Chapter 13: Arranged Marriage

The following morning, James visited his grandmother in her chambers. She sat at the table, munching on some strawberries fresh from the vines outside. “You’re up early,” she said as James entered her room.

“I need to speak with you about this marriage to Elizabeth,” he replied, walking toward her table where she sat alone.

“Is there a problem?” She waved her hand to dismiss her ladies-in-waiting, picked up her cup, and took a drink.

James waited for the women to disappear before he spoke. “I don’t want to marry her,” he said firmly, turning back to the doors to ensure they were alone, “I proposed to someone else.”

Queen Angeline lowered her cup of tea from her lips and asked, “Who?” Her eyes narrowed with anticipation. “Please don’t say-”

“Emelia.” James finished.

She put the cup back on the table and sighed. “You said it.” she rubbed her temples as she contemplated what she would do next. “Please tell me you didn’t tell anyone.”

“I didn’t have time to tell anyone. You burst in last night without warning and ruined everything,” he said, looking to the ground in defeat.

Queen Angeline let out a sigh of relief, “That’s great! It would be a scandal if you had two engagements.”

In disbelief, James looked at his grandmother as she waved off all his concerns. “Are you even listening to me?!” he shouted, raising his voice.

“James.” she raised from her chair. “Soon, everyone will know of your marriage to Princess Elizabeth,” she spoke calmly, but her words pierced his heart. “Your proposal to Emelia doesn’t count.” she tried reasoning with him while taking steps towards him. “She’s a stray. A nobody.”

James stepped back. He couldn’t believe his grandmother was this heartless and ruthless. “She’s everything,” he said adamantly.

A minute later, Emelia made her way into the room. The queen narrowed her eyes at her and said, “About time….” James looked over and saw that Emelia was standing in attention with a blank expression on her face. Her gaze wasn’t focused on anyone or anything; she just stood there almost as if in a trance. Her eyes seemed puffy from a night of crying. James wanted nothing more than to run to Emelia and put his arms around her in comfort.

Queen Angeline walked over to Emelia. “Consider James’ proposal to you rescinded,” she said with satisfaction in her voice.

“Grandmother!” James exclaimed while approaching the two women.

Angeline put her hand up to stop him from talking. “A lady in waiting must get her queen’s approval for marriage,” she said. “I didn’t give mine, and I won’t.” The queen glared at Emelia and walked closer until there was little space left between them. “You are not royalty,” she insisted. “You don’t deserve my grandson, and you never will.”

James stepped between them, shielding Emelia. He looked his grandmother in the eyes, “Don’t you dare speak to her that way.”

Angeline held her hands up in retreat, “I digress.” she walked back to the table and sat down. “Emelia, I release you from your duties to me.” she took a bite of a juicy strawberry in front of her. “You are now Princess Elizabeth’s lady in waiting.” she picked up a napkin and dabbed her mouth, “Maybe, it’ll sink in serving the future wife of the man you love.”

Emelia stood there, shell-shocked and speechless. It had all happened so quickly; it was hard to keep everything straight in her mind. Every moment was rushed like a tornado that ripped through the lands, leaving everything behind in shambles. She looked at James, then back to Angeline, “I understand. I’m honored to serve Princess Elizabeth moving forward.”

Angeline gave Emelia a blank stare after taking another bite of her strawberry. She was astonished at Emelia’s response to her comment, “I knew I liked you. You’re logical. Like...like a good soldier.” She looked to her grandson, “See. She knows her place, and it’ll be wise for you to know yours.”

James clenched his jaw. He was dangerously angry with his grandmother’s disrespect towards Emelia. She spoke of Emelia like she was a piece of dirt beneath her shoe. James took Emelia’s hand and said, “Emelia, don’t listen to her-”

Emelia could feel a lone tear making its way down her cheek. “It’s okay,” she told him, sighing heavily. “Kingdom Cornea needs this alliance, James. Enough people have died from the war.” she looked down at their entwined hands and pulled her hand away. “The people in this kingdom trump how we feel.”

James pulled Emelia in, resting his forehead against hers. He wiped the tear from her cheek.” Emelia, I can’t lose you.”

They could feel Angeline’s eyes glaring at them. Emelia pulled back, and her eyes searched his, where they lingered briefly.” It seems you already have.”

“Oh, Emelia,” Queen Angeline interrupted tenderly, “Please help Elizabeth prepare for tonight.” She threw her napkin on the table, “It will be James and Elizabeth’s first dinner tonight.”

Emelia bowed, “Yes, Queen Angeline.” With that, she left the room, chest tight in agonizing pain. As she entered the hallways, she felt like a weight had finally been lifted. She took a moment, taking deep breaths to ease herself. Finally able to breathe again, Emelia continued to Elizabeth’s bedroom, walking past the window that looked down upon the training soldiers below her. Angeline’s words echoed in her head. You’re logical, like a good soldier. Emelia shook the thought away before it could sink its claws into her mind too deeply. What she would give to have no emotion right now.

Pain shot through Emelia’s heart when she thought of James. As her eyes grew misty, she could picture his handsome face and beautiful blue eyes as he reached out and gently held her hand. The way he said her name before whispering how he felt about her under his breath caused goosebumps to form down the length of Emelia’s arms.

She stuffed her feelings deep inside as she reached Elizabeth’s room. Emelia grabbed hold of the brass door handle, and it was cool to the touch. She knocked on the wooden door, and Elizabeth’s voice bellowed from behind it, “Come in!” The smell of lavender wafted from within as she pushed the door open, revealing the floral-patterned walls inside.

Emelia found Elizabeth frantic as she stared at the contents of her closet and dresses scattered across the floor. “I was hoping it was you,” Elizabeth said in a giddy voice as she excitedly walked over to Emelia and clasped her hands together. “Did Queen Angeline tell you the good news?” She questioned with a broad grin, “You’re my lady in waiting now! You were such a great help last night.” she continued, after which she grabbed another dress from her bed and held it up against her body in front of the mirror. She looked to Emelia, “Please help me. I don’t know what dress to wear.” She picked up a gold dress, “I want to look perfect.”

Emelia was silently watching as Elizabeth ran to and fro mindlessly. She must really like James. She thought. Emelia pulled a light green dress from the pile of clothes that were collected on the floor and offered it to Elizabeth. “I think this dress would look beautiful on you.” Emelia then pointed out an emerald necklace placed on the bed, “and that necklace would go great with it, Princess Elizabeth.”

She turned to Emelia and said, “Please. Just call me Beth.” She took the dress and slid it on slowly to test the fit against her body. “I’m so nervous.” She turned away from Emelia, allowing her to tighten the corset from behind, “I’ve known James for years and admired him from afar. He always looked dapper at the kingdom galas. That’s where I first laid eyes on him. It was hard not to swoon at his feet.”

Emelia tugged on the laces, trying to tighten them a little more. “You love him,” she pointed out.

Elizabeth blushed, a smile spreading on her lips. “I do. I’m lucky. I’m marrying for my kingdom and for love.”

Emelia finished tightening the corset then Elizabeth peeked in the mirror. “How do I look?”

Emelia smiled at her, “Stunning.” This was the moment that Emelia finally realized that Elizabeth would marry James. It was also when Emelia realized she would have to relinquish the idea of James as hers. Accepting it sooner rather than later would be beneficial to her health because she didn’t want to end up suffering from a broken heart that would mess with her ability to perform her duties. After all, she was James’ past – whereas Elizabeth was his future.