Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 58

Chapter 58

My father was languidly tapping his fingers against the armrest of his armchair. We were currently in the King Sebastien's study with the king himself, the queen and Thomas, seated all around a small low table. My body was a bit tensed from the conversation we were about to have, but my stone-faced expression melted a bit when Thomas took my hand in his, giving it reassuring strokes from where he was seated on the couch next to me.

"So, Sebastien," my father began, "I was thinking to leave for my palace as soon as possible, because I don't want to lose more time before regaining my throne."

King Sebastien nodded, "I understand. I assume you will take your daughter with you?"

"Yes, until she gets married at least," my father gave me soft look, trying to mask his shoulders slightly deflating.

I pressed my lips together with a resigned look. I knew seeing my father every day wouldn't be possible in my future life. But even though my life would be with Thomas at the Tannerson's palace, I hoped we could meet each other regularly. "We will have time to catch up during that time," I said to him, watching him nod at me before turning back to his ally.

"That would mean leaving tomorrow. We still need a week of traveling before reaching my palace," he said, leaning back in his seat.

I turned towards Thomas at the same time as him, and saw his chagrined expression, that surely mirrored mine. His hand squeezed mine and I gave him a sad smile.

My father cleared his throat, giving us a look at our display of affection. He hadn't really appreciated us kissing on the dancefloor yesterday, but I could see him trying not to judge too harshly.

"That's alright with us," King Sebastien said, "What do you plan on doing after you get your throne back?"

My father gave me a brief glance, "Well, I'll come back to marry Annabelle for sure."

"Oh, when will that be exactly?", the queen asked, "We will also get her ready at our palace, if you don't mind."

"Hm... at least a month or so, I would say. And that's alright, I know she will be in good hands here," my father answered.

"That's settled, then," King Sebastien said, before looking at Thomas, "Now, when will the coronation be?"

"I would say a month or two after our marriage, father. It would be better to accommodate slowly in this life," Thomas suggested.

King Sebastien shook his head, "No, that's too much. You're expected by the Council and the Court to be coronated at least two weeks after your marriage. But I won't be able to extend it to more than three weeks, especially since you'll already be twenty-three at that time."

"Oh, alright then. But why does it make a difference if I'm twenty-three or not? My birthday is in a bit more than a week anyway, and I won't change overnight," Thomas asked with a slight frown.

"It's already unusual to become king this late, Thomas. You see, I was coronated at the age of twenty, and Ludwig at the age of nineteen. And your duties won't change much, you know. I have already shown you most of the things that are to be done," King Sebastien explained in a cool voice.

"Oh, right, I see," Thomas said quietly.

"Good.", my father said after a short silence, "We will leave at nine in the morning tomorrow. Will you be there?", he asked the royal couple.

"Yes, of course," the queen replied, followed by a nod from her husband.

"Alright, thank you. Now I'd like to interrogate the Rutherford family to see what they know about Marguerite's location. Would you mind to request their presence here in this room?", my father asked.