~~ Chapter One ~~

Adalynn sighed quietly as she returned to her chambers at the end of another long day. She’d sat through meeting after meeting, discussing everything from menu, to guest lists. She collapsed into a stuffed chair and kicked her heeled shoes off, trying to ignore the small blisters on her feet. 

Recently, her days had become more and more busy, and would only get worse until the coronation and banquet. She had a few days to go, and then things would begin to settle down. At least she hoped; she was quite exhausted. 

She was thinking over her banquet speech when a light knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. “Come in,” she called. 

The door opened and Lady Ivy quietly slipped in. “Good evening, Your Highness,” she said. “How was your day?”

Adalynn sighed, watching Ivy go through her wardrobe. “Long. I’m at a loss for how Queen Amber managed all this on her own. How old was she when she was crowned?”

“Nineteen, I believe.”

Adalynn blew out a breath. “So my age. She was something.”

Ivy offered a smile over her shoulder. “And she taught you well, Your Highness. Your coronation and banquet will go wonderfully, I have no doubt.”

Adalynn smiled quietly to herself. She missed her predecessor, her adoptive mother. It had only been a year since she died. She pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to get sucked into her musings. “How was your day?” she asked finally. 

Ivy glanced over her shoulder at her. “You’ll never guess what I overheard today.”

Adalynn sat a little straighter in her chair. “What?”

Ivy grinned. “Chef Amos supposedly has eyes for one of the widowed maids in the castle.”

“Who?” Adalynn gasped.

Ivy just shrugged, her face falling in disappointment. “Not sure. I wasn’t able to catch a name. It was a few of his assistants that were talking, though, so the source is good.” She pulled a few items out of Adalynn’s wardrobe and held them up. “How’s this?”

Adalynn studied the simple, yet classy, riding outfit, and nodded. “That’ll do.”

She followed Ivy into her fitting room and quickly changed while Ivy found a nice pair of riding boots. 

A few minutes later, Adalynn was ready for the last item on her list today. Ivy tied off the braid in Adalynn’s hair and smiled at her in the mirror. “You look lovely, Your Highness. If you give me a moment-”

“Would you mind if I went ahead? Jasper would never let me hear the end of it if I were late.”

 Ivy hesitated, but reluctantly nodded, “I’ll get myself ready and meet you at the stables.”

Adalynn smiled back. “Thank you.”

A stable hand had her horse ready by the time she made it to the stables. She thanked him and mounted up, leading the horse to the castle gate at an easy pace. 

There were two garrison members at the gate when she approached. She reined in and gave the two men an easy smile. 

“Good evening, Your Highness,” the older of the two said with a bow. “Where are you off to?”

“Hello, Barth, Silas. I’m just going out for a ride around the grounds.” She glanced behind her.

Silas chuckled. “Are you waiting for someone?”

Adalynn turned back to face the guards. “Yes, actually. Sir Jasper was supposed to meet me here.”

Barth gave her a knowing smile. She was about to comment when the sound of rapid hoofbeats reached them. Adalynn turned again and smiled to herself. Jasper was coming towards them at a brisk canter. He reigned in next to Adalynn.

“I’m not late!” She shot him a look, hiding a laugh. “I’m not!” he insisted.

Adalynn rolled her eyes and laughed. “Did you see Lady Ivy by chance?”

Jasper shook his head. “She actually is late.”

As if on cue, a third horse and rider approached. Ivy sat up straight in the saddle as she reined in. “Shall we?” 

Adalynn smiled and nodded, not missing Silas’s action of standing up a bit straighter at Ivy’s arrival.

“We shouldn’t be gone long. We’ll be back before the gate closes for the night,” she told the guards as the three of them set their horses into a walk. 

“So, how were the meetings?” Jasper asked as they rode down the hill towards the creek. 

“They were alright, just boring,” Adalynn said with a sigh. “I mean, I understand why it’s all necessary and I do enjoy planning things like this, I just wish there weren’t so many tiny details that everyone else puts so much stock into.”

Jasper laughed. “You should ask Ivy to go in your stead. I’m sure she would love bickering with the other ladies about color schemes and who should sit where to get the most drama.”

“Yes!” Ivy exclaimed. “I would love to. Any time you wish, Your Highness.”

Adalynn laughed. “Thank you, Ivy, but I think I can manage.”

“Still, the offer stands. I dare say you would look stunning in fushia.”
“Surely you’re joking. You are as bad as your mother.”

