For the Love of Amity

Twelve

×××
Twelve
×××

Amity could hear the voices outside, two very familiar and one not so much. She was just climbing up to her bunk to grab something when Chastity awoke.

"Ammie!" She squealed, with a little yawn. Amity smiled at the two year old and took her into her arms. "Outside! Outside!"

"Good morning to you too." She rolled her eyes, nonetheless taking the boisterous little one outside. Stepping out, she was surprised to see Seth there so early. He was talking to her father and a carriage was drawing near their cottage. It looked rather elegant, not like the wooden carts that are driven by the more successful families in Pyven. It had a driver, two horses, and a covered wagon. It seemed that someone important was in it and coming their way. Amity set Chastity down and called out meekly; "Seth?"

He perked at the sound of her voice, turning to her with a grin. "Amity!" He strode over to her, lifting her up into his arms and spinning her around. After setting her down, he kissed her head thoughtfully. "Amity, he's here."

Blood drained from her face, she knew who he meant. His father was here. He noticed the fear in her gaze and held her face. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"How do you know?" She whispered, holding his hands in hers. She desperately wanted to believe that everything would be okay like him, but she wasn't so sure. She already told him that if his father was against their betrothal he would have to return to his palace alone. She refused to be the reason the world went to hell.

"Father," Seth said, a small smile on his face. Amity looked up to the king and bowed slightly in respect. The old man smiled at her, tipping his head.

The King had to admit she was very fair, very beautiful. She rivaled that of a queen, maybe...this could work?

"Ms. Turner, this is my father, The King of Roswen." Seth said. "And father, this is Amity Turner, the woman I wish to marry."

Amity blushed, but did not look away from the king. She wanted to show him she wanted this as much as Seth did. She wanted him to know that she loved his son.

"Son," The King started, looking at Amity instead. "I shall spend the afternoon with the lady and decide whether or not she is fit to be Queen of Roswen."

Seth pondered this thought. He couldn't say no, his father had spoken. So he simply nodded and held Amity's hand out to the king. She curtsied once her hand was in his. "Mi'lord, I would like to know what we plan to do for the afternoon?"

The king smiled at her, she was rather intriguing. Not in his many years had he ever had someone, a woman nonetheless, ask him what he planned. Most of everyone just followed along with wherever he went.

"Let us talk a stroll through Pyven, I have not been to this town in many years." The King said, folding Amity's arms through his own. She nodded and walked with her King.

"Mi'lord," She started, twiddling her fingers. "if i may inquire, what made you come to Pyven? Why not just send someone to bring Se-um, Sir Hastings, home?"

The King smiled, "Call me Harold, please."

She shook her head. "I could not show such disrespect towards my king."

He chuckled, amused by the girl. "As you wish, to answer your inquiry, I wanted to meet the woman who has my son so smitten that he refused to return. Who had him turning down a duchess. I fear that I did not have much of a choice and still don't."

"I am not quite understanding what you mean." She furrowed her brows. He is the king, he can do whatever he wished.

He sighed. "I have caused my son much pain and unhappiness in his time. I would love him no less if he chose a peasant girl over a duchess, especially if he was in love. Which he very much seems to be. I think I can grant him this one happiness." He smiled.