I Found You A Husband

The following day after Queen Matilda meeting with king Aldous, Lady Pamela Wellington arrived at the palace, responding to the queen's request. She was greeted warmly by the guards and escorted to the Queen, who welcomed her with a smile.

"Ah, Lady Pamela, it's so lovely to see you again," Queen Matilda said, as she led Lady Pamela to the beautiful garden in her courtyard. The garden was filled with vibrant and beautiful flowers and the soothing sounds of birdsong.

They sat down at a delicate iron table, surrounded by lush greenery, and were served tea and an assortment of afternoon snacks and refreshments. Queen Matilda poured Lady Pamela a cup of steaming tea, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I've heard so much about your son, Lady Pamela," Queen Matilda said, her voice dripping with interest. "Tell me, how old is he now?"

Lady Pamela took a sip of her tea before responding, "My son, Lord Thomas, is twenty-five years old, Your Majesty."

Queen Matilda's eyes lit up with excitement. "Ah, a perfect age for marriage," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Lady Pamela, I must ask, how would you like to be an in-law of the royal family?"

Lady Pamela dropped the tea cup in her hand and looked at the Queen, her face lit up with a bright smile. "I would be happy and delighted, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice trembling with excitement.

Queen Matilda leaned forward, her eyes glinting with calculation. "I'm so glad to hear that, Lady Pamela, You see, I have a stepdaughter, Finny, who is in need of a suitable husband. And I think your son, Lord Thomas, would be perfect match for her."

Lady Pamela smile froze for a moment, her eyes widened in surprise, "Finny! The king illegitimate daughter," she called out loudly but seeing the queen reaction she quickly regained her composure, forcing a bright smile onto her face to cover up her surprise. "I'm honored that you would consider my son, Your Majesty," she said quietly bowing down her head.

Queen Matilda's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing as she searched for any sign of hesitation or disagreement. "Do you have any trouble with that, Lady Pamela?" she asked authoritatively.

Lady Pamela's smile never wavered. "No, Your Majesty," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "I'm fine. I will, of course, need to discuss this with my husband and my son, and I will bring back their reply to you."

Queen Matilda nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "Excellent, I look forward to hearing from you soon."

Lady Pamela stood up, her movements graceful as she curtsied low to the queen. "Thank you, Your Majesty, if that's all I would like to take my leave now.

With a final smile, Lady Pamela turned and left the palace, her mind racing with different thoughts. She couldn't believe what the queen had just proposed, she had hope it would be princess Emily that her son would be wedding but she still grateful, illegitimate or not Finny is still a princess with the royal blood running in her veins.

Lady Pamela knew she had to tread carefully, the queen's favor was not something to be taken lightly, and Lady Pamela knew she had to make the right decision if she wanted to secure a bright future for her son and her family.

Queen Matilda watched Lady Pamela leave, a satisfied smile on her face. She rang a small bell on her table, and one of her maids appeared.

"Go to Finny's quarters and tell her I need to see her immediately," she instructed the maid before sipping on her tea.

The maid curtsied and hurried off to Finnian's quarters. She found Finnian sitting on a swing in his garden, sewing a delicate embroidery. The maid curtsied low.

"Princess Finny, the queen requests your presence immediately," the maid said.

Finnian's handmaid stood up, concern etched on her face. "I'll follow the princess, please wait here let me get her prepared," she said.

But Finnian shook his head, a hint of wariness in his eyes. "No, Diana, I'll go alone," he said, setting aside his embroidery.

Diana looked uncertain, but Finnian gave her a reassuring smile. With a quiet nod, she stepped back, allowing Finnian to leave with the maid.

Finnian followed the maid through the winding corridors of the palace, his mind racing with thoughts and worries of What the queen could want with him? Had he done something wrong? Was he in trouble? Did that slimy little snake Emily and her friends tattled on him to the queen again.

As they approached the queen's courtyard, Finnian's curiosity grew. He hadn't expected the queen to be waiting for him outside. When they entered the garden, Finnian's eyes scanned the area, taking in the beautifully manicured lawns and the flowers.

Queen Matilda was seated on an iron chair at the center of the garden, but what caught Finnian's attention, however, was the presence of two tea cups and snacks on the small table in front of the queen. Finnian's eyes narrowed slightly as he realized that the queen must have had a visitor recently.

