Renisannce Romance

Moving Forward

    Weeks went by and Saphirra began to plan her wedding.  The castle was a buzz making plans as servants ran around asking her questions on what she would prefer for the wedding.  Her mother and sister were ecstatic about helping with the plans.  Saphirra was grateful for the distraction so she didn't have to think about him.  She stayed busy with solving problems in the kingdom and advising the military while Christopher was away.  He sent word to her that his mother was becoming more frail from her illness and he was afraid she wouldn't make the wedding.  She worked tirelessly to get the planning completed so they could be married quickly.

    Avianna had tried to keep her up to date on what Rhett was doing with his time, but Saphirra always began crying and screaming when it was mentioned by her sister so Claire would update her as she was doing her hair in the mornings.  She often didn't sleep for thinking of him and waiting for her regular gossip about him.  She refused to speak his name or listen to anyone else say it.  Two days after he left her chambers he began training for the royal militia.  She would often glance through the curtains to catch a peek at him in his battle training.  She would watch the maids and ladies of the palace giggle and wave at him and he would smile back.  She would scoff and think about how the smile did not reach his eyes like the one he always had for her did.

    Saphirra was watching him through the window one afternoon as Captain Rogers and Alexander chatted behind her.  They pretended to not see her watching him even though this had become a daily routine of hers.  She shook her head and began to feel dizzy.  She fell over as the men called out to her, "Princess!"  They carried her to her bed as they called for the doctor and the Queen.

    Her mother and sister waited as the doctor checked over Saphirra.  "Your Majesty, may I speak to you in private?"  The Queen nodded and walked over to a corner with the doctor.  "It seems the Princess has been sick to her stomach in addition to her fainting spell.  Based off my examinations and some questions I have determined, the Princess is with child."  The Queen's face paled, "Are you sure Doctor?"  "Oh I am quite sure, of course I will not reveal this information anyone as I believe it is best to keep it quiet when a woman is an unwed mother especially our future queen."  "Thank you for your discretion doctor, we appreciate your loyalty to our family."  "Of course my Queen, I will be back to check on her in a few days.  I advise she rest as much as possible."

    The Queen and Avianna walked over to her bedside as the Queen sat down.  "Darling, how are you feeling?"  "I'm okay Mother.  I'm so sorry I have disgraced out family.  People will look down on me as queen."  "We all make mistakes dear, you and Christopher will just have to move up the wedding and no one will be in the wiser.  I am certain he won't mind."  She turned to Alexander, "Have Captain Rogers send for Christopher and his parents, tell them we are having the wedding in three days."  Alexander nodded and left the room.  "Everything will be fine darling, nobody need know about this, even your father."  Saphirra nodded as her mother kissed her head and left.  It was very sinful to be a unwed mother and often women were sent to live elsewhere with a distant family member if they could not marry quickly.  

    Avianna looked at her worried, "Is this what you desire?"  "Yes, it is the right thing to do.  No one needs to know about this and it will be assumed this is Christopher's baby.  I am the future queen, I cannot be known as the the village harlot."  "Are you going to tell him?"  She thought for a moment, "No, he needs to move forward with his life just as I do.  I don't think he's even thought of me once since that night."

*****

    "Rhett, you cannot spend all your nights at the tavern.  You need to go home to your family."  Twilia stood beside the bar stool trying to reason with Rhett.  Every night after training he would go to the tavern and drink his sorrows away then stumble home and pass out until the next day when it was time to start all over.  Twilia had been trying to coax him to go out with her and stay away from the liquor.  "Twilia, this is what heartbroken men do.  We come to the tavern and drink ourselves into a stupor.  There is no need to convince me otherwise."

    She looked at him with concern as he stumbled off the stool and she caught him.  "Okay that is enough, I have cooked dinner at your house for you and your father.  Your sister misses you, we all need you.  Let me walk you home and we will all eat together."  He nodded as he looped his arm around her waist and began to walk.

    His sister saw them approaching and ran to open the gate and put his other arm around her waist.  His father ran out, "Son, what has gotten into you?  Ladies carrying you home?"  He sighed and took over from the women.  "I miss her Father, I cannot go on like this."  "I know son, that's why it's time to move on and find a wife.  We'll talk about it this in the morning.  Let's go enjoy our dinner."  

    Rhett began to sober up as he ate and talked to his family for the first time in over a month. He realized how much he had missed them.  He helped Twilia clean up the kitchen and told his family goodnight before going back to his quarters.  "I suppose I will go home now, goodnight Rhett."  "Wait, Twilia, stay."  She stopped putting her shawl on and looked at him as he reached out for her hand.  "You have been an amazing companion.  You have watched over me every night while I have been at the tavern.  You've cooked for my family for years.  You've listened to me carry on about the Princess over and over.  I was looking for her when I should have been looking right in front of me.  The woman I needed has been right in front of me all along."  He pulled her into him and kissed her passionately.  She smiled against his lips as he pulled away, "I have waited years to hear those words.  I love you Rhett, I always have.  I would never hurt you the way she did."  "I know you're the most loyal woman and will be a wonderful wife."  She laughed, "Are you asking me to marry you Sir?"  "I'm asking my oldest friend if she will spend the rest of her life with me.  I want to be happy and I am only happy at home.  You are my home Twilia." "Of course I'll marry you Rhett, I wouldn't marry anyone else."  He smiled and led her into his room where she would give herself to him in every way.