Chapter 12: A True Understanding
There once was a king, who wanted a queen. So, he proclaimed, "Any woman who wishes to be my queen, may come and try her luck!" The king had 20 women come to his palace. All the nobles sent their daughters. Only one of the women was a peasant. The noble woman made fun of her. She had nothing but the clothes on her back and a secret reason for being here. The king silenced the women."All my subjects have a right to try. No matter their status." The king showed the women their rooms and waited. The king had a younger sister who was his world. After a week, the young princess began to cry for her brother. The king was told of this and sent word to the 20 women. "Calm my world or receive 50 lashes!" The king said. 19 of them went to the king with gifts. The peasant woman was not so foolish. She knew of the princess and went to calm her.
"My lady, why do you cry?" The peasant asked. "I cry because my brother isn't here!" The princess said, wiping her eyes. "Dry your eyes and clean yourself up. Then, I will take you to him. No lady should see the king with tears in her eyes. Unless she did something wrong." The princess smiled as the peasant woman wiped her tears away. "Now, let's get you dressed up!" "I want my baby blue dress!"The princess said excitedly. "This one?" "Yes!" The peasant woman helped the princess into her dress and fixed up her hair. With the princess all dolled up, the peasant woman took her and walked her to the king's office. There was a line of women with different presents. The peasant woman sighed, "Looks like we're going to have to wait a bit. Can you be patient with me?" The princess saw that the peasant woman wanted to be somewhere else.
"How about we go where you want to go? This line might take a few hours." "Are you alright with that?" The princess nodded. The two of them told a maid to tell the king and took a guard. The peasant woman went to an orphanage. "Why do you want to be here?" "I grew up here. All the orphans are family to me. You could say this is my world." The princess played with the orphans and the peasant woman all day. They left at sunset."Can I go with you to the orphanage again?" "Of course, my lady." The guard walked us all the way to the king. Who's angry had grown with every present. "My king." Our guard called. "WHAT!?" The king shouted in anger. The princess hid behind me. I put my arm up to protect her. "You asked us to calm your world! I did then, you scare her! What kind of big brother scares his sister?" The king looked at my side and saw her peeking out from behind her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't-." The princess ran up to the king and hugged him. "Brother Dearest, this woman came to my room and promised to bring me to you. Once we saw the line, we went for a walk down to the orphanage. I played with the orphans there and had fun. And she said she'd take me with her again." The king looked at the peasant woman confused. "My lord, nothing is more valuable than family. I don't have a family. But that orphanage became my family." The king smiled slightly as he patted the princess's head. "I'm sorry. Thank you for taking care of my sister." The peasant woman bowed her head. "My king asks it, it shall be done. I didn't come here to be queen. I came to save my home." "Safe it? I don't have any reason to get rid of it." The peasant woman looked shocked. "My lord the same day you sent out the request for a bride.
Our land lord said the orphanage was going to be torn down after your wedding." The king thought for a moment. "Many of the women offer land. That might be one of the lands offered. How do you feel about the orphans moving?" "Where? They have nowhere to go!" "Not yet! Let the landlord do as he pleases!" The peasant woman lowered her head in defeat. She was on the verge of tears. The princess grabbed her hand."No lady should see the king with tears in her eyes. Unless she did something wrong. It's going to be alright! Big brother has a plan!" The peasant woman knelt down. "Now, no more tears." The princess said as she wiped away the peasant women's tears. "Big brother, I like this lady! If you make her cry, I won't forgive you!" The princess took her hand and left. "Sleep in my room tonight! Please, it'll make me very happy!" "Alright, my lady!" "Violet!"
The princess insisted. "Alexandra!" The peasant woman replied. "That's a pretty name." The two went to the princess's chambers. Meanwhile, the king had to think of a way to save the orphanage. "My lard, you summoned me?" The chancellor asked. "Yes, go to the orphanage that my sister visited today. Find out what they have and what they need. Bring that information back to me." "Yes, my lord. About Alexandra?""Who?" "The woman the princess took a liking to." "Her, what of her?" "Sir, she's the only one who passed your test." The king looked shocked. "Are you sure?" "Yes, my lord. Out of all 20 she was the only woman who went to the princess. As such, she is the perfect fit to be your queen." The king sat back in his chair. "What about Linda or Maxine?" "They were the first to see you." The king then counted the presents. "19, exactly."
I don't remember seeing her any sooner either." The king then signed, "Don't let anyone know yet. I might have the perfect wedding gift for her." "Yes, my lord." The chancellor left to learn about the orphanage. The next week was hard on the king. As he prepared to take a wife. "My lord, I have the information you requested." "Let's hear it." "The orphanage is being mercilessly. So much so that they have thin blankets and cold slop for food. The reason Alexandra dresses the way she does is because every penny she makes goes to the orphans. She sees them as her brothers and sisters." "I see. She really will make the perfect queen. As for her whereabouts?" "The princess has kept her close. She said she doesn't want you to hurt her. They've gone to the orphanage five times." "What about the landlord?" "He wishes to give you the land for a summer home."
