The King's Bride

The Whole Truth

Everleigh left with Josh and an escort of five men, in the early hours of the morning, two days after her talk with Jensen. The entire ride back to the village, her heart was racing at the same speed of the horses, her nerves making her hands shake so much, the reins of her horse almost fell from them.

Everleigh keeps thinking how Lucia will react when she tells her the truth of who she is to marry. She knows that the best time to talk to her is early in the morning, before she opens the tavern, but if this upsets her, then Everleigh pities anyone who might piss Lucia off that day.

The village comes into view and they stop. Everleigh had asked Josh to let her go alone, without the soldiers he had gathered for her protection, but the best Josh had agreed to was for him to go with her alone.

They ride towards the tavern, the smoke coming from the chimney telling them that Lucia was already there. Everleigh and Josh dismount and leave the horses tied in the alley, before walking over to the door Everleigh knew would be unlocked.

Everleigh walks in, Josh following her inside, and calls out for Lucia, the woman calling back she is the kitchen. She makes her way there and is greeted by Lucia with a huge smile and a tight hug, not having notice Josh's presence yet.

-"What are you doing here?"

-"I came to see you." - Everleigh smiles back.

-"Is this the man you told me about?" - Lucia sees Josh, making him blush slightly and Everleigh chuckle.

-"No, this is actually his brother. Josh, this is Lucia. Lucia, Josh."

-"Pleasure, Ma'am." - Josh shakes Lucia outstretched hand, before turning to Everleigh. -"I'll be just outside."

-"Thank you, Josh."

-"How are you?" - Lucia leads her to one of the tables.

-"I'm good. And you?"

-"Fine. Busy as always."

Everleigh smiles at her friend, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve, not knowing how to start telling her what had really brought her there.

-"Alright, out with it. What are you really doing here, hon?"

-"You could always tell when I was holding something back." - Everleigh looks back at her and smiles softly, seeing Lucia smirk.

-"It's a gift. Now, what's going on?"

-"You remember what I told you about the man I was supposed to marry?" - Lucia nods. -"Well, I wasn't completely honest with you."

-"How so??"

-"I told you that he was a powerful man, and that is true, but he's not just any powerful man. Lu, the man I'm marrying is the King."

Lucia looks at her shocked for a few seconds, before collecting herself.

-"Hold on. The King? The King? Our King?"

-"Yes, our King. King Jensen Ackles." - Everleigh nods as Lucia lets out a breath.

-"Wow. Okay, didn't see that one coming. So... What does that mean?"

-"It means that once we marry, I will be Queen, I guess? I wanted you to know this from me, before we actually marry." - Lucia nods at her, going silent for a moment.

-"Well, King or not, so long as he treats you right, that's all that matters. And as for you being Queen, to me you will always be Everleigh, although I will show you the proper respect that your new position demands, but other than that, hon, nothing changes."

-"So, you're not mad?"

-"Why would I be mad?" - Lucia looks back at her with a furrowed brow.

-"Because I didn't tell you any of this before." - Everleigh feels her holding her hand.

-"Hon, you had no obligation to tell me anything and I can understand why you chose to hide the fact that he's the King. So no, I'm not mad. But I am proud of you for going after the man you love, King or not."

-"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that, because there's something I want to ask you."

-"Okay? What is it?"

-"I was wondering if you would come to the wedding as my guest. I don't have any family left and you are the closest thing I have to one, so I wanted to know if you'd like to come."

-"Oh, hon. I would love to, but I'm not sure if I should. I'm just a simple barkeep, I don't think I will fit in very well. Not to mention that I don't have anything in my closet that is even remotely appropriate for a Royal wedding. Plus, who would open the tavern? Like I said, I would love to, but..."

-"First of all, I don't care if you fit in or not. You will be there as my guest, as my family, and I assure you that if anyone even thinks of mistreating you in any way, Jensen will have their tongues for it." - That makes Lucia laugh, before Everleigh continues. -"Second, I will have the Royal seamstresses come by and take your measurements for a dress for you to wear at the wedding. And before you start protesting, consider it a thank you for all the clothes you gave me when I first got here. And third, I already spoke with a few servants at the Castle, who have experience as barkeeps, and have at least three who will be able to take care of the tavern while you're at the wedding. Their payment will be covered by myself and Jensen, so you don't have to worry about that. I was thinking of maybe a male barkeep, to spare the women from some of the offers they would undoubtedly receive."

Everleigh looks at Lucia, expectantly, hoping the woman will agree.

-"It sounds like you thought of everything." - Lucia smiles at her.

-"The decision is yours, Lu. I don't want you to feel like you have to go, if you don't want to. Just know that, even if you decide not to come, you will always be my family." - Everleigh smiles back, as Lucia looks down at her hands for a moment.

-"I would love to go."

There's a big smile on Lucia's lips and Everleigh can't help but smile brightly at her, hugging her, and thanking her. Lucia hugs her back and tells her she can't wait to see her in her wedding dress. Everleigh lets her go and says that she should probably go, that she needs to talk to the seamstresses and arrange for them to come to her.

However, they talk for a few more minutes, Everleigh telling her about what wedding details they have already got done as well as telling her about Jensen, now that Lucia knows who he really is. Eventually it's time for Everleigh to actually leave and for Lucia to start opening the tavern.

Everleigh promises her that she will see her soon, before hugging her one more time and leaving, finding Josh in the alley waiting for her. He looks at her and asks how it went, as they walk to their horses.

She smiles at him and tells him it went better than she had expected, before getting on her horse. As they ride away, Everleigh thinks she can't wait for her wedding day and for Jensen to meet Lucia, a smile on her lips.