by D. R. Grady
As the king, he could institute anything he wished. As in, he could determine the room in which he, Stefana, her parents, Ari, and any other advisers could eat, but also conduct the first meeting of the day.
They had found here in Montequirst that it saved them a lot of time. They could eat, but also discuss the day’s business and by the time the necessary meal ended, they all had a plan in place for what they needed to accomplish that day.
Due to the time he had wasted by stopping in the hallway, he was late. Not exactly late, but there were things he wished to discuss with Vidar before the ladies joined them. Hopefully Stefana’s father would arrive early as well. Sometimes her parents joined them, other times they ate in the dining hall.
He stopped a servant in the hallway and requested that good man ask Henry and Stella to join them. The possibility that the pair hadn’t heard yet of their wedding plans occurred to him. They also might not have learned yet of his and Stefana’s plans for the couple to accompany them to Swiftland. It might be polite to offer them time to pack.
Before he finished with his message, Henry came abreast of him. “What’s this I hear about Stella and I joining you?”
“Good morning.” Lajos greeted the man, liking him all over again. “Yes, Stefana and I discussed this morning that you might enjoy organizing Swiftland’s finances, while your wife takes on the palace and then the country.”
Henry’s grin of expectation warmed Lajos. “We shall look forward to that.”
“I believe Stefana will be far more comfortable with you in residence as well.”
“When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
The man’s dark eyes widened. “That’s not much time.”
“No. We shall marry this evening, and then tomorrow morning, leave for Swiftland. Stefana and I, and my sister, via the dragons. Perhaps you and your wife will accompany our luggage?”
“That will be best for us. It’s not far to Swiftland with our fastest transports.” Henry rubbed his chin. His gaze rested on whatever lay ahead of them, but Lajos didn’t believe he saw the ornate paintings and sculpture, but instead made plans.
“If you will breakfast with me, you and I can discuss Stefana’s and my finances. That should aid you when you delve into the country’s financial status.”
“Yes. It would be an excellent notion to be aware of what you both possess.” Henry paused. “I know down to the cent what Stefana commands, of course. Is Lukas accompanying us?”
“We discussed that. However, I believe his talents need to remain here, working on training the females here in Montequirst. Once he’s completed that, and the training continues, then we shall invite him to Swiftland to begin the program there.”
Henry nodded as they reached the breakfast room. “It sounds as though Swiftland requires survival mode. Starting programs like female defense training is necessary but will need to wait.”
“That’s our thought. We need to curtail starvation and extreme poverty first. Once we’ve managed that, then we’ll work on the military. Although I plan to concentrate on the military from the beginning.” Lajos helped himself to the breakfast items spread out on a buffet. Henry followed, also piling his plate.
“Yes. Once we provide housing and then income for everyone, these other programs will fall into place.” Henry helped himself to the coffee on the table and poured for Lajos as well.
“I’d very much like for Swiftland to grow coffee beans as delicious as these from Montequirst.”
“Ostard Land actually used to produce the finest coffee beans of all the surrounding countries.”
“Truly?” Lajos finished buttering a muffin as he contemplated that notion. “Then we should be able to revive the practice?”
“The former Ostard Land used to be one of the wealthiest, most prosperous nations in the world. It fell into the hands of the wrong branch of the family and has deteriorated ever since. Under the proper rulers, it could be made to rival Montequirst again.”
“I must research this nation. We don’t want to go in blind, but we also haven’t much time.”
Henry tugged out his handheld crystal and quickly swiped through several screens. “Here it is. These are several sites that will tell you much about the history of the land.”
Lajos tapped his crystal against Henry’s and the sites all transferred. It now contained plenty of information to occupy him. He pocketed his crystal. He read quickly and retained the majority of what he read, so it shouldn’t take him long, only he needed a space of time to actually consume this information.
“It would behoove both you and Stefana to know as much as possible about the nation.”
“We’ll both likely try to fit in history lessons today.”
“You’re marrying this evening?”
“Yes. But it will be a quick ceremony. We plan to celebrate at a later time in Swiftland.”
“While my wife won’t be pleased with that plan, it makes the most sense for your situation.”
“That’s how we feel. There is much to do today, so our wedding will have to be simple tonight.”
“You said you discussed this with Stefana?” Her father eyed Lajos with the look he could only describe as fatherly.
“I did. We spoke this morning.”
Henry returned to his breakfast. “My wife will need to know these plans.”
“What plans?” Stella sailed into the room, her chin and spirits high.
“Stefana and I are marrying this evening. We leave for Swiftland tomorrow, and you and Henry are accompanying us.”
Fortunately, Stefana entered the chamber right after her mother, so she was able to soothe and explain their reasoning in terms to best calm her mother. Henry helped, and that lady’s color returned. The shrieking ceased as well, which he appreciated.
Vidar and Raene joined them and while they were also surprised by the news, they showed no alarm.
“We figured things would happen quickly once you decided to marry.” Raene buttered a slice of toast.