They continued their ride in silence for a while. Adalynn didn’t mind; after the day she’d had, it was nice to just spend some time in a friendly silence. They reached the bottom of the castle hill and nudged their horses to turn towards the creek. A well-kept path ran along beside it, and the three friends followed it. 

“Any interesting news from the guards?” Adalynn finally asked.

“Plenty. Mostly rumors though,” Jasper chuckled.

“Any that I should know about?”

“Well, there is the idea that you are hiding a pet bear in the dungeons, but hardly anybody believes that. It’s more of a joke than anything. Another is that Chef Amos is planning a surprise party for Lester’s birthday next month, although it doesn’t seem like much of a surprise.” He paused, laughing again. “Oh, not to mention the one where we are courting each other, and the one where Lady Ivy is sneaking into town to rendezvous with a mysterious suitor.” He turned to Ivy. “Any truth to that one?”

Before Ivy could answer, Adalynn shook her head. “Wait. Back up. What?”

“She’s supposedly sneaking into town?” 

Adalynn rolled her eyes, not buying his feigned innocence; he knew what she meant. “No before that. People think you and I are-”

“Courting? Yes, that is what I said.”

Adalynn fell silent, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Most of the palace rumors would go away with time, but something like a courtship with a close friend could last for years. “Who was talking about it?”

“A few maids. Nothing too terrible,” Jasper shrugged.

“A few maids? Have you met the maids?”

Jasper paused, his brows furrowing. “Fair point.”

“Do you know who started that rumor?”

Ivy let out a small laugh. Adalynn turned accusingly to her Lady-in-Waiting. “It was you!”

Ivy quickly shook her head. “I did no such thing, Your Highness. But I can see why others have.”

Adalynn fought the blush coming to her face. She quickly thought of a way to divert the conversation away from herself. “Speaking of rumors of that nature, I’m sure it won’t be long until more rumors about you start to circle,” she told Ivy. 

Ivy pressed a dramatic hand to her chest. “Me? Whatever do you mean?” 

Adalynn grinned. “I think that Silas is quite taken with you.”

“He’s not the most subtle, is he?” Jasper laughed. He seemed to be oblivious to the looks being passed between the ladies, but knowing him, he had understood everything.

Ivy didn’t seem phased in the slightest. “I mean, he’s cute, I suppose. He certainly has a nice smile. But I think that my brother wouldn’t approve, and besides, I’m perfectly happy without a courtship at the moment.”

Jasper chuckled.

“I’ll believe that when my horse flies, Ivy,” Adalynn stated.

“Excuse me, Your Highness, but you changed the subject,” she retorted. 

Adalynn groaned. “Are we back on that again?”

Ivy gave a sharp nod. “And while I certainly did not start the rumors, I must say that I don’t disapprove.” She looked back and forth between her two companions. 

Jasper gave an awkward chuckle. “Ivy-”

She was on a roll now. “I think the two of you would be a good match, but if that were ever the case, I wouldn’t let Her Highness keep it a secret. Your hypothetical courtship would be widely accepted and supported. Only in keeping it a secret would it become scandalous, and only because it was a secret.” She smiled at Adalynn. “Do you know what I mean, Your Highness?”

Adalynn blinked. “I’m not sure I do.”

“Oh, never mind, then,” Ivy huffed. She nudged her horse forward. “I think I’ll ride ahead; enjoy the evening. I’ll be just up there, my lady.” 

Adalynn watched as her friend rode a respectful distance ahead, obviously trying to give her and Jasper some privacy. She blew out a sigh and shook her head slightly. 

“What is it?” Jasper asked. 

“Oh, nothing,” she replied. “Just that Lady Ivy can be quite the character sometimes.”

He chuckled. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.” He was quiet for a moment, then cleared his throat. “About that rumor, though-”

She turned in the saddle to look at him. “Yes?”

“I don’t mean to intrude or anything, I just-” he took a breath. “I wouldn’t be against it either.”

She raised an eyebrow and shot him a teasing look despite her discomfort. “Sir Jasper, are you implying that you want to court me?”

He shook his head. “I’m not implying anything, I’m simply stating that the idea isn’t a bad one. I mean, we are good friends, I would say-” she nodded at that- “and there aren’t many who would be surprised by it. And there would be political benefits as well, if you were interested in that.”

She cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “You could combat Lord Hawkin’s objections to your rule, for one. He’s gaining followers. My men are trying their best to apprehend them, but we can only do so much.” He had a point; Arthur Hawkin was a lord from a large manor in the west who was very outspoken. He didn’t try to hide his disdain towards Adalynn and the idea of her rule. In fact, he outwardly despised her.

