Renisannce Romance

Doing What is Right

     Saphirra walked into her wedding reception holding Christopher's hand.  Everyone cheered as they began to dance.  Everyone looked on in admiration as she searched the crowd.  She found Rhett sitting at a table staring at his cup.  He didn't dare ask her to dance, it wouldn't be appropriate as a solider in her army to dance with the future queen.  Their first dance ended and he looked up as he saw her coming towards him and she extended her hand.  He looked at her with questioning eyes.

    He put his hand in hers and looked over to see Christopher dancing with a random woman and chatting.  "Royal tradition at weddings to choose a dance partner at random.  You can dance with whoever you choose."  Rhett smiled a small smile, "What an honor to be chosen by the future queen.  I cannot imagine a better partner.  How do you feel being a married woman now?"  She thought for a moment, "It seems I chose the wrong person and I'll never feel any differently.  I thought I'd feel bliss and certainty after my wedding, but I just do not."  Rhett stared off into the distance, "Do you think I'll feel that way? When I get married?"  She looked into his eyes, "I wish you didn't have to marry.  I wish I could lock you in my chambers and never let you out.  I would keep you as mine forever. I think if you do not marry the one for you you will feel the way I do."  He stared into her eyes deeply, "I thought as much."  "I love you Rhett," she whispered in his ear.  

    The song ended and Christopher approached smiling, "Rhett, I have heard you joined the ranks!  I am thrilled to have you join us."  He forced a tight smile, "I'm honored to be a part of something so great Captain."  Christopher smiled as Avianna danced his way, "I think I deserve a dance from my new brother, don't you?"  Chris laughed and took her hand to dance.  Saphirra silently thanked her sister for the diversion.  

    "I should let you get back to your wedding guests Princess.  Thank you for the dance," he kissed her hand and walked away.   She stood there alone until her father stepped in, "It's him isn't it?  He's the one?  You know, your mother will never say this, but she chose between me and the stable boy.  I knew she truly loved him, but I loved her so much I was willing to tolerate it.  I needed her as my queen even if that meant sharing her with a lover.  I love her still, but I often wonder if she regrets not marrying him.  She kept up with him and she knew that he married and had children, his wife died and she went to the burial to pay her respects.  I worried she wouldn't come back to me, but she did.  Her honor and duty was so important to her she couldn't leave it behind, though I know she wanted to.  You did the right thing, though as your father I wish I could have told you to follow your heart.  I wanted you to be free and have happiness without wondering what could've been."

    She stared at her father surprised by this information she had never heard before.  Her mother had loved a commoner?  She couldn't fathom her mother being in love with a man of lower status. "Father, why didn't you let her go?  If you knew she loved him, why didn't you set her free?"  "Your grandmother would have never allowed it darling.  She was against marrying commoners, it was too important to her to have status and wealth.  I told her to run and be free, but she couldn't disappoint her mother."  He stared at his daughter for  a long moment, "The child is his, is it not?"  Her mouth dropped open in surprise, "How do you know?"  "Daughter, I am the king, it is my job to know about every person in my kingdom especially my children."  She nodded in understanding as the song ended and she considered the information she had learned.

*****

    They waved goodbye to all their guests as they left the wedding and went to the inn they would be staying at.  Rhett wasn't there for the sendoff and it disappointed Saphirra, but she understood it was too hard to watch her ride away from him.  "I cannot believe you're my wife now.  It seems impossible."  Christopher had a satisfied smile and she smiled back in response.  "I have expected this day for many years."  He squeezed her hand as they rode in the carriage.

    They arrived at the inn and walked to their room. She had requested they go somewhere after the wedding as it didn't seem appropriate to consummate the marriage where she and Rhett had been together.  They stood over the bed as his eyes met hers, "Are you ready wife?"  She smiled hoping her wouldn't see through her, "Of course husband."  He patted the bed beside him as he laid down and she sat down.  He began to kiss her lips and move to her neck.  She felt aroused, but nothing compared to Rhett.  She opened her eyes and looked around. As she thought of him her arousal grew and she began to kiss back.  They started removing each other's clothes as they began to become intimate.  She knew she had to do this as it was tradition when you were married and she loved Christopher.  He removed her undergarments and she knew their was no going back as she settled herself underneath him.  He had to think he was the father of her baby, she had to do this as quickly as possible so he would believe her.