“I know you’ll be a good Queen, a strong, noble leader, and that’s more thanthese people deserve,” she said. “But don’t give too much. You need to keep someof yourself for you. And listen to your heart.”

“A Queen is many things, but alone is never one of them.” Sheheld the brush, poised right above the canvas as if she meant to paint,but she didn’t. “I don’t need love or a man to complete me, andsomeday, you’ll find that’s true for yourself. Suitors will come and go,but you will remain.”

“I predict a long reign ahead of you. Years of being referred to as Your Majesty, Your Grace, Your Excellence, My Liege, My Queen, My Lovely.” “I don’t think that last one is a formal title,” I said. “It should be.”

“Don’t.” I walked up to him. “If it ever comes down to asituation between me and you, save yourself. I’m not worth dyingfor.”“Princess, I-”“None of us are,” I said, looking at him seriously. “Not theQueen or any of the Markis or Marksinna. That’s a direct order fromthe Princess, and you have to follow it. Save yourself.”“I don’t understand.” Duncan’s whole face scrunched inconfusion. “But… if it’s as you wish, Princess.”“It is. Thank you,” I smiled at him and walked into the palace.”

“She's here now," Loki said, but I didn't look back to see if he was pulling at Finn and Thomas. "Can you let me go?""Not until the agreement is finalized," Finn said through gritted teeth."My Queen, can we settle this, please?" Loki called to her, sounding irritated. "This tracker is getting handsy.""The Markis hasn't been too much trouble?" Sara asked, her cheeds reddening with embarrassment."Not too much," I replied with a thin smile.”

“You need to be Queen. Everyone who knows anything knows htat, but most people don't know anything, and that is a problem." He scratched at the back of his head and shifted his weight. "I would never take that away from you. No matter what happens, I'd never take the crown from you, and I'd defend you against anybody who tried."I didn't say anything to that. I'd never heard Tove talk so much before, and I didn't know what he was getting at. "I know that you're in love with...well, not me," he said carefully. "And I'm not in love with you either. But I do respect you and I like you.""I respect and like you too," I said, and he gave me a small smile."But it's a number of things, and it's none of them." He let out a deep breath. "That didn't make sense. I mean,it's because you need somebody to help you keep the throne, and somebody on your side, and I can do that. But...it's just because I think...I want to.""What?" I asked, and he actually looked at me, letting his mossy eyes stare into mine."Will you...I mean,do you want to get married?" Tove asked. "To me?""I,um..." I didn't know what to say."If you don't want to,nothing has to change between us," Tove said hurriedly. "I asked because it sounds like a good idea to me.""Yeah," I said,and I didn't know what I would say until it was comign out of my mouth. "I mean,yes,I do.I will. I would...I'll marry you.""Yeah?" Tove smiled."Yes." I swallowed hard and tried to smile back."Good." He exhaled and looked back down the hall. "This is good,right?""Yeah,I think so," I said, and I meant it."Yeah." He nodded. "I sorta feel like throwing up now,though.""I think that's normal.""Good." He nodded again and looked at me. "Well,I'll let you go...do whatever you need to do.And I'll go do what I do.""okay," I nodded."All right." He randomly patted me on the shoulder, then nodded again, and walked away.”

“Can I ask you something, honestly?""Of course," he said, but he sounded hesitant."Do you think it would be better for me to go with the Vittra?" I asked. His eyes widened,and I hurried on before he could answer. "I'm not asking if it's best for me,and I want you to put your feelings aside,whatever those may be. Would it be in the best interest of the Trylle,of all the people living here in Forening,if I went with the Vittra?""The fact that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for the people is exactly why they need you here." His eyes stared deeply into mine. "You need to be here. We all need you.”