My King ❈ NIKOLAI LANTSOV

t h r e e

THE INSIDE WAS EVEN BIGGER. 

The roof was high above me, creating sense of wealth. Almost the instant Nikolai and I were inside, he was swept away for 'kingly duties'. Thankfully a maid directed me to my room. However, she also informed me that this was temporary as it was custom that the Queen would reside in the King's quarters after marriage. 

When I was finally left alone, I ignored the glamorous furniture, heading to the window. The Fjerdans were gone. I had expected them to leave, but it still hurt knowing I was left here to fend for myself.  Alone. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent in my room, however, by the time the maids came to take me to dinner I'd made up my mind. I was in no mood to socialise, or to be stared at while eating. Instead of insisting too much, they brought me food, which I ate alone in my room. I could've cared less if Nikolai was offended. Even though I referred to him by his first name in my head, I wouldn't do so out loud. Despite screwing traditions, it was common courtesy to be respectful of rank. I wouldn't undermine that; even if I didn't particularly like him. 

He would probably be confused, angry, and the list goes on. Still, I wouldn't bend, and I certainly wouldn't break. 

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THIRD PERSON

SHE DIDN'T SHOW.

When the future Queen didn't attend dinner, it was safe to say that no one was happy. 

The Noble men and women were entirely put off. The woman they got was not the woman they wanted. She was too outspoken, and her actions were disrespectful. 

The Grisha were not surprised. The woman was in a new place, surrounded by new people; it was to be expected that she might spend time alone for a while. She had her own mind, and that was admired. 

The King was saddened. The woman was... She had her own mind, her own wits, and a whole lot of courage. He wasn't just the King in that moment, he was Nikolai; the boy who became Sturmhond, who became a man. At at that moment, he simply admired a woman. A woman who wouldn't show up to dinner though. 

Thoughts flew around his his mind. Should he have personally invited her? Should he have privately had dinner with her? Should he... 

He didn't know what to do, or what to think. 

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FIRST PERSON

WHEN I WOKE THE NEXT MORNING IT ALL CAME BACK TO ME.

The marriage. The palace. Everything. 

Light burst through the curtains, and I groaned quietly. I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to fall back asleep; where none of this happened and I was back home. 

When my maids came in, they didn't talk much. They simply moved around my room getting me ready, making the bed, and tidying up. I was left to my thoughts as they closed the door behind them. Looking in the mirror, I saw a whole different woman. She wore a white lace blouse with slight ruffles around the neck, and a long light blue skirt attached to an outside corset around the waist. At least it was partly white; reminding me of the frost back home. 

Bored and feeling annoyed at the confinement, I began walking to the door. No one had told me to remain in my room; so why should I? I found the door unlocked and, opening it, noticed a guard standing there. I stepped out, and started down the corridor. Hearing footsteps behind me, and looking in the reflection of the window, I saw that he was following me. Of course I had a guard being like my babysitter. 

I passed Noble men and women, yet none of them made to talk to me. They simply stared, bowed or curtsied, and started whispering in their little huddles. Still, I didn't care what they thought or what they said. Surprisingly, the Grisha didn't act like anything was wrong; they acted like it was normal that I was here. They stopped walking to curtsy or bow in front of me, then continued walking with a smile in my direction. I hadn't expected it at all. I thought at the very least they would ignore me or hold a grudge against me for what my kin had done. Maybe they were just happy at the prospect of peace with the alliance. 

Soon enough, I'd found a door leading outside to the gardens. Mentally memorising the route I'd walked to get here, I started walking between the hedges, over little creeks, and beside fountains. Thankfully, my guard had remained up on the stairs and not following me around the gardens like a lost puppy. The fresh air was wonderful, and I didn't feel as trapped. 

Still, nothing about being here was normal.