“Miriam, you are the most beautiful woman I know – that I have ever known. While I jest about my dancing being reason enough to be King of this glorious kingdom and holder of your heart, I do hope to prove myself to you in the coming months.”
The music ended, he kissed my hand, and stepped back into the line of gentlemen I had not realized had formed again.
Now here comes the longest part of the evening. Short interviews with each one with no music to interrupt.
I sighed as Ella walked up to me and we made our way to the center of my rose garden.
Chapter 3
“Are you nervous?” Ella asked me again.
“What kind of a question is that? ‘Are you nervous?’ No, Ella. I’m positively giddy at the prospect of being alone with seven men who I know will kiss me at some point. This is the second time you have asked me that silly question tonight.”
Ella laughed. “You’re so cute when you’re nervous.”
I smirked. “Shut up, Ella.”
We walked through the maze and I sat on my sofa swing, glad I had not chosen a huge dress. True, the only person I had ever been romantic with was Peter, but I felt most comfortable here, in my garden. The whole point of the evening was to introduce each man to a part of me personally. It hadn’t always been a ball for previous generations. The introduction was the only part of the Test that the heir had a say in. Father, for example, had chosen a beautiful hike and picnic for his Queen’s Test Introduction. His private interviews/first kisses were done in a little grove not far from the end of the hike.
My love of dancing and roses was no secret to anyone, so it was not a big surprise how I had chosen to spend the evening. Peter wasn’t very happy with the prospect of sharing our private spot, but he knew it would seem strange if I didn’t use it.
My Crown Princess’ Maiden stood dutifully and allowed me a moment to gather myself back together. After taking a few deep breaths and shaking out my hands, I gave Ella a nod and she walked down the glass hallway to let Brian in.
Part of this interview involved the gentleman finding his way through the maze, without being informed that he was going to do a maze. I fully anticipated Brian to make it the fastest, besides Peter, of course, especially after all his bragging earlier in the evening about his military prowess.
I heard his footsteps down the hallway, then the abrupt stop at the entrance. While everyone knew I had a personal rose garden, admittance was solely at my discretion. Not many had been there.
“Miriam?” Brian’s hesitant baritone called out.
“I am here.”
I hate using formal speech. It feels so unnatural.
“Where?”
“You are the Lieutenant General. Let us see how long it takes you to find me.” I tried to sound playful even though I was secretly hoping he would waste most of his time trying to find his way to me.
However, I was disappointed to find that he was truly as resourceful as he said he was. Rather than try to find his way through the maze, he climbed the stone wall and leapt from wall to wall until he found where I was in the center. Nimbly, he jumped down, making sure to bend his knees when he landed, and gave me a smug grin.
“Clever.” I said and shook my head with a smile.
“I told you I was good with military strategy,” Brian said as he swaggered over to my sofa swing and grabbed the bar over my head. “What good would I be if I could not figure out a simple garden maze?”
A little stunned by his new-found self-certainty, I looked up at his face, which was now towering over me. “Is that what this is to you? Strategy?”
He shrugged and I noticed his biceps bulge a bit beneath his Royal Arborian Guard dress jacket. “Are you stifling warm in that jacket, Brian?”
He laughed dryly. “Yes, very.” But he left it on and sat next to me on the bench and took my hand. Taken aback again, I looked at him to see he was close and trying desperately to meet my gaze. I obliged. “I have been thinking about what you said earlier all evening, Miriam.”
I swallowed. I knew he was going to kiss me at some point. Not knowing when was making me a nervous wreck.
It’s not a big deal. It’s just a kiss. Just one. Peter will be here in a while.
“What I said?” I asked innocently.
He gave me a crooked grin. “Yes. ‘There is more to being King than being King.’ Remember?”
I blinked. “Yes.”
“You are right. I am a bit of an idiot.” I laughed and he relaxed a little. “I have been approaching this all wrong. I wish I could blame my parents – they spent my whole life engraining how important the military is – but I am twenty-four now and am responsible for my own thoughts and actions. The King’s Test is more than a job interview.” He ran his index finger from my temple to my chin.
“It was totally thoughtless of me to forget that this is about your life as much as the future King’s, whoever it ends up being. I do not confess to be the most romantic man in the world; I know I am not the most attractive. However, if I do end up making it to the end, I want you to know that I will live every day trying to be a man you deserve.”
That’s when he did it. He kissed me. It was a good line. Unsurprisingly, his kiss was hard and commanding. He held me tightly against him and groaned as he deepened the kiss, which I was surprised was even possible. It felt like he wanted every inch of me. When he stopped, he held me in an embrace and was shaking. I felt something wet trickle down the side of my head and realized he was weeping.
