Page 77 of The Queen's Crown
As she slowly made her way down the aisle, she noticed Lance and Cassie at the front of the room, off to the right. Their son Mika wasn’t there. To the left were Prince Anton and Markis, surprising Sabine with their presence. They must have come with Rainer and the marriage binder to serve as court witnesses to the ceremony. When she reached Rainer, they remained side-by-side and faced the dais.
The marriage binder moved to stand on the steps before them. “First, we will unite these two in marriage,” he declared.
Rainer knelt on the first step, so Sabine followed suit and did the same.
“The marriage alliance between Lynk and Bakley is noted in the contract behind me.” Herold gestured to a table containing two writing quills and several sheets of paper. “Before me I have King Rainer Manfred and Princess Sabine Ludwig. Once the marriage is consummated, nothing shall tear it apart.” He lifted his staff, gently tapping Rainer’s right shoulder and then Sabine’s. “Repeat after me.” He then went on to say a series of declarations about duty, respect, and honoring one’s partner. Once each had repeated the necessary decrees, the binder ordered them to stand.
The two of them stood and faced one another. Rainer pulled two rings out of his pocket. Sabine lifted the larger of the two, then slid it on Rainer’s ring finger. He then took the last one and put it on her finger.
“King Rainer, you may kiss your bride.”
Sabine peered up into Rainer’s eyes and found him watching her intently. She had no idea what he was thinking or whether he even wanted to kiss her. The thought of what lay ahead tonight on their wedding night lingered in the back of her mind, but she refused to acknowledge or think about it right now. She had to make it through this kiss first.
Rainer slowly lowered his head, his lips hovering near the corner of hers for a moment before he gently pressed his lips to hers in what she considered to be a warm, chaste kiss. And then it was over.
“Even if Princess Sabine is childless, this marriage cannot be dissolved,” Herold announced. “After tonight, it is done.” He moved to the side.
Rainer and Sabine joined hands and walked up the steps to the top of the dais.
“The marriage ceremony has concluded.”
The irony of the situation was that Sabine had never expected to be a queen or hold such an important position; however, she did imagine marrying in a small, intimate ceremony such as this one. Though, she had pictured marrying someone she loved. While she could see loving Rainer one day, she didn’t know him well enough to care for him that way. Strange that the marriage ceremony was complete in a matter of minutes.
“Now for the coronation. King Rainer, you will take your place on the throne chair,” Herold stated. He stood off to the side still holding his staff, reminding Sabine of a sheep herder.
She turned and faced those present in the small throne room.
“Repeat after me,” Herold said, his voice echoing in the room. “I, state your name, do hereby swear to uphold the laws of the great kingdom of Lynk.”
“I, Sabine Manfred, do hereby swear to uphold the laws of the great kingdom of Lynk.” It felt strange and foreign to say her new name. It didn’t feel or seem right.
“I will govern, guide, and help my people in any way I can.”
Sabine repeated the words, meaning each one she said.
“I will do what is in my kingdom’s best interest, I will keep our kingdom strong, and I will not yield to other kingdoms.”
Sabine said the words though she found them a little odd. She’d expected there to be something more along the lines of protecting her people and not so much about keeping Lynk strong. Then again, this kingdom was known for being focused on its military.
Herold came and stood before her. He tapped each of her shoulders with his staff while chanting a few words she didn’t understand. Then he took a step back, turned, and went over to the table where a box had been set on the shelf beneath it. After putting his staff aside, he pulled out the box, opened it, and then lifted the crown out that he’d shown her before. The crown matched Rainer’s, but it was slightly more petite and delicate. He carried it as if it were the most precious thing in the world, setting it atop Sabine’s head.
After adjusting it to be sure it wouldn’t topple off her head, she moved to the throne chair, taking her seat beside her husband.
“I now pronounce you Queen Sabine Manfred of Lynk.”
Hearing her new name and title sent a jolt through her. Within the last thirty minutes, she went from a princess of Bakley to not only the queen of Lynk but now a wife. She belonged to the Manfred family and not the Ludwig family. An unexpected sadness filled her.
Those present lined up before her. One by one, they knelt, took her hand, and swore their fealty to her. Even Markis came up to her, swearing his allegiance to her new title. Once they finished, Rainer stood, holding his hand out to Sabine. She stood and slid her hand into his. They went over to the table, each of them signing the contract for their marriage.
Sabine traced her finger over her father’s signature. She missed him dearly.
“Now that the ceremony has concluded,” Rainer announced to those in the room, “we must consummate our marriage.”
A chill slid over Sabine’s skin. She thought she’d have more time before she had to face Rainer in the bedroom. While her mother had told her what would transpire and she’d seen enough animals procreate, the thought of being with Rainer both thrilled and terrified her.
The doors burst open, and Mika ran in. He stopped half-way down the aisle and bent over, panting. “The delegation from Avoni just arrived.”
ChapterEighteen