"Then, go to the eastern land and build a new orphanage. Complete with a playground and everything they need. Also, have one fifth of all taxes go to the orphanage. They may use this for clothes and toys. We will provide anything else they need." "Yes, my lord. Consider it done." The chancellor left to do his masters bidding. The princess avoided her brother as a punishment for making Alexandra cry. Alexandra cried almost every day. "What is wrong, Alexandra?" Violet asked one day, after visiting the orphanage. "The landlord gave them an eviction notice. They have to leave next week." Alexandra explained. It had been a month since princess Violet told her brother how much she likes Alexandra. The king keeps tabs on them. Violet thought he was going to fix the problem. Violet stormed into the king's office.
"Brother, why did you expect the land?!" "Because it's a wedding gift." "You don't even have a bride yet!" "Yes, I do. Alexandra is my bride." Princess Violet thought for a moment. Then asked, "Did you ask her?" "Of course not. She came here to be my wife." "NO, SHE DIDN'T! SHE CAME TO SAFE HER FAMILY! AND THANKS TO YOU THEY DON'T HAVE A HOME ANYMORE! I HATE YOU, YOU BIG MEANY!"Violet ran out crying. The king did his best to get Violent to forgive him in vain. After hours of her ignoring him, he gave in. "What must I do for you to forgive me?" "If you make her smile, I'll forgive you. If she ever cry's again, I'll hate you all over again." The king gave in and went to find Alexandra. He heard her crying in her room. He knocked, "Alexandra, may I come in?" He waited a minute. "Come in."
The king walked in. "How may I serve you, my lord?" The king put a small box and a stack of papers on a table. "Look at the papers." Alexandra looked in shock. The papers were for a building with a playground right outside the town. "What is this?" "This is an orphanage. It will be done tomorrow. Your family can move in when they are ready." "Thank you, my lord! Thank you!" Alexandra looked at the box."And that?" "Well, I came here to ask if you wanted to marry me." Alexandra looked at the king and back at the box. "My lord, I'm sure of the 19 other women, you can find a better woman to be queen. Why did you choose me?" "Because of the 20 that came, only you brought my sister to me. Not only that, but you also yelled at me for scaring her. Noting that, I had already planned the wedding and everything. All I need now is your answer."
Alexandra was shocked and didn't know how to answer. Alexandra looked at the papers and bowed her head. "When would it be?" "In three days. Of course, you'll wear only the best dress, jewels, and make-up. Everything has been planned to perfection." Alexandra sighed, "My lord, I don't even know your name." "Max, and from now on you must call me Max or dearest." "As you wish, dearest." Alexandra said in defeat. Max looked at her and saw a frown. Remembering his sister's words, King Max thought she'd smile seeing the wedding gowns. "Come the gowns are here! You can have your pick!" Alexandra put the ring on and followed, expression never changing. After seeing the dresses, Alexandra said, "Pick your favorite." Max almost took her up on that but stopped himself. He was afraid to look at her. When he did, he noted tears in her eyes. "Dearest, may I return to my room now?"
"Not yet. We still need you to pick from the jewels!" Alexandra sighed, "You pick." "Then, how about we look over the decorations?" "I'm not interested. May I please go back to my room now?" Max got angry, "YOU MAY NOT! SIT THERE AND DO AS I SAY!" Max immediately regretted yelling at her. Not only did she sit there but, everything he had her do included her tears. Frustrated, Max finally let her return to her room. Where she cried even harder than before. Max went to his sister to explain what happened. "Brother, your first mistake was telling her about the orphanage before anything else. Your second was assuming she said yes. She didn't give you an answer. Then, you told her you made everything to be perfect. You never stopped to ask her what she wants." I did multiple times but she said you pick."
"Because she doesn't want you to go back on your word. She thinks of the orphans' happiness before her own. She'd marry someone to give them a good home. Even if she hates them." Max thought for a moment. "So, all of that was to protect those kids?" "Most likely. Tomorrow, talk to her like you're talking to me. Tell her that they are safe no matter what. And she's free to speak her mind."Max sighed and agreed. The next day, Max went to Alexandra's chambers but she wasn't there. "Where is she?" Max asked the maid cleaning her room. "I believe the young miss is in the garden painting, my lord." "Thank you." Max walked to the garden. As the maid said, Alexandra was painting.... Well, she was. At the moment, she's staring off into the distance. Before approaching her, Max need to take a few deep breathes.
