She stood, and Gideon struggled to his feet.
"I'll leave you now, Your Highness," she said bowing her head to him. "Thank you for your help." Then she left him alone.
With a sigh, Gideon dropped back into the chair. Uncle Killian was right; dealing with a Chaos Sensitive Queen was dangerous. He suspected she had messed with his mind. Why else would he have gone from wanting to get home as quickly as possible to being Ursula's champion in his uncle's court?
Chapter 9
The next morning, Princess Ursula was awake before her maid came in. What little sleep she'd gotten had been when exhaustion forced her to doze fitfully.
How would George Evan react when he learned of King Killian's conditions for the prisoners' release? He considered honor and duty the highest virtues and would, most likely, encourage her to accept the offer for the sake of Valborough.
Dinner the night before had been a private, family affair, and, out of consideration for her feelings, no one had mentioned the offer.
While this should have made it easy to put the Heyton King out of her mind, Ursula had found herself thinking about it all through the evening as George Evan talked about the plans the elders in the Baxin Mere region were making for a school for the prisoners' children and a small basket factory that would be built next door and would give the mothers and widows a place of employment, should they desire it.
When she'd missed several questions and comments addressed to her, Ursula had excused herself, saying she had a headache and was going up to bed. George Evan had offered to walk her to her quarters, but she'd refused, saying she would be happy to join him in a carriage ride around the Queen's park after the next day's meetings.
Rebecca came into the bedroom with a tray of pastries and hot chocolate.
"Talk in the servants' quarters is you're going to be a Queen, Your Highness." She didn't look at Ursula but busied herself with setting the breakfast things on a nearby table. The day before had been the maid's day off, so she hadn't been in the palace. Most likely, Rebecca had been visiting her mother and brothers and had returned a few hours ago.
"The servants should mind their own business. King Killian of Heyton has made an offer for my hand, but things are complicated." Ursula covered her face with her hands. "George Evan came home."
A crash startled the Princess, and she gasped when she saw the pot of chocolate broken on the floor, brown liquid in a puddle under the table. Rebecca had the empty cup and saucer in her hand.
"Does he know about King Killian?" The maid's voice was hushed.
Ursula stared at the broken dish and then at her maid. "Are you going to clean that up?"
Rebecca looked down at the mess. "Why won't you answer my question, my angel?"
"Because you're the maid, and I'm the Princess." Ursula climbed out of bed and went to her dressing room. Rebecca had been her nanny and then her maid, so their relationship was more than that of Princess and servant. Rebecca was truly her closest friend.
"What did you tell Margrave Selwyn?" The maid called through the dressing room door.
Ursula rolled her eyes even though her maid couldn't see. The last thing she wanted was to talk about this.
"I didn't tell him anything," she said, finally. "I didn't see the point. As I said, nothing has been decided."
"You are going to marry the King, aren't you?
The Princess didn't respond as she finished her morning ablutions.
When she stepped out of the dressing room, the spill and the broken china were all cleaned up. A small stain and a scratch on the wood floor was the only evidence of the mishap.
Rebecca had arranged some muffins on a plate as well as selected clothes from the closet. These were laid out on the bed which she'd also made.
The maid was now nowhere to be seen, presumably having gone to the kitchen to get more hot chocolate.
Ursula sat down at the table and picked up a muffin, but before she could take a bite, someone knocked on her door.
"Come in, Becky. Everything is fine."
"I'm not Becky, but I'll come in anyway." Adindira, Grand Prince Orlando's sister, entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Dira, I'm surprised to see you. You don't usually make it to this wing this early in the morning." Suddenly, a terrible thought struck her. "Is Mariana all right?"
Adindira had taken it upon herself to act as the Queen's pregnancy companion. This wasn't something the royal family had ever had, but Orlando told Mariana it was common among the people.
A pregnancy companion was a woman who had several children and, therefore, was able to answer a new mother's questions often better than the physicians. She also served as a confidante and friend.
Orlando's sister pulled a chair up to the table. "As far as I know, she's fine. She came to my room after dinner because of a little heartburn, but that's a normal symptom. I gave her some milk tea and sent her to bed.
"I came to see you because I saw George Evan this morning. He was talking to one of the footmen about sending a package to his parents." She picked up a muffin.
"Please," Ursula said. "Help yourself."
"I assume you didn't know he would be back so soon," Dira continued, breaking off a chunk of the small pastry and popping it in her mouth.
Ursula sighed. "I had no idea when George Evan would return. I think he wanted to surprise me." She told Dira about the ducks making hearts on the water.
"That's sweet," Dira said. "Has he asked to marry you yet?"
Ursula shook her head. "I'm sure he will speak to Mariana about it first. He's very proper that way."
Her friend scowled. "Why wouldn't he speak to your father?"
The Princess shrugged. "He might do that, too, but the Queen ultimately has to approve the marriage of the Heir Presumptive."
Now Adindira smiled. "Well, you won't be much longer. Mariana should deliver any day now."
