As early as dawn, a local carriage pulled up in front of the palace. The first to step down was Rowan, who then turned to help his lady. He waited with his hand stretched forward, unwilling to grab her by the waist and risk getting the beating of his life. She’d already warned him not to touch her, and ever since they were inside the carriage, the girl had refused to utter a word to him.
Freya peeked out, seeing Rowan’s hand waiting for her to hold. She rolled her eyes before slipping her palm into his. When her feet touched the ground, she flipped her hair and walked straight inside the palace without turning to look at Rowan.
"That’s my lady, she’s one hell of a tempest in silk," Rowan smiled. "Isn’t she fit for the stage with her emotional excesses?" he asked, tossing two crown coins to the coachman, who was nodding and smiling at his words.
Rowan chuckled, ready to run after Freya when another carriage pulled up in front of him. General Malcolm stepped down first before helping Madame Rosalie.
"Didn’t you two—" Rowan started but paused when Madame Rosalie raised her hand to her chest, looking startled.
The woman pointed at Rowan. "When did you step out?" Rosalie asked, her brows knitted in worry. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
"I’ve been standing here," Rowan replied, eyeing General Malcolm’s hand still around Rosalie’s waist. Rowan narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Didn’t you two leave first at the festival last night? How come you’re just getting back now?"
Madame Rosalie coughed. "We did leave last night, yes, but our carriage broke down on the way..."
Rowan’s eyes shifted to the carriage behind them. It looked in great condition. Even the wheels seemed as though they could handle another round trip from Avon to Eridor and back.
"We had it repaired, which is why we stayed out all night," Malcolm chimed in, defending Madame Rosalie.
Rowan nodded as if he believed them. "Had it repaired, I see," he muttered, raising his finger to his lips. "I see the changes."
"Right?" Madame Rosalie chuckled nervously, clearing her throat. She nudged Malcolm to smile as well.
Rowan raised his hand to stop them. "Just to be clear, I wasn’t talking about the carriage."
Madame Rosalie blushed, biting her lip. Who was she fooling to think Rowan had believed their little lie? "Please don’t tell anyone you saw us."
"Sure," Rowan nodded with a shrug, ready to turn and mind his business when he saw an angry Freya approaching him. "You might also need to beg her not to talk."
Before Madame Rosalie could understand what he was saying, Freya stormed out of the gate, hands on her hips, glaring at Rowan.
"Even after getting my father’s approval, I’m going to make you b— Madame Rosalie! General Malcolm... why are you two..." Freya’s voice trailed off as she stared at the duo, surprise etched on her face.
Madame Rosalie smiled, giving Freya a friendly wave. "Freya- wait, what happened to your dress? Are you both just now returning to the palace?" the woman asked. "And by approval, did you mean you both now..."
Freya nodded, and the woman gasped, clapping her hands with a smile of excitement. "We might be having a wedding soon in the palace, two weddings maybe." The older woman blushed.
"You mean!" Freya pointed at General Malcolm and then at Madame Rosalie. "This is great!" the girl shouted.
General Malcolm cleared his throat. "Rosalie, don’t you think you’re moving too fast? We need some time to take things slow," he said, making his way inside the palace.
"Take things slow, you say? Malcolm," Madame Rosalie ran after him. "You weren’t taking things slow in the carriage, wasn’t that why the wheels broke..." Her voice trailed off as she continued arguing, chasing after Malcolm.
"Uhh," Rowan covered his mouth with his hand. "The carriage really went through so many changes," he chuckled, turning to Freya when he felt her stern glare cut through his chest.
Freya nodded, folding her arms across her chest. "Kindly tell me what’s funny," she asked in a cold voice. "Why did you refuse to touch me- come back!"
Rowan ran into the palace, walking as fast as he could to escape Freya. He spotted Madame Rosalie still chasing General Malcolm, and the two men exchanged looks of silent pleading.