Breathlessly, I whispered, “Brian, are you crying?”
“I am afraid so.” He kissed my cheek and pulled back. “Can I confess something to you?”
“I wish you would.”
He wiped his tear from my cheek with a finger. “I have been dreading tonight for months.”
“What?”
“It is nothing personal, Miriam. Well, it is, but not the way you are thinking. You are an unbelievably incredible woman. I know you will make a great Queen. Probably one of Arboria’s greatest. It is intimidating to know that I not only have to prove myself worthy of the Crown, but of you, too. I hope I can do it. Can you ever forgive my arrogance from earlier?”
“Time’s up!” Ella shouted at the entrance. Brian didn’t move to leave. He waited for my answer, but I was stupefied by the random exhibition of emotion he just displayed.
“Princess Miriam?” Ella shouted.
“Miriam?” Brian whispered.
“Yes. I can forgive you.” I said, stunned.
Brian smiled, got up, and climbed the wall to make his way out of the rose garden.
What just happened? More strategy? No. Those were real tears. Tears! What? I need to stay on my guard.
Chapter 4
“Miiiriaaam?” called Christopher like we were playing a game of hide and seek. I rolled my eyes, even though there was no one to see the expression.
Well, someone hasn’t changed their game plan.
“I am in the middle of the garden. You will need to find me if you want that first kiss.” I teased loudly. He laughed as he entered the maze.
I wondered why it was that this specific, ridiculous ritual was created. Why was it necessary to kiss every single participant before the Test even officially began? Father certainly didn’t understand it; why it was necessary and why it was such a big deal to me. “It’s just the way it has always been, Rose,” he had told me earlier in the day when I was complaining about it again. “I really don’t know what the big deal is anyway. It’s not like you’re being asked to fall in love with seven men. This evening is a demonstration that you are worth more than the Crown. A kiss is personal and can help bring things into perspective for the participants. At least you only have seven; I had twelve at the beginning of my Queen’s Test. A set of triplets, even!”
I had cooed in response, “Oh. Poor boy. Father, kisses don’t mean as much to a man as they do to a woman. For a woman, she gives love with a kiss. A man just takes possession.”
“That is not fair, Rose. And it is not true. I know you don’t like some of the men participating, but give them a chance. I’ll bet there is more to every man than he shows the public.”
That had been the end of it. Perhaps he was right; Brian had shocked me with his emotional kiss.
At some point during my time in my thoughts, I must have closed my eyes. I say this because I was startled when I felt Christopher’s body close to mine and the sofa began swinging. Glancing over to him with my one open eye, he said, “Found you. This is a pretty ingenious test, Miriam.”
I opened both eyes and turned so I was slightly facing him. “You think I put this together for the King’s Test?”
Christopher turned in the same manner. “You did not?”
“No. I mean, I did design it. Years ago. It is my favorite place in Evergreen Palace. You did not learn that in your studies?” I teased.
He blushed. “About that. I am sorry. I am not used to speaking with a woman who is not immediately taken with me.”
“So humble!”
Christopher angled a frustrated brow. “Seriously, Miriam. Out of everyone in the kingdom, I would think you should understand.” His voice held a slight hint of anger. “I mean. Look at you. You know how to play each and every one of us. You know what to say and do to drive us mad with desire.”
“Pardon me?” No one had ever talked to me in such a way and I quickly dropped the formality of my speech. “I have no choice here, Christopher. What would you have me do? Treat you all with contempt? Throw a fit about not having a choice who I spend the rest of my life with? Granted, perhaps I could have been kinder with the ones of you who either treated me as if I am a possession or a Crown, but I am still learning how this Test works, too. I know about as much as you do concerning what comes when the Test begins.”
He had barely heard me. “And what is with this expectation of receiving a first kiss from each of us tonight? Now, who is full of herself?”
I stood up and clenched my fists. Shouting, I said, “Are you even hearing me? Do you honestly believe it’s my idea to be in each of your arms? To allow you all to kiss me and know me in my most personal place in the palace? To give all my honesty and time to all of you for the next several months? It’s not! I wish I didn’t have to have a King’s Test. I wish I could fall in love with whoever I want as six of the seven of you will be able to do. This isn’t necessarily the end for you Christopher. If you don’t want me, let me know and I will try to make sure you can go and live your life the way you want.”
Turning away, surprised at how hurt I was, I quietly said, “It’s the least I could do for both of us.”
I heard the swing stop and Christopher stood. I turned back to him. “I know what you mean by not knowing how to be with women when they are not throwing themselves at you. I have had practice. I have good friends who are men, who just think of me as a friend. You haven’t had that.” He slowly walked closer to me, took my hands in his, and kissed them. “I’m not a self-obsessed, horrid woman, Christopher. I’m just a woman who is terrified I will end up married to someone who doesn’t truly love me – and that decision is completely out of my hands.”
