A/N: Hello all! Yes, this is an updated chapter, and though it is very short I will have the end for you as soon as possible. I won't offer you a million excuses, just that my laptop was broken and I had to wait until my birthday to get a new one. Instead all of my communication has been handled by the stupendous dalikins who posted some of our old stories. If you haven't had the chance to check them out you really should! I warn you the chapter isn't that great but it was more difficult then I can say to actually write. Without further ado I give you –

Chapter 21

"I can't possibly marry Valerian!" I exclaimed, part in shock and part fearing that what I was hearing was all just a cruel lie.

"You said yourself that I wasn't supposed to even approach him, and now you want us to get married? Forgive my confusion sire, but you seem to be contradicting yourself again." I said, my eyes narrow. Since the king felt it fair to tell me how it was, I had no qualms about showing him the same courtesy.

"It's true, I admit that I was a little hard on you my dear. But I couldn't allow my son to marry a woman who was only after his title and wealth." He explained. I opened my mouth in protest, but he continued before I could get a word in.

"Don't worry, I am well aware that you aren't pursuing him for such shallow reasoning. In fact, hat is one of the reasons that I would be pleased if you decided to come with me, besides the fact that it would make my son infinitely happy." He finished kindly.

I turned away from him at that moment, unable to face him while I made my decision.

At first I thought it would be easy- of course I'd go- and be with Valerian forever while living in a palace that was a part of every young girl's fantasy. However the actual deciding part wasn't as simple as I'd anticipated. Thinking about the reality of what choosing Valerian meant, I grew unsure as to whether or not I should accept after all.

He was a prince, on the eve of his coronation to become king. In retrospect, falling in love with him in the first place was probably where I started off wrong – granted I didn't know who he was at the time. As for me, I didn't know the first thing about living in a palace, at least not as anyone but the maid, and I wasn't even overly experienced at that. How could I be a Princess? A Queen?

I also had to think of the life I'd forever have to leave behind. The orphanage that was my family, those comfortable mornings cooking porridge for everyone, and sneaking off to sing with Faolan – all of which would become just memories of a past life. I must have been lost in thoughts for a while, since the king ended up interrupting them.

"I am pleased to note that you are not taking this decision lightly, but I must ask that you hurry. We haven't much time." The king said, placing his hand on my shoulder gently.

"You're asking me to become a Queen." I said resolutely, turning my gaze back towards him while my eyes slowly filled up with tears.

"But as much as I love your son, I know how important his kingdom is to him. I cannot marry him because it would be irresponsible of me to take on a position that I know nothing about. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone with my ignorance and least of all him." I said, walking over to one of the chairs beside me since I didn't think that I could even stand anymore.

"It is that very attitude that assures me that you will be a good ruler. The moment one becomes overly confident, especially in a position commanding great power, is the minute that one begins to fail. It is a lesson that every leader must learn at some time in their lives, and it is thanks to you that my son has learned it at such a young age.

I will not lie to you, it will not be easy and there is much for you to learn. But I promise that my wife and I will do whatever it takes to help you. As for my son, I don't mean to pressure you, but I know he loves you greatly. For his sake, if not just to relieve my own conscious, I hope you will accept."

The king's smile was doubled over with concern for his son, the firelight flickering across his face and making his expression melancholy.

"Perhaps I ask too much of you."

"No! Please don't think that. I'm honored that you would even consider me as part of your family. But even though I care about Valerian more then I can say, I can't help but wonder if by joining your family I'd have to give up my own." I said, gesturing to the walls around me. It wasn't much, but it was all I had ever known, and all I could ever consider mine.

To my surprise, the king laughed jovially.

"My dear Carys, you won't be imprisoned like a delicate flower, despite what some tales may have told you." He said, obviously thinking of Valerian.

"You are free to visit the city at your leisure. You'll be a Queen, not a convict. Besides, you must understand that as your family, those living here will be moved into a more comfortable home, even within the palace grounds if you like. Being a Queen is not without its advantages- though I hope you do not decide solely based on that fact."

I laughed. If Matron were eavesdropping she'd probably be jumping for joy at the thought of living in a beautiful home with servants of her own. All the rest of the children would be taken care of too, and I wouldn't have to worry about getting food on the table for them.

