The Proposal

[I left off with Elizabeth being introduced to the King for the first time]

“I thank Your Majesty for the invitation to attend Court. It both humbles and pleases me to be in your good graces. I ask if I may inquire to the business Your Majesty seeks with my family and me”
He gave a small smile, as if he knew that I would never normally speak in such a manner, but I was trying my hardest to appear full of high status and manners.
“I would be most happy to answer all of your queries but this does not feel like the appropriate place to do so. It would delight me if you were to accept my request to stroll in the garden with me.”
Strolling in the garden? That hardly seemed like the proper place to conduct business, which was what I strongly wanted to do. I did not come here to chat with the King, but to get an answer of if he was serious about making me his Queen, my deepest fear.
“I accept the most gracious offer.” I said quietly.
“Excellent.” He held is arm out and I intertwined, most unwillingly, my arm with his. The material of his shirt was so silky and unfamiliar that I automatically jerked away a little bit in confusion.
“Don’t be afraid, Elizabeth. I’m a stranger to you in most respects, I know, but you’ll get used to my presence in no time.”
He led me to the elaborate gardens of the castle grounds, where the always present wind blew the sweet smells of all the flowers in my direction. It was such a relief to be in a place of nature, rather than confined in the stone walls of my prison.
We walked for a bit, neither saying a word. When we had lost ourselves in the maze of green hedges and twisted stems of flowers, he began to reveal his plan.
“How did you enjoy your former home, Elizabeth?”
“It was most tolerable. My siblings, most especially the eldest brother, were my constant companions and we had many great adventures together.”
“And your Uncle?”
“He put a roof over my head and food in my belly, but he did nothing more for me. His malice and the use of his hand were a constant cloud of fear in the household. I do miss home, but I do not miss that.”
He said nothing and I feared that I had said too much ill will towards my Uncle and I worried that it might convince the King that I never wanted to return.
“What did you do at your home to occupy your time when you were not helping your siblings with chores?”
“I read many books, wrote, and took long walks in the woods. They all carried my thoughts into a happy place.”
“I see.” He hesitated before speaking again. “Forgive my abruptness, but I must ask. Did you have a lover where you are from?”
I had not expected him to ask me such a question because I did not think it would matter to him one way or another. I thought that if I didn’t, there was no reason for me to go back home and therefore every reason for me to stay at Court and become his Queen. Even if he suspected I did, I also didn’t think he would give a second thought to the man.
“Oh, uh, no Your Majesty, I do not.” I avoided his direct gaze and tried to control the tremors in my hands.
“Ah, well that is good.” He knew I was lying, but did not press the subject.
“Elizabeth, I must bear my heart and mind now in order to take you out of the fog of confusion that you have been placed in. As you most certainly, and most painfully, know, my beloved Queen Camille has been deceased for several months. A fever took her away from me and my heart has not been the same since. Against my advisor’s wishes, I, for awhile, declined to even consider the possibility of marriage to another woman. But, in time, I acknowledged that the country needed an heir to the throne, so I reluctantly let them search for a suitable replacement. They brought in many woman, all politically qualified, but none that reached out to my heart. I dismissed all of them.”
“As I was giving up hope of ever finding a satisfactory future Queen of England and a wife that I could truly love, Secretary Marr let me know that he had heard of a man by the name of Ronald Hawkins, your Uncle, whom was not rich himself, but was related to a Lord.”
A lord? I knew of no lords in my family, on either my mother’s or father’s side. If our family was fortunate enough to have a claim on that title, we would not be living the shambles that we were.
“I set Marr to investigate the residence of Mr. Hawkins. Upon his return, he reported that ‘Mr. Hawkins is a man of great respect who is well knowledgeable in his trade of business. His niece, the young Elizabeth Hawkins, is pure and refined, a suitable match.’ When I first met you in the castle, my immediate thoughts were that Marr’s fine words did no justice to the beautiful woman standing before me.”
His words made me extremely uncomfortable and I did not respond, knowing that there was nothing I could really say.
“I made the decision on the spot and I hope you are happy with it. Elizabeth Hawkins, you are the most exquisite woman in the world and it would make me the most happy if you were to become my wife and be at my side as the Queen of England.”
Shocked rippled through me and I was completely unsure if I had heard him correctly. Of course the understanding that the possibility of me becoming Queen was very high was entirely on my mind, but to hear the King himself confirm it was earth-shattering.
We had stopped walking and he faced him, bending his head down so that he could get a better look at my reaction. His eyes portrayed excitement and a bit of anxiety as he nervously waited for me to say something.
“I...I...I do not know...”
“Elizabeth, do not be fearful. The title of Queen may daunt you, but rest assured, you will be counseled in the ways of royalty. I shall be at your side through all of it.”
Again, he waited for my answer, giving me the impression that I actually had a choice in the matter. However, I knew differently. I was required to accept his proposal and live in the castle, like so many woman would want to. It was interesting to think that of all the girls in the kingdom would want to be proposed to by the King, I was the only one who didn’t and yet, I was the only one being asked.
“I accept Your Majesty’s proposal.” I said meekly.
“My dear, do not look so forlorn. Many great things will come from this.” he gently tipped my chin up to look at him, but I refused to make eye contact.
“May I be alone?”
He sighed and let go.
“Yes, I suppose so. One of my servants will escort you.”
As I left the garden, I glanced back at the King, who’s head was bent down, looking at a small object that he was holding. He look dejected, obviously expecting things to have gone more smoothly. I did not know if he imagined that I would have delightfully jumped into his arms after hearing the news or perhaps he hoped I would show even the slightest bit of enthusiasm. Regardless, my sadness was not what he had wanted.
I had no time to feel sorrow for the King for I was being led to a bedchamber far grander than any room I had slept in before. Once the servant had the shut the door behind me, I looked around the room in a daze.
Polished wooden furniture was everywhere and a roaring fire filled the room with warmth. My eyes settled on the centerpiece of the room, which was a four-poster bed, the epitome of luxury. My mind and emotions had no room, however, to marvel at such a thing, because all I needed was something soft to lie on and absorb everything that had just happened.
My worst fears had been confirmed by the King himself. I was to marry him, become the Queen of England, and never life my happy, fantasied life. I was destined to be like countless other woman, who never got the fortune of marrying for love. I doubted if I was ever going to utter the word love again.