“I am sorry, Miriam,” he whispered. “I had you all wrong. Give me another chance – choose to give me another chance. If you do not want to, find a way to be rid of me as soon as you can because I do not want to live the rest of my life without love, either.”
I nodded and calmed myself down. “I will give you another chance if you will give me one. I think I made some pretty terrible assumptions about you, too.”
He smiled and gently brushed his lips against mine. That was his first kiss for me. He stepped away and left me standing there. Ella didn’t even have to come get him when his time was up.
I think Father was right, after all.
Chapter 5
I was still deep in thought when Leo found me in the center. After my experience with Brian and Christopher, I had decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Our mothers were good friends, in any case. He couldn’t really be all that bad.
“Hello, Miriam.” I looked up to see him standing in the archway leading to the center of my garden.
“Hello, Leo. Look, I am sorry for earlier. I am beginning to realize I have not been handling the situation of the King’s Test very well.” I took a seat.
He walked over and sat next to me. “Do not worry about it. This must all be very overwhelming for you. Turn around. You are all tense.”
I obeyed and turned so my back was facing him. He was right. I was tense and I was always hearing about his back massages from the ladies in Court. Placing his large hands on my shoulders, he began to rub. Involuntarily, my head drooped forward and he laughed.
“I know sometimes I can be a bit of an acquired taste and maybe I was a little forward with you on the dance floor.” I chuckled and his hands moved to my upper back. I leaned over so my side was against the sofa, allowing myself complete relaxation.
“A little?” I asked.
“Alright. Maybe a lot forward. Anyway, I have always been unsure of myself with you. Mother has high expectations for Linc and me; she has had them for as long as I can remember.” His hands moved to the middle of my back.
“Hmm.”
“Truth be told, she is ashamed that neither of us has managed to win your heart yet, with all the time we have spent here growing up.”
“That is ridiculous. As if you have any control over my heart. I am sorry you have had to deal with that.”
I felt him shrug. “Linc and I have very different strategies when it comes to the King’s Test.” His hands moved to my lower back, which I didn’t realize was sore until he got there. “He feels it will serve him better to prove he is worthy of the Crown.” Leo moved his hands around my waist and held me. He whispered in my ear, “I think it will be better to show you how I can benefit you – personally.”
He brushed my hair over my shoulder and off my neck and kissed it. I tensed up and turned around. He laughed. “The point is to relax, Miriam.” Next thing I knew, he was kissing me. Not hard like Brian and not a brush like Christopher. His kiss was one of passion, like he had been imagining it and perfecting it in his mind his whole life. It felt – wrong. His motive was obvious. This was a play; I was a conquest for him. He kissed me longer than the other two. In fact, he didn’t release me until Ella shouted that his time was up. When he did, he placed his fingertips on my swollen lips, then brushed our lips together once more.
Note to self: Sometimes, things are exactly as they seem.
Leo left with an annoying strut and Linc pulled the same maneuver Brian had by jumping the walls to the center of the maze.
I looked at him with a little humor. “I see Brian has been training you.”
Linc chuffed. “Why do you say that?”
“Because that is how he got to me, too. Did he tell you to do that?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Those who have been in have not been able to say anything to anybody when they leave. That being said, Leo looked pretty happy with himself.”
“I am sure he did,” I said without further explanation. If the boys wanted to kiss and tell later, they could.
“Miriam, about my stupidity earlier,” he began.
Tired of apologies, I waved him off. “Please, Linc. I cannot take another apology tonight. Let us just forget about it and move on.”
He laughed. “Wait. Leo apologized?”
I thought about it. “No, I guess he did not. But he should have. I think I need another one from him, too.”
Linc rolled his eyes. “Leo, ever believing himself to be a ladies’ man.”
“You do not think yourself attractive?”
He sat next to me and took my hand. “I do not know. Honestly, it has never seemed all that important to me.”
I began to swing the sofa. “Attractiveness in yourself or attractiveness in women.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “There is no rig
ht answer there, Miriam.”
“Oh, Linc. Always thinking strategy. I really want to know. If there was no Crown and if I were hideous, would you even be remotely interested in me? You have known me longer than some of the other men. You know me well enough to have an opinion.”
He looked contemplative for a moment, then said, “Beauty has never been important to me. I think you are beautiful, of course. That cannot be debated. But I think you are prettier inside than out. You are by far the most intelligent woman I know, and you always seem to be fair with the servants around the palace.”
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