He grabbed the shoulder of her chair. "What are you looking at, my dear?" The sound of Max's voice snapped her out of it. "Dearest, what are you doing here?!" Alexandra said scrabbling to her feet. "I'm sorry." "What?" "I'm sorry. It came to my attraction that you never real gave me an answer. And that you might have given in to me for the orphans." Alexandra lowered her head in shame. "You don't need to worry. Everything I did is set in stone. The housing, the playground, their food-" "Our wedding?" "No, that's the only thing that's not." "Why?" "As much as I want it, my bride must as well. Will you marry me?"Alexandra looked away from him. "Speak your mind. You have nothing to fear." "Then, give me some time. I never thought about marriage before." "I understand. If there's anything I can give to you or do for, you say it and consider it done."
Max said. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Alexandra sat back down in her seat and began to paint again. Max sighed, "If you need me, I'll be in my office." Alexandra just kept painting. She later told the orphans and the Director about what the King did for them. When Alexandra returned to the castle, the thought of marriage popped back into her mind. She went straight to Max. Alexandra nervously knocked on the door. "Enter!" Max called out. Alexandra took a deep breath and opened the door. Max looked up from his work. "Kay, leave us and don't let anyone in." "Yes, my lord." The chancellor left and closed the door behind him. "How may I help you?" "I wanted to talk to you about your question." "Do you have an answer?" "No, but I think that's because I don't know you." "The knowledge is there for everybody."
"Not what I meant. I mean, I know of the king. However, I know nothing of Max. I want to know the person, not the states." Max looked at her, then laughed. "You don't need to laugh at me!" "No, no. It's not that." Max calmed himself, "It's more towards the phrasing. I like it. Something I've never heard before. The person and not the states. Then, how about this? Every day I take a break and go into town. Why don't you join me?""Where exactly?" "It's random. I walk or ride for a bit and have fun." "Then, let's have fun. No fighting, no yelling." "Deal." Max said getting up. "Where should we go tomorrow? Maybe the market? Maybe the theater?" Alexandra was so excited; she didn't even notice Max get closer. Max pulled her close. "You choose." Then he kissed her. "Why did you-?" "Because you were to cute not to. Besides, I might fall for you." Alexandra blushed and looked away.
For the next month, Max took Alexandra all over the town. They even went to the forest for a few picnics'. Alexandra fell more and more in love with Max; as Max fall for Alexandra. After a few months, Max got a new ring that he thought Alexandra would love. He found Alexandra like simple things mean more to her. So, he got her a rose and went to her chambers. He stopped in the hall as he saw a guard talking with her. Max lowered the flower as he watched Alexandra laughing at what the guard said. He took a deep breath and walked back to his office. After a few hours, Alexandra became concerned and went to Max's office. Alexandra knocked, "Max, may I come in?" "Yes." Max replied. Alexandra walked in. "Are we not going into town today?" "I'm too busy. Take a guard." "No, I want to go with you! I'll just sit here and wait." Max continued his work, glimpsing up every now and then.
Alexandra never moved. Max sighed, "Why don't you take your sweetheart?" "I'm trying to but he's not moving." "I mean, why not take the guard you were talking to earlier?" Alexandra thought and understood. "He was someone I called brother. I hadn't heard from him in years. I'm sure his wife and child are as happy as I am that his alive." Max put his head in his hand. Alexandra smiled and walked over to him. "Dearest, no man alive or dead will take me away from you.""I'm sorry. This man is a fool." "A fool indeed! However, a fool in love is better than a fool in war." Alexandra kissed Max's forehead. "May I have your time, now?" "Why only now? Why not forever? Please, marry me and make me the luckiest man alive?" Max pulled out the ring. Alexandra jumped into his arms. "Yes, yes! I love you!" Alexandra passionately kissed Max. Over the next few weeks, they planned the wedding, mixing their preference perfectly.
Alexandra wanted simple and Max wanted tradition. So, they settled on the decoration were up to Max and clothes were up to Alexandra. As for the food, it was decided that they would mix the two favorites. It turned into a big event. Kings and Queens from all around came to celebrate. There was even a ball after the wedding. As everyone had the time of their lives, Alexandra became upset and bored. Eventually Alexandra told Max, "I'm going to get some fresh air."And left the party, Max followed behind. "What has my queen so upset?" Alexandra sighed, "I miss them. I haven't seen the orphans since they moved to the new orphanage." Max wrapped his arms around her. "My dear, come back. I think you'll love the next few guests." Alexandra smiled at Max and kissed him. "Alright, I'm coming." Max led Alexandra back. Once they returned a ten year old boy ran up and hugged Alexandra.
"Big sis! Big sis!" "Kevin!" Alexandra hugged back. The other orphans ran up and hugged her. They spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing. Once everyone had left, Alexandra and Max went to bed, holding each other. "Thank you, dearest." "You're welcome; I'd do anything for you." They fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
The End
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Beth21_anime Thank you for reading! It makes me very happy that you all like these! If you have any ideas for next week's story, please let me know in the comments.
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