She tried for a small laugh, but he just raised an eyebrow at her. “No, I’m being completely serious. It’s my job to protect you from men like Arthur. I am much less worried about the rumors than I am about him gaining influence in Acara.”

He was right about that. Aside from being her friend, Jasper was also Commander of the Acarian Guard, Adalynn’s chief military officer. He was young, barely four years older than herself. But he had apprenticed under the former Commander for years and was immensely talented, hence his promotion when his predecessor had tragically passed. It was quite literally his job. She frowned. “The last time we talked, you said Arthur wasn’t a threat.”

“Not at this moment, no, but if he gets many more of the nobles on his side, or even a few of the smaller towns, he could start a rebellion. Lord Tompson has sided with him; that already doesn’t bode well. We were hoping Tompson would stay out of it.”

Adalynn fell silent, thinking it over. Now she was up against two powerful lords? Arthur had influence and numbers, but he wasn’t very smart in matters of national politics. Gideon Tompson, on the other hand, was a political genius. If they were working together, she knew Gideon would most likely be the one masterminding everything. And now she had to deal with both of them. “Do you think courting someone will keep them from doing something rash?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure it can’t hurt.” He smiled. “But like I said, the idea isn’t a bad one, regardless of politics- at least in my opinion.”

She turned to face forward in the saddle to hide her small blush. “I think I’d agree with that,” she said, voice steady.  She couldn’t be sure, but out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw him redden. She hid a smile. 

“Lady Ivy!” Adalynn called. Her friend turned her horse immediately and rode back towards them. “I think we’d best turn back now.”

Ivy nodded. “Of course, my lady. My brother would have a fit if you were out past dark; you know how he worries.”

The three friends turned their mounts back towards the castle. Once they reached the stables, Ivy passed her mount’s reins to a stable hand and waited outside. Jasper offered to take care of Adalynn’s horse, but she politely insisted that she do it herself. She spent some time grooming her horse, and fed him an apple on her way out. She said goodnight to Jasper as he bowed and turned towards the barracks. She and Ivy made their way across the courtyard and into the castle. 

“Ivy, wait,” Adalynn called as they passed the corridor to the kitchens. 

“My lady, we really should get you back, I’ll be in trouble with Andrew if I don’t have you back before his guard shift-”

Adalynn grinned mischievously. “I’m sure he’ll forgive us for being late if we bring him a snack.”

Ivy hesitated, then grinned back. “Alright.” 

The two girls silently raced down the hallway and slowed as they neared the kitchens. Adalynn ducked behind a stone pillar as a few palace guards passed, making their nightly rounds. 

Once they’d passed, the girls slipped into the kitchen.

Luckily for them, Chef Amos was out for the night, and there weren’t many other kitchen staff in either. Adalynn led the way to a storeroom, where the day’s leftover goods were kept. She grabbed a basket and piled it full of pastries and cookies, making sure to grab a few raspberry tarts for Andrew; they were his favorite. A few lemon for Ivy, and a blueberry one for herself, and both girls were out the door again. 

They both had to wait a minute to control their giggles before heading to the main staircase and up to Adalynn’s suite. Soon she would be moving into the Royal Chambers, but for now, she was still in her own rooms, just down the hall. They were slightly smaller; a sitting room, balcony, and her bedroom, with a washroom and dressing room attached. They weren’t as opulent as the Royal Chambers, but she loved her suite nonetheless. She would miss it. 

She was hoping they would beat Sir Andrew to her rooms, but as they rounded a corner, she huffed out a small sigh. 

He didn’t turn to look at the girls until they were right next to him. 

“Ivy, I thought you said you’d have her back by dark,” he said, shooting a glance at his sister. “As captain of her personal guard, I kind of need to know where she is.”

She shrugged. “Sorry. We brought you pastries, though!” 

Adalynn slowly raised her basket, grinning at Andrew. She could see him fighting his own grin. “Come on, Andrew, you know you want one. Amos made raspberry today.” she nodded. “Yeah?” 

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Yeah.” He took the offered pastry and shook his head. “Good grief, it’s like I have two sisters.” The girls laughed. “No really, I’m not sure which of you is the bad influence.”

“She is,” they both said at the same time. Adalynn pulled a face at Ivy.

“Well, at any rate, thank you for the pastry,” Andrew said. “Now you’d better get inside, my lady. You’ve got another busy day tomorrow, you’ll need the rest. I have the first guard shift tonight and most of the day tomorrow, so you’ll be stuck with me.”

Ivy shook her head. “I am sorry for you.”

Adalynn laughed. “Thank you, Andrew. I’ll see you in the morning.”

