A Royal Marriage

Page 11

"Ma'am." he says jumping up and bowing.

"Steven. Efren is asleep in my room. Let him sleep as long as he liked. But when he wakes I want him to have a hot bath and a full breakfast. Be sure of it alright."

"Yes ma'am."

"I'll be in my office all day if he needs me." he bowed as I left. We'd see how he did. I made sure his guard was on the door and made sure they knew to look for him from my door as well. They just nodded trying not to smile knowing full well why he'd be coming from my room. I was a little tired but I felt good as I started working. After my lunch was delivered four of the advisers came to my office. I sat for hours listening them debate the state of things and all the ways that it could go horribly wrong. Their biggest concern was that with my mothers failing health a neighbor to the south had been posturing because they felt we were vulnerable. I wasn't as concerned they'd made no moves toward our border at all they didn't even have a decent military presence there.

"Ladies. Until they do more than look at us dirty ignore them. I have a wedding coming up an heir to worry about and taking care of my mother. Let them stew until they make up their minds. For now try not to borrow trouble. I am going to go check on my Fiance." they all chuckled. Going to his room I don't hesitate but just walk right in. Only Steven is there.

"Ma'am." he says bowing.

"Did he have his bath?"

"Yes ma'am, a full breakfast then went for a walk, his guards in tow and is visiting her majesty now."

"Good job." I smile making him glow. Heading for mothers room I realize I should have guessed he'd go there. I'm let in by her maid. they are sitting together and Efren is reading to her. He smiles at me but I notice the dark circles under his eyes. I'd have to let him sleep tonight.

"Have a nice day?" I ask.

"Yes. You?"

"Ah, my advisers were complaining again. I thought if mother will let me have you we could go for a walk before dinner." my mother chuckles.

"Run off with him. But I'd keep it to a walk the poor boy has been yawning all day." Efren blushes closing the book. "I think I'll take a tray for dinner you two are on your own. Perhaps you should join the court for supper. It would be good for them to see you both." I hold out my hand to Efren. He's still blushing as he takes it and lets me lead him from the room.

"I hope you got some sleep after I got up this morning." he's blushing again.

"I uh... couldn't sleep very well once I realized you weren't in bed any longer." I took him on a walk on top of the walls around the city. We talked of the city. Then of the wedding. He told me that mother had it all planned already.

"I hope she at least asked if things were okay, if you liked them." I asked frowning.

"We went over the details. It'll be very beautiful."

"Yes. But is it what you want. I want this to be our wedding not my mothers."

"To be honest it's far grander than anything I'd ever thought of. I think I like her idea's better than any I'd had when thinking of before."

"As long as your happy with it, it's fine with me. I have never given weddings much thought. I wanted to be sure of who I married not how I married them. I am very sure of the man I'm marrying. I've gotten a true gem I think." I see he's blushing again. I stop at a watchtower and go up to the top. The guard their salutes.

"Leave us." I say. The guard salutes again and goes down to the next floor.

"Efren. What kind of king would you like to be?" I ask. It was perhaps a little early to be thinking on that but I wanted to know what his thinking was.

"To be honest I'm not sure. I have no desire to be king really. My wish would be to care for your mother right now. She's lonely at times I can tell and her health is declining more than she'd like to admit. Then I'd prefer to be a father and concentrate on our children. If you would like me to be king, I thank you for that. I think I would prefer to be the kind of king that supports you. Your father was one who took more of an active role, I'm not inclined as him. But perhaps I could keep the social side of the court as my view. A lot can be learned by listening to the gossip of others. While only half anything is true it can tell you a lot about the thinking of people." I smiled.

"A very sensible thing. Keeping an ear on my court, and by extension on my people, I can know what they will need. A valuable thing." I could tell he was glad I approved.

"Ramana. May I ask... last night." he was blushing again. He truly was a gentle and shy man.

"What about it?"

"Do you prefer that I spend my nights with you, is it alright that I was there all night?" he was unsure. Our intimacy and relationship was brand new.

"Well, yes, I prefer you in my bed with me even just to sleep. You are to be my husband. In my bed is where you belong. But don't think you must be there. If there gets to be a night you need time alone and would like your own bed. That's alright. I'd just prefer you be with me." he nods. "Are you asking because you would prefer to be in your own room?" I ask.

"No. I... I like being with you. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't over stepping." I tugged him close and gave him a light kiss on his lips. He smiled. Turning to the city I looked around.

"Which way is your mothers home?" I ask him. He points to the south.

"Did you spend a lot of time in the city?"