King Thrushbeard (mxm)

Chapter 35

The bishop then turned to Princess Evangeline. "Princess Evangeline, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep thee only unto him as long as you both shall live?"

Evangeline looked back at Thomas after having been looking at the bishop. Thomas nodded almost unnoticeably as she smiled softly. "I will not."

A loud gasp came from both queen's as well as countless other guests.

"What?!" King Rudolph bellowed angrily, but Evangeline had already sprinted down the aisle and was out the door before the king was done complaining.

"Wait! Princess Evangeline!" Thomas yelled, running after her while their parents began fighting and guests voiced their outrage.

"Princess Evangeline!" Thomas ran after her across the yard, quickly catching up with her since she couldn't run very well in her elaborate gown.
"What happened?" He asked confused, pulling her to a stop.

The young princess looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "That was Prince William, wasn't it?" She suddenly asked, startling Thomas completely.

"What?" He asked confused.

"I saw you in the garden with our kitchen chef William, last night," she said quietly.

Thomas swallowed drily. "I don't think right now is a good moment to discuss this."

"I think right now is the only moment to discuss it," she argued. Thomas didn't ever want to discuss this, actually.
"I know you've been searching for the missing prince for seven years. William claimed to be from Begonia and he started working here over six years ago. I didn't miss your shocked expression last night when I told you who had prepared your meal. That's him isn't it?" She asked bitterly.

Thomas thought he would pass out from stress. "Yes," he finally managed to bring out. "But I've made a promise to you that I don't intend to break. There will never be anything between me and Prince William again," he promised weakly, nearly breaking down at the words.

"But," she began but Thomas interrupted her.

"That meant nothing," he lied desperately, not wanting to hurt her.

Evangeline smiled sadly, sniffling a bit. "I know it did. My whole life I've been wishing for someone to look at me the way you looked at him. My whole life I've been waiting for my fairytale king who would love and cherish me above all others; whose heart would only be mine. And when I met you, I so dearly wished it were you, but your heart will never belong to me. I'm grateful beyond words that you did not abandon me at the altar when you found him, however I know that we would never make each other happy and you would look back on a life of regret if you did not marry Prince William instead."

Thomas stared at her in bewilderment; this was not the sort of reaction he had been expecting from the young girl. How was he supposed to explain this to her?

"That's not true. I'm ready to marry you," he tried desperately.

"Why would you marry me instead of the person you truly wish to be with? I promise I will take it all on me – you will not have to justify anything in front of anyone," she assured him with a soft, knowing smile.

Thomas swallowed heavily. "No. I want to marry you," he insisted.

Evangeline frowned. "Why?"

Thomas really wanted to lie, but felt she deserved the truth. There was so much more to her than he had given her credit for – she deserved better than to be lied to.