The Cruel King and The Captured Queen

Chapter 16 - Part 1 - The Queen

I panic, slightly waddling in my quick pacing. Back and forth through the room, Helena stumbling behind me, grabbing at the dress to prevent it from dirtying. My train is long, and extravagant, embroidered with silhouettes of flowers. The inspiration developed from the wildflowers in my fields at home.

Everything is prepared, and ready for today's event, yet I am not. I am still related to traitors. Hiding my shiver, I think about the possibility of Octavius, or Chadwick showing up to stop the wedding. Would they dare descend upon the castle during such a cherished day? In any case, why haven't they attempted again? Still, Thaddeus expects this, guards are placed all around the church.

He insisted a guard be present with me all day, and I argued. Submitting defeat when given the option to have the familiar face of Callum. No other guard would be allowed in my changing room other than him, and this was of some relief. My experience with guards was never the most pleasant, but Callum was some sort of friend. It has been so long since we last saw each other, he is the only one who won't find me insane. Pacing around the room, I glance at him, he only smirks at my irrational behaviour.

In a rush, I turn, and face Margaret as she fluffs out my vale in the corner, "Margaret!" She glances up making eye contact with me, "I can't do this."

She smiles widely, "You are silly." Approaching me, she places the vale onto my head securing it in place, "everything will be fine." I shake my head in disagreement, and she pulls the vale over my face. "The King is waiting for you, the same man you have grown to love," she soothes.

I glance behind her towards the door, "There are so many people, I'm a fraud."

Her knowing smile irritates my nerves, I need to back out now.

She fluffs out the vale around my body forcing it to sit correctly, "When I married, Edward and I had never met him before. My stomach was in knots, just like you now."

"You are not a shy person, Margaret," I scowl her with a side glance.

"Every woman is shy on their wedding day," she hums, "But my mother gave me a secret trick that every noblewoman should follow."

"I'm not noble," I grumble looking down at my dress as I pat at the puffy material.

It flips over my belly like a waterfall of white. My stomach is now swollen with emphasis, and the dress had to be created around it.

"You are as soon as you walk down that aisle," Margaret reminds me.

"What is the secret then," I roll my eyes.

My nerves have risen to the point I have become easily irritable. Margaret always laughs, saying its the baby doing it. I think it might be the stress of never knowing if I'll be safe.

"Hold your breath, and raise your head high. I believe she was teaching me pride and bravery. You will be Queen soon, nothing can touch you then, no shouts, no gossip, nothing." I nod.

She places her hands on my shoulders and directs me towards the door. Helena opens it, and I stare off into the distant crowded church.

Margaret, leans into my ear, and whispers, "At the end of that aisle, the King, is waiting ecstatic for your arrival, he loves you."

I glance at her a broad smile now trembling under my forced hold of it, "Thank you, you are truly a dear friend."

She chuckles, "I best be."

Shoving me forward into the aisle, I stumble slightly. I look up relieved no one had seen my awkward entrance. The piano starts and everyone rises turning their attention towards me. This is intimidating.

Slowly, I walk forward, and I glance back at Margaret as she stands in the doorway, lightly tapping her chin. I raise my chin and stare ahead, stepping down the aisle. Dozens of strangers stand in awe as I march past the pews towards the altar.

Flowers explode around the altar, bright wildflowers just as if I was staring at a field back home. It takes my breath away, how had they gotten flowers this time of year? The dedication everyone put into making these small detailed touches of who I am, was heartwarming.

Standing confidently at the altar is King Thaddeus, his smile shines into mine. Why was I even nervous? I am already his queen, the woman he fights for, defends, and who bares his heir. I take in his appearance embracing his slick back hair, his crown shining above his head proudly.

Something I have never seen him wear before, it almost sparkles from the reflective gold. Several gems were embedded in the metal, as I approached I could see their bright green colouring, perfectly matching my eyes. Many people had always told me my eye colour matched the kingdom's gems known as Alexandrite. The crown emphasized his pure regal features, almost intimidating if I hadn't known who he is. He is the carefree traveller, hidden under a cape, and crown. His spotted fur framed cape flowed down his shoulders, and his arm reached out taking my hand.

I embrace him simply, and yet it feels intimate. A simple holding of hands, before many nobles, meant far more than I ever considered. Together, we approach the kneeling bench and lower ourselves facing each other before the bishop. Everything blurs, my hearing almost humming from shock as the bishop speaks, and waves his hands, blessing Thaddeus and I's union before God. Glancing up at Thaddeus, he gives me a confident smile, reminding me this is all for us, for our child.

"Do you, Thaddeus Holbrook, take thee, Claire Tucket-"

Our names ringing into my ears from the bishops lips focused me for a moment, and softly I hear Thaddeus' voice boom confidently beside me. "I do."

"Do you, Claire Tucket, take thee, Thaddeus Holbrook-"

My stomach turns at my name. So many faces burning their stares into my back, their presence suddenly becoming my focus. My heart pumping into my throat, I want nothing more than to scream. Thaddeus' hand lightly gently squeezes mine, and I regain composure rushing out, "I do."

Thaddeus pulls me to my feet, and we face each other once more, his hands leaving mine. Instinctively, I drop my idle hands to my belly. My face burns red as he pulls the vale up, and over the back of my head, allowing it to fall gently behind. As he leans in, I stop breathing, the King of Alexandria, is about to kiss me before the kingdom.

His lips press against mine with a dominating force, calm, and controlled, yet I could feel his title bleeding through the kiss. The feeling of power over Alexandria tingles through my lips, transferring to me. Now I belong to him, and we belong to Alexandria. His lips leave mine, and I'm left breathless in awe as everyone claps calmly.

With delicate hands, the bishop approaches with a delicate tiara. Thaddeus takes it, and they both nod. Bowing my head slightly for access, Thaddeus slips the crown upon my head. I begin to tremble under the odd weight of the small jewelled accessory, a pressure from Alexandria as a whole. A soft smile etched into my travellers face, his true self-shining before me in front of all his subjects. Taking my hand he turns me, and I'm presented to the crowd as they begin to still. With a lifted chin he silently faces the now still crowd. Waiting for their acceptance, a horrible burning feeling grew inside me as I worried. Will they accept me?

"I present you, Queen Claire."

At Thaddeus' great authoritative voice everyone rose to their feet, placed their hands to their hearts and bow. "Long live the Queen!" The pressure releases as everyone cheers. Now, I am their queen, the wife of the King. With the pride of the people before me, my chin lifts confidently.

~Oops! Sorry everyone for the late posting! Here it is and of course another one will be posted on Wednesday! Lets here a long live the queen! Leave a comment if you forgive me after reading this chapter! ~