Finnian knew that queen Matilda would never take the luxury of entertaining him, a mere illegitimate child of her husband, with tea and refreshments. The presence of the second cup suggested that she had been meeting with someone else, someone important enough to warrant such treatment.

Finnian's curiosity grew, and wondered who the queen's visitor might have been and how it might have been the reason he was being summoned. He approached the queen, "Your Majesty," he said curtsying low as he waited for the queen to acknowledge him.

Queen Matilda's expression was far from warm. She looked at Finnian with disdain and disgust in her eyes, her gaze lingering on Finnian's face before she spoke.

"Finny," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "I have some news for you which I thought you'll love or not, honestly I don't care. I've arranged for your wedding, and you will be marrying Thomas Wellington."

Finnian's eyes widened in shock, his heart racing with alarm. Marriage! He had never thought about marriage!, he knew he would have to get married someday but he never thought it would be so soon.

He always thought he would have told his father the truth about him before he got married, and he never thought he will be marrying a total stranger, he knew he had to find a way to escape this sham of a marriage match he can't risk being exposed.

"You will start preparing yourself for the wedding immediately," Queen Matilda continued, her voice firm and unyielding. "I expect you to be on your best behavior and to make a good impression on your future husband and his family."

Finnian felt a surge of anger and resentment bubbling deep down in the pit of his stomach towards the queen, but he knew better than to express his feelings it will only make the matter worse. Instead, he bit his lip and nodded, trying to keep his emotions and anger in check.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Queen Matilda's expression didn't change, but Finnian could sense a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Good," she said. "I'm glad we understand each other, Finny. You will do as you're told and make me and your father proud."

Finnian nodded again, feeling a sense of desperation wash over him. He knew she had to find a way to escape this nightmare of an arranged marriage, but for now, he knew he was trapped and he can't help but feel helpless.

Queen Matilda dismissed Finnian not allowing him to say anything more.

Finnian turned and walked away from the garden, tears streaming down his face. He didn't know why he was crying but he couldn't stop the tears either they just keep pouring out of his eyes. He didn't stop walking and crying until he reached his own quarters,

Diana seeing Finnian coming ran to meet him ,concern etched on her face. "Finnian, what's wrong?" she asked when she saw him crying.

Finnian collapsed into the arms of Diana hugging her tightly, his body shook with sobs as he tried to explain. "The queen...she's set a match for me," Finnian stammered. "I'm to marry Lord Thomas Wellington."

Diana gasped out in alarm, her eyes wide with shock. "Oh no, this is terrible," she whispered, holding Finnian close.

Finnian's tears continued to flow as Diana helped him back to his room. As soon as they reached his bedchamber, Diana closed the door behind them and helped Finnian onto the bed. Finnian collapsed onto the pillows, his body shaking with sobs.

"What can I do, my Prince?" Diana asked, her voice soft and gentle carrying the warmth's of a mother.

Finnian shook his head, feeling helpless and trapped. "I don't know, Diana," he whispered. "I don't know what to do."

Diana stand in front of him, holding his hand. "Princess, if you were to marry Lord Thomas, your secret would be revealed," Diana mentioned, "and Everybody would know that you're a boy, not a lady."

Finnian's crying grew louder, his body wracked with despair. "I don't know what to do, Diana," he sobbed. "I'm trapped."

"You have to go talk to the king about it," Diana said folding her arms over her blossoms. "You have to beg him to stop the queen from marrying you off."

Finnian shook his head, his eyes red and puffy from crying. "I won't go and beg my father," he shouted. "The queen wouldn't attempt something as big as marrying me off without the king's knowledge. He must be aware of it, and if he is, then begging him won't do any good.

Diana went to sit down beside Finnian on the bed, her expression soft as she comforted him. She patted him on the shoulder.

"I know the king might know about you getting married off, my Prince, But maybe he thinks it's the best option for you. Maybe he believes it's the only way to keep you safe."

Finnian looked up at Diana, his eyes red and puffy from crying. Diana smiled and continued.

"You know the king loves you more than everything in the world, my prince He would do anything to protect you. Maybe he thinks marrying you off to Lord Thomas is the best way to do that."

Finnian sniffled, his shoulders shaking with sobs. Diana pulled him into a warm hug, holding him close as he cried.

"I know it's hard, Princess," Diana whispered. "But it's worth a try isn't it, We'll find a way to make it work."