The wrong deed

Re-marrige.

A funeral was held and Kayla was soon buried. Many people were affected by her death and the kingdom had a big loss. Arthur was the most affected by this. He was completely shattered and had nothing to do. But he hadn't lost all hope due to the presence of his daughter.

A week after the burial, Arthur thought of how he should deal with his child. But all his thoughts were vague. He then one day set out with no one knowing where he was going. He just took his daughter, who was now hated by half the kingdom, and set out. No one questioned his majesty. They had all been scared of talking to him since Kayla died.

Arthur took the carriage and went to the city. There was an isolated area that didn't have much settlement. On reaching there, he set out on foot. He walked in the silence of the place, and it was more unusual than the rest of the area. The princess was quiet too but not asleep. Arthur had covered her with his cloak to prevent the calm but cold breeze from reaching her. He took a few turns only to find himself in front of a house that was not fancy, of course, but was the best in that area. Arthur knocked three times before he heard footsteps approaching the door from the inside.

Arthur remained rather calm when he was questioned by a voice from the inside,"Who is it?"

Arthur answered in a calm, but broken voice of sourness probably caused by grief,"Arthur" he said.

With no hesitation, the door started being opened. The sound of locks could be clearly heard and once that was done, a load creek was heard as the door opened inwards. There stood a woman. She was blond, tall but not taller than Arthur. She wore silk clothes and she was beautiful. She looked at Arthur for a while before she welcomed him in.

Once Arthur was inside, the woman bowed to show respect.

Woman: -as she bowed - Good day my king.

Arthur looked at her and sighed.

Arthur: Stand up Natalia, no need for that.

Natalia: Sit down Arthur. You must have come a long way, it is warm here. You can take off your cloak.

Arthur: No need to sit, but you can help with the cloak.

Natalia went and removed Arthur's cloak from him. At first, she didn't realize it, but then she heard a tiny yawn from Arthur's arms. When she looked, she saw the young princess there fast asleep.

Natalia: Oh my god Arthur, is this her?

Arthur: You can hold her if you want.

Natalia looked at the baby in awe. She gently took her from Arthur's arms so she could not awake. Natalia gazed at the child and cherished the moment. She then remembered Arthur's presence and didn't want to get too carried away. She went to her room and lay the child carefully on her bed. She went out but left the door wide open so she could keep an eye.

Arthur, who was now sitting on a chair in a corner, just kept a watch on Natalia's movements. Natalia then went into the kitchen and boiled some tea. Then, afterward, she took it together with two cups. There was a small table in the middle of the room with two large cushions on each opposite side. She then went and stood in front of Arthur.

Natalia: Please join me for some tea, your highness.

Arthur looked at the table and pot of tea, then slowly stood up and sat on one of the cushions. Natalia then went to sit opposite the king, so they were facing each other now. Natalia gently poured some tea into silver cups and gave one to the king.

Arthur: Thank you -as he slowly started drinking his tea.

Natalia: So what brings you all this way, and after what happened to Kayla, you are in no situation to travel on your own.

Arthur: I know Natalia.

Natalia saw a certain kind of expression on Arthur's face. She directly knew that it was because of Kayla. She knew that Arthur loved Kayla more than everyone present. But there was nothing useful to do than just comfort him.

Natalia: I am sorry about Kayla. But don't be hard on yourself. It wasn't your fault.

Arthur: Let us not talk about this now, OK? But she was also your best friend.

Natalia: Yah.

Natalia smiled a bit, then took a sip of her tea before she continued talking.

Natalia: She was my best friend ever. That is how I met you, of course. But may I ask?

Arthur: sure.

Natalia: What happens now? We all know how the kingdom feels about your child. So what now?

Arthur: Isn't it clear to you yet? Nothing will happen to my daughter. She is the most precious thing Kayla left me with. No one will take her.

Natalia: You know how stubborn people can be. She won't be safe in the castle.

Arthur: I'm not sending her away and that is it.

Though Natalia was one of the king's most trusted people and closest friends, she didn't dare speak another word about this. She knew how exactly Arthur felt, and she felt it too. Her best friend left and left nothing but a child that was now hated by half the kingdom. Natalia looked at Arthur again and took another sip of her tea.

Natalia: So what brought you here, your highness?

Arthur: I came to ask for a favor.

Natalia: Anything Arthur.

Arthur: It is about my child.

Natalia: Go ahead.

Arthur: I would like a mother for my child. Please come to the palace and raise her.

Natalia felt herself almost choking on her own salaiva if not tea. She wanted to believe that she heard incorrectly what was just said by Arthur. Natalia is the type of person that doesn't like trouble with people. She was an independent woman that could take care of her own needs. But she does not like whatever words that come from people's mouths. That is one of the reasons she lives there. She did not like rumors at all and would do anything she can to stop them, but other things are just outside of people's ability.

Natalia: But Arthur, you know how it is with rumors. If I just come they will think i am your concubine or something.

Arthur: I know a way to avoid all those rumors, well, most of them at least.

Natalia: Please do share.

Arthur: Marrige.

Natalia looked at Arthur with daring eyes. She could not believe that Arthur had just said what he had done. She didn't want herself to be a wife, let alone a queen. She also thought that she could not live to Kayla's standards since she was a perfect queen, and she knew if she could fail in this role, both her and Arthur might be done before.

Arthur: No disrespect, but I personally have no interest in being your husband. All I want is for you to raise my child. I promise you that you have your own room and I will have my own. Marriage, yes, will make us husband and wife, but it doesn't mean we will have to act like that.

Natalia: I understand, but why me? You could choose anyone, even from the palace you know.

Arthur: Because among all the living beings now, you and I were the closest to Kayla, but you were her best friend. You know how she thinks and decisions in some situations. It is not a replacement. All I want is for my child to have a mother with the capacity like that of Kayla. You know how she wanted her child to grow up, how she should behave and all that.

Just then they heard a cry from the room. Arthur quickly got up with no hesitation and went for her. He started pampering her and calming her down. Natalia loved the view and thought of Kayla and her child. She went over to Arthur and took the child in her hands.

Natalia: you never told me her name

Arthur: She is called Katerina.

Natalia: Then Arthur, I agree to become Katerina's mother. I would be honored.

In one month's time, Arthur and Natalia got married, and Natalia became the new queen.