Chapter Five
Heart's Desire
I rode in the carriage, watching the millions of objects pass me by. Eric rode in front. William at his side. Time to think. I didn't want to be alone. Something woke me. Something saved me from death. But who? I wanted to find out.
I looked at my clean hands, that once bore dirt and filth. Thanks to Ravenna. My thoughts went back to the time when I was locked in the tower. Hoping something would happen that I could finally escape, and when it finally came. I was breathless. I took the first chance I got.
I just focused my attention forward, hoping this trip to King Harold's kingdom will be brief.
###
"Your majesty, King Harold, I present you…Queen Snow White." An announcer replied. I breathed in. Eric and William stood guard beside me. I smiled, knowing the comfort of having them here with me. I walked into the throne room. No one was there, except the King himself.
He smiled at me.
"I thought there would be a King." He said, with a smile. "Then you're sadly mistaken." I said, with a frown.
"Look, the war is the last thing I wanted, but you stole the last thing you can from me!" He shouted. "Stole?" I asked.
I looked to the two men at my side.
"We haven't stolen a thing from you."
"Yeah, I've been missing livestock and such since the day you reigned!" He cried.
"I'm sorry, but I had no idea, the war's over livestock?" I asked.
He eyed me, his eyes were cold. He leaned forward. "Listen, I've been ruling this kingdom for over twenty years," He said, his voice was gruff. "Alone."
I could see where this was going. "I'm sorry, your majesty," I began. "I want you, to rule with me, Snow." He said, rising from his throne, walking towards me. "I love you." He whispered. I shook my head. "Marry me, Snow, or there will be war…and lives will be lost." He said, turning back to sit on his throne.
"And you and I both know, you don't like death if you can stop it." He spat.
I looked down at the floor. "Snow," William whispered. I turned. "I need to speak with you."
"Make that two." Eric popped in.
I sighed. "King Harold, will you please excuse us?" I asked. "Go ahead." He spat. "But, that remember what I offered."
William, Eric, and I left the room. "What's the problem?" I asked.
"You're not actually considering this, are you?" William demanded. "Of course I am!" I cried.
"Snow, you can't marry him! It's arranged, there's no love…" He said.
"Does that matter?" I asked. "I'm saving your life here, you too, Eric." I said.
"I don't like it." Eric spat. "Something doesn't feel right about him."
"Don't marry him, Snow." William begged.
I looked into his chocolate brown eyes. "I have to." I said, before heading into the throne room again.
"I love you, Snow."