It seemed that mass panic had ensued after Erik had left the castle, for Nadir had not only brought the servants and knights that Erik had taken originally, but half the Kings Guard, and the King himself.
Christine handled it all wonderfully. She ran around the courtyard, half a dozen men and boys following after her, taking bags and satchels to carry to rooms. She curtsies and murmured her how do you dos while accepting at least a dozen gold coins into her hands. His heart sunk, but she deserved the gold for all the trouble he was causing.
The King came to him, leaning heavily against his stick, the top carved into a some beast covered by the Kings hand. The King clapped his hand against Erik's shoulder, his wrinkled hand still holding him tight and strong. "I'm glad to see you well Erik. I was afraid that you were lost to us."
Erik bowed stiffly. "I am never lost from being in your service my King." He said. "You needn't have worried."
"I sent that girl home." The King said, gesturing for them to begin to walk across the courtyard. "I'm sorry I put so much pressure on you, but you must be married soon. An heir is essential to stability in a household. I should know." He sighed. "Poor Elizabeth, she tried her best, six daughters and three miscarriages. All of them pretty and clever, but no son that lasted more than a day."
"I know my Lord." Erik said quietly, the girl he had sat with and talked with half way through the parties, she had been the King's own daughter. No doubt the King hoped that Erik would marry the remainder of his two single daughters.
"Excuse me, your majesty?"
They both turned to see Christine smiling pleasantly at the both of them. She curtsied low to the King and stood, resuming her business stature. "Your Majesty, I am honored to have you under my roof. Please feel welcome to satisfy yourself under my roof, however, this is an inn, of sorts-"
"Ah, yes. The price, one gold coin was it?" The King chuckled as he pressed the coin in her hand. Christine curtsied again and went off to take care of something else.
Erik watched to go, her wooden soles thumping against the dirt courtyard, the dirty, worn folds of her dress swaying from side to side. There was a thin band on her hand, but it was iron. Her hands were rough, despite being small. He was suddenly struck how beautiful she would look in a colorful dress of wool, with jewels adorning her throat.
"I have made a proposal to a woman." Erik said slowly, turning to look at the King once more.
He jumped "Have you? With whom? Was it Fleur?"
Erik nodded towards Christine, who was directing where a smaller trunk and three bags should go. Behind them, the Lieutenant of the King's guard watched carefully to make sure that nothing was stolen.
"Her?" The King grasped his stick and squinted to examine Christine better. "Does she even have royal blood?"
"No." Erik said quietly. "But neither do I."
"Are you sure?" The King frowned. "Did she accept?"
"She told me to allow a day to consider her feelings on the subject." Erik said. "I like her. She is very organized, intelligent, and kind."
The sharp look the King gave him at the last word made Erik shift uncomfortably. "Yes, kindness is very important in marriage." He sighed. "I suppose no one else will do?"
"If she accepts my proposal, I wish to marry her. Only, as she has no noble blood, I would require your permission." Erik replied stiffly. He didn't think he'd ever want to try to marry again if Christine refused him. He was thoroughly sick of the whole business.
"Ah, I see." The King shifted to put his weight on his other side.
"Will you give permission?" Erik asked. It was the other risk of his plan, and he hoped that it would work as he had hoped. "I am willing to pay much for the right to marry her."
The King looked at Christine, his eyes sharp in the way he examined her. "Very well." He said quietly. "I do, if she accepts, call on me and I'll write up the official document."
And one of the large weights that Erik felt off his shoulders lifted.
Erik didn't see Christine again until that evening. He had spent hours telling first Nadir, then the King's lieutenant, and finally the King himself what had happened that night, and what had happened afterwards.
By the time he was finished, he was thoroughly sick of the human race. He stole away from the castle, walking along the path to the church, for no other reason than it was there.
When he arrived at the church, only a few minutes later, he examined it carefully. He knew much of architecture after rebuilding his home castle. This wooden building had near nothing to it's name. It had a glass window, but it was not covered. The surrounding land had numerous apple trees, but the building itself was made of wood, it did not even have a stone foundation.
How tiny and insignificant it was, compared to the large cathedrals he had seen in Rome, and the large stone building he had in his own lands.
And yet, there was a peace here, that he did not know there. Perhaps it was the gentle wind as that shook the heavy branches of the trees.
He opened the door inside the building, shutting it quietly behind him. He looked down the rows of the old benches, and was surprised to see Christine kneeling before the cross. If he listened carefully, he could hear her reciting prayers.
Erik walked carefully down the aisle before sitting in the front seat of the church. The bench creaked under him, Christine turned her head. When she saw him she gave him a small small before returning to her worship.
It was peaceful, with the birds chirping outside, and her prayers echoing around the room.
After a few minutes, the door to the side of the church opened, the priest from yesterday walked inside. At the side of Erik, he paused to look at him for a moment, but continued on his way.
He was a large man, tall, likely could have made a good knight if he had chosen that path. He walked to Christine and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do you require anything?" He asked gently.
Christine turned to look at him. "Father, if I may, could you perhaps read the bible to me?"
"Of course, my child."
Christine sat at the bench aside from Erik, her hands laying in her lap.
The Priest, having fetched a copy of the bible, set it down. "Do you have any particular preference?" He asked gently.
Christine shook her head. The Priest nodded and began to read, his deep voice rang around the room easily, Erik had scoffed his sermon, but he read the bible well, and Erik listened carefully.
They must have stayed there, listening to him speak the words of the prophets before Christine stood and curtsied. "Thank you Father, that will be all."
"Bless you my child."
Christine nodded and turned to leave, Erik followed her carefully. Outside, they walked together down the dirt path. A wagon slowly creaked by passed them, an ox slowly pulling the cart of hay.
The sun was nearly setting, in another few hours it would have reached the ground. Erik wondered if they had missed dinner.
"Erik?" Christine asked softly.
He jumped, his hands clenching each other as he looked at her. "Yes?"
She heaved a heavy sigh. "I accept your proposal."
And at once, the remain weight on Erik's went out in one breath. "I- thank you."
She laughed softly, the setting sun making her eyes sparkle. "You know what convinced me?"
"No."
"You're friend, Nadir?" She cocked her head. "Yes I believe that was his name. I asked him about you, he said he thought you would be a good husband." She shrugged. "I believed him, but I find that with these decisions it is always best to consult God."
Erik nodded, the world still seemed to spin under him.
"I- I still will hold you to my requirements." She reminded him. "No mistresses. And I do not want to be dressed up and put in a corner, I want to be heard."
Erik nodded. "Of course. I understand." His hands gripped each other behind his back
"I do have something I must ask you." Christine murmured. "Are you aware, well. Your mask-" She pressed her lips together, and then her words came all spilling out. "You see, in order for us to make an heir, your mask- it might- well. It might get in the way, what are- what are we going to- well, do?" She looked at him, her eyes not mocking him, looking with real earnest.
Erik ducked his head, thinking quietly. It was not something he had considered, he wondered how she had thought of this ahead of time. "I- I will remove the mask." He considered finally. "It will have to be dark, dark enough that you cannot see." He shivered, thinking of Carlotta and her scream.
She nodded. "I understand. You see, I do- I do truly want this marriage to go well. I- I do not take relationships lightly."
Erik chuckled. "Neither do I."
