King David

Emelia sprinted down the hall. Her face contorted with rage. She didn’t know where she was headed but knew what she needed to do. Just as Emelia reached the end of the hallway, her mother’s voice called out for her. She saw Nina running after her, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to keep up. Her fists were balled tightly around the hem of her dress, afraid she would fall if she let go. When she finally caught up, Nina bent over and put her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “Follow me,” she said between breaths. She pointed towards a door at the far left side of the hallway and added, “It’s this way.”

Emelia and Nina strode purposefully down the hallway, their shoes tapping on the marble floors in an anxious rhythm. They rounded a corner and stopped at a large wooden door, but Leon shot out of it before they could knock, his face etched with anger. He continued his rushed strides, not looking back once. Emelia followed him as quickly as she could without breaking into a full sprint, while Nina stayed behind to give them privacy. Emelia called out for Leon twice before he stopped in front of a window at the end of the hall and stood there in thought. His back was towards her, shoulders tense, “Leon,” she called softly as she approached him. “What happened in there?”

He hunched forward and pressed his forehead against the cold windowpane. He sighed heavily, “Your father... Charles... wants you to marry King David for it to be ratified in all five kingdoms,” he said quietly. “I’ve fought as hard as I can for it not to be the way, but it appears he’s made up his mind.”

Emelia rested her hand on Leon’s back, and as he felt her warmth, a sense of peace embraced him. Her voice was soft and steady as she spoke. “Then,” she said, “you don’t sign the treaty.”

“Then what will happen to my Kingdom,” he responded. A weight hung in the air as his words settled. He refused to look at her, instead keeping his gaze focused out of the window. He felt a knot form in his stomach as he realized that if the terms were accepted, it would mean giving up on marrying the love of his life. With heavy heart, he said, “Kingdom Alana has offered terms regarding reforming the war-stricken areas in our countries. We need to rebuild.”

Emelia took a step backward and surveyed his tense form. Leon’s broad shoulders were hunched, his fists clenched at his sides. The man she once knew with such fire and passion had been replaced by this broken figure before her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and asked in a tremulous voice, “Are you saying you don’t want to marry me anymore?” Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.

“No,” Leon replied as he turned around but was suddenly struck speechless by the sight of her. She stood before him in a dazzling emerald green gown that clung to her curves and emphasized her voluptuous figure. The corset accentuated her waist, and her bosom swelled with each breath as she waited patiently for his reply. He was instantly reminded of why he had fallen for her and wanted to marry her. His face quickly morphed from anger to deep concern as he took her hands in his own. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” he said, searching her eyes for understanding. “I am afraid I am the minority, and other kings will vote against me. You have to do what is best for your kingdom.”

Emelia looked down at their hands as their fingers interlocked in a shaky embrace. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the fear and doubt written on his face. “You are my Kingdom,” she said softly, her voice cracking with emotion. “I don’t know what they said to you. But this isn’t like you,” he shifted uncomfortably, trying to look away from her, but she cupped his jaw in her palm and guided his gaze back to meet hers. “You told me you’d never leave my side.” Her words were a soft reminder of the promises they’d made to each other, “You promised me.”

“I know,” Leon pulled her close and stroked her hair while they hugged. She closed her eyes as his heat enveloped her like a comforting blanket. His chest rose and fell with each deep breath, and he seemed to be battling some inner conflict before finally speaking. “I just need some air,” he said softly, kissing her forehead gently. He released her from his embrace with one last squeeze of the hand before turning towards the door.

Emelia felt a tear trickle down her cheek as she watched Leon disappear down the hallway. She closed her eyes to try and contain her sadness, but it seeped through. Suddenly, a gentle hand rested upon her shoulder, and Emelia turned to see her mother’s face full of sympathy for Emelia’s grief. Forcing a deep breath, she recognized that now was not the time for her own feelings as more pressing matters needed tending to. Resolutely, she spun on her heel and headed back into the office where Charles and Edward had their heads bent in concentration over an array of paperwork. The click of her heels sent their eyes snapping to meet her gaze as she approached the table. Her finger jabbed angrily at Edward as she spat, “You agreed to this?”

Edward heaved a heavy sigh, his forehead creasing and eyes pinching shut in distress. Emelia could see his fatigue with dark circles under his eyes and the deep furrows of worry etched into his brow. “I haven’t decided yet,” he said, a hint of pain caught in his voice. He looked at her, his expression slightly sorrowful, as if seeking understanding. “But even you have to admit, Emelia. He has a point.” His words were earnest and level-headed, but a sense of heartbreak lingered beneath them.

Emelia’s eyes flashed angrily as she looked at her father, King Charles. “You just found me, and now you’re pawning me off to the highest bidder?” she asked incredulously.

Her father bowed his head and drew in a deep breath. He slowly raised his eyebrows in disbelief as he looked up at Emelia. “My dear, King David is very reputable and...”

“I’m not marrying King David,” Emelia interrupted with a firm voice.

Charles gazed intently at her with his piercing brown eyes. He said in a low, gravely voice, “Emelia, you have to be reasonable about this.”

Emelia marched up to the large, stout table with its heavy wooden legs and a thick plate of glass on top. As she approached, her eyes emitted a blaze of anger as she noticed the treaty conditions laid out on the table in neat rows. Emelia opened the packet without missing a beat and began reading through them. She skimmed quickly; her lips pursed in determination and annoyance. After she was done, she shut the packet and slid it back across the cold surface. Then, for the first time since she entered the room, Emelia looked up at them. “No,” she began in a stern voice. “I’ve been walking on eggshells around here. I’m glad I remembered who I was.” Her mouth curved into a knowing smile that hinted at years of struggle. She continued speaking, her voice unwavering and sure, “I’m glad I found you and Mom – but if I can’t be myself here, I won’t stay any longer. I will no longer play the perfect princess.” With renewed strength and confidence radiating from every pore, Emelia finished her statement.

Charles towered above her; his shoulders were broad and chest wide. He lifted his chin a notch higher and looked into her eyes, his gaze strong and unwavering. His words were like a royal proclamation, “You are a Princess, Alana’s Princess.”