Page 49 of The Queen's Crown
She thought they’d already been over this. Instead of answering, she simply looked at Rainer, waiting for him to get to the point.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” he said, “but are you not capable of defending yourself?”
“I have some basic training,” she admitted.
“But not enough to keep your personal guard from interceding just because a man steps too close to you?”
Sabine had no idea how to respond to that.
Rainer studied her. “Let’s revisit this conversation tomorrow when we talk.”
She nodded.
“Come. We need to return to our guests.” He took her hand, escorting her back inside.
ChapterTwelve
The next morning, Sabine sat on the balcony, examining the breakfast tray Claire had left for her. She had her usual plate of fruit, some biscuits, and a box. Reaching forward, she opened the box, curious to see what it contained. Instead of a special pastry as she’d expected, she found a stack of letters tied together with a note.
Princess Sabine,
These are the letters your sister wrote to me along with the notes I sent her. I want you to have them.
Rainer
Shock rolled through her. Not only had he signed the paper informally using his first name—no title—but he’d give herhisletters. Returning her sister’s made sense. However, giving herhisshowed a major gesture on his part. Curious as to what insight they could possibly reveal, she untied the ribbon and began reading them.
The first thing she noticed were the dates. Alina and Rainer had begun writing to one another before the marriage contract had been signed. And Sabine hadn’t known about it. A pang of hurt filled her. She wished her sister had confided in her. Then the engagement wouldn’t have been such a shock.
Each of Alina’s letters were open, honest, and touching. Alina shared that she was in love with a man she hoped to marry. She told Rainer she didn’t think she could ever love anyone else. However, Alina expressed concern over her kingdom’s troubles. In her latter letters, she shared her desire to have children and her willingness to be a queen.
Surprisingly, Rainer’s letters were much the same. He spoke about a great love of his life whom he couldn’t marry because of her station. He didn’t want to try to find someone to replace her; however, he needed to marry and have an heir as soon as possible to keep his crown. He asked if Alina would consider marrying and being friends but nothing more. He didn’t want anything from her other than being a queen for Lynk and giving him a child.
Leaning back in her chair, she tried to digest all she’d learned. Rainer had shown Sabine these letters for a reason. Maybe he wanted her to know he had no interest in having a relationship with her—which was fine. They could be married and nothing more. Truth be told, she didn’t even care if they were friends. All she wanted was to bring her sister’s killer to justice and make sure the king sent soldiers to help Bakley so they could secure their border.
She found it hard to reconcile the Rainer she’d met with the one in the letters.
Markis had told her he was supposed to find these letters and send them to Rolf in case they offered any insight into who was responsible for Alina’s murder. After reading them, she knew they didn’t reveal anything of that nature. Instead, they showed a private side of both Alina and Rainer that Sabine didn’t feel anyone else had the right to see.
After carefully stacking the letters together, she tied the ribbon back around them. This was a part of Alina that she’d chosen not to share with Sabine. She would respect her sister and return them to their rightful owner.
She went inside and over to the door leading to the royal suite, knocking softly on it.
A guard answered. “Is there something I can do for you, Your Highness?”
“I want to speak with King Rainer.” She had no idea what she’d say to him, but she’d start by returning the letters and thanking him for his kindness.
“He’s at the training grounds.” The guard started to close the door.
“Can I tour the facilities?” she asked, curious as to not only where they were located but wanting to see Rainer with his men. Her brother, Rolf, often trained alongside his soldiers, running through drills with them. However, her father rarely stepped foot in the training yard.
“You’d like for me to escort you to the training grounds?” the guard asked.
“Yes.” She held her head high, as if making it a command and not a request. She had no idea what orders Rainer had given to his men regarding her, but she was going to be their queen and they’d have to obey her eventually. She might as well start acting like it now.
“I’m not able to leave my post, Your Highness.”
“Very well. I will have one of my other guards escort me.” She shut the door before he could respond.