“It’s the only way it can be right now. We’ve so much to do.” He didn’t detect any lilting tones in Stefana’s statement, but she did sound settled with their plans.
He covered Stefana’s hand with his own, and she grasped his as though offered a lifeline. Perhaps it was.
In all the years he’d been alive, he’d entered into situations that yawned with the unknown. Not unusual. Yet never before had there been so much at stake, so much to lose.
So he understood Stefana’s hesitancy, paired with excitement, about their new lives.
After breakfast, everyone cleared out of the room, hurrying off to aid them in their plan to wed and leave in the morning for this new country they were to rule. Everyone left with a list of items to complete. He and Stefana clutched the longest ones by far.
Still, he captured her hand when she made to follow the others.
She turned to look up at him. Their eyes met. “We don’t know what to expect on the morrow.” He stroked her smooth cheek.
“No. That’s what is causing all these unsettling thoughts.”
“Yes. However, I’m not uncertain about you.”
Her dark eyes softened into liquid pools. They warmed his heart and made him long to draw her against him. They were betrothed, so this behavior was permitted.
“It’s all going to work out, won’t it, Lajos?” The note of angst in her voice resonated with the one inside him.
“It must. These people lack even the basic of necessities.”
“That is what I observed.”
“We can do much for them, Stefana.”
“I do hope so.”
He lifted her chin and meshed their lips together. A kiss they both needed, because she looped her arms around his neck. Her response sweet and quick.
All a man could long for.
She was far beyond any woman he might have conjured. If he’d ever allowed himself the luxury of dreaming about a mate of his own.
Much less be made the king of a dying nation.
Kissing this man was not a hardship. In fact, Stefana couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather be doing right now. Despite the staggeringly large To Do list burning a hole in her brain.
His lips were firm, warm, and delicious. Snuggling closer, she reveled in this alone time.
It wouldn’t last.
Not until they had married. Even then there wouldn’t be much time for anything other than providing for their new people.
“What’s wrong?”
“We’re not going to have much time for this sort of activity after we marry, will we?”
He grimaced. His fingertip traced her lips. “No. We’ll be spending far too much time on other important matters.”
“Yes. At least at first. There’s so much to do.”
“You feel as though you’re being pulled in far too many directions.”
She nodded, nestling deeper into his arms. “As are you.” No need to question this. His list was every bit as long as hers. “I never expected how quickly our lives would change, Lajos.”
“No. Nor did I. Being king is not what I envisioned for my life.”
“I do hope we can make a difference.”
“This is why we’re going to willingly enter into the insanity that will be our lives for the next few months, at least.” His arms tightened, and she breathed him in before they parted. Stefana felt his reluctance as clearly as her own.
“I have only this morning to teach Rialta my duties.”
He winced as he escorted her from the dining room to the library where she was to meet up with Rialta. “She is eager to do this.”
Stefana halted in the middle of the busy corridor. “Really? She’s looking forward to assisting Raene? Not dreading it?”
“Not at all. Her intentions are solid. She’s eager to get started. I believe she’s been bored since her brother married.”
“That oddly makes sense.”
“Yes. She’s excited and also content to be here.”
“She’ll be a great help to Raene once she’s comfortable.”
Lajos urged her forward since they blocked the busy hallway. They arrived at the library far too fast. “I have meetings all day today.”
She nodded. “As do I. So many things to do.”
“Ari is going to guard you today.”
“Okay.” A little tinge of sorrow pierced her.
“I felt that.” He tugged her close for a kiss, there at the door of the library. In plain sight of everyone bustling about them. And there were plenty of people doing so. Their news had infused the entire castle with energy as everyone stepped up to aid her and Lajos in becoming the neighboring king and queen.
“We’ll be married this eve.”
“Yes.” She didn’t need the ability to read intentions to feel his satisfaction.
With a last smile, she twirled and entered the library.
“There you are. We were prepared to send out a search party.” Raene’s statement was cheerful, as though she’d known all too well what had delayed Stefana.
Rialta’s expression was also knowing, although how she, a maiden still, could possibly know about these things, Stefana did not know. Nor did she need to be made aware of Rialta’s personal life.
Although her cheeks heated, Stefana paced across the floor. “There is so much to do.” Her two companions immediately settled in for the extensive training she and Raene needed to offer Rialta.
Raene could help her in much of this, but Stefana had been performing many of these tasks for months now, some of them longer. So it stood to reason that she should train the princess.
Rialta asked excellent, knowledgeable questions throughout the morning. And thus displayed experience in this business of running a country. Between them, she and Raene answered all Rialta’s questions.
“You’re comfortable already.” This calmed Stefana’s nerves about leaving her princess duties.
“Yes. This is similar to the tasks I performed at home. But my sister-in-law, who is the queen, has taken over those now, and others.”
“Won’t she soon be busy with her baby?”
“Yes and no.” Rialta bit her lip. “Her sister is married to a member of my brother’s court and will assist her once she has the baby. But Lacey will resume her duties, only she’ll have the baby with her after she recovers.”