"I won't have the title, but realistically, there's no way to know how strong the new Prince or Princess will be for at least a few years. And, of course, he or she couldn't take the throne for ten years, at least, and even then, there would have to be a regent named. Traditionally, the former Heir Presumptive would be named Regent so if, Elements forbid, something were to happen to Mariana before her children were grown, chances are, I would be named regent anyway." She shrugged.
"My choice of spouse will definitely have to be approved by my sister."
"And you think she won't want you to marry George Evan?"
Ursula sighed. "It's not that simple. I'm sure you heard about King Killian's proposal and treaty."
Dira nodded as she chewed the muffin. "The prisoners. It's always the prisoners, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry?" Ursula blinked at her friend. "What's that mean?"
Shaking her head, Dira said, "Nothing. Don't listen to me. I got into an argument with Elnys and Rianaer last night." Elnys was Adindira's husband and had been one of Orlando's rebels. At one point, he'd been arrested by Ursula's father and thrown in a dungeon, accused of orchestrating an attack on a royal caravan in which the whole family had been riding.
Adindira's eldest son, Rianaer, was now serving as a squire to the head of the Royal Guard.
"You were arguing about the prisoners?" Ursula didn't see the connection to her situation with King Killian and George Evan.
"Actually, it was about you."
Now Ursula was confused. "You argued about me?"
Adindira didn't meet her eyes. "My husband's opinions can't be trusted on this matter."
"This matter?" The Princess raised her hands and shook her head in frustration. "What are we talking about?"
Dira sighed and tossed the rest of the muffin on the plate. "You and King Killian."
"What about me and King Killian? There is nothing to talk about, let alone argue." Ursula stood and stomped over to her bed. She picked up the dress that lay there.
"Elnys doesn't understand why you're even thinking about this."
; "So, he agrees with Orlando that it's a bad idea." Then Ursula turned to face her friend. "You think I should marry the King?"
"He thinks you should." Now Dira stood and walked over to the Princess. "He is angry at Orlando for not pushing Mariana on this. The prisoners are what they spent all these years fighting for. That's why he spent time in the dungeon. It's all he sees in this situation. To him, bringing those men home is the only thing that matters."
The Princess dropped to sit on the bed. "I want to bring the prisoners home, too, but marriage? To an older man I've never met? It's all too much to think about."
"You know." Dira sat next to her and picked up a pair of pink lace and satin gloves. "You're lucky you have a wonderful family, and Mariana is the Queen. She's not going to force you to marry someone just because it might be good for the kingdom."
"I almost wish she would." Ursula fell onto her back, staring at the canopy. "At least then, I wouldn't have to make the decision."
The sun had begun to peek over the tree tops as Ursula paced the flower garden, waiting for George Evan. He'd asked her to meet him here so they could talk before the day's treaty discussions. She had to tell him about King Killian's offer, but she also feared what he wanted to talk to her about.
Soon, he came to her and kissed her cheeks.
"You look so lovely this morning," he said, taking her arm. "Let's sit."
They went to a wooden bench half hidden among a grouping of fruit trees.
A few moments of silence passed where they were content to be together and hold hands. As tradition and protocol dictated, she wore gloves, so no skin touched, but still the two of them, sitting this close and holding hands, would still be a scandal if her chaperones weren't within just a few steps, even though they were out of sight.
Finally, George Evan spoke. "Princess Ursula, you know how much I care for you. I think I have made my feelings quite clear."
She couldn't speak because her heart pounded so hard, she feared it would burst out of her chest. George Evan's voice sounded as though he were about to propose, but that idea frightened her more than she would have expected.
Isn't this what she'd wanted? If she were already engaged to him, she would have the perfect excuse to refuse King Killian's offer.
Of course, if that were to happen, how would Mariana convince the King to release the prisoners?
Inwardly, she sighed. Why couldn't something in her life be simple?
"I've been thinking a great deal about the work we've been doing to provide school for the commoners' children."
Ursula blinked. "The schools? That's what this is about?"
George Evan shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm not doing this right." He took a deep breath. "I think we work well together, Princess Ursula, and I hope it can continue."
Her whole body felt cold and hot at the same time. This didn't sound like the build up to a marriage proposal anymore, and she was at a loss as to what it was.
"Of course, it can continue." She took his hand in both of hers. "Why couldn't it?"
George Evan took another deep breath. "I have been offered the opportunity to spend a couple of years as an apprentice to a master Fauna Sensitive in Gredia."
"Gredia? But that's across the Preold Ocean."
Ursula wondered if she'd lost touch with reality as her mother had. How could George Evan be talking about leaving Valborough, leaving the entire Bashnar Landmass at all, let alone for an extended period of time?
"I know Gredia is far away, but this is the kind of thing I could only dream about doing before."
He was thrilled by what he was saying, but she felt like a stupid child. Nothing made any sense.
"You're going away?" she asked, shaking her head. "Why would you want to leave?"
"Ursula, I don't want to leave. It's not like that. Listen. I have a chance to learn as much as I can about my Sensitivity. It'll only be for a couple of years. Three at the most, provided I'm not too stupid." He laughed.
