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Where's My Happy Ending? ((butterfly0408/Kolath))

What could have been was just now standing outside the doors to the great hall. Aiden looked over at Christian sighing, â??I guess I am as ready as I ever will be.â? Christian shook his head slightly in exasperation at Aiden. â??It will all be fine your highness, and your mother is right, you should do as she says.â? Aiden looked over at Christian knowing he had been listening. â??I intend to and donâ??t you dare start all that title business with me Christian, we have been friends too long. From now on I command you call me by my name.â? Aiden smirked winking at Christian who again shook his head. â??Whatever you say, Aiden.â?

Aiden nodded and the doors were pushed open. The sound of trumpets and the pound of the drums all to say that one man was entering. He felt it was so needless but he never let that show on his face as he walked in. his stance was perfect as he walked toward the throne, the band played the nationâ??s anthem reaching the last note just as he reached the dais and turn. The entire court bowed deeply to him as was the custom and he sat.
 
Crista was so stuck by the sight of him, she almost forgot to bow with the rest of the crowd. That was one of the last things she wanted. To stand out when all she wanted was to fade away into the crowd. But she couldn't help but look up to watch him as he moved to his place and the proceedings began. He was first blessed by the priest and things were rambled off in Latin. She never did learn Latin so she spent the whole time just watching him. That man she had thought she had a chance with. Back when she thought him just a worker at the inn. The kind of man she could have married and it would never have mattered if she was a slave or a lady or barren or not. And now look at him. King. How long ago those dreams seemed not. Long ago and lost.

And then the main event started. The nobles were each called forward to pledge their loyalty to him as their one and only king. It started with the Dukes and the Duchesses, like Rebeca. Moving down through all the Marquesses, the Earls, the Counts, the Viscounts, and then they began with the Barons and the Baronesses. Crista held her breath, dreading to hear her name called.
 
Aiden was suffering badly, having to sit through all this ceremony. He finally stood and began acknowledging the lords and ladies as they came to pledge their service. His mother had arranged the list and at this moment he was certain that she had put Crista last on purpose. Throughout the groups, of count and viscounts he had figured out the system she used. The man before him now was the last one before Crista, and he seemed set on giving a long winded speech about his loyalty and importance to the kingdom. Aiden made no attempt to hide that he was rubbing his temples as he finally stepped forward. â??My lord, the kingdom thanks you for your long service but the dinner will be getting cold soon and we canâ??t have that.â? Fortunately the man was portly and clearly loved to eat as he finished quickly.

The herald releaved to continue on his duties stepped forward. â??The Baroness Blakesfield!â?
 
Looking about, Crista felt embarrissed when she realized she was the last one. Everyone would be watching her and listening to what she would say. The worst part was, she didn't have much of anything to say. She wanted to keep it short and simple. Proper.

As she moved from her place hidden amongst the crowds, you could hear the dull sound of the whispers being said about her. You could see how ladies raised their fans higher to chatter behind. You could even see a few of the noblemen look away, embarrassed. Those were the ones she knew had been among Heylel's party guests that had raped her. They gave the same looks to Rebeca as well. Crista did not look at anyone. Not even Aiden as she moved to stand before him. Her gaze was downward in respect. At least that is what it appeared to be. She just... couldn't face him knowing he had a perfect view to watch how everyone else saw and treated her. Now he knew. All she had told him, he could see it for himself. THIS was why they could never be together. Well, soon it would all be over.

Crista was not very graceful as she lowered herself into a curtsy that took her all the way to the floor, where she struggled to stay balanced as she spoke her parting peace with him, "I pledge myself to you, King Aiden, as the one and only true king. I will always be loyal to you and to no other until the day I die." She felt her own heart breaking within her chest and tears threatened to rise. This was it. This was her goodbye. She had to hurry before she lost it. "May you have a long and prosperous reign, your highness."

