“You aren’t always right, Adam. It’s best to remember that.” Before the king turned on his heel and marched off, Adam saw the truth in the flickering eyes and breathed a silent prayer for his young friends.
“Katherine.”
She was startled from her reverie by the strange tone in Michael’s voice. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” she asked, her voice filled with panic.
“That’s what I would like to know.”
“What are you talking about?”
He lowered his voice in an attempt to contain his emotion. “Adam was just interrogating me about you. Must you make it look like I don’t know what’s wrong?” He paused. “Actually, I might feel better if you would just tell me what’s wrong.”
“Michael, I…”
“No more excuses, Katherine. I love you too much to let you keep it from me anymore. What has you so scared that you won’t talk to me anymore?”
“Do we have to talk about this now? People are staring…”
“Let them.” His voice returned to its normal concerned tone. “What’s wrong?”
Here it was. An opportunity to be free from the secret. It truly was wrong for her to keep it, but she was so close. She only had a few more months before the baby was due if her math was correct. This baby was a part of her. She couldn’t give it up…not when she was so close.
“Michael, there’s nothing wrong. Please I can’t tell you right now…” She covered her mouth, but it was too late. The secret was on the brink on being revealed. But not here! Not now! Not in front of all these people! What would they think?
He caught the contradiction. “Not right now?”
Katherine shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. There was no place for tears on such a happy day. A happy day for everyone but her.
“But you will tell me?” He grabbed her shaking hands and held them in his own. They were rough and strong with calluses covering the fingertips. These were hands that she loved. Hands that would someday hold their baby.
“I promise. Please just let me do it in my own time.”
He nodded and turned to move away.
“Michael?”
The king turned back to look at his queen. She was standing there looking so beautiful. Her hair glowed from the firelight. Her dress sparkled with the gold weavings amongst the royal purple cloth. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. Even if she had not shared her secret, there was now proof that there was a secret. A small part of the burden had been lifted from her heart.
“I love you.” And with that statement she flew into his arms and kissed him. There was no distance. There was no distraction. It was just the two of them. The way it had been when they were first married. “I’ve set you as a seal upon my heart, Michael. I promise I’ll tell you everything.”
“I’ll love you until the day I die, Katherine.” He held her close as the hall erupted in cheers. The people had been quieting observing their royalty’s conversation and were pleased with the happy ending. The loud clapping covered up Michael’s whisper. “Happy birthday, my love.”
Tears rolled down Katherine’s cheeks, and she kissed her husband again while the baby inside her leaped for joy.
Chapter Seventeen
“Are you getting excited? A real coronation with a real king and a real queen!” Edwin said happily as he and Adam walked in the slushy snow. There had finally been a break in the weather, so some of the snow was starting to melt. The two men walked along, doing their rounds. They were a bit of an odd pair.
Adam was a well-trained knight. He had been one of the key protectors of Michael’s little village. All the men looked up to him, and he was respected and loved by everyone. Edwin was nothing more than an awkward and gangly young man who was happiest among his horses. He was a poor knight and only continued his training because Adam believed he was good for more than taking care of horses. His red hair was a beacon of his mood. If it was combed, he was being serious and doing something he felt was important. If it was flying in every which way, the horses were very clean and happy.
“I’ve never been to a real coronation before,” Edwin continued. “I’d never really left my farm until that man…” He shook his head and tried to erase those sad months where he was a soldier in an army not of his choice. Those months were the other reason it took all of Adam’s encouragement for him to take up a sword and fight.
Adam put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I am eager for Michael and Katherine to take up the thrown. The kingdom of Adven will never be the same, of that much I am sure.”
“They were born for this weren’t they?”
Adam smiled. “Yes, Edwin. I believe they were.”
They walked a few more paces before Edwin spoke again. “Adam, is everyone born for something?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
There was another pause. “What was I born for?”
The pair stopped walking, and Adam looked into his young companion’s face. The pain and confusion revealed there was heartbreaking. Here was a boy who had left everything he had ever known. Everything he thought he knew was a lie. He’d met a God who cared for him. He’d met people who cared about him. But in spite of all these positive steps forward, he wasn’t sure if he cared about himself yet.
“I don’t know, Edwin. Someday you will though; God will make it clear for you.”
Edwin sighed. “I wish He’d make it clear now.”
The two continued to walk the rounds in silence as the snow silently melted beneath their feet.
“Two weeks really flew by, didn’t it?”
Katherine jumped up from her chair where she’d quietly been letting out the seams of one of her dresses. The needle dropped to the floor, and the dress dropped into the chair.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” Michael smiled as he retrieved the needle for her. His wife was a bit jumpy and a bit slower moving of late. The stress of the past few months was clearing wearing down her defenses.
“It’s alright. Just don’t tell anyone their queen was afraid of a door opening and an unexpected voice.” She smiled and brandished her needle in his direction. “Or I’ll have to prick you with my needle.”
