The Queen and her Ploughman

Part 10

 The wedding bell tolled. Libuše stood across from Přemysl, barely containing the glimmer of hope in her eyes as the town gathered for the official ceremony - there was no priest in site, but Teta did stand to her left. They exchanged rings - they laid wreaths of flowers around necks and as crowns. She took his hand and turned to face the crowd, hoping her expression resembled one of duty, and not adoration.

The chant.

"Queen Libuše!"

"King Přemysl!"

"I don't know what you did," Přemysl said. "But you actually managed to get every single towns folk on your side. They all... want me as King. More so than you do, it seems," he said, and stepped down the stone stairs in front of the castle. He was dressed differently now.

Libuše was acutely aware of Přemysl's change of wear. Kazi would never have let him step out to do this in the clothing of a ploughman, so he now cut a dashing figure in deep purple and gold hues, their father's crown pressing his hair down around his head. He looked like he'd been born into royalty. Libuše knew Teta hated her - hated that this has happened. Teta knew something was wrong, but Libuše had long since stopped caring. She knew that Přemysl belonged at her side, and was more than a fit ruler.

"They must not think that I knew you before this," Libuše replied, waving and facing the crowd. Everyone excitedly rushed them, asking questions too fast for either to keep up with. Přemysl, more than Libuše, had to slow down.

"What will you be doing first?"

"Did you foresee him, Libuše?"

"What does the future hold?"

"Is he a good King, Libuše?"

"But who is he? Why is he King?"

"Don't worry," Libuše called, raising a hand to silence everyone. Přemysl stuck close to her side, meeting the eyes of dozens of excited citizens, wondering who he might turn out to be. "Přemysl will be an excellent King."

"Will the city continue to prosper, Libuše?" a young girl called. "Now that it's not just you ruling?"

"Of course," Libuše said, glancing at Přemysl. "I am your Queen - I am the daughter from Krok, son of Cech. We are the ruling family, and the Gods wanted me to rule. They also wanted Přemysl beside me."

"We'll see," someone sang, and Libuše turned slowly to see Teta standing at the top of the stairs. Teta was still furious, obviously, but Libuše had been becoming more and more concerned. She was no longer just vocally against this, but she was beginning to physically resist. Libuše was no longer able to convince her to lend her priestess senses to her cause, and she suspected her sister was spreading dangerous rumours about her prophetic abilities.

"Of course the city will prosper," Libuše snapped back, trying to keep her voice even.

"Oh, the city will be lovely," Teta agreed. "You, so much, likely not."

"What are you talking about?" Libuše hissed, spinning around and leaving Přemysl behind to rush up the stairs, carrying her dress with her. Teta stepped back, caught off guard by the Queen's sudden anger.

"You're husbands cabin," Teta said, trying to recover lost ground. "His tree. The Gods have told me to keep an eye on it. It'll tell you how prosperous your life will be."

Libuše shook her head. "No, you're just mad that your petty Gods have taken my side. Nothing is wrong."

"Oh, but it is," Teta said, grinning like the player who'd already won the game. "The Gods let your lies continue in hope you'd turn away. Now that you've finished, they're ready for their revenge."

"You're lying."

"I am not," Teta said. "But you better hope - for the sake of that baby brewing in your stomach - that that tree stays alive."

Furious, Libuše turned and stormed away, leaving the crowds to wonder what the priestess had told their prophet.