✦✦✦

The morning of the coronation, Adalynn did not have her breakfast brought to her rooms. Instead, Ivy helped her get ready for the day and walked with her to a private parlor in the offices wing. Her uncle and advisor, Lord Lester, had requested a breakfast with her the day of the coronation. 

Adalynn entered the parlor and took a seat on one of the plush sofas across from her uncle. He smiled. “Thank you, Lady Ivy,” he said. Ivy curtsied and left. 

Lester offered Adalynn a plate. “Hungry?”

She looked at the table between them. Bread, pastries, fruit, sausage, coffee, and tea were all exquisitely presented, but she shrugged nervously. “Not really.”

He dished up a sausage and a few strawberries. “You should eat something, at least,” he said. “May help calm your nerves.” 

She reluctantly took the plate. “Thanks.”

He gestured to the teapot. “I asked them to make cinnamon blackberry.”

She smiled. “Can’t say no to that.” She poured herself a cup. “Is everything in order for tonight?”

Lester shook his head. “Adalynn, I don’t want you to concern yourself with that today. Let me handle the final details.” He reached for the jam. “You have enough on your mind today.”

She sighed. “Are you sure? I can-”

“I mean it, Adi. Let me handle things.” He met her eyes. “How are you doing? Really?”

She briefly considered putting up a facade, then berated herself. This was Lester. If she couldn’t be honest with her uncle, then who could she be honest with?

“I’m… terrified,” she almost whispered. 

He paused and set his toast down. “Why?”

She gave him a funny look. “You know why. I always thought that Rupert and  Amber would be here for this, you know? They were the only parents I can remember. Now I know how Miles felt when Rupert died, and he never even got this close to his coronation.”

Lester frowned slightly, and sighed. “I know this will be tough for you, Adi. Your brother was nervous when he was in line, too. He never meant for you to have to step in. But he would be so proud of you. Amber and Rupert, too.”

Adalynn took a deep breath. “I just… what if I fail?” she set down her still-full teacup. “The King and Queen adopted Miles and I. They were both amazing rulers and everyone loved and respected them. They always did what was right for Acara and for Miles and I.

“Already I am off to a worse start than Miles was. People already outwardly hate me, and I’m not even Queen yet. I know Miles never became King, but he never had people hate him, at least not openly.” She took another deep breath, now on the verge of tears. “Lester, what if I don’t live up to their legacies? What if I let the kingdom down?”

Lester leaned forward to catch her eye. “Adi. No, look at me.” She did. “Your rule may not be what the kingdom expects, and it may not be how Amber and Rupert did things, but I will tell you this. No matter what happens, you will always have support. I will help you, Jasper will help you, you have a whole group of people willing to help you be the best Queen you can be. It won’t all be easy, and you’re going to make enemies. I’m not sugarcoating that. Even Amber had enemies, and Miles would have made them, it’s part of the job.” 

He tapped her forehead. “But you’re smart, and you have a big heart. You’ll be fine.”

She sniffed and forced a teary smile. “Thanks.” She was quiet for a few moments. “I miss them.”

“Me too, kiddo.”

They sat in silence for a moment before Lester reached under his chair and pulled out a box. “I have something for you.” He frowned. “Well, technically Amber has something for you.”

Adalynn sat straighter. 

He moved a few dishes out of the way and set the ornate wooden box in front of her. “After Miles’ accident, when you became next in line, Amber asked me to keep this safe until your coronation. She didn’t expect it to be so soon at the time, and I know she wanted to give it to you herself.”

Adalynn carefully picked up the box. She opened the clasp and raised the lid.

A beautiful necklace was nestled on a small cushion. A sparkling silver chain was lined with alternating black and white opals all the way around. The center pendant featured a single large, black opal, with a smaller white one set on either side, all in a silver frame. It was clearly very old; she’d never seen anything like it. 

She gingerly picked it up. “It’s beautiful.”

“Her mother gave it to her the day of her coronation, shortly after Amber married King Rupert. It’s been in her family for five generations.”

She smiled. “Thank you,” she said in a hushed tone, gently returning the necklace to its box. 

“Don’t thank me.” He stood and gave her a hug. “They would be proud of you, Adalynn. Amber, Rupert, Miles. And I am, too.” 

She hugged her uncle and they finished their breakfast, Lester careful not to let Adalynn begin to worry about the coronation that evening. 

When they were done, they both said goodbye until later, and Adalynn met with Ivy again to prepare for the day. 

It was nice to have a quiet, cathartic breakfast, she thought. Because the rest of her day would be anything but calm.