But most importantly, saying yes would be the start of a new adventure for me- one like I'd always dreamed of having. And I would be there for Valerian whenever he needed me. When he was sad, and stressed, and when he was happy, I could share everything with him.

"Then with your blessing Your Majesty I agree, so long as Valerian doesn't object. I'd hate to pressure him into getting married to me, since then I'd be no better the Rhoda." I said. "Aside from the whole assassination part of course…" I added

The king laughed again. "I wouldn't have asked you if it was against his wishes. And enough of the Your Majesty. In private I am merely Alaric, since I am to be your father in law after all."

I think I visibly paled at the notion. The King held out his arm to me, and I took it gratefully – I had made my choice.

This time, when I left the walls of the orphanage, I didn't rush to bid farewell to Matron, Faolan or the others. I didn't think it was necessary since I wasn't really going anywhere. Besides, I knew both her and my brother were well aware of what my decision would be before I had even made it.

I rode in an anonymous carriage, directly across from where King Alaric was sitting. He must have procured it for this trip, since it was hardly like the one I had seen with Valerian so long ago, back when I still thought him to be Oran.

The two of us didn't speak with each other. There was far too much to be said, and too little amount of time to say it. We entered the palace from the same side gate that I had used on my first trip here with the Queen, and she was awaiting us there with a smile of pride on her face.

"I knew you'd come Carys. Please forgive my husband's incivility before. You must understand he is fiercely protective of the ones he loves – but sometimes he doesn't quite know how to show it." She laughed, though she earned a look of disapproval from him in response. Taking my hand she led me up to where her chambers were, not far from Valerian's rooms. There, awaited a hot bath and a handful of maids. I had to hand it to the Queen, she certainly was prepared, and despite the fact that I didn't feel overly comfortable while others watched me bathe, I didn't have the heart to say so after she had gone through so much trouble.

The water was still pleasantly warm when I got in, and all sorts of sweet smelling slaves were lathered in my hair until I felt sure that I had never been so clean in my entire life. When I was finished, one of the ladies maids handed me a towel that was softer then a feather. Mentally, I told myself that I could get used to such fine treatment very easily.

The Queen and maids left for a moment, allowing me a small amount of privacy while I rung the water out of my hair and dried off, but they returned not long after in carrying the most beautiful gown I had ever seen. It was the palest shade of blue- to match my eyes the queen said, but what I was amazed with most of all was the fact that it was decorated with hundreds of Norsundrian opals along the bodice and train. The sleeves elegantly hung down to the floor, and the skirt flowed down with no crinoline to puff it up, allowing it to flow down to the ground like water.

I was so completely in awe of it that I had no idea what to say – thank you kindly just didn't seem like enough. I drew my hand over my mouth so that it wasn't agape, and thankfully the Queen wasn't offended by my lack of speech.

"I'm glad you like it. I thought it would suit you well, and match your pendant besides." She said with a warm smile.

"I don't know what to say…but I can't ever repay you for what you've done for me." I stuttered.

"Nonsense. You saved my son in more ways then one. It is I who am in your debt." She replied graciously. Matron always told me that there was no use denying generosity when it was offered, and so I was hardly inclined to do so with a dress as beautiful as that.

When I put it on it felt as if I was wearing a cloud, the material was so soft- it felt entirely different then what I was used to. Once I was dressed the Queen embraced me lightly, so as not to ruffle the elaborate gown.

"You look lovely sweetheart, but I have one more thing to give you." She said, gesturing one of her maids to come over to where I was standing in front of a large, floor length mirror. Sitting on a crimson, velvet cushion was a silver tiara speckled with the blue gem stone.

"I was given this for my wedding anniversary by my husband. But I'd like you to wear it tonight. You are a princess Carys, and tonight we will show the world how special you are." She said while placing it on my head

"Thank you." I replied, my voice breaking with emotion. Everyone was being so kind to me.

Queen Llysenia took my hand and led me towards the ballroom. The two of us stood on the precipice looking at the crowd below us. I didn't see Valerian, I supposed he was biding his time since he didn't want to get engaged at all, though I couldn't wait to see him.

"We will wait here until Alaric makes his announcement. There is no point in a preemptive strike. I think my husband would prefer to take his time with the Derevings given their betrayal."

I laughed, not feeling sympathy for them at all, and watched to see the evening unfold below me.