The Dark Prince's Bride (the original version of Will You Love Me?)

Chapter 9

Renee entered the king and queen's chambers. She stopped as she saw Dragoth brushing the queen's hair. He had barely left his mother's side since he had been released. He had been doing everything for her.

Renee crossed her arms, he'd been doing her job. She felt jealous, she used to spend so much time with Queen Mea. But now all she seemed to care about was her son. Renee felt forgotten, she felt envious and she felt anger towards Dragoth. It was enough that he had taken her father without him taking her adopted parents away as well. She knew that she shouldn't be thinking that way. They were his parents and she shouldn't be mad that he was spending time with him.

She took a deep breath, trying not to feel jealous. She should be happy for Mea and Henry. They finally had the one thing they wanted more than anything, she had never seen them so happy. She loved them and if they were happy she should be happy for them.

Mea turned to see her standing there. "Good morning, Renee."

Dragoth turned and saw her. He was so surprised that he almost dropped the brush that he was holding. "Uh... good morning my lady."

"Good morning your majesty," she spoke to Queen Mea, doing her best to ignore Dragoth. She tried to act normal.

"Benjamin, I need to talk to Renee alone," Mea told her son.

He nodded, seeming nervous. "Yes mother." He turned to leave the room.

Renee watched him leave, then turned to Queen Mea.

"What do you think of him?"

Renee hesitated, she knew how much Mea loved her son. She could never say anything against him in front of her. "He seems nice. I can tell that he cares about you." The last part certainly wasn't a lie.

Mea smiled. "I'm so happy to have him back."

Renee nodded.

"It is the will of our most trusted advisor that he should be wed. He is our only heir, if something should happen to him Anoria would be left without a ruler," Mea said.

"Yes, my lady," Renee replied.

"Henry and I have chosen you. We love you as if you were our own daughter. There is no one that we trust more with our kingdom... or with our son," Mea said.

Renee felt a pain in her chest and the wind forced from her lungs, as though she had been dealt a heavy blow. She would have to marry the man she hated most in all of the world.

She was glad that Henry and Mea loved her so much. And they trusted her not only with their kingdom but also with their son.

"You don't have to say yes. I am telling you this in private so that you can refuse without being judged. Henry and I love you just as much as we love Benjamin and we want both of you to be happy," Mea said.

Renee didn't answer... she didn't know what to say. She needed to think about it for a few moments. She didn't want to marry Dragoth... but she loved his parents. She owed the king and queen everything. They had taken her in and taken care of her when no one else had. She had promised that she would repay them one day, and this was her opportunity to do just that. She could finally become a part of their family. That was what she wanted most in the whole world... a home, a family... belonging.

But she couldn't just think about herself in this, even if her desires were pure. She had to think about the people of Anoria, for their fate was now in her hands. If she married the prince she would have the opportunity to make the kingdom a better place. She could do everything in her power to soften Dragoth's reign. No doubt he would reign with an iron fist... the people would starve and suffer whilst he sat upon the throne. But perhaps if his wife was kind of heart... generous it could soften the tyranny.

For many years she had prayed for an opportunity to make the world a better place. She had prayed for the resources to provide homes for children such as herself who were living on the streets. She didn't like it... but if this was how God had chosen to answer her prayer she couldn't refuse.

She curtsied. "I am honored that you chose me, your highness," she answered. "I owe you and Henry more than I can ever repay. I will do this for you. I promise I will take care of your son and protect him with my life."

"Thank you Renee. I believe that you will be happy together. You and Benjamin have so much in common," Mea replied.

I have nothing in common with that traitor... nothing but my love for the king and queen.

"Yes my lady," she replied, trying to hide her despise for the prince. "When are we to be wed?"

"In three days time," Mea answered.

Renee nodded, knowing that her freedom would soon be gone. She would have to enjoy these three days as though they were her last... for they were, her last days of freedom.

"I must wash you... he isn't the joyful boy that I once knew. He has been through a lot and it has broken him... broken him deep into his very soul. If he seems unhappy do not believe you are the cause. I am afraid of what Drake has done to my boy. Please be patient with him," Mea said.

"I will try as best as I can, my lady," she replied.

"Thank you," Mea smiled at her.

Renee nodded and put on the most genuine smile she could muster.

God please help me be nice to him for Mea's sake, she prayed silently.

"We have a lot of preparations to attend to," Mea continued. "We need to arrange a fitting for you with the royal tailor for your wedding gown."

"Yes, my lady," Renee replied.

"I want you to help plan the wedding, it's your special day. Do you have any ideas for your wedding dress?" Mea asked her.

Renee nodded. She had never wanted to get married, but if she ever did she had always wanted a wedding dress like the one from her favorite book: The Diary Of Queen Amelia. It was written by Mea's mother, it told of a time when Obsidian ruled and orcs and dragons threatened the land. Despite the dull sounding title, it was filled with adventures and perils, war and magic. But as anyone would guess from a young woman's diary, there was also a romantic, poetic side to the book. It told the story of how she had fallen in love with a stable boy and married him in secret.

Renee did admire Queen Amelia, but her favorite character in the story was the stable boy... Armon. He had been an orphan on the streets, just like her.

"I would love a wedding dress like the one your mother wore. Her diary is my favorite book," Renee answered.

Mea smiled. "It's my favorite book too. I barely remember my mother, her diary is the only way I can get to know her."

Renee nodded sympathetically.

"You can have a dress exactly like the one she wore if that's what you want," Mea smiled at her.

Renee nodded.

"Can you excuse me for a little while? I need to speak with Henry," Mea said. "I will arrange for your fitting after luncheon."

"Thank you my lady," she answered trying to seem excited about the wedding.