Princess of the Midnight Ball - Jessica Day George [85]
King Gregor finally shouted, “Enough! I am the king, and if I am satisfied, then you all are too!” The councillors closed their mouths and subsided.
King Gregor studied Galen for a moment. “Young man, I know that you offered your aid without anticipation of reward, and for that I commend you.” The councillors all banged their fists on the table in agreement. “But in light of the great service you have rendered my daughters, and your country, I believe that some reward is in order.” More banging.
Galen was bright red to the tips of his ears. “Really, sire, I had no thought but to save Ro—to help the princesses.”
Rose felt her own blush burning up her cheeks. She doubted that anyone had missed Galen’s slip of the tongue, and thought that her heart would beat its way right out of her chest with joy.
Her father’s lips twitched in amusement. “I think it would be unfair of me not to reward the man who saved my girls, and my kingdom. And it would be more than unfair to offer a lesser reward, simply because your nobleness of spirit is not matched by a noble name.
“Galen Werner, you may choose one of my daughters to be your bride, and when I die you shall sit beside her as co-ruler of Westfalin.”
“Your Majesty, I—”
“Take it, boy!” shouted the minister of finance.
“You deserve it, Galen,” Walter said with great conviction.
“You do, indeed,” Bishop Schelker said. He shot Walter a shrewd look.
“I—I don’t know—”
Rose felt her knees shaking. Did he not love her after all?
“Psst, Galen?” Pansy tugged on his arm. Galen leaned down. “If Rose doesn’t want you,” the little girl whispered loudly, “you can marry me.”
Galen laughed shakily. “Thanks, Pansy.”
“Oh, Rose! Don’t just stand there like a lump,” Poppy said, poking her in the back. “If he’s too embarrassed, you should be the one to say something.”
“Poppy!” Daisy looked scandalized. “It’s not Rose’s place to—”
Under cover of their squabbling, Rose took Galen’s hand and moved closer to him. “Do you want to marry me?” she whispered in a much quieter tone than Pansy had.
“Yes,” he said.
“If neither of you is going to speak up,” King Gregor said, “I shall simply decide it myself!”
“Father,” Rose protested, “that won’t be necessary!”
“I choose Rose,” Galen blurted out at the same time.
“There. Done. Easy.” King Gregor clapped his hands. “Now, I believe a feast is in order. Someone send to the kitchens for some food and drink.”
“Yes, sir,” Rose and Galen said in unison, both of them grinning broadly.
Spring
Galen married Rose under a canopy of white silk, erected by the swan fountain where they had first met. Thanks to the hard work of Reiner, Walter, and the rest of the gardeners, the Queen’s Garden had never looked lovelier.
At Galen’s suggestion, the ancient oak tree where he suspected Maude and the dark princes crossed between the mortal world and the realm of Under Stone was torn out. The ground was blessed by Bishop Schelker, and a rowan tree was planted instead.
Galen had offered to help, but the king had knighted him, and it wouldn’t have been proper. Walter had made each princess a crown out of the flowers she was named for. Rose was resplendent in her white gown with white and red roses encircling her brow.
Bishop Schelker performed the service. He had successfully petitioned to have the Interdict lifted and the rites of the church restored to Westfalin. Angier and Father Michel had been escorted back to Roma in disgrace.
The details behind the princesses’ mystery had not been revealed to the public, but the archbishop had issued a public statement declaring the deaths of the princes accidental and pardoning the royal family and Anne.
At the insistence of the princesses, there was no dancing at the wedding reception. Instead, sofas had been positioned all around the garden so that people could sit to talk and eat. Galen saw Walter taking advantage of a pink-upholstered sofa beneath a spreading