He held up his hands in mock defense. “Nothing to fear, milady.” He bowed. “I am your sworn protector.” He stood to his feet. “And your adoring servant.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, good knight. And how may I be of service to you?” Her gentle laughter filled the room with sunshine, even more so than the sunshine streaming in through the window just behind her. Michael smiled. This was his bride, the princess of her people, and the queen of his heart.
“Just wanted to tell you I love you. Is everything ready for tomorrow?”
“Yes. Why? Do you think I’m forgetting something?”
“No, I just want it to be perfect for you.”
A shadow crossed her face. “It would be perfect if my father was here.”
There was silence in the room that was filled with Katherine’s quiet pain. She still blamed herself for his death, and nothing Michael could say would ever change that.
“It wasn’t your fault.” But he’d still try.
“You say that, but you don’t know,” she replied with the hint of a resigned sigh chasing her words.
He leaned down and looked into her pain-covered face. “Forget it for one day.” He took her hands, careful to not be pricked by the needle. “This is the moment God has called you to. Live in it for all its worth. Enjoy everything God has to offer. He’s given us this joyful time before the storm. Please,” he looked into her cloudy eyes, “please don’t let the day go by dwelling on what can’t be.”
“I’ll try, Michael. Really.” She flashed a smile. “It’s your day too.”
He grinned. “Just like a wedding, this coronation is all about the queen.”
Katherine blushed. “Really, Michael.”
The radiance of his smile was enough to light up the room.
/> Just then the wind blew open the window. The sunlight streamed into the bedroom, casting cheery shadows on the wall. Katherine walked to close it again and paused to look outside. The snow was melting on every walkway and parapet. Little green buds were beginning to poke out of the dark brown earth. It would be a beautiful spring, if not for the shadow of war.
“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” Michael stood and put his arms around her waist. She felt the baby kicking and moving inside her in response to the additional warmth.
Just then Adam and Edwin walked by, continuing in their rounds. “They never stop working, do they?” Katherine said as she moved back to her chair.
Michael watched her and slowly nodded. “Just like someone else I know.”
Stabbing her needle into her work, she laughed. “There’s just too much to be done and so little time to do it!”
He played with the stray blond hairs tickling her cheek. “Don’t you ever wish we didn’t have to worry about coronations and wars and kingdoms? Don’t you wish we could have met in the street somewhere and married and be worried about a family instead of the status of our knights and supplies?”
Violent kicking distracted her for a moment. The baby was restless. Or was he, or she, tired of being kept a secret for so long?
“Michael, I…”
A knock rapped on the door.
Michael sighed. “Enter.” He rose and stood protectively behind Katherine’s chair.
The soft footsteps accompanied the quiet creaking of the door. Eli’s solemn face was revealed as he came the rest of the way into the room. “Your Majesties?”
“Yes.” Michael gently laid his hand on Katherine’s shoulder. She had come close to telling him the secret. He just knew it. If only Eli would go away…
“Your presence is needed in the Council Room. A final meeting with the Regents before the coronation.”
He sighed and helped Katherine to her feet. “We’ll be there in a moment.”
The day of the coronation dawned bright and clear. No clouds made an appearance, and the snow continued to melt. It was the first particularly warm day since fall with not even a hint of chill in the air. The throne room was decorated for the solemn occasion, and all of Adven’s banners were hung on the walls. The bright purples and golds brought color to the gray stone walls. Each window let in the sunshine making the room appear bright and cheerful. A long purple carpet was laid out up the center of the room.
The people who had come to see stood on both sides. Every commoner was joyful with bright hopes for their futures. The knights stood with a calm countenance covering their almost overwhelming happiness. The Regents stood in a line across the front. The Chief Regent stood in the middle of the two thrones. The one to his left was the Queen’s throne with light purple and gold fabric draped on the back. The one to his right was the King’s throne draped with gold and dark purple fabric.
Musicians started to play. Little village girls walked up the aisle dropping preserved flower petals on the carpet, giggling as they went. Adam and Edwin followed them. Adam carried Michael’s crown, while Edwin carried Katherine’s. They walked to their places beside their corresponding thrones next to the Chief Regent. When all was ready, their majesties entered.
Katherine came first, both because she was Queen and because she was the blood heir to the throne. Her golden hair was pale compared to her dress. It was a light lavender, with a golden cape that fell from her shoulders. She walked swiftly up the aisle; her face fixed on the throne in front of her. When she reached the raised dais, she stepped lightly up to the throne platform. Silently, she stood before her throne.
All eyes turned to the doorway as Michael entered. He looked every inch the Prince that he was. His shirt was a dark purple, denoting his royal status, and a gold cape also draped on his shoulders. Solemnly, he walked up the aisle. The people watched his every movement. He stepped up to the throne and stood facing the crowd before he grinned like he was a young boy receiving his first pony. The childish expression crossed his face so unexpectedly it broke the seriousness of the mood. There were a few subdued laughs in the crowd, including Katherine’s.
