The Queen Of The Forest

Chapter 2

6 weeks before

“Lori, are you listening to me?” Peter sighed in frustration.

“Yes, sorry. Well actually, no…I didn’t hear anything.” I scrunch my nose in confession. “I’m sorry Peter, the stress is really getting to me. Our parents won’t stop talking about the wedding. I don’t think my father will give me the choice even if we wanted to stop it. I really hoped we would meet our hiraeths and they would stop their advances by now,'' I sighed, knowing how slim the chances for that are right now.

I know I’ve been distant from everyone lately. As I look at Peter, I see the look of hurt flash across his face; I know we would have an amazing life together, but my heart yearns for its other half.

Peter is from a good family, a powerful one. He’s tall and handsome. His black hair has that hint of blue that reminds you of the nighttime sky. His eyes are brown but his amber flecks almost turn them golden. We would make beautiful and strong children; a point that my father liked to make often, like I’m nothing but a breeding mare and not the next queen and the leader of our people.

“Lori it will be fine, your coronation is next week and then you’re in charge. I don’t understand how your father holds as much sway as he does, your mother is the queen.” Peter whispered to me.

“Well your father is just as bad, both of them together have planned out our whole lives together.”

“Would it be that bad to be married to me?” Peter feigned a hurt expression.

“Peter, you're like a brother to me and my oldest friend…it would be weird. Our parents, in their desperation to play matchmakers, messed up,” I giggled while playfully swatting his arm.

“So please, excuse my rudeness, what were you saying again?”

“I was saying that you have a meeting with both our mothers you need to attend. And just so you know, my father has said I have one of two choices: either I marry you, or David does. For what’s it worth, I swear I’m the nice one between the two of us, as I think you’re fully aware.”

I cringed thinking of David, his older brother.

“No thank you, I think I’ll pass. David gives me the creeps. I know he’s your brother, but the way he looks at me…it’s filled with pure hatred.”

“Ignore him, he’s part of the group who believe a woman shouldn’t lead and it’s time for the covens to break away and rule for themselves. My father was of the same affiliations as well, but our alliance is helping to placate him.”

“Princess Lorelei, your presence has been requested by the queen and madam Harkenfield,” a guard who had appeared behind our backs interrupted us; I didn’t even see her walk up.

“Thank you, Logan, I will make my way there now. Is my father with them?”

“No, he was going for a walk with master Harkenfield. I believe they were looking for Peter and discussing the arrangements for the next week.”

Oh what great fun that must be for them, probably planning my life again, I thought to myself.

“Peter I have to go, do you fancy going to the lake tomorrow? Swim and pretend we are still children for the day? I know the masters and delegations are due the day after, so let’s have one more day of fun before that. Meet me at the stables at noon?”

“You got yourself a date,” Peter replied with a knowing smirk.

Gracing him with a smile, something that came hard for me these days, I turned away, motioning for Logan to follow me.

“Logan, will you walk with me? I have something I would like to discuss with you.”

“Of course, your highness,” Logan nodded respectfully.

“My father has requested that I make you my personal guard and I agree with his assessment. However, I have to ask where your loyalties lie since right now you are assigned to my mother and father’s royal guard duty?” I enquired of Logan.

“Your highness, I requested to be transferred to your guard years ago when your mother got sick. She doesn’t need me anymore as she barely leaves the castle. My daughter and son have also been trained to have the opportunity as well. May I suggest you look to the younger troops for this honor? I will be honored to train them and lead them for a short time until you can decide who will be their captain,” Logan offered.

“You speak wise words, Logan. I agree with this idea and like it very much. I task you with assembling my personal guard and I request that you also add your children. If they are half as clever and loyal as their mother then I will be a very protected woman.”

The idea of having her children as my guards brightens my mood and reminds me of a more carefree time. We played together as children, before I was no longer allowed to act like a child. My mother’s sickness, after the last war with the wolves, put an end to that. My father being named the Regent, put an end to a lot of things for me. I was only allowed to spend time with the Harkenfeild children and that was only when I wasn’t placed in lessons.

As we walked through the stony corridors, I made small talk with Logan. I missed these random chats with people. When I take my mantle, I will make the kingdom more like it used to be when my mother was completely in charge.

We reach the door of my mother’s chambers, the two guards nod to us moving aside to let us through. My mother and mistress Harkenfield are sat on the couch, drinking wine. The bags under my mother’s eyes are as dark as ever.

“Ah, Lorelei dear, you are here. We were just talking about the plans for your coronation next week. Cynthia here was just saying she spied your dress at the dressmakers this afternoon and that maybe it needs some more tweaks,” my mother winks at me.

“Emm yes, I spoke to your father and he agreed with me. Since you will be marrying into my family a few short weeks after, I believe your dress should be a little more conservative. We don’t want people getting the wrong idea that you could still possibly be available for marriage proposals, now do we?” Cynthia addressed me with her hooty tooty expression, her high pitched voice hurting my ears.

“You forget that nothing is set in stone as there is always the possibility that I could meet my hiraeth before the wedding, auntie Cynthia. The same goes for Peter, he could meet his own. That being said, my dress is perfect for me. The dress will not be changed.”

“I think it’s about time you start addressing me as mother, don’t you think? It’s not long until we are one big happy family,” Cynthia almost spat out cynically, which earned her a sour look from my own mother.

“Well your father has already instructed the dressmaker to make the changes. Don’t worry dear, it will be even better now,” Cynthia smiled at me, patting my hand. “Now come and join us for dinner, we have much to discuss.”