Oh, that magnificent bastard.
“I remember,” he continued, then stopped. Shook his head. Cleared his throat. When he spoke again, his voice was a rougher. “I remember when I stood in this very room years ago looking upon my beloved. It was one of the happiest days of my life, knowing that I would get to look at this beautiful person for the rest of her days. And I did. There may have been days when we didn’t see one another. Days when commitments led us far from home, priorities that required our attention. But there was never a day that my Queen was far from my thoughts. She left this world far quicker than I had ever thought possible, but the time we shared together has kept me warm these many years later. For her, I would do it all over again.
“And that is what love is. Even when you’re hurt. Even when you’re angry. Even when you think you can’t take another step, love is what keeps you going. If you can love, then you can overcome anything that may rise against you. And it should be love that helps guide your actions because it will show you truth. It will show you beauty. It will show you compassion. And these traits, these insights, are the mark of a king. Without it, one can never hope to rule with a firm and kind heart.”
He took a breath and looked at Justin. “And so today, I give my son, Grand Prince Justin of Verania, to Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart in the hopes that he will have all the moments his mother and I had. You have my blessing.”
The King stepped back.
Randall stepped forward as the audience took their seats.
“Now,” Randall said. “I must ask before we proceed. Prince Justin, are you here of your own volition and peace of mind?”
“Yes,” Justin said, voice strong and clear.
“Knight Commander Foxheart, are you here of your own volition and peace of mind?”
Ryan was staring at me over Justin’s shoulder….
I narrowed my eyes at him and jerked my head toward Randall, trying to get him to pay attention.
The audience tittered quietly.
“Knight Commander,” Randall said again.
Ryan looked startled. He turned his head toward Randall. “Uh. I’m sorry? Can you say that again?”
“Oh my gods,” Gary muttered.
Randall’s lips twitched. “Of course. Are you here of your own volition and peace of mind?”
“Uh. Yes?”
“Is that a question?” Randall asked.
“Yes.”
“It’s a question.”
“Er. No. I’m here.”
“Of your own volition.”
“Yes.”
“And peace of mind.”
“Ha-ha,” Ryan said weakly. “Uh. I mean yes. My mind is in pieces.” He paled further. “I mean, my peace of mind. It’s peaceful.”
What the hell?
“Good to know,” Randall said. “I’m glad that you’re so… peaceful.”
Justin’s shoulders were tense. My hands were clammy.
“Now,” Randall said, raising his voice to carry out around the throne room. “We gather here today to join the Prince of Verania to the Knight Commander who will one day stand as King Consort. They have both spoken and have agreed they are here of their own volition and peace of mind. Before we begin the ceremony joining these men in a bond not easily broken, there is a question I must ask.”
I knew what was coming. I made sure to glare at my family in quick succession to get my point across. They mostly ignored me. Except for Gary. Gary rolled his eyes at me. What a dick.