The festivities continued and everyone started dancing as the musicians began to play. The King took the Queen's hand and led her to the floor. Edric asked the Princess to dance. A surprise visitor asked Rosalina to dance, "Papa?" she questioned with a smile and gave him her hand. " That was an impressive speech." he said as they circled around the dance floor. " Thank you, Papa. When did you arrive?" she questioned. " Not long before the feast I spoke with the King and he told me what has been happening. You have been very brave in the face of danger. I am very proud of you. It warms my heart to know how much you have grown these past four years. You are growing into the woman your mother always knew you would. It pains me to know that she is not here to see this." he said with a sad look in his eyes. " Oh, Papa, Do not be sad. Mamma is always with me and sees everything. I know she is proud of me. She would be happy to know her Aunt is taking such care of me." Rosalina explained. Fenris smiled, " I have good news for you." he said. " What is it?" she asked.
" I have entered negotiations with a man from my home country for your hand in marriage," he announced. Rosalina's smile dropped and her eyes fell. " What is the matter, little flower?" he questioned. She stopped the dance and went back to her chair. He followed and sat next to her and asked her again what was wrong. " Papa, if I must marry, why can I not marry someone in Mercia? I didn't want to come here at first but I love it here. I feel this is where I am meant to be." she said. " This man is of abundant wealth and a good and honorable soldier. He said that he would take good care of you. I am sure you will be able to return to Mercia as much as your want." Fenris explained. " I suppose I have no choice in the matter. It is only my future." she complained. " You are my daughter, you will do as you are told." he commanded. The music stopped and the crowd stared. The King and Queen returned to the table to find out what was going on. Rosalina got up from her chair and ran from the room. Rosette went after her, while the King took Fenris to his study to talk.
"What was that?" the King demanded. " I just told her that I had entered negotiations with a man for her hand. She wants to stay here but I already decided on this man." Fenris explained. " Do you really think this is the time to tell her this? She has been through so much in the last week. She feels safe and secure here. Can we not find her a suitable match here?" The King questioned. " I have made my decision, besides her life has been put in danger here. To me that is not safe and secure
. She will marry Tore Arnesen and go to Jutland to live and produce children." Fenris commanded angrily.
Queen Rosette arrived at her chambers and found Rosalina curled up in a chair. " What is it, Novia?" she asked. " My father is forcing me to leave here and marry some man he knows from the army. He won't give me a choice. I do not want to leave, I feel I am supposed to be here. I have a purpose here." she cried. " I am sure your father has chosen just the right husband for you. I know that leaving your home and marrying someone you do not know is scary. I do not want you to leave either but you are at the age where it's time to marry and have children." Rosette said. "I would prefer to have a say and to be able to stay here. Even with the death threats and the attempts on my life, being here has made me strong and happy. I could be happily married to a Mercia man." Rosalina explained. " I know, but maybe living somewhere new would make you happy too." The Queen suggested. " I do not see myself being happy being somewhere I have never been with no one I know around. I did not know anyone here but I found family. What awaits me in Jutland? Desolation, isolation, and silence." Rosalina complained. " Alright, you will always be welcome to visit anytime you want. If your husband proves not to be valiant you let us know and we will bring you home immediately. How does that sound?" Rosette suggested. " That sounds like a good plan. I guess I can give this man a chance." Rosalina conceded. " That is my girl." the Queen said.
The King arrived with Fenris. " Little flower, I am sorry. I should not have yelled at you like I did. I should have spoken to you about it first. It is your future and you have proven how capable you are." he said to his daughter. " Papa, I am sorry. I was acting like a petulant child. I know that you would not have me marry an unhonorable man. I should not judge those I do not know. Can we make a deal?" she asked. " Of course. What are your terms?" he questioned. " I will agree to marry this man you have chosen. If he proves to be the wrong match or makes me unhappy you will support my decision to leave the marriage and marry who I choose after that. " She laid out her deal. " I will agree, but you will have to give him at least one year." he amended. " Agreed, Your Majesty, would you help me write this contract out?" she asked Edmund. " Of course, I believe you may have learned a little too much here," he joked. " Not near enough yet." she quipped back. " I should have made such a deal when I first married." The Queen commented. " You still married who you wanted to, did you not." the King asked. " Of course I did, my love. However if I had made such a contract maybe we wouldn't have had to wait so long." she responded. " You may be right, but you know your mother and father would not have agreed. What is meant to be will happen. It did for us." he said and kissed her cheek. " Yes it did" she answered with a smile. " See, Papa, that is what I am looking for in a marriage. I want to be in love through good times and bad. '' Rosalina pointed out to her father. " you will find it." he responded. " I will write to Tore and inform him that you have agreed." he said and left the Queen's Apartments.
" Do not worry, Rosalina, if anything goes wrong, if he does not treat you right I will personally bring you home." Edmund vowed.
" Thank you, Edmund." Rosalina hugged the King. Princess Bethany entered the room after just noticing her parents had not returned. " What is going on?" the princess questioned. " Rosalina's father has chosen her husband." Rosette explained. " What? Who is it?" the princess questioned. " His name is Tore Arnesen, he is a Duke in Jutland. He is also a general in the Jutland Royal Army." The king explained. " Why could he not have found her a suitable match here? Did he even try? She is happy here and well loved. Why does he have to take her away?" Princess Bethany complained. " He is doing what he thinks is best for his daughter. Remember her very soon your mother and I will be seeking a match for you." the King responded. " Will you at least give me some choice or will I just have to marry someone that I could not love?" she questioned. " Of course you will be given an opportunity to give us your input won't she, Edmund?" Rosette said. " Of course, we want you to be happy. You will have to marry someone who could help you run the county." The King responded. "You are so lucky, Bethany. I have to give Tore a chance and I agreed to one year." Rosalina. " Well, if he is unkind to you and makes you unhappy you will be brought home. I do not car if the year is up yet or not." Bethany informed. " Thank you all. I love you and I am very glad that I have those who care for me so." Rosalina started to cry with a smile. " We love you too. You will always have a home here." Rosette hugged her niece. The king and princess joined the hug. They parted and Edmund asked, " Does anyone want to rejoin the feast?" " I would be content sitting before the fire a while." Rosalina answered.
" I like the idea." Rosette agreed and Bethany nodded in agreement. " I agree. Bring wine." commanded the King. Wine was brought and the four of them sat in front of the fire. They talked for a while. After some time they noticed that Rosalina had fallen silent. She had curled up in her chair and fell asleep. Edmund picked her up and placed her in her bed. Bethany bid her parents goodnight and left the apartments. The King and Queen sat before the fire a little longer. He looked at her with flowers still in her hair. He smiled at her. She smiled in return, " Thank you, Love." He stood and took her hand. She stood and he led her to her bed chamber.
Rosalina woke up the next morning feeling ill. She knew with the feast and everything from the day before that she had pushed herself too far. Lady Lucilla came in and dressed the young woman. " Are you sure you want to go out there today. You can take some time to rest." Lady Lucilla said. " I will be fine. No feasts, I will take it easy but I can not hide." Rosalina replied. " Alright, but if you feel tired or ill let me know." Lady Lucilla said. " I will," Rosalina promised.
The Queen insisted that they all stayed in for the day and rest. They sat before the fire. Rosalina read while the other ladies and the Queen sewed. The King visited a few times throughout the day. Each time he bought flowers for the Queen, Rosalina and Princess Bethany, who had joined the group in the afternoon. That evening the little family shared the evening meal in the Queen's apartments.