Well, here's Chapter Two. Erik and Christine haven't been married yet. That will happen later in this chapter. I'm not good at writing coronation scenes so if some of it's wrong please let me know. If you like this story so far, click that follow/fav button. It would make my day. And I love receiving reviews, so please do that also. And heeeeeerrrreee we go!
Chapter Two
Their wedding day dawned with the sun and a blue sky. Erik's mood, however, was sullen. He hadn't had the chance to talk to Christine after that day at the pond. She avoided him like the plague, sitting on the other end of the table from him at dinner. She took her breakfast in her room and lunch in the parlor. He wanted to apologize for any distress he had caused. But didn't get the opportunity.
Now, as Erik slipped into a white dress shirt, he wished he had done things differently. Maybe he should send her another note. But what would he say? I'm sorry for almost kissing you. That didn't seem right. Maybe just I'm sorry. That sounded better. He picked up a piece of paper and his quill.
Christine – I'm sorry for what happened at the pond. – Erik
Quickly he folded it and wrote her name. He gave the note to his valet and told him to bring it to Christine's chambers immediately. The man disappeared through the door, leaving Erik alone. He looked in the mirror again and adjusted the mask covering his deformed face. The valet knocked on his door.
"Come in." Erik called.
The man entered holding another note. "From the princess sir."
Erik took the note and unfolded it.
Erik – I accept your apology for the incident last week. However I'm still upset. I will go through with the ceremony today but that is all. I think it's best for us remain in separate rooms. – Christine
Erik read the note three more times. She wanted to stay separated from him? Why?
Because she doesn't want to sleep next to a monster. That same voice echoed.
Erik sat heavily in the chair by his desk. He dropped his head into his hand and sighed dejectedly. If she didn't want to share her life with him, why was she going through with this marriage? He stood and walked swiftly through the door, down the stairs, into the hall. His mother stood by the door.
"Erik. What are you doing down here?"
"I need to speak to you and Father. Where is he?"
Alice pointed to where her husband stood. "Cedric. Our son wants to talk to us privately."
Cedric walked over to his son and wife, "We can talk in my office." He led the way, closing the door. "What's the matter son?" He asked after taking a seat behind his desk.
"I'm afraid I've made a terrible mistake." Erik looked into his father's eyes. "Christine, doesn't want to be around me."
"What do you mean?" Alice asked.
"Last week at the pond I almost kissed her, and she rode away from me like the devil was on her heels." He sighed. "Ever since then she has adamantly avoided me. And when I sent her a note a few minutes ago and apologized, she wrote this back." He took the piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to his father.
Cedric read the note and then passed it to Alice. Turning to Erik he regarded him thoughtfully, "What do you propose we do? We can't postpone the wedding."
"I don't know Father."
"Well, there's nothing we can do." Alice handed the note back to her son. "You have go through with this wedding."
"But Mother. What if she hates me?"
"She doesn't hate you Erik." His mother put her hand on his shoulder.
"How do you know?" Erik looked up at her with a sad look in his eyes.
Alice sighed. "She wouldn't want me to tell you this. But she does enjoy your company."
"I doubt it." Erik looked at his hands.
"She does Erik. Christine may not love you, but she cares."
Erik smiled, a small smile. Before he could say anything though, the priest knocked on the door. Cedric called for him to enter. "Forgive me, but the last guests have arrived. We're ready."
Cedric thanked the man then turned to his son. "Are you ready?"
"I guess I'm as ready as I can ever be." Erik stood, following his parents from the room.
Erik stood at the top of the steps in front of the two thrones. The third throne had been removed the day before. As a string quartet began to play, he swallowed and shifted his feet. His father stood next to him and his mother stood across from them. The priest between them.
The guests stood when Christine started down the aisle. She carried red roses from the rose bush that had been planted inside. She was truly a vision in white silk. Almost like an angel she floated down the aisle toward him. She stopped at the base of the stairs and hesitantly took Erik's hand. They stood before the priest who began speaking. The priest had Erik repeat his words to Christine, then Christine repeated the words to Erik.
When the priest asked for the rings, Erik's mother gave Christine a solid gold band and his father handed him the wedding ring he had passed on to him. Erik recited the words as he slipped the ring on Christine's finger, it was small in size so the setting fit her delicate hands as though made for her. When Christine repeated the words, her hands shook as she put the band on his finger. The priest said a few more words before bidding Erik to kiss his bride.
Erik swallowed, then leaned down and touched his lips to his wife's. He meant to place a quick kiss, but the moment his lips made contact with hers, he almost lost himself. Before he could take it further he stopped. They turned to face the crowd. The priest announced them as King Erik and Queen Christine Delose, and Erik looked at his father with a puzzled expression.
Cedric gestured to the priest who brought out a pillow with two crowns on it. Cedric raised his hands and took of his crown. Erik's mother did the same.
"Father, what are you doing?" Erik whispered.
"you're married now, and that makes you king." Cedric took Christine's hand and led her to stand in front of the smaller throne while Alice took Erik's hand and led him to the larger one. They both knelt to one knee.
The priest started with Erik, "Erik James Delose, are you willing to take the oath?"
Erik swallowed before he answered, "I am."
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"
"I will."
The priest picked up the larger of the two crowns, a gold one with a sapphire in the front "Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"
"I will."
The priest set the gold crown on Erik's head, then turned to Christine.
"Christine Amelia Delose, are you willing to take the oath?"
Christine's musical voice lilted through the room, "I am."
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"
"I will." Christine's voice rang clearly.
The priest picked up the smaller silver tiara with the emerald in the front, "Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"
"I will."
The priest nodded and placed the crown on Christine's head. Erik and Christine stood and the crowd bowed. Erik's mother swept her hand towards the steps and Erik took Christine's hand, leading her through the crowd to the door.
"That was scary." Erik said when they got to the great hall.
"I agree." Christine stood next to Erik as they waited for the guests to come into the hall for the reception.
The guests came flooding in, congratulating the newlyweds before going to find seats at the tables. Erik's parents came and stood next to them, offering support. Before long, everyone was seated and Erik, Christine, Alice, and Cedric were at the high table. Dinner was roasted chicken with potatoes, cheese, fresh bread, truffles, and a three tiered chocolate wedding cake.
When the last of the plates had been cleared, the same quartet who had played at the ceremony began. Erik stood, took Christine's hand, and led her to the middle of the room. They settled into a slow waltz. Soon, all of the guests were dancing with them. Erik danced with his mother while Christine danced with Erik's father. Slowly, as the night wore on, guests began leaving. That was Erik's cue to retire for the night. He found Christine and led her upstairs, bringing her to the room they would share.
They would not have a real wedding night. The marriage would go unconsummated until they became more comfortable together. Christine went and changed into a nightgown behind a screen in the corner while Erik slipped into a pair of soft trousers to sleep in. He left his shirt off since he was uncomfortable sleeping with one on. Climbing under the covers he sat against the wall with a book as Christine emerged from behind the screen. He glanced up at her as she walked over to her side of the bed. She looked like an angel from heaven. He quickly looked away and continued reading. She slipped under the covers and turned on her side.
Erik finished the chapter he was reading, put the piece of string in the book to keep his place, blew out the candle, and slid under the covers. He lay awake listening to Christine's even breathing before drifting off to sleep himself.