4 Chapter 4

Regina was starting to get offended. When she handed the deadline of a week to Gavel she had done so expecting him in her bed the next day. Three days had past and he hadn't shown. Three days filled with her advisors going on and on about how the marriage needs to be consummated, and that she should be less cold to her new groom; to help him warm up to her.

It wasn't that she didn't understand why Gavel was so resistant it was that she had been fairly clear that he wouldn't be getting what he really wanted anyways. She knew her new husband had feelings for her daughter. She also knew the feelings were returned. Regina wasn't attracted to Gavel, and didn't want to see him die within the year. He had married her though and that was now his fate. None of her husbands had been able to last longer then a year. Gavel would be no different. His death would hurt Astrid more than the others had.

A sigh escaped the queens lips and she rubbed her temples. When a knock came at the door she sat up and motioned the guard to open the door.

Gavel walked in with Astrid beside him. They bowed to her and she motioned for them to sit.

"We apologize for interrupting your work, your majesty." Gavel started with a small smile.

"Not at all. You would think I do much with the size of the kingdom, but it really runs itself. I just sign papers and handle.. contracts." Regina smiled, though not a true smile one she used on her advisors to get them to leave.

Gavel licked his lips and glanced at Astrid. Regina looked between the two. "I assume there is a reason you have both come to see me."

"Yes, mother." Astrid nodded. "We would like you to annul the marriage between yourself and Gavel."

Regina tapped her fingers on her desk. She studied her daughter. Astrid was 18 years, plenty old enough to marry. She was beautiful, in Reginas opinion, and the only daughter she had that was suitable to marry off to an ally. Cora was 16 years, a marriageable age, but Regina knew Coras marks would be off putting to any worthwhile groom. Not that Astrid had to be married off to an ally. Regina knew the kingdom would continue to prosper without a marriage alliance. It was one of the reasons Astrid wasn't married off already. That and Regina did enjoy Astrid energy.

"Your brothers have yet to take wives. Do you not think they will be offended if I were to marry you off before allowing them to wed." Regina leaned back in her chair and laid her hands across her lap.

"They have not married, but they have not requested to marry either." Astrid pointed out.

Regina nodded once. "True. Though I am the one who is responsible for choosing your husbands and wives. I have been taking great care not to tie you down so young. I know your heart beats for adventure and knowledge. Wifely duties would not suit you. Even if you found someone who shared your interests." Gavel wasn't sure if the women had forgotten his presence in the room, but he didn't interrupt. "It's hard to ride horseback while carrying a child, and what's more? Do you think outside this castle women are the rulers? The other kingdoms, men rule and women obey. Without objection. Would you be stuck in a castle big with child while your husband is off on some adventure with his chums and you are forced to entertain his family."

Astrid sat up straight. "If i were to marry the right man, it wouldn't be like that."

"The right man. Tell me, is the right man currently married to your mother?" Regina glared at Gavel. "Were you not listening when I stated she would marry without scandal?"

"I was, your grace. I can not help my feelings though, nor Astrid hers."

"So you know her feelings then? You know she has never shown any interest in an eligible suitor. You understand that her feelings are real and true and not just due to you showing interest in her passions." Regina resisted the eye roll she wanted to give.

"I love him." Astrid growled. "I want to marry him."

A small sigh escaped Reginas lips. "Astrid, love isn't real. Not in the passionate way you seem to think. That's lust. Love is respect, honor, dignity, compromise, it's steady and plain and takes time."

"How would you know? You never loved any of your husbands." Astrid crosses her arms like a child pouting.

"No, I didn't love them." Regina admitted. "Some I hated even." She added with a dark expression. "I did what I had to do though, as Queen. I regret nothing. My love is sprees through the kingdom, to every person I make sure doesn't starve and is treated with respect. My love is spread through my sacrifices. I have never needed a man to love or love me."

"They all die." Astrid said in a small voice. Regina could see the unshed tears in Astrid eyes. "One way or another, within a year. They say your cursed... or you curse them one."

Regina nodded. "Yes. It does feel that way, doesn't it" Her bright blue eyes studied Gavel for a moment. "You made a commitment to your King, and Kingdom, to marry me. Here you are breaking that commitment in hopes that I will give you my daughter. Why would I give you my favorite daughter after such blasphemy."

Gavel shook his head. "I have nothing to offer you, to reassure you of my intentions with Astrid. I can tell you that I admire her. She's strong willed, her spirit wild and untamed. She cares deeply and doesn't given in on her views. I would never wish to break her spirit or hold her down. I can make promises to you, but you will have no reason to believe me."

"And when you grow bored of my daughter? Will I find her dropped off on my doorstep? Will she be locked up in your fathers castle?" Regina smiled. "Or would you get rid of her all together."

"Never." Gavel swore as he stood up from his seat. "Never to any of those. I will never grow tired of Astrid, I love her deeply and wholeheartedly. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I beg you" he kneeled before the queen, "please let us live as one. I will make sure she is taken care of and is happy."

Regina tapped her fingers on her arm. She looked at Astrid once more. Astrids father was as close to loving one of her husbands as she had came. His daughter never knew him personally. The thought shifted Reginas mind. Astrid would be happy. "I will annual the marriage. You two will not wed before next summer. We will send word to your father, Gavel, of the plans and you will remain here. If Astrid changes her mind about marrying you then you will be sent home immediately, and any alliance we have will be voided."