Adamus VII

63 - Enlightened

Sheera

I entered the hall cautiously, like a doe who'd been caught in a trap. My eyes widened upon seeing my love at a table with that Lady Ashley and her father. What was he planning here?

I looked across the room to him for guidance, his face showing a kind sort of warmth. A small smirk played on his lips, his lids heavy and seductive over his eyes. Did he call me "My" Lady Sheera? In front of them? My heart was all a flutter.

He stood up, reaching his hand out towards me even across the room. The two at the table turned to look at me, so I slowly began my approach. I was nervous, what was this about? I do not want any confrontation.

"You summoned me, your majesty?" I peeped as I slowly approached. The look on his guests faces was telling me this conversation wasn't exactly going as they planned, but what does it have to do with me?

"Yes," he said strongly. His voice echoed across the room, sending shivers through my body. This was reminiscent of when I first laid my eyes upon him. Just the thought sent a hot chill down my spine.

Once I was at his side he formally introduced me to Lady Ashley's father, who nodded his head in my direction. I lowered mine back out of respect. As I did so I felt his hand against my lower back and heard him say to "sit", so I obeyed and sat down next to him.

"One of the many reasons I regrettably feel this arrangement could not work, is because of Lady Sheera." He began.

I furrowed my brow in fear and looked up at him. My expression was reading 'what are you trying to do to me!?' He glanced down at me before continuing his explanation.

"What you say of her and me is not true," he spoke, confusing me further. "But she is still someone very close to me. You see, to give you the short version of the story, Lady Sheera came to me at a time that loneliness and despair was quickly defining my entire life. She showed interest in me, and spoke to me as a human, not as a man with power."

It was like someone had set my heart ablaze, what was this unprompted little outpouring of his feelings? I expected anything but this to come out of this meeting, it was enough to bring me to tears.

"Silly of a King to say, I know." He smiled. "But nevertheless true. You see, after much prayer and consideration, it seems God had indeed sent a woman my way. For long I believed it was my duty to remain abstinent and focus any strength I had left to the realm solely. If that is Gods will then he is surely playing a cruel trick on me by sending Lady Sheera my way." He chuckled weakly.

My brow creased as I listened to him, watching his expressions as he revealed the feelings in his heart. Where was he going with this?

Lady Ashley and her father watched and listened as he rambled.

"What I'm trying to say, Lord Beauchamp, is that I have decided to marry. Regrettably, it will not be to your daughter. I am sorry..." The King lowered his head, glancing at his hands which he clasped in his lap before raising his head and continuing boldly. "I intend to marry Lady Sheera, I've already promised myself to her in prior conversations."

I gasped, slapping my hands over my mouth and feeling the tears form in my eyes. I watched his eyes dart down towards mine as he heard me, a small smile apparent on his lips.

Lady Ashley lowered her head in sadness, a tear slipping from her eyes. Her father let out a long sigh, and nodded.

"I am honoured to be spoken to so candidly, your majesty." His gruff voice bellowed. "It is truly regrettable that you cannot consider my daughter as a bride, but I- I understand. May we be excused?"