“Before you today, you see two people. Princess Katherine you have known all your lives. Many of you watched her grow up in these very walls. The daughter of our beloved King Andrew and Queen Aimi now stands before you ready to accept the throne.” The Chief Regent took a breath before continuing. “The other you do not know as well, but he and his God have won our hearts. Michael is a Prince in his own right, the brother of King Evan, of Suffrom, whose wife we know is Katherine’s sister, Queen Ralyn. It was a long and difficult process to get to this day, but we are here. With war at our doorsteps, there is no better couple to have standing before you.”
The crowd interrupted the speech with their cheers. It took a few moments before they would be calmed. Michael flashed a smile at his wife, who responded with a giggle. Eli, who stood in the midst of the crowd, observed with a laugh of his own. Just like children, they are. Grown up children.
Finally, the crowd grew quiet. “Thank you. I know you have awaited this day for many years, so I promise not to prolong it.” A shared laugh among the Regents, followed by a quick glare from their Chief. “But this is a solemn occasion and certain standards have to be met.” He turned to Katherine. “Princess Katherine, of Adven, do you promise to rule this land with righteousness?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to provide justice to your people in their time of indecision?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to live as an example to those before you?”
A brief scan of the room accompanied by a smile. “I do.”
“Do you promise to uphold your husband as the King of Adven?”
A smile in his direction. “I do.”
“Do you promise to care for your family forever as you would care for your kingdom?”
An unnoticeable pause. “I do.”
“Do you understand that this is a lifelong commitment to rule and govern the kingdom of Adven?”
A final smile and a feeling of satisfaction. “I do.”
Cheers from the crowd followed the Chief Regent’s motion for her to sit on the throne. The cheers continued as he moved to his position next to Michael.
“Prince Michael, of Suffrom, do you promise to rule this land with righteousness?”
“I do.” The cheeky grin never left his face.
“Do you promise to provide justice to your people in their time of indecision?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to lead your men to war to defend this kingdom?”
The smile changed to seriousness. “I do.”
“Do you promise to live as an example to those before you?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to support your wife as Queen of Adven?”
A loving smile. “I certainly do.”
A satisfied murmur spread through the crowd as the Regent raised his hands for silence.
“Do you promise to lead your family as you lead your kingdom?”
His eyes locked with hers. “I do.”
“Do you understand that this is a lifelong commitment to rule and govern the kingdom of Adven?”
“I do,” his voice heavy with the weight of such a promise.
With an approving nod, the Chief Regent motioned for Michael to also take his seat while Adam and Edwin stepped forward. The Chief Regent very carefully removed the golden tiara from the pillow. He moved behind Katherine’s chair and set it on her head. The crowd erupted in cheers! The cheering grew louder as the Chief Regent removed the glimmering crown and placed it on Michael’s head.
“Kingdom of Adven, your King and Queen!”
Michael took Katherine’s hand, and they descended the steps together.
“King Michael and Queen Katherine!”
They moved down the aisle once more, followed by Adam, Edwin, and the Regents. “Long live the Kin
g! Long live the Queen!” The cheer was repeated until they were out of sight of the crowd.
As soon as the sunlight hit their faces, Michael grabbed Katherine and pulled her into his arms. “We did it! Katherine, we did it!” He spun her in the air and watched as her dress and hair flew all about her. Her laughter was like rain drops sprinkling on his ears. She was so beautiful, the embodiment of every good thing. A drop of water distracted his joy, and he set her down.
“Are you crying?” He asked as he searched her face.
Katherine shook her head and wiped her eyes. “No, well, yes. I’m just so happy, Michael.” She buried her face in his shoulder and let the happy tears cascade down her cheeks.
“Ready?” he asked after a moment.
She nodded. A quick wipe of her eyes and her smile was set firmly back in place. “I’m ready. Thank you, Michael.”
A smile. “Thank you, my love.” A quick peck on the cheek and Michael escorted his queen to the dining hall.
Chapter Eighteen
The table was set, once again, for a feast. Everyone who had attended the coronation was crowded into the hall. The food was even more lavish than two weeks before. The war looming on the horizon was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The same joy that was present before, was present today. There were children laughing and prancing about, running in between their parents’ legs. The knights were enjoying themselves and taking a break from their watchful vigilance. Even the servants who did not have the day off were enjoying themselves, conversing as they carried plates and trays to and fro.
Katherine and Michael sat at the head of the table, governing over the chaos. They smiled down on everyone who happened to pass by whether they were little children or retired knights.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Katherine whispered.
“Yes, it’s beautiful to see people so free and happy.”
“Yes.” She lowered her voice. “I hope they can stay that way.”
Michael just looked at her. “Everything will be okay. God’s knows what He’s doing.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a gentle tugging on Katherine’s skirt. They looked down to see a small peasant child smiling up at them. It was a little girl with flaxen hair and bright blue eyes. Her dress had been mended many times but was not in terrible shape. Her feet wore small brown sandals. In her eyes was the spark of childhood happiness. “Queen Katherine?”
To Love in Peace: 10th Anniversary Edition Page 12