Page 11 of The Royal Throne
She recalled reading the journal from the late queen—Anton and Axel’s mother. The journal had revealed that the late king was not Anton and Axel’s father. When the king found out, he had his own wife killed for what she’d done. If that was within his rights, Sabine didn’t know. “How are your laws made?”
Anton looked at her. “Are you serious?”
She didn’t understand why her question would warrant that reaction from him.
“Do you honestly not know?” Anton asked, leaning forward on the table.
“I have not studied Lynk,” she admitted, hating that she’d neglected her studies growing up. In her defense, she’d never thought she’d leave Bakley, let alone become a queen of another kingdom.
Anton tilted his head to the side. “Didn’t you study how Bakley’s laws are made?”
She pursed her lips. “No.” She hated to admit it, but it was the truth. There had been no need for her to learn such things. Especially not when she had a horse to ride, a new dance to learn, or a possible suitor to charm.
Axel chuckled but didn’t respond.
Anton rubbed his face. “The general gist of it is that the League created certain laws that all kingdoms must follow. The point is to prevent a war amongst ourselves. We must remain friendly and united should trouble arise from another continent. As such, certain laws are indisputable.”
“I had no idea.”
“Lynk can have additional laws made by the king and queen, but they can’t negate or contradict rules the League sets forth.”
Sabine sat there staring at Anton. She’d had no idea the amount of power he’d held by being a League member. “Thank you for explaining it to me,” she said, her voice soft. This was another area she would have to read up on so she understood which laws were made by the League versus which ones were unique to Lynk.
“I must go.” Anton stood. “I have a meeting to attend.” At the exit to the library, Anton paused and looked pointedly at her. “While Rainer is away on his trip, use your time wisely.” And with that, he left.
Axel chuckled, tilting his head to look at Sabine. “I have a feeling things are going to get interesting around here.” He stood.
“Where are you off to?”
He shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Here…there. But I agree with Anton about time and using it wisely and all that.” Whistling, he strolled out of the library.
Since Sabine didn’t know when Rainer would return, time was of the essence. She dispatched a letter to Duchess Cassandra requesting her immediate assistance. The duchess arrived at the royal sitting room only minutes after receiving the letter.
“Your Majesty,” Cassandra said with a curtsey.
“It is good to see you. Come, sit.” Sabine motioned to the sofas. “Please help yourself.” Plates with fruit and bread had been placed on the low table between them.
Cassandra took a small plate, adding a few grapes and a piece of rosemary bread. “Thank you for inviting me to the royal sitting room.” Her lips pulled into a smile. “I’m glad you’re back.” She took a bite of her bread. “And you’re the queen of Lynk.”
“It is good to be back. I had a much needed visit with my brother,” Sabine responded. “He returned to Lynk with me. I hope you’ll get a chance to meet him before he leaves.”
“May I speak freely, Your Majesty?”
“Please do.” She folded her hands together.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about what happened and why you left.” She set her plate down. “Some say you were kidnapped, others say you ran away to be with your lover from Bakley, and there are even some who claim the king was forcing you to marry him against your will. Many are wondering why the two of you had a private ceremony. Everyone thought there would’ve been a big celebration. So when you disappeared, there were rumors galore.”
A laugh escaped Sabine though she’d been trying to hold it in. “Those are all fanciful rumors, and none of them are true.”
“Can I ask what really happened?”
“I went and visited my brother. That is all.”
Cassandra peered over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “After the masquerade, it was a bit of a spectacle around here. At first, the king acted as if you’d been kidnapped. He sent half the army out looking for you. Then, a few days later, he formally announced that the two of you had married and you’d been crowned queen. A few days after that, he announced that you were homesick and had gone to see your brother.”
“That’s the general gist of it,” Sabine said, not wanting to give any more details on the matter. The less people who knew, the better. “Which is why I’ve asked you to meet me today. In Bakley, when one is crowned, people line up to swear fealty. Is that something done in Lynk?” She knew it was common practice across all kingdoms. She might not know how laws were made, but she knew how queens were.
Cassandra chuckled. “Yes, it is something we do. We’ve all been eagerly waiting for word of when it’ll happen. It’s one of the reasons so many of us are still here in the palace and haven’t returned to our homes.”