She waited to be excused and only prayed he would hurry for she was only moments away from loosing her balance and embarrassing herself fully and completely.
 
Aiden stood there as Crista came forward. His heart was beating wildly, she was more beautiful then any of the other women in the room. Her beauty was natural and needed no addition to make it clear. He did see the way that the entire room was reacting to her and it truly made him mad. He looked over to Christian for a moment, and with just a look made it clear he wanted the noble men that reacted ashamed of Crista and Rebecca detained.

As she knelt and nearly lost her balance it was all he could do not to reach out and steady her. holding back his emotions he let her finish feeling the hurt in the words just as he heard it in her voice. â??Rise Baroness.â? His words were simple and he waited for her to do as he said.
 
Crista took a breath as she focused all her effort on rising as he commanded without falling. It took her longer to come back up then it did to go down. She could hear a light murmur of laughter as a few found her unpolished gestures amusing. 'Just dismiss me and end this Aiden, please,' she thought in her head as she stood before him, waiting for a full dismissal.
 
Aiden stood there for a moment hearing the murmur and hid the anger under the love he was feeling right now. He stepped forward off the dais and reaching down took her hand. His other hand lifted her chin to look into his eyes.

There was already twittering around the room at the break of protocol. Christian, Rebecca and the queen mother were the only ones smiling. With a nod from the queen mother the herald silenced the court room so that all could hear Aidenâ??s words.

To Aiden he was the only one with Crista, though a part of him kept near the correct protocol. â??Baroness, Crista Blakesfield, would you do me the honor of being my bride.â?
 
The room was shocked! Crista most of all. What was he doing?! He was ruining everything! This wasn't how it was suppose to happen. He was suppose to let her go so he could avoid the looks that he was getting right now. The looks from the nobility that he was insane for picking one from along them that was, in a word, inferior.

Of course the first response in Crista's mind was no, as it had been all along. But then, it was clear in her face how the realization sunk in. He had tricked her. She couldn't say no. For the king to break protocol in this manner to ask a noblewoman to marry him, to deny him... Crista's face morphed through many emotions before any reply came to her lips. The shock, then hurt, then realization, then anger, then defeat. The one thing she had tried to save him from, she couldn't save him from anymore. With a sigh, she adopted a proper appearance as she spoke, "If I am who you wish to wed, your highness, then I accept."

It was like.... doing some kind of business. The moment that should have been so happy for her, the happiest of her life, she ended up feeling like a failure to him. She couldn't save him from herself.
 
Aiden watched her face and when the emotions ended on defeat, his heart sunk. That was not what he was wanting to see. All he wanted was her to be happy but she looked anything but that. He didnâ??t smile as she agreed to be his wife just took her hand and led her up onto the dais. He turned to face the crowd making sure she was facing them also. â??I present to you, your future queen!â?

The crowd wasnâ??t sure what to do. Only three people knew what to do. The queen mother stood and moved in front of the dais bowing and then smiling as she looked at her son and soon to be daughter-in-law. â??Long live the King and Queen!â?

Rebecca was just a few steps behind her so happy for her dearest friend knowing that it was what she really wanted. With the queen mother she cheered â??Long live the King and Queen!â?

Christian hadnâ??t stopped smirking since Aiden had moved down to touch Crista. He looked from guard to guard and on the second cheer the entire castle guard cheered. â??Long live the King and Queen!â?

The nobles had no choice but to join the chorus. â??Long live the King and Queen!â?
 
"Long live the King and Queen!"

Crista was pale, feeling sick as she stood on dias with him. For a person that was only moments ago planning to fade away so no one would pay attention to her, to now be the center of attention was frightening. She looked around the room, watching the people be forced to accept her as their future queen.

The priest allowed it to go on a few moments more before he stepped in and quietly reminded Aiden that the event was not yet over.

His mother held out her hand for Crista to join her off to stand at the side of the thrown dais while the priest went on to finish the corination. The queen held her hand tight the whole while, smile beaming while Crista just looked on in silence.

