A L M I R A

Chapter 45
Almira Davenport

I stared at the tall double doors before me. In just a couple of seconds I would walk down the isle and accept my crown to be the Queen of Galadia. Khione handed me the bouquet of white roses and other assorted white flowers. I smiled nervously.

"It'll be okay, I promise. You got this!" Khione encouraged.

I nodded. "I've got this. I'm their Queen, I can do this."

Khione smiles and stood in front of me. She had to walk down before I did since I have to give the flowers to her. The doors opened up and everybody watched Khione walk through before taking her spot not too far from the bishop.

The band began playing and everyone stood up. My eyes looked across the room for Calix and I felt a wave of relief when I spotted him, Ambrielle, Cole, Alexander, and Adam.

I took another deep breath, collection myself before walking through. I kept a smile on my face and when I made it to the bishop, I handed the bouquet to Khione. The bishop turned around and scooped the throw pillow with the orb and staff on it before turning back around to me.

I picked the orb up in my left hand and the staff in my right before turning around. I bowed and the bishop placed the crown on me. He grabbed the Sword of the Goddess and tapped both of my shoulders before tapping the crown. "Today, with the power invested in me by the God and Goddess above, I crown Almira Davenport, Princess of the Mortala Kingdom, Queen of Galadia."

I cleared my throat. "Thank you, all of you. I know this is sudden. Queen Raiya's death was not one I wished to see. However, I promise to lead all of you into prosperity and help this kingdom grow and flourish. Know I will listen to any of your concerns, I swear it. You will not have to fear no more for your children going to bed hungry."

People stood up and applauded. I smiled and they all walked out, into the ballroom, the music playing as everyone danced. I stood up front, watching the party until Calix walked up to me, bowing. "Your Highness, you look ravishing tonight. If I may, can I have this dance?"

I smiled. "Why, yes, Your Majesty, you may," I slid my hand into his and he pulled me onto the dance floor. I looked up at him.

"You're a Queen now," Calix stated, looking down at me. "A beautiful one at that."

"Thank you. It was nerve-wracking," I said honestly. In reality, it was. I expected to mess up.

"You did great."

I smiled at Calix and he squeezed my hands in reassurance. "Relax, love. The hardest part is over. You just meet a bunch of people now, make connections, and then meet your Royal Court."

"The Royal Court? What's that?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"What I had in the meeting room. The people who help you keep the kingdom running," He replied, letting go of my hands and sliding them to my back.

"Oh. Wait, oh my goodness, I have to do business now," I gasped, looking at him.

Calix chuckled. "You'll be fine, I promise. You've been passing laws and signing off on improvements for a while now. I think you can handle yourself in business meetings."

"I hope so."

Khione walked up to me with an unfamiliar female and male. I turned to her and smiled at the three of them bowed and curtsied in respect. "My Queen, may I present to you my husband, Axton Cortasi, the General of the Galadia army, and my beautiful daughter, Karlienne Cortasi, who has no position in the Royal Court."

I slightly curtsied, hoping to make them feel more at ease around me. "Pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to seeing more of both of you. May I have the honor of introducing my mate, His Majesty, King Calix West of the Mortala Kingdom."

Calix nodded. "I do hope you'll treat my mate with the most respect."

Axton looked up at him and nodded. "It's my honor."

Karlienne shifted uncomfortably before rubbing her arms. I glanced at her and cleared my throat. "If I may, can I talk with Karlienne privately for a moment?"

Khione's face morphed into slight concern before nodding. "Of course, Your Highness."

Karlienne last face flushed with worry and concern before gulping. I walked to the corner of the room where not a lot of people were. Karlienne followed me and began to speak, "Your Highness? If I may, what's this about?"

I turned to her. "I can tell you're uncomfortable. Is everything alright?"

Karlienne straightened her back. "I can assure you that I'm perfectly fine, My Queen."

"Can you assure it honestly? By looking into my eyes and telling me that?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Karlienne looked up at my forehead. "I can-"

"That's my forehead," I cut her off.

Karlienne lowered her eyes to my chin and attempted again. "I can-"

"That's my chin, Karlienne. My eyes are right here, they're green," I coached, pointing at my eyes.

Karlienne gulped and slowly looked into my eyes, taking a deep breath. "I can assure you..." She trailed off.

"That's what I thought. Now, try telling me what's actually wrong."

Karlienne sighed. "It's not that big of a deal. It's just, well, I don't know how to describe it. When Mama introduced me to you, she mention how I had no position in the Royal Court. When in reality, I don't have a position anywhere. I just walk around all day reading."

Memories of when I was first at Calix's castle flashed through my mind. I wasn't anything, just someone who read and got kidnapped for leverage.

I gently took her hand and wrapped both of mine around here's. "Tell me what inspires you."

"Pardon, Your Highness?"

"What inspires you? What makes you get out of bed of the mornings? What makes you happy?" I asked, watching her think.