They were almost inside the palace when Louis stepped out carrying a bowl of cabbage and sauce mixed together. "I’m glad you all are back. Please, let’s get ready for the event."
"What event?" Madame Rosalie asked, turning to Louis with a confused stare, wondering if just one night had made them miss so much.
Louis set the bowl down. "We’re naming the child today. King Fidelis and the children will be arriving soon."
"That’s true!" Madame Rosalie clapped. She turned to Freya. "The Queen will need us. Let’s go help her," she said, giving Malcolm a silent glare before walking inside.
Freya nudged Rowan with her body before following Madame Rosalie inside. She stopped first to give her father a small peck. "Pa," she said before entering the palace.
"It looks like you two have gotten yourselves into a big bowl of trouble," Louis remarked, but the two men just sighed in relief, giving him a thumbs-up.
Louis shook his head slightly, bending down to lift the bowl, but Rowan rushed over to relieve him of it.
"Father, you don’t need to carry these heavy things. If I’m not around, get the servants to do it for you," Rowan said, lifting the heavy bowl and starting to walk.
Malcolm came to stand beside Louis. "It seems like you’ve found the perfect son-in-law."
"Son-in-law?" Louis furrowed his brows, he was very sure his daughter didn’t want to see Rowan ever again.
"Father? Are you coming?" Rowan called, stopping in his tracks. He turned to give Louis a small wave.
Louis rubbed his neck gently. "Father?" he muttered before running after Rowan.
Malcolm smiled, watching the two men for a minute. "Can I join too?" he shouted, running after them.
---
Inside the royal chambers, Adric sat close to the bed, his eyes on the little one wrapped in white, now sleeping peacefully.
"She’s so beautiful," Adric whispered, trying not to wake the child.
Oriana smiled. Ever since their daughter was born, Adric would leave the room for a few minutes to attend to work in the royal court, only to rush back, eager to see the child’s face again.
When the baby stirred, turning her head as if chewing something, Adric gasped, pointing excitedly. "She has the tiny dimples on her cheeks just like mine," Adric couldn’t contain his excitement, seeing a little version of himself. It was perfect.
Oriana sighed. "I never thought I’d have to compete with my child for my husband’s attention," she remarked with feigned jealousy.
"What? No!" Adric stood up and sat beside Oriana, touching her face. "Ana, thank you so much for giving me the greatest gift."
Oriana smiled, closing her eyes to feel Adric’s touch on her face. "Thank you for saving me," Oriana said softly. She didn’t just mean him saving her from marrying an old man from Valonia but also helping her overcome her fears, accepting her for who she was, and always being there for her. It was the greatest gift of her life.
"I can’t believe I’m about to spend the rest of my life having children with you. And they’ll come out looking just like you," Adric leaned forward to kiss her lips. "You’re so beautiful."
Oriana couldn’t contain her girlish blush as she tried to sit up. "We are supposed to get ready to meet Father and everyone before the event starts."
"I know, but I really can’t stop looking at your face. I’m the luckiest man alive," Adric muttered. "Eyes just like the sun- you’re so beautiful, my love." He moved his eyes down to Oriana’s lips and kissed her gently before deepening the kiss, his hands holding her face as he savored every taste of her.
Adric could still remember the very first day they’d met. That day their fate had intertwined because of a hot bun, and ever since, their paths had kept crossing. Though he lived in denial, afraid of letting anyone in, he failed to realize he needed someone to show him what true love meant. And Oriana did just that. She overcame all obstacles and never gave up, always taking his hand in the end. Even when he was proclaimed dead by Nicholas, Oriana didn’t falter. She kept her head high and waited for him. She was his True Queen.
"Ahem," a small cough interrupted the bliss the couple was sharing. "Let’s welcome my granddaughter first before you two start making more."
Oriana and Adric turned to see who it was and, with bright smiles on their faces, they shouted at the same time, "Father!"
King Fidelis stood by the door with a warm smile.