The King's Wife

1

Ismay stood on the balcony, her hand over her nervous stomach. Slowly, one by one the stars appeared in the growing twilight. It wouldn't be long now before the rest of her life was decided. It terrified her as much as she was excited. She turned from the view of the unfamiliar seaside and walked back into her room. The corner of her mouth twitch as the two maids sent to help her dress eyed the damage the warm, coastal breeze had done to the intricate braid they'd woven in her hair.

Without a word, Ismay sat on the bench at the foot of her bed. The two girls quickly set about repairing the braid tucking her black locks back into place. A knock on the door announced made her jump. The heavy wooden door swung into the room, and her father strode in. His body still strong despite the many years that sat upon him. His dark gray hair was slicked back and his clothing a dash of gray and red, colors of Verun, their home.

"Still getting ready?" His voice gruff and stern, much like his features. "We're going to be late."

"We're not," Ismay replied, finding her father's presence calming. "They are only adding the finishing touches." The two maids stepped back, and Ismay stood. She offered her father a closed lip smile. "See, I'm finished and ready."

He gave her a quick, sharp nod and held out his arm for her. Ismay took it, and they left her room and into the elegance halls of Mayanar castle, the heart of Iber, and the location of the annual marriage gathering where all royalty and families of influence and power came to contract marriage for their sons and daughters who came of age. This would be Ismay's first year as she just came of age, now eighteen.

"Remember how important tonight is," her father, needlessly reminded her. How could she forget? Even if he didn't keep reminding her, this was in fact, her life that would be determined. "I still say you should meet with Prince Renier. He's the crown prince of Saminas and would be much more advantageous to us."

Irritation replaced Ismay's nerves. She pressed her lips together and counted slowly. "Father, he already has a diplomatic wife. He married Lady Leofe of Amika, and while she is not as good as I, she is competent. It would be difficult to convince him to take another. It's not even been confirmed he'll be here tonight. Last I heard his maternal wife, Princess Isabella is nearing the end of her term for their first child. Price Edmund of Iber is a better match."

"He's an Iberian prince," her father said with a scoff. "And a mere trader."

"A mere trader?" Ismay mimicked her father's scoff. "Father, in the last five years he has tripled his profits despite the growing problems of piracy. Prince Edmund ambitious, brave, and cunning. He would be a wonderful asset to Verun, and a sore asset for Iber to lose. He and I together could mass a trading empire of which the realm has never seen. I'm sure of it." Ismay's father fell silent, and she allowed herself a brief smile of triumph.

"All right, all right," he said finally. "I do see your point but of Prince Renier is here tonight you are to speak with him, understood. After what happened with your sister..." he spat the word out like a curse. "You must make an important union tonight." Ismay gave him another tight-lipped smile. The only safe reply.

Two large doors, of a light pine color, were open wide to the elegant ballroom. Ismay and her father joined the crowd slowly making their way into the room. The ballroom was extravagantly decorated with golds and whites, colors of Iber, along with pinks, blues, and purples, representing the different classes of wives, maternal, diplomatic, and talented. Ismay's heart raced as she looked around the large room. She was really here.

"Remember," her father yet again said, before releasing her to join the other women who'd come seeking a husband. Ismay lifted her chin, laced her fingers together and made her way to the others. Some she recognized, most she didn't. Having spent most her time to improving her skills as a diplomatic wife, left Ismay little to socialize with others. The only person she knew well was the one woman she considered her rival. Princess Rosalina of Saminas, whom she knew was going to seek Prince Edmund for marriage as well.