She didn't see the humor. Her mind was still in a fog; she could understand his words, but the meaning of what he was saying didn't fit.
"What about us?" She felt her face grow hot as she realized what she had implied.
"That was what I wanted to talk to you about." He smiled and took her hands. "Princess Ursula, I know this is sudden, but you know, I venture to say, that I love you. Please forgive my impertinence."
Her heart pounded faster than before, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Whether they were from happiness or fear, she wasn't sure.
She swallowed. "There is nothing to forgive. I care about you, too. I know we've been through some—"
He stopped her with a finger on her lips. "Please, I need to say this before I lose my nerve." After taking a deep breath, he hurried on. "I know you can't love me now. You are the Royal Princess of Valborough, and you could be Queen one day."
Ursula opened her mouth, but stopped before she said anything. He couldn't know about King Killian's offer, and now was not the time to tell him. He had to be speaking about the possibility of her taking the throne of Valborough.
"I am a lowly Margrave," he continued. "The best I can hope for is to inherit my father's titles, but you know his lands are gone."
"Mariana will return those to your family." Ursula knew this wasn't important given what he was saying, but she spoke automatically.
"Maybe," George Evan said, "but I want to beg you to consider my offer. I would like to become your husband, if you think you could come to love me one day."
He took a large ring off the last finger of his right hand. Ursula had seen this before. It had belonged to his mother and had covered her finger between the last two knuckles.
A circle of brilliant blue sapphires was nestled between two bands of silver engraved with tiny flowers and the cherries that were on the Selwyn family crest.
"You're asking me to marry you?" Ursula stared at the ring, but his words allowed her to relax. Everything was solved. She could tell King Killian she couldn't marry him.
"I know I have overstepped the bounds of protocol," he said, looking at their joined hands. "I haven't spoken to the Queen, but before the Challenge, your father was considering my request—"
She pulled her hand from his, took his chin, and pulled his face to hers so she could kiss him.
"Protocol can go to Chaos," she said when the kiss was over. "I will marry you, George Evan." She held out her hand.
He placed the ring on her finger, where it fit perfectly, even over the glove. Then he kissed her, enveloping her in his arms.
Resting her head on his shoulder and with his arms holding her, Ursula felt so safe. He would always protect her.
"Thank you," he whispered into her hair. "You've made me so happy. I know it won't be easy on you, but I'll write letters every day, and you'll be welcome at my parents' home any time. Of course, you'll probably want to stay here in the palace until the wedding."
Ursula pulled back. "Wait a moment. What won't be easy?"
"We'll have to be apart until I'm finished with my apprenticeship."
She shook her head. "No, I thought we were to be married."
"I can't have a wife while I'm in Gredia."
"What?" She stared at him. "What are you talking about, then? I thought you had just asked me to be your wife."
"I did. I want things settled between us before I leave. That's why I came back here. The ship is in the harbor at Lorbank. I need to be on it in a week if I'm going."
"A week?" She stood and walked about six paces to the edge of a plot of land filled with big red and yellow chrysanthemums. "You're getting on a ship and sailing across the ocean to learn more about magic for two or three years, and you want me to wait here for you?"
George Evan stood but he didn't move from the bench. "I want to marry you, Ursula. A couple of years isn't long to wait. We know noble couples who have been engaged longer."
"But they are not separated by an ocean." She turned t
o face him. "They spend time together, getting to know each other, going to balls and parties. Planning their wedding."
"It will be fine," he said, reaching a hand toward her. "I love you. The time will go by faster than we think. Before you know it, I'll be back, and we can get married."
Chapter 10
A page found Princess Ursula in the garden to tell her the negotiations were to begin soon, and that the Queen requested her presence.
As inconspicuously as possible, she slipped the engagement ring off her finger and held it tight in her fist.
"Thank you for your time, Princess." George Evan stood and bowed to her. "I would like to visit my parents this afternoon, with your permission."
"Of course, Margrave." Ursula knew he spoke formally out of deference to the page. She did wish, however, he would kiss her good-bye or say he loved her. It wouldn't be proper, of course, given their engagement hadn't been announced yet. George Evan always worried about protocol and appropriate behavior so as not to cause a scandal.
Ursula curtsied. "Please give my regards to your family. I look forward to seeing them soon."
"I'm sure they will be happy to hear that." He bowed again and left.
As she followed the page to the palace, a sting of guilt hit her heart as she slipped his ring into the small pouch she wore at her waist. King Killian had made his offer for her hand before George Evan had, and protocol and courtesy would say she couldn't use the second proposal to reject the first.
Still, given that the Margrave had wanted to marry her a year ago, wasn't that reason enough to turn down the Heyton King?
But what about the prisoners? Would the King be so angry at her rejection that he refused the release them at all? Or worse, have them all executed? He couldn't be that cruel, could he?
Ursula's stomach was a ball of knots by the time she got to the conference chamber. Except for the butler and some maids, Mariana and Orlando were alone when she entered and curtsied.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, may I speak to you privately for a moment?"
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