Aiden was shortly after crowned before the whole crowd and another chorus rang up through the room, "All hail King Aiden! Long live King Aiden!"

And as the event moved from the thrown room to dinner, Crista had no chance to slip away as she had originally intended to. Not with the Queen never letting her go for a moment. With the sudden announcement of the king taking a fiance, it was a struggle to rearrange the seating at the table. She certainly could not sit amongst the lowest of station now nor could she be moved to sit at the King's side. The closest she could be moved without insulting anyone was still 10 seats from Aiden and his mother and miles away from anyone else she knew. It was like being thrown into a sea of sharks.... especially as she realized half way through the second course that the man sitting across from her was one of Haylel's party guests she had crossed paths with in the past. It was the way he laughed at a joke. She knew it at once, but just didn't know what to do as she sat there, muddling through.
 
The meal began and it really ate at Aiden that the nobles would not make room for his bride to be. However he knew that soon all things would be set right. He leaned back in his chair as Christian came up after the third course. Nodding Aiden stood and the drums sounded to gather everyoneâ??s attention. â??My lords and ladies. Iâ??m sure that today has already been one of surprises for you all.â? There was a murmur of accent to that statement which Aiden quickly silenced. â??However they are not over.â? He looked to Christian, â??Captain if you would please.â? Quiet suddenly guards from every side came at certain of the guests. Men and women alike were laid hands on and pulled from their chairs with no ceremony. Nearly twenty people were pulled to the center of the room all now bound in chains.

Aiden came around the head table. â??Many of you I can say with my own eyes that you are guilty of this charge. Because you were leaving as I was coming in, in search of someone most dear to me.â? The anger was clear in his voice. â??Know this everyone, no longer will the debauchery that the Duke Apsinthos practiced, be tolerated in our realm.â? He looked down to those twenty in front of him, â??Your titles are revoked, your lands are forfeit to the crown. All your possessions well be passed to your heirâ??s or those I deem worthy.â? He turned his back on them for a moment looking around to all those seated. â??Though I feel that your crimes deserve death, I do not wish to have all of your blood on my hands.â? He turned sharply back to face them. â??You are all banished from our realm. The only aid that can be lent to you by one and all is to aid your departure. If any of you are found within our borders again after five days, your lives are forfeit. Now go!â? He turned and Christian and the guards pulled them all out of the room.

Aiden looked around the room, â??Those I was sure of, I know there are those that have attended Heylelâ??s parties still here. Know this, if you every do anything of that kind again, you will not be shown the mercy I have shown the others.â? Aiden turned around looking for Crista needing to be with her.
 
The dining hall was filled with chaos as the strike took place. Crista knew before the charges could even be proclaimed what they would be for the man seated across from her as well as his wife beside him was taken by guards. Some wives and husbands were separated and no one knew what would happen. Some stood in protest at first not knowing what was happening.

However, after everyone heard the claims, the mood changed. Those that would have protested slowly returned to their seats, no longer wanting to tie themselves to the shamed ones any longer. Especially those that knew they should be among them as well.

A small cry from not to far down the table drew Crista's attention for she knew before even looking that it was Rebeca. She looked distressed and Crista realized why for both the seat next to her and the one across from her were not empty. Two of her rapists had been so close and she didn't even know it. Not caring about protocol when her friend was in pain, she used the cover of the attention going to watching the banished ones be taken away to rush over and come to her friends side, quickly wrapping her arms around her in a comforting hug, "I didn't even recognize them! Oh God Crista I didn't even-"

"Shh, I know Rebeca. They are gone now. I know." Crista was still holding her friend when Aiden eventually found her as he scanned the room. For a moment, she met his eyes, but Rebeca's whimper drew her attention back to her, "I think I should take you home Rebeca. No, better yet, you will come with me tonight, alright?" She knew her friend would not want to be alone after this.
 
