Loving a Thief

Epilogue

Epilogue

“Mama! Mama! Look at this!” exclaimed my daughter as she ran up to me in the nursery. Aurora had Henry’s blond hair, and his green eyes. She was outgoing, and courageous like me.

“Aurora, you’ll wake Nikolas. Please be a little quieter,” I said. I looked at my baby boy who was asleep in my arms. Henry sat next to me watching Nikolas dream.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be quieter. Can I show you now?”

“What is it you want to show us?” asked Henry.

“I wanted to show you my painting.”

Aurora held a canvas and showed us her artwork. It was a painting of our family. It was not the best painting I have ever seen, but it was beautiful.

“Very good, darling,” I said.

“It is beautiful,” complimented Henry.

Emily walked in the room. “King Garrett and Queen Jasmine have arrived.”

“Thank you, Emily,” replied Henry. “I’ll go tell Fredrick and Sarah.”

“Come along, Aurora. You’re going to meet your aunt and uncle from Saritopland,” I said.

I walked down the hallway towards the courtyard, still holding Nikolas and Aurora trailing behind. I passed the doctor’s office. Beatrice, the doctor who helped me when I escaped prison, now worked in that room. I told her I wanted to repay her. She gladly accepted the position as the castle’s doctor.

“Hello,” I said when we reached the courtyard. Jasmine, who was now the queen of Saritopland, stood next to her husband, King Garrett.

“Oh, it’s great to see you again,” said Jasmine as she gave me a side hug, careful not to squish Nikolas.

“You look wonderful,” said King Garrett.

“Thank you. I’m so happy that you could visit. Henry, Sarah, and Fredrick will be coming in a minute. I would like you to meet our daughter, Aurora,” I introduced.

Aurora curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Aunt Jasmine and Uncle Garrett.”

“The pleasure is all ours,” replied Garrett.

“Jasmine!” exclaimed Sarah as she ran towards us. “I’ve missed you so!”

Sarah has grown taller. Her curves had already started to form, and several young men seem to have taken interest in her. You could tell Sarah was happy about that.

“I’ve missed you too. My! have you changed,” replied Jasmine as they embraced.

“Fredrick! Henry! You look well,” said Garrett when he saw that the others had joined us.

“It is great to see you again,” said Henry. He clapped Garrett’s shoulder.

“Jasmine, Garrett, I would like you to meet our son, Nikolas,” I introduced after we all said our hellos.

“He looks just like his mother,” said Jasmine. “He’s precious.”

“Please, come inside,” invited Henry.

We all walked to one of the parlors, the biggest one in the castle. After we all sat, I called for tea and we began talking.

“We passed through town on our way here,” began Jasmine. “There has been much improvement. The people look happier and the market is busier. There were barely any broken down shacks.”

“Well I should hope so. I’ve been busy enough as it is. I don’t want to worry about rebuilding this country again. I couldn’t believe what I saw in father’s papers. We owed such a tremendous debt. Luckily, with Henry’s intelligence, we are almost debt free,” I said.

“I’m happy for you,” said Garrett.

“Sarah, have you heard from Cooper recently?” asked Jasmine.

“Yes. I received a letter from him three days ago. It said his studies at the university are going well. He enjoys learning new things. He also mentioned a girl who seems very kind. I believe he fancies her,” answered Sarah.

“We should pray for her if he does,” Henry joked.

“What about Amelia? Is she settled yet?”

“I received a letter from her yesterday,” I began. “She said that they are almost at their new house and should arrive Thursday. She enjoys being a wife. Amelia also said she misses all of us, and she sends best wishes to everyone.”

“I can’t believe she’s married,” said Henry.

“Pretty soon it will be Sarah’s turn,” teased Garrett.

Sarah blushed.

A servant walked in and said, “King Henry, you are needed in the knight’s hall.”

Henry thanked the servant and apologized for the interruption. Then he left to find out what the problem was. The knight’s often fight over woman, and quite recently one lady seems to have gotten all of their attention.

“I love the name you chose for your son,” said King Garrett.

I blushed. “We thought it was fitting. I suggested Lucas but Henry wanted to name him Nikolas. You could say I was easily convinced.”

“What would you have named him if he was a girl?” asked Jasmine.

“Nicole,” I answered.

“To think this all happened because Henry loved a thief,” teased Sarah.

* * *

King Garrett and Queen Jasmine stayed with us for three weeks before they had to return to their kingdom. Saritopland and Great Lektra flourished under their new rulers. For years, there was no sign of war. Only peace and prosperity. Although people may have forgotten the thief who stole from the king, they will never forget the good which came from it.