Royal Holiday Romance: The Christmas Queen

13 - Rani

Aldrich Abbey was a tall, white stone building with a large, arced door framed by two columns on either side. Rani had learned in elementary school that the Abbey was built by King Aldrich I in honour of his son who died in infancy, and his wife who had turned to the Church for solace.

And, as was often the case with things marked by tragedy, honour, and love - it was way more complicated than it seemed.

Henrik pulled her through a few side doors, and then - probably when he was convinced she would not be able to find her way back on her own - released her to follow at her own pace.

He was leading them down another old hallway of arcs and columns, lit only by the rays of late sun that streamed in from a series of small, square windows. Each step echoed: his a steady thud, hers a hurried click-tap.

"Do you want to tell me what is going on?" Henrik asked. He didn't bother to pause or look back.

"Not really," she muttered. He still didn't turn around. A cold draft blew at her ear and she shivered.

"You were not supposed to be at this event, yet you got Willa to make arrangements..."

"That one's an easy read. She's scared out of her wits by you."

"You are supposed to be earning my mother's disapproval, and yet you are playing the doting daughter in law..."

Rani snorted in response

He turned to face her, his hands clasped behind his back, and passed an appraising glance over her. Rani was suddenly motivated to navigate the cobblestones in her heels without looking down. Don't give up.

"I don't understand. You did such a good job at the Evergeen Woods. What has changed?"

Rani came to stop right before him. She put her hand on her hips. "Why don't you tell me?"

Henrik frowned. If he was lying, he was very good at it. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Maxim--"

"Of course," Henrik rolled his eyes. "I knew he would get to you. What did he offer you, hmm? Money?"

Rani's laughter bounced off of the walls, and she felt as if she were part of a chorus of maligned women.

"Why," she asked when she caught her breath, "Do you think he would be good for it?"

Henrik's face changed then. No longer the diplomatic prince. There he was. The man she was coming to know: his brow furrowed, his jaw ticking, his eyes the dark blow of the sea at night.

"What did he tell you?"

Rani mimicked his pose, crossing her arms behind her, and bit her lip as she walked up to him - and then past him - without breaking eye contact. "Did you really think you could use me like that?"

She kept walking, and soon Henrik was keeping pace with her. "I still have no  idea--"

"The Advisor position," Rani said, keeping her chin raised. "I know that you will not be amending it, and will be filling it with Eric Anderson."

Henrik frowned down at her as they reached the end of the hall way. She turned left, but he pressed his hand to the small of her back to guide her to the right.

"I will not be appointing the Duke of Willows to any position, let alone in an Advisory capacity." Henrik said firmly. She felt his eyes studying her face as he continued. "He is a pawn for Maxim, and I do not intend to continue on in my mother's pocket."

"Then why was he being formally presented to the Queen?" Rani challenged. Though his news, and the calmer tone of his voice, had extinguished some of her fight.