Aiden walked over to her looking from Rebecca to Crista. He knelt down taking Rebeccaâ??s hand lightly. â??Iâ??m sorry for the shock,â? he looked to Crista, â??Perhaps you should take her to your home for the night.â? He leaned over and softly kissed her forehead pouring his feelings into the simple gesture as he whispered. â??I love you.â? Standing back up as the chaos from his arrests starting hitting hard. Nobles were coming up to him making demands on the lands and holdings of the arrested nobles.

His mother at one moment came up to him shaking her head. â??I wish you had told me you planned this too. I might have not suggested what I did.â? His mother went to Crista and With a nod from Aiden Christian joined the women as their guard.

Aiden was left to handle what he had started on his own. This was what he had been born for and was quickly taking charge.
 
With help from Christan and the queen mother, Crista got herself and Rebeca situated and ready to leave. Susanna came to join them after she finally found her way through the crowds. It was she that helped Rebeca into the carriage while Crista stole a moment with Aiden's mother, "You have to talk him out of this," she whispered to her. "He's already making waves and I will only make the seas rougher yet."

"Oh no my dear," his mother said, smile on her face, "It is just what he needs. He needs you as much as you need him... and you know it dear. We will be able to speak more of this later. Now you have to see to Rebeca." She gave her the same parting that Aiden did, kissing her forehead lightly before returning into the castle.

A few hours later, Crista had finally gotten Rebeca to sleep. She had been there longer then Crista. She could only imagine the kind of nightmares Rebeca had, based on the ones she had herself. It took some soothing tea and holding her hand as she drifted off to do it, but at last Crista slipped from the guest room Rebeca was in. Only then did Crista finally go to retire in her own room for the night. She found Christen standing at her door. She had almost forgotten Aiden had sent him along with her until now when she finally had time to think. He opened the door for her, but Crista was only half way through before she paused, "Christan... you know Aiden better then most, right?"

"I would hope so My lady I have been with him since we were young"

"Even... even if I can't give him children?" She did not bother hiding her problem with him for she knew he knew. He had been close at hand during her recovery in the castle. "Do you think I can still make him happy?"

He smiled at her, "My lady I have never seen him more happy then when he is with you. He knows you worry about giving him Children and if there was anything he could do he would. however there is nothing he can do, except keep you close as he is doing now."

"What if I'm not a good queen? You saw me! I'm not exactly graceful," this said as she leaned now against the door frame, slouched with her arms crossed.

Christian just chuckled, shaking his head, "Neither was Aiden at first, Pose and gracefulness come with practice. but you have a true nobility that the other nobles lack. you truly care about others and that is more valuable then anything."

Crista sighed, still feeling doubtful about herself, "Thank you Christan. Good night." She went to enter her room.

"Good evening, your highness sleep well," she heard him say as she closed the door.

'Your highness...' that would take getting use to. As she went about getting ready for bed, she couldn't help by let her mind race with her problems just constantly through her head. Her mind was still racing even as she slipped into be and blew the candles out.
 
Aiden was up late working out the problems he had caused himself. He quickly was able to set it down that all the lands that were forfeit were now under the direction of a steward that he had placed in position before hand. It was working out that no one was getting any lands tonight till Aiden could go over many records.

Finally he was done and able to pull himself away. But instead of heading to bed he called for his horse. He rode out heading for Cristaâ??s lands wanting to both get away from the nobles and to see his bride to be again. He came up to her bed room seeing Christian standing watch as he had been told too. Smiling he nodded Christian away. â??Thank you Christian I will take it from here. I need to be able to talk to her first thing in the morning.â? And so Aiden settled in for a long sleepless night.
 
There were a few event less hours before nightmares started to overtake Crista's dreams. For once, they started differently then normal. It started with her being with Aiden. She looked happy, smiling, but he looked disappointed. He told her how marrying her have been a mistake and oh... that was just the start of it. He went on to tell her horrible things. That he never loved her. That he should have left her in Heylel's manor to die....

