The soft blossoms gave way to poppies as the court officer passed along another stack of formal rejections to the King. “Heaven’s, how many is that now? 3 dozen? No matter. We must have asked every maiden and crone in the kingdom by now.”

      Slouching at his desk the King drummed his fingers. An unorganized tower of half opened letter mocked his best efforts to uphold the royal promise. A small blonde hand maiden announced the arrival of the Queen. With a casual nod the heavy oak doors parted to an annoyed face.

      “What do I-”

      “Do not increase the dowry any longer,” her voice coldly breaking formal greetings. “We have already offered 10 gold nobles to anyone who would marry ‘that man’ without question. There are no titles even worth bestowing-”

      “My Queen, I understand your frustration. Even land was not enough to get an audience. While it comes as no surprise…” The King grumbled, massaging his temples as he trailed off.

      “What do you know of this man?” the Queen huffed. “He could have anything but a bride is what he asks for? Those men do not have names to pass on; relinquishing your legacy in exchange for the mantle and your silence. What game is he playing?”

      “Game? No, he has never been known for his cleverness.”

      “Are you certain? If he is not the one planning than someone else has and this is the first step to a disastrous plot.”

      “Or, he could just want a harlot that is...bound to him,” the King sighed.

      “You know what needs to be done,” the Queen stated, her jaw clenching.

      “We have been over this, we cannot revoke the Royal promise. The shame that would befall this house is more than what 100 years of good deeds can reverse.”

      “Don’t be absurd!”

      “What would you have me do?”

      “Anything! Our resources are being wasted on such a stupid request when we should be concerned with crop yield and reparing the southern roads.”

      “Yes, yes that is all well and true however we made a vow as a family-”

      “No,” the Queen stamped her foot as she turned to leave. “I made no such promise. Resolve this, now.”

      The blonde handmaiden shut the doors behind her mistress with a pensive look. A long minute passed before the remaining servants took nervous sighs of relief.

      “Sire, if I may,” the King’s personal attendant spoke softly. He was given a casual nod of permission. “Perhaps you give the money to Royal in place of a bride and make the burden of responsibility his. Should he actually find a willing woman he has legal permission to wed.”

      “Is it that bad?”

      “Would you marry him Sire?”

      “Point taken.” The light eyes that caught the King’s gaze a few weeks beforehand flashed through his memory and brought a cold wave of unease with it. They were old and friendly. Not the same cold, black eyes that taunted the prisoners of war moments before ending their lives.

      “Call Royal to my chambers and be swift.”

      A deep bow and the King’s attendant was gone. Tea colored parchment was lazily rifled through as they were sorted. Each page a different signature, a different crest on the seal, yet the messages were the same: thank you for the offer but no. As commanded, the attendant returned minutes later with a half dressed Royal close behind. The death dealer humbly bowed.

      “My loyal subjects, you are hereby dismissed. I need to speak to him privately.”

      Exchanging concerned glances the lingering servants quietly shuffled out the warm study with the King’s attendant being the last man to leave. He sealed the doors behind his back and stood guard just beyond the threshold.

      “You,” the King stood up slowly. “Remove your hood.”

      “Pardon?”

      “Take off your hood.”

      “But your Majesty, it’s illegal.”

      The King gestured to the empty study surrounding them. Only the crackling flames in the hearth kept them company. “Is it if no one is here to report it?”

      Failing to argue against, Royal removed his dingy hood. Tears burst from the King’s eyes as he recoiled in shock. His desk shifted when the edge met the back of his thighs.

      “Old friend…” The monarch threw himself deep into Royal’s chest relishing the warmth he missed return. Thick arms held him tenderly swaying gently until the King pulled away. “How? When? All this time we thought you lost. Why? Why?!”

      “I couldn’t tell you,” Royal whispered, his voice filled with remorse. “Certain circumstances and unfortunate events...this was the man you needed then and I wasn’t allowed to go back once I swore upon the mantle. I can’t go back.”

      “One whose order?!”

      “Yours.”

      Suddenly, the vague memory during the chaotic final months of the war surged to the forefront of the King’s mind. “I am responsible for this and I have no right to complain. He asked to step down. God why did I say no?”

      “God, forgive me-” but Royal shook his head vigorously sliding the greying hood back over his head before the King finished his sentence.

      “All is forgiven my King. It was during a time of great turmoil and you made a choice for the good of the people. That battle was long, so long, it is only natural that you’d presume me dead.”

      “Still, you should have given me a sign. I thought you were that repulsive git!”

      “Sire, you know why.”

      “Yes, yes, you were right but let me be angry for a moment longer!”

      Under the burlap hood Royal smiled warmly at his old friend who began to pace until his shoulders relaxed.

      “You’ve put me in a hell of a bind. Now I have to find you a bride. But we have searched all corners of the kingdom and...well.”

      “Not surprised. Everyone still believes I’m Brand. I take it all the maiden have said no. What have the men said?”

      “The men-oh that’s right! To be frank, that didn’t occur to me at all. We should have considered that an option ages ago.”

      “If it helps, I don’t need someone of remarkable beauty, or reputation, or even of good stock. If anyone should be willing than I shall most likely accept.”

      “You’d marry a man?” the King asked purely. Royal nodded eagerly.

      “If the circumstances were favorable I would have married in my youth. Alas, my youth has left me and my heart still longs for a companion. I don’t want someone to warm my bed anymore; that foolish time of my life needs to end.”

      Flushed the King cleared his throat. “Yes, you played many interesting games in our youth although, you were never the one to take them seriously if memory serves.”

      “No matter how temporary I took all of my lovers seriously.”

      “Are you sure?”

      “Yes, I am certain,” Royal said confidently in a familiar tone that sent a twinge down the King’s spine.

      “Than it is done. For you, old friend, will have a...bride before the year is out. I swear it.”

      Royal chuckled as he bowed to take his leave.