Astra is Convinced

"How could I ever have doubted you?" she said after the initial stunned feeling had worn off a little. "You were right all along. Of course I must marry Fred." If asked, she couldn't have said exactly what it was that she had seen within the ball; she merely knew that somehow the visions it had vouchsafed her had convinced her of Reaibn's almost god-like infallibility. If he had wanted her to join the Lady of Billings Keep in the kitchens, she would have done it without question.

"Good," Reaibn replied. "I knew that a sensible girl like you would come around to the correct way of thinking before long. You'll make a fine queen for Fred. With you to advise him, and me to give you both my devoted support, Allaria will be in safe hands. And I'm sure that the two of you will soon produce an heir. As I mentioned over breakfast, your wedding will be a week today.

"Bob should have finished Lord Fred's shave and haircut by now. We'd better go and collect him - Lord Fred, I mean. It's nearly time to start getting ready for his Coronation."

As they made their way back to the dungeon, Astra asked Reaibn: "Are you certain that Fred will want to marry me?"

"I'm sure that he can be made to see where his duty lies."

"I'm so glad that you think so. There's just one other thing that I'm still a little nervous about. You said at breakfast about the whole of the royal court needing to watch us consummate our marriage."

"There's no need for you to worry. Everyone will have been given strict orders to be on their best behaviour, I assure you. There will be no applause or unseemly comments."

"You're so wise, Reaibn. You think of everything."

1. Rejoining Fred...

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