Brittle Heart

"I made a mistake" I admit, finally letting my pride fall and realizing the effects of my marriage.

"You married a prisoner! Evania, speak!" Councilman Gaverns berates me as tears fog my eyes.

"He's the Prince of Narvyia" I finally cave as Gavern face turns as pale as a ghost.

"Did you know?" He ask me as I nod my head no.

"We must do something, an annulment, separation, something! I cannot be married to the family that took the people most important to me for the rest of years!" I turn my back to Gaverns as I can no longer hold my tears any longer.

"The church would go against us. News has already been spread and the council is waiting for you, my queen" Gaverns says, leaving the room as I close my eyes and try to forget everything.

How could I have been so careless?

Wiping the tears from my eyes and looking in the mirror and pinching my cheeks between my forefinger and thumb. Adding more color to my face to hide the redness from my eyes.

"Queen Evania Anah of Ophelia" the servant announces as I enter and hearing the commotion, there is no settling in sight.

"How do we do, councilmen?" I ask as the room stirs and I can see the different displays of emotions throughout the room. Fear, hatred, anger and prejudice all waiting to attack me with any sudden movement.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!" I hear one man as the frantic yelling starts.

"THE QUEEN IS A TRAITOR!" I hear from another man's mouth as I try to control my reaction.

"SHE DOES NOT DESERVE THE CROWN" I hear another man's voice as I break. Maybe it was the anger or the sadness turning on others but I could bear this no longer.

"SILENCE!!!! SILENCE I SAY!" I command as I slam my balled fist on the table and with a epic thud and last few words it was quiet.

"I recognize your concerns, but I have done what you have asked of me. I have wed a respectable fellow with who we can make an alliance with" I explain. At this point I was trying to cover up my mistake.

"Narvyia has no mercy, they will settle with no alliance to us" Councilman Durns adds as I nod my head in agreement with him.

"Their rulers holds no mercy, but their people are as weak as the rest of us. If they rebel we support them, funds and all. A union would then be crucial to us." I says as Durns puzzled looks disappears.

"What if this "respectable fellow" is like his father? What if he kills you?" Councilman Thomason ask me as I freeze at the thought but quickly take a deep breath and continue.

"Then I guess you, as the council, you must keep me alive. Because if I depart a Narvyian will rule Ophela. Your only choices to rule is a woman or a merciless man" I remind them as I look to my servant. "I am holding a ball to introduce my husband to the kingdom, I expect to see you all there by the next week, good day men" I say departing as my servant follows me and I try not to think about what could possibly go wrong with the marriage to my enemy.

"What am I to you?" I hear beside me as I look to see my husband and I sigh.

"A man, or at least I would have guessed" I answer as he looks to me, jumping in front of my path and stopping me in protest.

"Is this how you truly treat your husband?" He ask me as my mistake manifest itself in front of me.

"No" I reply to him as I try to push past him but he refuses to budge. "Make no mistake, a title of king is easily gained through marriage but the title of my husband, my lover will never be yours. You will never have that satisfaction!" I disagree with him as I hear a chuckle escape him. "And, what is it you find so dauntingly hilarious?" I ask him as his eyes flicker down to mine.

"Who will carry on the crown after you?" He ask me as I take a deep breath.

I have too much, a kingdom to repair, a council to fight and possible war to worry about. But standing in front of my newfound king all I can bring myself to think about was my fist across his face. Truly no feeling a Queen should feel for her husband.

"When I need you-" I says as I stop myself and correct my mistake, "Your services, you will be called upon" I admit to him.

"Is that truly my place?" He ask me, and I nod my head. Continuing to walk away as he follows me still.

"Your highness" I am called as a nobleman races to my side. "Taxes your highness" he tells me as I nod, taking the papers into my hands.

"I studied law and state affairs" he brags as I scoff, turning towards him.

"As did I, my king" I taunt continuing my conversation with the nobleman. "Offer a tax benefit for soldiers, that should raise the numbers of soldiers we have on the field.

"I can assist you here" he offer as I look at him, and I see nothing but a enemy who if given another chance would strike again.

"All I see when I look at you is a enemy. Who if given another chance would strike" I admit to him as he smirks.

"Then why marry your enemy?" He questions me as I grit my teeth.

"You'd be a smug bastard to think you are my biggest enemy" I humble him. "I'm arranging a ball in next weeks time to acquaint you with the people of Ophela. That is your only responsibility, spend the rest of your time collecting mistresses and concubines. Whatever men must do to conquer the manly urges of temptation." My hate almost shows as I flash him a smile and move on.

Continuing to walk away from his presence and entertaining myself with another line of question by another lord.