Karlienne smiles softly. "The hopes of meeting my mate someday, having a family, and being a Royal Physician. I want to help people when they're at their lowest."

"What's stopping you?" I questioned, taking in her features.

Karlienne has high cheekbones and almond shapes brown eyes that looked like pools of gold when the light hit them. Her long, light brown hair matched her mother's, but since it was pulled back, a small heart-shaped birthmark showed on her neck.

"Education isn't popular in women in this kingdom. Most women sign up to be maids in the castle or assist their husbands in their jobs or stay at home with the kids. It's nearly impossible for me to get my hands on medical textbooks and actually have someone to teach me."

I pondered the idea. In Mortala, women weren't equal, but I guess they have more rights than most women in other kingdoms.

"We're going to get women more freedom in this kingdom. If you're committed to being a doctor, I'll get you a teacher and those textbooks. How does that sound?" I offered, smiling.

Karlienne grinned and her eyes became glossy, almost as if she was about to cry. "You would really do that for me?"

I nodded. "I would. The women of Mortala have more freedom than Galadia does, and I intend to bring that freedom here. It'll be hard and a bunch of people with disagree, but I think we can do it."

Karlienne sniffled before wrapping her arms around me. I hugged her back before we broke apart. "Thank you so much, Your Highness! You have no idea how much this means! I owe you so much!"

"You owe me nothing, Karlienne."

~-~

I awoke to Calix poking my side repeatedly. "Would you quit that?" I snapped, rubbing my sleepy eyes. I yawned and Calix snickered.

"Good morning to you too, babe. Get dressed, you have a big meeting today," Calix said, getting out of bed.

I groaned. "Already? I just became queen yesterday!"

"And now you have to live up to your title. So get dressed, it's a meeting with your Royal Court and mine," Calix reminded me I was actually a Queen.

I muttered nonsense underneath my breath while throwing the silky covers off of my body. I let the nightgown slide off of my bare body before appropriately dressing myself for today. Calix came behind me and pulled the ribbon behind my waist, tying it in the back.

I slid on shoes before sitting down in front of the vanity and carefully french braiding my own hair. I securely tied the bottom before standing up, smiling. "I'm ready."

Calix offered me his hand and I took it, my cheeks slightly heating up. He opened the door for me and we walked out and to the meeting room. He opened the doors for me again and we walked in. I looked around, spotting both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Everyone stood up in respect as Calix and I took our seats.

They sat back down and I cleared my throat. "Good morning, everyone. Just so everyone can understand who is who, let's introduce yourself. I'll start, I'm the Queen of Galadia, Almira Davenport."

Calix went next. "I'm the King of Mortala, Calix West. Pleasure to meet those of you who I've not had the pleasure meeting yet."

"I'm Ambrielle Witherspoon, Her Highness's lady-in-waiting from the Kingdom of Mortala. This is my husband, Alexander Witherspoon—" she motioned to Alexander, who sat beside her— "he's King Calix's right hand man."

Alexander nodded before Cole spoke up. "I'm Cole West, the second heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Mortala. I'm King Calix's brother, and I'm both the treasurer of the kingdom and a secretary to my brother."

Khione spoke up. "My name is Khione Cortasi, my role is a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness from the Galadia Kingdom."

A woman who was unfamiliar to me introduced herself. "Pleasure to meet all of you, I'm Isleen Smith, the official secretary of Galadia."

I checked Isleen out. She was short but athletically built. She had piercing hazel eyes that demanded respect and short, curly, black hair that framed her face perfectly. She was beautiful.

The male beside her stood up, introducing himself next. He was tall with the idea that he's attentive. He wore distinctive clothes and presented a rather large scar on his right cheek. The man has a rounded face along with a round chin, a large nose, and small lips. His eyes were thin and dark brown, almost black. He has fine eyebrows and short, dark curly hair. "I am Hudson Smith, I was placed in charge of treasury of Galadia."

"Good to meet everybody. Anything anybody wants to get off their chest? Possibly any questions you want to ask?" I offered for them to speak their minds, even though they always can with me.

"I just have a question," Isleen began. "How are you going to be Queen of Galadia and also Calix's mate? Being his mate would require you to be the Princess of Mortala, would it not?"

I nodded my head. "It would. That's a good question, actually."

"Are you and Calix prepared to spend most of your time apart?" Axton asked, turning to Calix and I.

I frowned as my heart sank at the mere thought of being away from him for so long. A deep pain emerged from my chest and I placed my hand on my chest, taking a deep breath.

"Is there not a way for them to be together?" Ambrielle voiced, her eyes dancing from one person to another.

"And rule their kingdoms? Not that I can think of," Isleen replied, shaking her head.

"There is one possibility," Hudson commented.

"And that is?" Calix inquired, turning his full attention to Hudson. Everyone was looking at Hudson, including me.

"An official marriage between the King of Mortala and the Queen of Galadia."

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