Ava woke up early again- the rooster right outside her window was crowing louder than ever. She hadn't slept much and she was grouchy. The decisions she was making for her kingdom had almost driven the treasury broke. Had it not been for her real estate holdings, the kingdom would be millions into debt, and the thought of what might happen to Albion if it didn't turn around soon was keeping her awake at night. For a moment she considered getting her pistol to silence the rooster, but she was suddenly distracted when she saw the dress Hobson had laid out. He usually left it for Marie to lay out Ava's clothing unless it was a special occasion. She tried to remember what she had planned for today, but couldn't think of anything except a few routine appointments in the throne room with townspeople and lunch with Page.

Hobson came in just that moment, "Good morning, my Queen! Glad to see you're awake!"

"Hobson- have I forgotten something? The dress is beautiful but it's a bit much for the throne room, isn't it?"

"Your appointments in the throne room have been rescheduled. Mr. Reaver has asked to meet with you for brunch." Hobson squealed.

Ava could tell that he wasn't telling her everything- he seemed excited about something but she figured it had to do with money. Especially if it concerned Reaver.

She laid back on her pillows, "Please tell Mr. Reaver that we will have to meet some other time. I'm meeting with Page for lunch, and Reaver would only put me off my meal."

"Perhaps you might reconsider when I tell you that Reaver is offering to pay for the entire army that we need to raise to protect the kingdom. As you know, the treasury is dangerously close to being in debt."

Ava pressed a pillow to her face, wishing she could disappear. She was sure this wasn't as great as it seemed. "Fine. Please inform Page that I will be a bit late to lunch. And for the love of Avo, Hobson, find me a dress that isn't cut so low."

Ava was standing in Reaver's garden just two short hours later. Her high collar was irritating her, and she almost wished she had worn the other dress, but with Reaver around, that was just begging for trouble. She mounted the steps to his manor and before she could knock the doors were thrown open. She stepped in and Reaver called from the top of the stairs, "Good morning your majesty! You look as magnanimous as ever!"

She should have expected he would want to make an entrance. He twirled his walking stick as he came down the stairs- apparently he didn't need it for walking, she thought. He stopped in front of her and bowed low, taking her hand, kissing it, then leading her into the dining room. For a simple brunch, the table was entirely covered in all kinds of foods- Reaver really wanted to make an impression. She sat opposite him and ate quietly, listening to him go on and on like a madman about this and that. He talked about historical events as though he had been there and didn't think it was inappropriate at all to talk about sex or murder at the table.

Sick of his chatter she patted her napkin to her mouth and interrupted some story about a summer he spent in Oakvale (which was crazy, as Oakvale had been gone for several hundred years.) "I'm sorry Mr. Reaver, but Hobson led me to believe that I was coming to hear an offer to fund an army?"

"Ahh. Yes, yes. Right down to business. I like that." He put down his glass and folded his hands, leaning on the table. Ava waited for him to speak.

"I do have an offer for you, Ava."

"Queen Ava, if you please, Mr. Reaver."

"Queen Ava." He smiled. "It might not be what you were expecting, but I hope that you would consider it nonetheless. I daresay, most would find it quite alluring."

Ava was getting impatient.

"I know we haven't seen eye to eye in our little hearings in the throne room. Whereas I've been trying to convince you to keep Albion out of debt, you've been more concerned with being popular with your people." He raised a hand to stop her protest, "That's fine, that's fine, I suppose. I don't give a damn what those bottomfeeders think of me, but I can see where someone like you might care."

The more he talked the angrier he was making her. "Get on with it, Reaver." Ava growled.

"My Queen- I am offering to give you access to my personal account to fund your army, as my wife."

Ava's jaw dropped. She was astounded that he had the nerve to ask her.

"Of course, in return I would want you to appoint me as your King, not just your consort. You get my money. We share the throne. And you get to bed me any time you would like- I'm always up for a good time, and I promise you will not be disappointed."

