Chapter 8
Chapter 8
After what seemed like hours, although truly it was only a few moments, I heard footsteps racing up the staircase. Before he could knock, I summoned Caspian into the room. With him was a tall, burly man with a mane of golden-red hair.
"Addie, this is Kevin, the Chief Royal Guard." He introduced, "Kevin, this is Addie." I reached out to shake hands but Kevin knelt and kissed mine instead.
"Hello, Addeliene," he said in a low, powerful voice.
My eyes opened wide, "How do you know my given name?" I queried.
"It is my job to know as much as possible about all that goes on in the palace. I have spoken to Gertrude, Borlan, Tom, Jacob, and many others you've had contact with here. They all praised your keen intellect and diligent work habits, but no one knew of your past. Of course, I was aware of his highness' friendship with you, and when he told me about the box, I realized it was the link I'd been missing. I admit, I took it from your room. Please pardon me, my lady, but it is necessary to secure the safety of the king, and the future king." He glanced at Caspian at the end of his speech.
"My father was Chief Royal Guard before me, and his father before that. We have many secrets we keep for the king. One involves a deposed queen and a secret treaty made in my grandfather's time. You, my dear Addeliene, hold a part of that secret in your hand there." He glanced at the box in my hands. "Do you know where the other part is hidden?" He looked at me kindly, and I smiled at him.
"Naturally. If you'll just make a slit in the bottom of the mattress," Caspian jumped up and removed a dagger from his belt. He ran to the mattress. "Just there, Highness, where the fabric looks a bit darker, yes, that's it."
He slit the white fabric and reached into the hidden pocket. He pulled out an old-fashioned ornate key. I drew a slow breath and reached out my hand. Caspian held the key almost reverently and walked back to me. I thanked him, and my fingers brushed his hand as I took the key. I fitted it into the lock and turned it. Inside a sheet of parchment was scrolled. I took it out and carefully unrolled it on my lap.
The King of Lyon does hereby claim the kingdom of Jashkin to be a province of Lyon. The royal family of Jashlin voluntarily relinquishes their royal titles and lands, and places herein their royal signet. This receptacle shall remain with the family of Jashlin and shall secure their signet, which is a symbol of their royal heritage. The key to said receptacle shall be secured and kept in a place determined by the court of Justices, and may at any time be claimed by a true descendant of the royal house of Jashlin, who may choose to be reinstated, with certain proof, herein contained, as a member of the royal family of Jashlin, with all inherent titles, excepting claim to lands now owned by the kingdom of Lyon.
I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me and understood that Caspian had been reading over my shoulder.
"Yes, Addeliene. You are royal." Kevin had a small smile on his stern face. "That is, if you choose to be."
"I- I'm royalty?"
"She's a princess? Is that what this means, Kevin?" Caspian's voice sounded anxious.
"If she chooses to reclaim her family title. What is your full name, my lady?"
"Addeliene Jashlin Laurentia," I said in a daze.
"You bear the name of your grandmother, Addeliene Jashlin. And you had the box. I have done my duty. Your Highnesses, please excuse me." He bowed and left the room.
Caspian sat on the bed frame facing me.
"Addeliene . . . like in the tapestry we looked at together. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think you could help. I didn't think it was important to another common worker, like myself." As I said this, I remembered my anger and hurt from the previous day. I didn't feel angry any more. I felt confused and exhausted. I passed my hands over my face and sighed. Caspian noticed my fatigue and put the mattress back on my bed. He lifted me from the chair and laid me gently down.
"You should rest, Addeliene."
"Call me Addie, Prince." I yawned and closed my eyes.
"As you wish."
In my dream, I was walking along the waters edge, but my feet did not get wet. I looked up and saw a woman approach me. She had a regal bearing and my own dark hair and eyes.
"Addie, my granddaughter. What troubles you?"
"Grandmother? Why did you never tell mother about your kingdom? And if you did, why did she never tell me?"
"Sweet, I chose to be a peasant. I loved the simplicity, and your mother was raised to be a farmers wife. She learned to be proper and gentle because that is how a queen behaves, and after all, I am a Queen, even if I don't hold a title."
"Did you hope someone would come through your line that could find the key and solve the mystery?"
"Yes, when you were born, your mother brought you to me, and I knew you would be the one to reclaim our royal heritage. You were born to this. Do not be afraid to embrace it."
"But, I don't know anything about being royal, I don't even know any royalty, well, except for Caspian. And he hasn't exactly been a good example of royal behavior"
"On the contrary, my dear. He befriended you when you had no one. He has loved you from the moment you met, despite your unknown heritage. He admitted his love to you, although it was difficult for him, because he wanted you to know the truth and know of his deep regard for you. He would give up the kingdom for you if he had any brothers, but he knows someone must lead the people. He knows, no matter how much he loved Addie, he couldn't abandon his kingdom for her."
"But I'm Addeliene also, I'm your heir. I'm a princess, aren't I?"
"Yes, sweetheart, you are a princess, and you always have been."
I woke in the afternoon and rolled over. Caspian was sprawled across the chair, sound asleep. I slowly slid to the edge of the bed and sat up. No dizziness. I tentatively stood and felt weak, but no longer in danger of falling. I walked over to Caspian and looked down at him. Thinking about what he had done, in the light of my dream, I realized he hadn't been trying to hurt me by telling me he loved me. He was being honest and hoped I would be mature enough to understand his predicament. I felt foolish, but then recalled how solicitous he had continued to be to me, even though I'd been angry and rude. He was forgiving of my petty childishness. I gently brushed a lock of hair off his forehead and realized that if I claimed my title, I could be accepted by the law as a princess.
"I would marry you, if you will have me," Caspian spoke without opening his eyes.
"You were faking!" I laughingly accused.
"No, I wasn't. But it's not every day I get woken by a loving touch on my brow. I would like to have that experience more often." He grinned at me, and I found myself smiling back.
"I suppose, all things being considered, that it would be acceptable to me to occasionally tidy your unruly hair with my rough hands."
He caught one of my hands and tenderly kissed it. "These hands are skilled at many things. Cooking, gardening, building. Let's just see how good they are at fitting within mine." He stood and took both my hands in his. His eyes twinkled in that secret merriment I'd seen so many times before and he said, "Perfect." Then he kissed me.
After showing the signet to the King and Queen, and retrieving the book of Queen Addeliene from the court of Justices, I was presented at court as Princess Addeliene. I had to hide my hands behind me, because there were still stains from the beets I'd harvested. Caspian smirked, and then took one hand in his own and squeezed it.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing aloud. I remembered the first time we'd met, when I'd had a potato peel on my cheek. I remembered the time I had swiped dirt across my brow while nervously worrying about what to say to him. Here I was again, with a visible mess, and he just smiled secretly. Oh, how I loved him.
We were married today, and I'm sitting in my dear vegetable garden, enjoying a bit of quiet after all the well-wishing. There's a bench right next to the climbing roses, Tom must have moved it here when the roses began blooming. Their scent is more heavenly than I could have ever imagined. In fact, my life is more magical than I could have ever imagined. I went from a simple farm girl, to a gypsy, to a gardener-kitchen wench-puzzler, to a distraught and rejected lovesick girl, to this. I'm Princess Addeliene, married to Caspian, Crown Prince of Lyon. Just goes to show you can't judge a person by their circumstances, because who we are inside is what truly matters.
The End
Author's final note: Ta-Da! I had this finished a week ago, but I wanted my husband to read it before I posted it. I hope you all liked it! Thanks for reading. - littlema