The Bloodtruth Series - Cege Smith Page 0,1

that needed to be fulfilled in any case for her to change it now. Clearly the Robarts of old had never considered that their precious bloodline would end with a woman.

Her attendant, Elise, appeared by her side. “What’s so funny, Majesty?”

Angeline saw in her reflection that her lip had curled up in the corner in a smirk. She tried to think of a lie that would make sense. No one could know what she was really thinking. “Nothing, Elise. I was just thinking of when we were little and would dress up and crown ourselves queen. Do you remember playing that with me?” Angeline saw the young woman flush.

“I should never have done something so imprudent, Majesty. You were always so kind to me that it was easy to forget my station when we were young,” Elise said as she stooped to straighten Angeline’s train.

Angeline turned and caught Elise’s hands. “Elise, I hope I didn’t offend. It was a happy memory for me. Today is a big day and I am nervous. My father’s passing was so unexpected, but I hope he would be proud of me today. He always said that I had too much of my mother’s impatience to ever stand still long enough to have the crown actually set upon my head.”

The words were true. She felt like her childhood had disappeared as she ran from one obsession to another. Birds. Astronomy. Swords. Magic. She hadn’t had many friends as a result. Even then she couldn’t stand the posturing of the noble children and their parents who clearly wanted to gain favor with the king by associating their children with the young princess. The children of the servant, like Elise, had been better playmates; when she could get them to play with her.

“I know your father would wish you well today, Majesty,” Elise said as she bowed her head. She looked at Angeline from head to toe. “Your fiancé is going to be very proud of you today too. Everyone in court is excited to be part of your Ascension. We’ve never crowned a queen like this before; we are watching history in the making. And you look lovely.”

Angeline snorted and looked back in the mirror. “You’ve been in court long enough to know that my fiancé has many motivations, Elise." Since Angeline's return to court, she learned Malin Baford's popularity with the noblewomen had become legendary.

“He is eager to marry you, Majesty, and give the kingdom new heirs,” Elise said.

Angeline shook her head. She adjusted her skirt to avoid looking into Elise’s eyes. “He never liked me, even when we were children. No, I think Malin has other things on his mind.”

“He will be a good king, Majesty, and despite what you say, anyone can see how much he cares for you. He didn’t sleep at all while you were missing. He led many of the search parties himself,” Elise said quietly.

Everything inside Angeline railed at the idea that her life wasn’t her own. The other thing that queens did not have the luxury of was love. She had accepted her fate long ago, thinking that the idea of soul mates was the stuff of fairy tales, something that was illogical and therefore not for her. Meeting Connor had made her question almost everything that she believed in. But when you were royalty, someone older and wiser than you chose who they thought you should marry, and so there was no choice in the matter. Her father had picked Malin.

“I can’t believe how accepting everyone is of him now, considering he never really endeared himself to the people. My father was so worried that everyone would not take to him,” Angeline said.

“That has changed over the last few years, Princess. The Chief Advisor was often the one who held audiences even while the king was here in residence. He has shown himself to be wise and fair. It is a good match,” Elise said as she started picking at Angeline’s gown. “Everyone agrees that your father made an excellent decision. You are securing the Robart lineage for years to come.”

“If only that could be true,” Angeline murmured. She burned with the shame of the secret truth. Her father would turn over in his grave if he knew what was going to happen now. Angeline had failed him.

“There has always been a Robart on the throne, and there always will be,” Elise said, reciting a line that was common in Altera. She seemed unflustered by Angeline’s demeanor.

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