Chapter 1
Annalisa led her son towards the front of the palace, “Now darling, what did we discuss about our little guest?”
Edward looked up at his mother with his wide, glittering, green eyes, “We will be polite and kind as the young girl is scared. Do I have to share my knights with her, mama?”
Annalisa smiled at her son and brushed his dark hair out of his eyes, “No, darling. Mary will have her own toys but I do expect you to be as kind as you are to me.”
Next to her, Drake stood, his back hunched slightly. Annalisa placed a hand on her husband’s arm, “How are you feeling, Thomas?” She whispered.
Drake shot her a look, “I asked you not to call me that.”
Annalisa’s spine straightened at the tone in his voice, “I-I forgot.”
Annalisa had only been married to Thomas Drake, a friend of her late husband, for about year and she had tried her best to be kind to him. He had recently lost his wife around the same time she lost her first husband. Drake had changed drastically since then, spending most nights within the walls of his chambers.
She was grateful, however, for how he became a father figure for her two youngest children. He had taken them in as his own and both Roseanne and Henry had loved it.
Edward, however, was left out in the cold. Drake could never even look at Edward.
“I am sorry,” Drake said, after a few moments of silence, “Mary is coming today and it makes me nervous. I have not seen her since she was a babe.”
“Did you say she was your niece?” Annalisa asked, watching as her son stood next to his nursemaid.
Drake paused for a moment, “Yeah.”
A carriage pulled at the end of the path and a guard rushed forward to open the door.
Out stepped a small, hunched woman in a grey dress. Then, the lady reached out for a small hand and helped out a small child.
Her hair glittered underneath the sunlight as she timidly made her way up the steps. She came in front of Annalisa and Drake and curtsied low.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, King and Queen.” She said as best as she could.
“Mary, I told you to say your majesties!” The nursemaid hissed from behind her.
The little girl’s thumb made its way into her small mouth. Annalisa crouched down in front of her and held out her hand, “It is nice to finally meet you, my darling.”
Annalisa held out her other hand to her son, “My dear, come meet your new friend. Mary, this is Edward. Edward, meet Mary.”
The little girl curtsied, “Hello.”
Edward took her hand and smiled, “You want to see something cool?”
Mary nodded vigorously and followed him into the castle. Annalisa stood and smiled at Drake, “All will be well.”
Twelve Years Later
Mary tapped her fingers along the table top of the schoolroom, “Is this really necessary, Blythe?”
Mary’s governess, of nearly ten years, glared at her pupil, “Mary, I have told you many times that is important to be educated in the matters ladyship—”
“Even if I will not be a Princess— yes we have been over this, but today is a big day, Blythe. Today, I will be told my future!” Mary finished, closing her book and standing. She twirled around in her dress, “I find out if Edward and I will truly be together!”
She sighed. This was the day she had been waiting for since she had arrived at the English court. She could remember the first time they were introduced. He was young, not more than five. He was older than her by nearly nine months and was always at least a whole inch taller than her.
Edward had always made it his personal mission to make her see that. And she made it her personal mission to make sure she was at his side.
He was her prince and she was his dove.
“I suppose you may have a few hours of freedom but I expect full participation tomorrow morning, yes?” Blythe said as Mary moved towards the door.
“Yes! I promise!” She said before slipping out the door. Mary took off down the hall in front the best sprint she could pull off, excited to see the one person she cared for.
A few maids gasped and moved to the other side of the hall as Mary tore down the hallway. She stopped, suddenly, at the sight of the strictest Lady of the house— Lady Bridget. She walked gracefully, keeping to herself as she passed Lady Bridget.
Just as she was about to clear Lady Bridget, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her inside a room. A hand covered her mouth, “Shush!”
Mary grinned underneath the hand at the figure holding her captive. “I’ve been looking for you all over the castle!”
The hand was removed from her face as she was twirled around and met with a pair of lips. Mary melted into the kiss, letting herself dissolve into his arms.
When they finally parted, she stared back at Edward— the only child of the late King— the only man she had ever loved.
His dark hair, in soft ringlets. His green eyes glinting in the faint light. His soft smile and delicate touch.
“Blythe absolutely refuses to let me out of class! She claims that ‘A lady must know the ways blah blah blah’ and all I want is to be with you!” She said, playing with the edge of his collar.
Edward’s green eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, “Oh?”
Mary shrugged, “Maybe there was another reason.”
She loved to tease him. It was one of her favorite past times. As a child, she would call his name out throughout the castle and hide, sending him into confusion. He would look for hours and hours but never be able to find her.
As they got older, her teasing became intimate— a slight touch of the hand under the table, a careful kiss under the stairwell. The teasing was returned graciously.
Edward arched his eyebrow at her, pulling her close to his body, “And that is?”
Mary grinned widely, “We find out if we are allowed to be married today!”
Edward smiled down at her, “Oh yes, I remember now. The crazy little girl from my childhood is now about to be my wife. It’s hard to believe.”
Mary stuck out her tongue at him, “Now, now mister, you watch how you talk to your future wife.”
Edward stepped back and admired her from afar, “Future wife?” He mused, “I like that.”
Mary stepped in closer, “Good because you are stuck with me— for better or worse.”
