Queen Raeanne

"Who are you?" I ask the impostor. He can not be who he says he is.

"I am your bother, James." He smiles, still hoping to receive a hug from me. I continue to refuse to embrace him.

"James?" I ask. Surely he can not be James.

He nods. "Come here dear sister. I have long awaited this reunion."

I shake my head. "No. This is not possible. Mother told me you were dead."

He laughs and nods. "I'm sure she did. Before I left she said I was dead to her. I guess that means I'm dead to everyone."

"I do not understand." I look over at Michael, hoping he is still behind me. He and Henry stand in the corner. I feel a sense of comfort knowing they are still here.

"Mother sent me to live in France when I was young. I was to court the Princess Genevieve until we were married and then I was to produce an heir to both of our thrones with her. But I couldn't stand the princess so I rarely spent time with her. Instead I fell in love with another. She was a noblewoman with a title but she was not good enough for mother." He remembers. "I was made to give up my rights to the throne if I wanted to marry this woman. So I did. Thus making you heir and me, well, dead in the eyes of the kingdom I guess."

"So if all of that is true, why are you here? After all these years?" I ask, unsure yet if I believe his elaborate story.

"I brought my wife with me. As well as all of our belongings. We want to move back here. With your permission of course."

"Why now?" I ask him.

"I wrote to mother for years, begging her for land here in Estonia. France has been under siege and it was no longer safe for my wife and I to reside there. Mother refused our entry every time. When I got the news that she has died, my wife and I packed up as quickly as we could to move halfway across the world to be here. To be with you. And my nephew of course." He smiles and waves to Henry in the corner.

"Well, I am going to need you to consent to a few tests to ensure you are who you say you are." I begin. All of this is just too crazy to believe. Before I decide anything, I need to find out if he is legitimate or not.

"Of course. I will do whatever you need me to do." He nods. "Listen Raeanne. I truly mean no harmful you or your son. I just want to live in my home country with my wife. I am tired of living in exile. I am tired of being fearful for our lives. I want the best for her. Please." He continues.

"I will have my guard here set you up with a room while we wait for the results. I am much too busy today to show you around. Tomorrow maybe?"

"Of course. I caught you off guard. My apologies. I will clear my schedule whenever you are ready." He bows. "Thank you, my queen."

I turn and grab my son from Michael's arms. Henry immediately grabs on to a chunk of hair that has fallen loose from my bun. "Please take him to the physician to get his bloodwork done and then set him up with a room. Then join me in the kitchens for cake. Please."

"Of course."

"If he really is my brother, he could help bring a solution to our issue of marriage." I smile. 

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