"Mmm.... no.... don't... say that. Please..." she moaned as she started to toss lightly before the nightmare shifted again to the same old thing thing. Heylel and his horrors.

"I told you..." he hissed, smiling as he rose up his whip and it came crashing down. Crista cried out in her sleep, thrashing once. "He never loved you," a second time with the same response. Heylel morphed and it was Aiden holding the whip, smiling at her evilly, "Whore..."

"NO! Aiden No!"
 
Aiden had drifted off slightly when he heard Crista calling out in her sleep. He stood and hurried into the room coming over and kneeling down next to her bed. â??Cristaâ?¦.My love please wake up.â? His hand brushed against her brow as he grabbed her hand lightly. Something was wrong in her dreams and he was not about to let it continue hurting her. his hand brushed over her cheek as he held tight to her hand.
 
Crista was in the dream just a few moments longer... long enough for her night mare Aiden to be rejoined by Heylel as they both started to wipe at her before she was shocked awake. Shooting to sit upright in her bed, breathing heavy and sweating as she squeezed Aiden's hand. She had been so use to him holding her hand though her nightmares while she was in his care, it was like second nature. She didn't even notice him there at first.
 
His hand came up and brushed over her back as he held her hand firmly. â??Are you ok My love?â? he was so worried about her and he wanted to be sure that she was not in any pain not caring about himself at all. He moved up onto the bed sitting slightly behind her his arm wrapping around her gently holing her giving her a place to lean back against if she needed it.
 
Crista was shocked to hear his voice and feel his hand upon her back. She jumped a little and turned to face him, eyes wide in shock that he was there. Was he really? "Aiden?" she reached her hands up to touch his cheeks. "What are you... what...?" she didn't care right then. She just needed him, throwing her arms around him and holding on tight to him.
 
He was a little shocked as she wrapped her arms around him and held on to him tight, as though for dear life. â??Iâ??m here Crista and Iâ??m never letting you go.â? He kissed her hair and nuzzling softly into it holding her tight against his chest. He leaned back a little against the head board his hands stroking down her back and hair. â??Iâ??m here and I love you Crista.â?
 
She held tight for a few moments longer, enjoying being ever so close to him before... "Wait!" she suddenly pulled back to sit with a distance between them on the bed, "What ARE you doing here?" she looked around, confirming that she was still in her home and not in his room. "It's the middle of the night."
 
He blinked at the sudden change. â??Umâ?¦well.â? He looked around as though he was expecting to be somewhere other then in her room. â??I came to your manner after I finally got all those nobles to shut the hell up.â? He shook his head slowly sighing deeply. â??I didnâ??t want to leave you wondering what was happening tomorrow so I came to talk to you first thing in the morning when you woke. Then you seemed to have a nightmare and wellâ?¦here we are.â? He kisses her hair. â??Are you upset with me?â?
 
She frowned a little bit and sighed, "I don't know..." she confessed. "I mean, I was and I should be. You tricked me! You knew I couldn't say no if you asked me like that. Didn't you see? How they all looked at me and treated me? Don't you see what I have been trying to tell you all along? No one wants me to be queen expect for you." She sighed again and bit her lip, "You can still take it back. You have the power to without loosing face." Her reputation would be show to hell, yes, but his would still be safe.
 
He looked into her eyes, the look in his clearly saying â??have you gone mad?â?? his hand brushed over her cheek smiling. â??Not a chance, I want you as my wife and I will not take it back.â? He kisses her forehead softly. â??In fact.â? He dropped off the bed to kneel in front of her taking her hands. â??I didnâ??t do my feelings justice before so I think its only right that I get another chance.â? He smiled up at her kissing the back of her hands. â??You have to understand just because no one else wants you as queen doesnâ??t matter to me. I am the king and my wants in this supersede all others, except for yours. Do you not want to marry me Crista?â?
 
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