A Queen for the King

A Bride has Been Chosen

A month after the coronation of King Arny, it was time to announce the marriage of the King and Lady Celestia. Before entering the throne room, the king was being congratulated by Lady Celestia's family on their engagement. Although the engagement was not official due to different rules and regulations, King Arny was determined to make Lady Celestia his Queen.

"Are you ready?" Arny said as he looked down at his future wife

"As ready as I'll ever be. Are you ready?" Celestia asked

"I was ready the day I met you" Arny placed his hand on Celestia's face and gently kissed her lips. Just then, Bridgette had cleared her throat to signal that it was time to go before officials and Parliament. Celestia quickly walked past Bridgette into the throne room as Bridgette came closer to Arny, making sure everything looked as neat as possible.

"I heard that you have a big announcement today." Bridgette said

"Yes I do. I'm nervous but very happy about what I am going to announce. It's been a long time coming for this special occasion to happen."

"Well Parliament also has news for you to before you make your announcement. Let them go before you."

Arny nodded as he walked into the throne room, as everyone bowed. As he grew near his throne, Arny couldn't take his eyes off Celestia who was wearing a light blue dress. The thought of her finally becoming his wife excited him while also worrying him. Would she be able to handle being queen and the responsibilities that come with it? How would Parliament accept her? How would the people accept her? Thankfully Celestia would be taken care of by her ladies-in-waiting and also Bridgette, despite their differences.

"I, King Arny of Edessa, under the power of the god Apollo, court is now in session" as Arny spoke towards the crowd "As many of you know, recently I have been crowned King of Edessa, and that has led to the question of whom I should marry, as it is expected for an unwedded prince at the time of their coronation as king to marry."

"Yes my Lord" Prime Minister Tyrian said as he stepped out into the aisle in front of Arny "As you may know, many of our past kings, including your father, have married a prominent young girl around the time of their coronation, and now that you are our new king, we expect you to marry as well."

"Exactly" Arny said as he takes a glance at Celestia

"However" Prime Minister Tyrian interrupted "As we all have learned from your grandfather, the late King Cyrus, who married the late Queen Azura, the selection of a bride is no longer chosen by the King himself, but by Parliament"

Arny then looked at Tyrian with confidence "But surely the mistake my grandfather made can be reversed"

"No my Lord" Tyrian said

"Was it royal decree?" Arny asked

"No your Majesty. It was decree by Parliament, therefore if there was any evidence in support of reversal, no law passed by Parliament can not be revoked. So therefore, we must make marriage arrangements."

King Arny stood up and walked towards Tyrian in a menacing way "Prime Minister, I am the King. Surely even the King can go against this rule laid down by Parliament. I have been chosen by the gods themselves to be King and with that notion, Lady Celestia and I plan to marry whether Parliament agrees or not." Arny turned around and, with confidence, started walking back to his throne. This wasn't how he planned to announce his marriage but it was an announcement nonetheless.

"If you choose to marry Lady Celestia, you will be tried as a traitor and stripped of your title as King, along with your many other titles, and will be exiled away from the Kingdom of Edessa. Lady Celestia will also be tried as a conspirator and will be the downfall of her family before exultation." Tyrian said with a stern voice towards Arny "If this is what you would like to do, you can hand over your crown and your throne to your older brother."

After Tyrian acknowledged what would happen if Arny and Celestia were to marry, the whole room began filling with low murmurs of people talking about what they have just witnessed. Arny looked over at Celestia, who was red from embarrassment and disbelief, before looking back at Tyrian in anger. The guards then yelled for court to quiet down as Arny thought about what he should do: he could either not marry Celestia and take her as his official mistress or forfeit the crown of Edessa to his older brother Ronan.

Just then Tyrian motioned for the guards to come forward from the doors entering Parliament. Everyone turned towards the door, including Arny, a veiled young girl began walking down the aisle towards the king. Hush tones filled the room a the woman in a dark red gown with a veil to match made her way towards the man who was chosen to be her husband. She had chosen to hide her face due to her value of modesty that she held - this was traditional between the women of her village to veil themselves one month before their marriage took place to keep their modesty and purity hidden from other men. After curtsying before him, the King walked towards the woman.

The sunlight had touched her veil, barely revealing her face. The woman kept her eyes lowered, as she was required to do unless the king commanded her. For a split moment, it seemed like a beam from Heaven was shining down upon her in front of Arny. The light made both her dress and her jewelry shine and sparkle, but those seem to be diminished by her beauty that she choose to conceal.

"This young woman is the daughter of the late King Artemis from the allied Kingdom of Exalos. She is skilled in everything from diplomacy to needlework. She also aided in the war against the Orane Empire when she sent her men off to fight alongside your brother." Prime Minister Tyrian said

Arny took one hand and gently placed his finger underneath the woman's chin. He gently lifted her head towards him to examine her more.

"My lady" Arny said quietly to the woman

"Your majesty" the young woman said without looking up at the Kings. Arny then let go of her chin and headed towards his throne

"Court has now ended" Arny said as he left the room along with Celestia without looking back. The woman curtsied one last time before being taken to her new room to wait until her wedding day by Bridgette.