A Chosen Love - Book 1 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Sixteen

Queen Catherine stood and curtsied. Elissa hastened to follow this expected obeisance. Elissa remained in the position of subjection even after the queen spoke her name in introduction to the king.

King Friedrich took Elissa's hand and the girl lifted her eyes to behold a kindly face, a much older version of Leopold the son, yet Elissa was again struck by the likeness to Sir Louis. The king was open in his approval of Elissa and he asked, "When did Leopold say your betrothal is to be announced?" His deep voice reverberated loudly in the small chamber.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you, Your Majesty for I do not know myself... a date hasn't been set... yet." Elissa suddenly felt weary. Elissa suddenly felt weary. She watched as the king was brought a goblet. Aware that she must stand until permitted to sit, Elissa waited whilst the Monarch savored his wine. The king motioned for the queen to sit beside him.

Still Elissa waited.

"So! Are you longing for the announcement?" When Elissa did not reply right away, he continued. "We hear whispers, Lady Elissa. Some whispers are loud. There is nothing one can do or say in Kings Castle that's not noticed and passed on. Some say you're not happy with the match."

The king's eyes scanned Elissa's face, her sadness, how white and frail she appeared. He commanded, "Sit down and tell us about it."

Elissa sat, wringing her hands in her lap. She struggled to lift her eyes to meet the king's. His brown eyes were warm but seemed to search deeply as if probing for innermost secrets.

Wanting to speak the truth, she said, "There's nothing that you do not know, Your Majesty. The whispers you hear are true. I'm not happy, but it's not due to your son, Your Majesty." Elissa's voice was soft. Closing her eyes she tried to imagine she was speaking to her father and mother, people in whom she could confide. "Prince Leopold is very kind. I have this strange sensation, as though I've been here before, I mean, in this situation..." Opening her eyes, she felt her heart beat faster as she realized she was speaking to the king and queen of Frencolia!

"Tell us about it, child," the king said softly, placing his golden chalice on the table, indicating the waiting manservant refill it.

Oblivious, for the first time, to the listening ears of the attendants, Elissa voiced her thoughts and fears. "I don't mean that I feel I've been to Frencberg before... I have this strange feeling that I've had this conflict about being betrothed before. You might think I'm fantasizing, but it's as though I've had another life and the situation is repeating itself. Just as I feel I'm losing control, I come back to the present, but I find myself here in Frencberg and not in Leroy."

"What does Rao Chang say about these things? You've spoken to the doctor, Lady Elissa?" King Friedrich asked, his voice louder.

"Yes, Your Majesty. He said it's due to the head injury I received when I had my accident." Elissa discerned interest in the king's eyes. "That's another concern to me, Your Majesty; the accident. No one will speak of it. I don't know how it happened, or where, or why."

She lowered her gaze under the king's scrutiny and blushed. "I'm sorry to bother you with such matters, Your Majesty."

The king stood. "Our son wishes to marry you, Lady Elissa. This means you'll be our daughter-in-law. The woman who marries our son will be the next queen of Frencolia. Your concerns are our concerns. We'll speak to Rao Chang and see if he can help you."

He turned to his wife. "We've seen Leopold and the men off. If all goes well, we will have news within the week." Kissing his wife, the king nodded at the curtsying Elissa and left the room.

The queen moved closer to Elissa, saying, "It is our wish that you breakfast here each morning, Elissa. This way, we'll come to know each other better. Sometimes others will be present; Estelle for instance. You've met Estelle?"