The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 30

Once again Halvor didn’t come back the room until after I had fallen asleep. Or perhaps he didn’t return at all, I still couldn’t really tell. At least he was making it easy to avoid him. I decided that I would ask for a separate room today because it felt stupid continuing the pretense that we were a good husband and wife.

That morning I went down to the servants quarters and made arrangements for more linen to be procured so that we could begin making more winter clothing right away.

I then made my way to the infirmary. Diana was sitting up in bed, alone again. I walked over to her and gave her a small smile as I sat down and picked up the book we were reading. She didn’t protest, so I began to read aloud to her. Suddenly she interrupted me.

“Where is your mother now?” She asked.

“Oh. She died when I was a child.” Diana nodded and asked “So you grew up with just your father then?”

I shook my head. “No, my father died before my mother. I was adopted by a man that my mother struck a deal with, but was sent to live in a nunnery right after.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize…” Diana looked distressed.

“It’s alright. I had a good upbringing at the nunnery and I learned many things there. I also was able to bring my good friend Ann here with me. You might have seen her, she has dark red curly hair and is the wife of Eric, one of the warriors.”

Diana shook her head and said “I haven’t seen her.”

“Oh, well I’ll have her stop by here so you can meet her.” Diana nodded and mumbled “Gies and Elsa haven’t seen me even once.”

“Well I’m sure they’re just busy with their duties. Noble ladies always have much to do.” I said, trying to reassure her. Diana nodded her head in response.

“My mother died a couple of years ago and my father was a wreck afterwards. I felt very much alone and threw myself into training after that. Gies and Elsa were always the best at sparring and each had their eye on King Halvor. I thought that if I could become the best, then I could have King Halvor myself and everyone would adore me as queen and I wouldn’t be alone anymore. That my father might be proud of me and stop ignoring me.”

I gently closed the book to listen to Diana’s troubles. “When it was announced that the king would take a bride from the south I had almost lost hope. But then I realized that I could become his consort since there was little chance that a southern bride would have any fighting skills. I came up with a plan to challenge you and be by King Halvor’s side. I didn’t think that Gies and Elsa would challenge you as well when I told them my plan. But now I see what a fool I was. You are the best fighter, but you’re also thoughtful and kind. You are the queen that King Halvor and our kingdom need.”

Diana looked up at me with tears in her eyes and I quickly wrapped my arms around her to give her a hug. “You know, even though I’m the beloved queen, I have never felt more alone. Everyone respects me, but no one gets close to me. I can assure you that it is very lonely here at the top.” I pulled away and handed Diana a handkerchief.

As I sat down again Diana said “You know King Halvor used to check in on us after my mother died. My father wasn’t doing well and I was like a lost lamb. He would often talk with my father and kept an eye out for me on the training grounds. I would try and flirt with him, and although he never blatantly brushed me off, he made it clear that he would not reciprocate. I think it’s because he thought of me as a sister and didn’t want to hurt me. I had friends before my mother died, but I spent many months in seclusion afterwards and I felt separated from them somehow. I think King Halvor saw that I had no friends and he didn’t want to push me away too.”

I immediately thought back to the interaction I witnessed between them when Halvor didn’t tell her off, but simply said he would see how things went at the coronation. But then I suddenly remembered that he didn’t call off the fight either, so I kept the walls around my heart intact. I nodded and thanked Diana. I placed the books on the table beside her bed and told her I would return later.

I went to Ann’s house and found her there. I immediately told her all about Diana.

“Goodness. That is very sad about her mother and losing all her friends.”

I nodded and said “Ann, will you come visit her with me today? It’s just she never gets visitors besides one maid, and me who is the one responsible for her injury.”

Ann smiled and said “Of course I will.”