"Stop. Just stop Reaver." She nearly spit the words at him, she was so disgusted. "I knew your offer was too good to be true. The money, I mean. I wouldn't marry you if my life depended on it."

Laughing, Reaver pulled his pistol from his hip. "You might be fast, but so am I. You won't get your gun out before I fire." She knew he was right- her gun was hidden under what felt like a hundred layers of skirts, anyway. Keeping his gun pointed at her he made his way to her side of the table.

"Think, Ava. Your country needs this." He put his hand on her shoulder and she tried not to shudder. He moved his lips by her ear, "Your friend Page needs you to do this. And Captain Finn. And Walter."

"You wouldn't..."

"Sabean and his man. And Kalin. That mongrel that follows you everywhere. All of them." He stepped away and put his gun back in it's holster. He knew when he had her and he sounded cheerful when he spoke again. "So I understand you might need some time to consider it. Marriage is a big milestone in any young woman's life, and as I understand it, you'd be a virgin bride." He smiled to himself.

Ava wanted to vomit.

"Please make your decision quickly, though. I am so looking forward to throwing you a grand engagement party, my angel."

Ava couldn't speak or move from the table. She was shocked. She had never been backed into a corner like this.

"Thank you for sharing brunch with me, Ava." He left the room humming and twirling his walking stick, and once he was gone, Ava broke into tears. It took her a bit, but once she composed herself she left the manor as calmly as she could. Rather than head straight to Page's house as planned, she went back home, to the castle, where Walter found her in her room.

He knocked on the door before letting himself in. "One of the maids said you looked upset. What's the matter, Ava?"

Walter sat next to her on the sofa and she fell against his arm, sobbing all over again. She would need a some time before she could speak.

All of a sudden, Ava became aware of how very still and quiet everything had become. The birds weren't chirping outside and the servants were no longer chattering away down the hall. Walter was still and unblinking, and Teresa was standing in the corner. Ava knew she didn't need to explain- Teresa would already know.

"Reaver is a very wealthy, man, Ava. He may not be the most honest, but he will hold up his end of your agreement should you choose to marry him. All those hard decisions you've had to make for Albion would be passed to him, and you needn't worry about the state of the treasury any longer. However, be aware that Reaver would not hesitate to cause you or the kingdom harm if he could benefit from it. If you choose to deny Reaver, you will have to find a way to pacify him. He is very skilled with his firearm, and if it came to a fight, you might very well lose. It's a little known fact that Reaver was the Hero of Skill who helped your father destroy Lucien 50 years ago."

Ava was confused. "I don't understand how that's possible."

"That's a story for another time. Right now, you have decision to make. To marry Reaver would make you the wife of a despot. But to defy him might be the end of Albion."

In a heartbeat, Teresa was gone and the room was returned to it's unfrozen state. Walter still sat on the couch, waiting for Ava to say something. "Would you like to tell me what has you upset?"

Ava smiled at him through her tears. "It's nothing, Sir Walter. Everything is going to be fine."

It was past time for Ava to arrive for lunch and Page was getting hungry. She was just about to leave for the Riveter's Rest on her own when there was a knock on the door. She meant to scold Ava for being late, but when she opened the door she could see the tears in Ava's eyes, ready to fall. "Ava? What's wrong?" Page stepped aside to let Ava in, but she just stood there in the doorway.

"I came to apologize: I won't be able to have lunch with you today, Page. I'm going to spend the night in Millfields. As my friend, I wanted you to be the first to know that Reaver and I will be announcing our engagement tomorrow."

Page couldn't believe it. She didn't think she could hate Reaver more than she already did but she had just proven herself wrong. "What has he done to you, Ava?"

The tears started to roll down Ava's face, but she didn't seem to notice. "Nothing. He's going to save us all and be the ruler I wasn't able to be."

"You told me Teresa said there needed to be a hero on the throne."

"And there will be. I hope I'll see you at the engagement party, Page." She turned and left, leaving Page standing there, worried, angry and confused.