Leo wiped the sweat away from his face, finding it wet with blood that wasn't his, but certainly his enemy's. The usurper had not led his tropes to battle, but chosen to hide in his camp like a coward. He didn't fight when he was capture and even when he was given the chance of picking up a sword and fighting for his life, he chose to just be beheaded like the traitor he was.
"Raignald Blackhall is dead," his father declared, loud and clear in the field in front of everyone who fought bravely by his side to see Leo on the throne. Edgar held Blackhall's crown right above him. "King Leonard Marfont lives. Long live the King."
"Long live the king!" the men echoed.
He was crowned and sang praises to, and tied Blackhall's headless body to his horse himself, dragging it all the way to Capital City. When they opened the gates for him and his men, Henry, his faithful Knight friend, raised the dead king's head like a prize to the people's delight.
"Leo," his father rode to his side, his voice almost drowned in the people's celebration. "Leonard."
Citizens were screaming, singing and dancing in joy, saying his name in a way Leo had never seen before and made his heart thunder in his chest. The throne was family back to his family's hands. Plaenia knew it was in the right hands again and was very aware of it.
"The castle is taken," he declared.
It was the easiest part. Most of the staff was loyal to House Marfont and had revealed themselves as soon as the battle started.
"And the girl?" he asked.
"In her rooms," his father looked forward to where the castle came to view. "She insists on seeing you, however."
Leo clenched his jaw. Coraline Blackhall was the usurper's only relative after he killed his own son, and was being trained to succeed him as queen upon his death. According to his sources, there wasn't a smarter woman than her on land or one of comparable beauty. Now, Leo hoped she was smart enough not to pose him a threat. He didn't want to kill her, but would if it was necessary.
"Let her come to me," he decided. "I want to know what she has to say."
His father left in the direction of their new home, and Leo just continued to wave and parade himself to the people. His mother always insisted on instructed him to give the people a King they'd love and be eager to see. He hoped that, wherever she was now, she was proud of him and his victory.
Leonard stopped in the courtyard for a short time, considering how many people were on his way. The guards were blocking a door, and when he dismounted his horse, Shamus was quickly approaching him.
"Leo," he stood in front of him, clearly worried. "His granddaughter wants to speak to you. She's unreasonable."
"Let her."
He took off his horse and the group of guards finally moved all together, stepping aside to reveal a lady in her 20s, with bright blue eyes and white-blonde hair falling around her face and shoulders.
"Lady Coraline," he stopped a few steps away from her.
Princess Coraline's reputation of beauty was something Leo was familiar with. She was rumoured to be the most beautiful of maidens, from her face to her body, and was daily trained in arts that any queen or king would be jealous of. She was the perfect heir.
What he didn't expect was for her to be so breathtaking. Her hair was longer than he'd even see in anyone, even his mother's, and was loose of any ties or braids, wavy and shiny, framing her gorgeous face and brushing against her rosy cheeks. Her lips were full so pink he wondered if she had painted them, and he had to hold back from kissing them.
Pulling him away from his head, Lady Coraline curtsied slowly to him, lower and lower, until she was on her knees on the floor, bowing to stay just inches away from his muddied feet, and Leo would worry that she was wearing the most simple and poor of dresses.
No one said anything, and his face was completely on fire.
"Lady Coraline, this is not ne-" he started, but her trembling voice was enough to stop him.
"Your majesty," she said to his feet. "This is your castle, your land and your people. Inside, there's your throne. I offer you no resistance and no rebellion, but only my complete loyalty."
His heart raced in his chest, and Leo turned to his father, who was just as confused and speechless as himself. What was he supposed to do?
"And…" he looked for words. "What do you ask of me in return?"
"Only my life," she affirmed. "If you find it in yourself enough mercy to make it mine to keep."
He swallowed down nervously. This wasn't something he was ready for, no one had ever even knelt like this for him.
"Lady Coraline," he finally said. "Please, stand up. Please."
"No, your majesty," she refused, and he looked down just to see her hair sliding down, exposing the nape of her long and smooth neck. "If I'm to die..."
Die? No! What was this woman thinking?
"Lady Coraline," he called. "Please…"
"I beg you to do this here," she continued. "And I cry for you to be merciful and make it fast, for I wish not to suffer any further than I've already suffered in my years of life."
He felt his face hardening, watching each of the guards for a moment. Had anyone hurt her? Had anyone touched her?
"You are not going to die, Lady Coraline," he said, suddenly feeling exasperated and simply running out of patience. "I intend to send you to live with Lord Dunch and give you the Blackhall family titles, but for this, you need to please stand on your feet. I won't say it again."
Leo swallowed down. He didn't mean to inform her of the second part, not yet; he wanted to discuss it with his council before doing anything, but now that cat was out of the bag.
Slowly, Coraline stood up, and he had to hold back from reaching out and helping her, fearing that he would be unable to let her go if he ever came to touch her.
"Thank you, your majesty," she stared into his eyes. "Thank you very much. I'll be forever grateful."
A shiver ran all over him at her gaze, finding desire and innocence in it right before she looked away.
"Did anyone hurt you or improperly touched you while you waited for our arrival, Lady Coraline?" he questioned. "You are my protected, I won't admit any harm done to you."
She blushed but shook her head.
"No, your majesty, they were all very honourable," she confirmed. "Thank you."
He nodded and turned to Andrew, who'd just come to his side.
"Summon Lord Dunch and his wife to come to take their granddaughter and bring her home," he instructed. "Shamus."
"Yes, sir?"
"Go with her and make sure the Lady Coraline and her personal belongings are collected and revised before she leaves. She's not to keep anything belonging to the crown, but is to keep possessions."
Coraline curtsied again, this time like a proper lady — the way women did to his mother when she was alive.
"Thank you again, your majesty."
He watched as she left and breathed in, trying to recollect himself, and found his father smirking in his direction.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," he waved a dismissive hand. "The look on your face just brought an old memory back. Let's get in."