, the thought of being with Rainer both thrilled and terrified her.

The doors burst open, and Mika ran in. He stopped half-way down the aisle and bent over, panting. “The delegation from Avoni just arrived.”