“I’ve heard new mothers don’t get any sleep.” Stefana sorted several papers into the appropriate files.
“That’s true. But she’s the queen. She’ll have plenty of help.”
“Oh, of course. There will be nannies.” Stefana hadn’t thought of having children, but now that she was nearly a married lady, she should think on parenthood. Only, later, when she had time.
“My mother had to run the country, despite my presence. She simply used the time to introduce me to all her tasks.”
“You didn’t enjoy a typical childhood, but it certainly has aided you now. You haven’t faltered in running this nation, Raene.” Rialta’s admiration reflected in both her voice and her expression.
“There’s been no time to falter. I was married and the queen all within the same day.”
Rialta gasped. “How barbaric.”
“We agree.”
“The same has happened to me.” Stefana smoothed her skirt. However, her situation didn’t feel like Raene’s.
“Yet our experiences are vastly different. Lajos intended to ask you to marry him.”
“Vidar didn’t ask you to marry him?” Rialta sounded very interested.
“Oh no. I had to name my husband directly after my mother’s funeral.” Raene’s tone was toast dry.
“Surely not?” Rialta’s hand snapped to cover her open mouth.
“Yes, indeed.” Raene refuted. “I had all the nation’s warriors clamoring for me to name whoever would be king. I had a crown to choose, the one I’m to wear for my entire reign. And I had just buried my mother moments before.”
“That’s . . .” Rialta faltered.
“Horrendous.” Stefana didn’t have any trouble spelling out Raene’s situation.
“I can’t even imagine having to name a husband the same day I lost a parent.” Rialta’s eyes were luminescent in the sunlight flowing through a nearby window.
“It wasn’t the best day of my life. Yet it was too.” Raene’s swallow was audible. “I lost my precious mother. But then I gained Vidar as my husband.”
“Plus, you were named the queen, as well, right?”
“Yes. That proved nearly as traumatic.” Stefana had witnessed all this first hand.
“Naming a husband at any time sounds barbaric.” The princess’s shudder spoke volumes.
“It is. My cousin, Haines, tried to give me time. He would have succeeded too. Except it was time. I knew who I wanted. I just needed the courage to name him.”
Rialta didn’t ask who Haines was. Fortunately, the princess looked down so didn’t see the bug eyes Raene sent to her, indicating she intended to seek information.
Rialta was older than they, likely somewhere in her thirties. The perfect age for Haines.
“Have you met Haines, the Duke of Lockwillow?” Stefana kept her tone easy and neutral.
“I have.” Rialta appeared every bit as innocent.
Raene deflated a margin. “He’s first cousin to my mother, so first cousin to me once removed.”
“I have met him.”
“What of his late wife?”
“No, I met him right after she died.”
“Her death was another shock. First my father, then Haines’ wife, and now my mother.”
“That’s a plenteous amount of grief.” Plenty of compassion emanated from Rialta.
“Yes. It’s been well over a year since the duchess died. I still miss her terribly. She was like another mother.”
“Is Haines old enough to be your father?”
“I believe that’s correct. Although I’m not certain of his age. We just celebrated his birthday.”
“Yes.”
Raene’s crystal console beeped then, and she rose to contemplate the summons.
“We had best return our attention to our work.”
“You probably need some time to pack?” Rialta inquired as they shut the last folder and Stefana finished handing over the final information her replacement required.
“Yes. I shall do so after lunch. My maid assured me she would take care of my clothing.” That reminded her. “Did you bring a maid?”
“No. She didn’t desire moving here. Rightfully so.”
“Excellent. I’ll introduce you to Mies. She can become your maid.” Her new maid’s entire family resided in Montequirst. Stefana didn’t even have to ask her to know she had no desire to leave home for an unknown land. Besides, Mies had mentioned a certain stable groom she had been keeping company with.
“I have a young woman who is temporary for now.” Rialta didn’t sound concerned.
“That should work out well. I’ll speak to Mies and make certain she is willing.”
They settled that and then Raene and Vidar joined them to head off to lunch. The two women would work well together once they figured out their respective roles. Really, it was a good thing this had happened with Ostard Land before she and Raene had settled into a rhythm.
She still dreaded leaving Montequirst, the only home she knew.
Chapter 11
“It’s time,” her mother said and patted her arm.
Stefana took a deep breath. She viewed herself in the mirror. Her gown was all it should be. Especially given her betrothal had lasted a mere day. That hadn’t allowed for much time to find the perfect wedding gown.
This one came close. The traditional white, with purple ribbons. The gown was cut in maiden style, with a rounded neckline, long sleeves that belled at the ends, and a purple ribbon that encircled just under her breasts. The remainder of the gown fell in a soft column to the floor.
Simple, but long enough for her tall frame. Nothing like Raene’s elaborate confection that she had been expected to wear as the queen. Stefana’s choice was a study in simplicity. It had been the correct length and suited her, so she had immediately selected it from the array offered this afternoon.