The King's True Queen (Completed)

Chapter 5. 1810

Over the next two weeks, Alexander was put through hell while enduring the company of Lucy and Kate. It was quite clear that both women only desired him for his wealth good looks and the title of being queen. All they cared about was the material possessions that they would be given upon their marriage and crowning. Neither of them were skilled in archery and their horseback riding was atrocious. The romantic strolls in the Windsor Castle Gardens had been anything but romantic. And the dinner that they had together? That was petrifying. All the young ladies spoke about was fashion and the jewels that came with they were looking forward to receiving.

There was one thing, however, that was keeping Alexander collected during those two weeks. It was the knowledge that he would be with Serafina on the final week. The final week of the selection process, the final week leading up to the ball. He was hoping and praying that Serafina would be much better than Lucy and Kate, wanting her to be much more skilled with other aspects of life than just material possessions. He was determined to make sure that week with her went smoothly.

Serafina meanwhile had been bombarded with tales from Lucy and Kate, the two of them telling her everything that they did with Alexander. She listened of course, she wasn't one to be rude and ignore a conversation. But she knew Lucy and Kate didn't want Alexander for himself, and she felt heartbroken for the prince. How could someone only want the title of queen and not the king that came with it? She shook her head, not wanting to think about the possibilities. It was the evening before the final week of the selection began, the week that she would be with Alexander alone. She was determined to make sure that everyone saw that she would be the perfect queen.

On the morning of the third week, which was Monday, Serafina awoke to one of the servants carrying in a large box. Sitting up, she smiled at the servant and took the box from her. "Thank you."

Servant smiled and gave her a bow before leaving the room.

Alone again, Serafina carefully opened the box, her heart pounding, and felt her mouth drop as she saw what was inside. Her eyes went wide with surprise as she noticed a dozen long stemmed red pink and white roses staring up at her, wrapped with a dusty blue silk ribbon. Not one thorn was on any of the roses, so she was able to pick them up without the fear of getting pricked. She inhaled the sweet perfume as her eyes fell onto a letter that was nestled beside the bundle. Placing the roses back into the box, she picked up the letter and started reading it.

My dearest Serafina,

With these roses, I declare the beginning of our week together. You're going to be in for quite the treat with me, as I'm sure you've already been told by Lucy and Kate. However, unlike the two of them, I will make you this promise. I vow to make this week as magnificent as possible, to make you happy and content. I promise to be kind and gentle, to not force you into anything that you're not ready for.

I look forward to getting to see you this morning at breakfast.

Yours,
Alexander

Serafina smiled, her heart fluttering like butterfly wings. Alexander's note held promise, held so much for her. He was going to make this week special for her, he promised that much. Rising from bed, she snapped her fingers, producing a crystal vase filled with water, and placed the roses into it to keep them alive. She smiled at the blossoms, knowing that they had been hand-picked especially for her. She recalled Lucy and Kate telling her that Alexander had given them orange and yellow roses. She picked up the note, reading it three more times before placing a kiss upon the paper and placing it beside the roses onto her dressing table. Then she walked into her closet to select the perfect gown. It was the beginning of a week, and possibly a life, that she was utterly ready for.