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Part 13
“Your Majesty, a message from Sunnydale. It’s addressed from the palace.” Percy waited in the doorway to Queen Sheila’s chambers.
“Ahh, Percy, just the man I wanted to see. It’s probably a letter from Angelus offering his condolences at the loss of my daughter. Read it to me.” Sheila remained seated at her vanity, studying her reflection.
“Yes, Your Majesty. ‘To Her Majesty Queen Sheila of Rosenberg, from the hand of King Angelus of Sunnydale. Your Majesty:
“I write today to bring you news of your daughter here in Rosenberg. First, I wish to thank you once again for hosting my son within your borders as he grew up. I only regret that he was unable to meet you and your charming daughter while he was still young and not quite so headstrong and stubborn. But it was under the advice of my most trusted chamberlain that he was kept away from royalty until he came of age. Now however, I begin to doubt that advice, for while within your lands my son met and fell in love with a garden-wench and now refuses to seek a bride. But that is not the reason for which I have written this letter.
“I had the opportunity this morning of meeting the Princess Willow. The tales of her beauty and intelligence do not do her justice. She has an inner fire unlike any that I have seen before, and a temper to match. I feel that she will make quite a suitable companion for Prince William.
“However, she, like my son, is reluctant to pursue marriage. I had hoped that by arranging a meeting between the two, that they might console one another, and by that, agree to a match. But, alas, she refuses to see him, and he will not meet with her. I have not given up, however. I will continue to strive to bring them together. Perhaps you may have better luck in convincing your daughter.
“I have told the Prince that he must marry by year’s end. If he has not selected a bride by that time, I will choose one for him. It is my hope that it will not come to this, but if it does, I would like to make arrangements for a marriage contract and an alliance between our lands.
“Yours Always, King Angelus of Sunnydale.’”
“What?” Sheila fumed. “He met with her? How could he? She’s dead. Unless…” The queen began to pace thoughtfully around the room. “Unless those seven meddlers found a way to revive her. It was easy enough to figure out. The tightness of the laces was obvious. Next time, it won’t be so easy for them to undo. Percy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Tell King Angelus that I will do my best to persuade my daughter, and that a marriage contract is most agreeable to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Go now. Leave me, for I must plan my
next step carefully.”
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