10. 10
Selene
Three weeks later
“Who marries a man in three weeks?” Courtney demands. “Especially a king!”
Magnus doesn’t want to waste time, so the wedding happens three weeks later.
Duncan—who is so efficient and capable of organizing Magnus’s life that I often wonder what my role will be—came up with the plan to say that I was an old friend and that we reconnected at the ball. That we were in a rush to start our life together.
Which is partly true. The friend part, even though we were more like acquaintances.
The rush part… most days, I’d like to slow down to have a chance to learn more about Magnus. Each day I find out something new about him—like his fascination with mead, his love of Tim Hortons coffee, and how he starts every conversation by asking me what I’ve been doing for fun.
We talk a lot during those first weeks. When I’m in Ottawa for the first week closing down my life, we talk twice a day—a quick good morning call, and a longer one in the evening.
Magnus uses those as getting-to-know you chats, asking rapid-fire questions out of nowhere.
Favourite food, movies, books and colours.
Best childhood memory, Christmas present, and best friend in elementary school.
He refuses to talk about any monarchy business until I move into the castle. I don’t blame him. I’m sure he wants to know he can trust me before he starts sharing secrets.
After I leave Ottawa, I spend the two weeks leading up to the wedding in Battle Harbour. I make a point of visiting the town every day—even if it’s only to stop in at Coffee for the Sole—and I meet a few people.
The rest of the time, I’m secluded at the castle with wedding plans.
It’s a small ceremony.
I don’t know how it could be anything else with only three weeks to plan.
And most of it falls on me, with Duncan and Diandra helping. Magnus tries to be involved, but he’s prepping for an international summit later in the month and isn’t capable of switching back and forth to talk about flowers and music, and questions about if I really need more than one bridesmaid.
He says he’d rather talk wedding than environmental concerns, and I believe him.
I’d rather talk about the environment.
After I accepted his proposal—if you can really call it that—I returned to Ottawa. And that’s where I tell my father that I will be marrying the king of Laandia.
He is surprised, to say the least. “Do you love him?”
I want to laugh at the question because it’s only Papa’s newfound happiness with Lorraine that leads to the question. He was more than ready to accept my marrying Darren, not to mention any of the other offers over the years, without love in the mix.
“No,” I tell him, and muffle the little voice in my head that chimes in with “Not yet.”
I’m not in love with Magnus, but I like him. That’s good enough for now.
“It’s no different from me marrying Darren,” I add.
“But you loved him.” Is that a wince at the word? Did everyone think Darren was a terrible idea? I know it now, but a wave of embarrassment rises at the thought of the world doubting my choice.
“I didn’t. I may have loved his vision of us, but I don’t think I ever loved him.”
“Are you marrying Magnus for the throne?” Papa asks, surprisingly forthright for him.
“He wants my help. He says he needs it, so yes, I suppose I am.”
“That makes me sad for you.”
“Why? I’m a good psychologist. I know that I can help people.
But I would make a great queen. This has been my focus since I was a little girl – you made sure of that.
And if I can use that knowledge and my passion…
I had so many ideas for Avelaine, and now they’re worthless.
If I can use them for Laandia, be a help for the people and Magnus, why wouldn’t I? ”
Why wouldn’t I want to marry a king, especially one young, handsome, and so funny. Magnus seems to make a point of making me laugh every time we talk.
Laughter has been in short supply in my life lately.
The three weeks flew by in a blur. And then it was my wedding day.
I don’t remember much of it. I do remember standing in my silk sheath dress, promising to love, honour, and cherish Magnus Christian William Mackenzie, Lord of the Sea and Sky, Warden of the Northern Coast, Heir to Leif the Founder, Protector of the Realm, and King of Laandia.
I don’t think Magnus appreciates the titles, but that’s who he is.
And now, that’s who I am. His queen.
After the I dos, and the kiss–brief and chaste–I am crowned queen.
It’s… emotional. I have to blink back tears when Magnus offers me the crown on a satin pillow.
It’s a delicate circle of gold, twisted like branches, interlaced with sparkling emeralds and diamonds. This was Magnus’s mother’s crown. His grandmother’s.
And now mine.
“We crown ourselves in Laandia,” he tells me with a proud smile.
I hold his gaze as I reach for the crown with shaking hands. Are you sure?
I don’t say it aloud, but I hope he can read my expression. Is this really what he wants? A woman he barely knows, helping him run his country? Raising a family together?
If we have a family.
But I can’t think that far ahead. It’s enough to feel the weight of the crown on my head and the overwhelming feeling that I don’t deserve this.
Being crowned queen of a country that doesn’t feel like mine. Yet.
“By authority of the Constitution of Laandia, we now crown Her Majesty Queen Selene Elspeth Carolina, First Lady of the Sea and Sky, Consort to the Heir of Leif the Founder, Protector of the Realm, and Queen of Laandia.”
There’s an entire backstory to the titles, but it flies out of my head as Magnus offers me the Crown of Northern Lights.
As the archbishop says the words, I vow to treat Laandia like it’s my home country. To serve and protect, to be responsible for the country and the people.
“You’re going to be great,” Magnus whispers, with a squeeze of my hand.