Lord Newton looked around surprised by the mention of his name. Being called was the least he was expecting! All eyes were on him, and when he searched for those blue eyes in the room, they had lighted up looking at him with a renewed sense of hope.

Lord Newton took two steps forward, Alexander smiling all the while. He watched Roselyn’s reaction and it was just as he had predicted. Earlier when they were traveling with Isadora, Lord Newton and Roselyn’s topic was discussed.

"Do you think she likes him? Obviously he likes her!" Alexander had asked.

"The way she looks at him everytime he’s around answers it all, unless you’re blind," Isadora had teased.

"I know what I’m going to do," Alexander had said closing the matter. And now he was doing what he had promised.

"This is Lord Newton of Crescia," Alexander introduced. "A fine young knight and Lord who I’m certain will serve her Highness well."

"He’s Crescian. Why are you speaking on his behalf while the Crescian queen hasn’t approved it?" Felista asked.

"If you notice, the Crescian queen is seated there enjoying the scenary. And for your information, Your Majesty, whatever is hers is mine too, and so shall be Roselyn’s," he hinted with a smile.

And turning to Roselyn,"Do you accept Lord Newton to be your personal knight, Your Highness?"

"You can’t take a Crescian for a knight. The law forbids it!" Felista whispered to Roselyn.

"And they can’t take an Arcadian for a Valorian knight, the law forbids it!" She replied in the same manner.

"With the power bestowed to me as the princess of Arcadia and heir to the throne, I hereby appoint Lord Newton as the King’s consort!" She announced.

Felista rose from her seat in disbelief. He was supposed to be appointed a knight but now it was King’s consort! That was impossible!

"You clearly stepped out of the line Roselyn. We can’t take a foreigner for a king!" She pointed. The hall was already bursting in murmurs.

"He’s my choice mother," Roselyn pointed. "I had to choose someone anyways!"

"You had to choose someone who is a Crescian and not a foreigner. You have disgraced your father!"

"Father," she scoffed. "He never loved me and you know it. I have chosen Lord Newton and my decision is final!" She said, raising her voice on her mother.

"Your Highness. What you are doing is against the laws of the kingdom," Lord Augustus pointed, his eyes on a smiling Alexander. Lord Newton stood still, eyes on him as he was the center of attention.

Lord Newton had clearly expected nothing of what was happening. Roselyn, chosing him as King’s consort, that was just insane! Why would she chose him of all the people? He wanted to be closer to her but this was raising conflict! What if he said he’s not interested and end the conflict once and for all? He opened his lips to say something but the words just couldn’t come out. Why the hell couldn’t he say the damn words?

He imagined Roselyn’s sad face, all she had been through. How would she take it if he rejected her offer? She’d hate, not only him, but everyone, forever! Seeing her sad was the least he wanted. A smile on her face would literally light up his world, and leaving her when she needed him the most was not going to bring that smile he so much wanted.

"I accept Roselyn’s offer," he said, silence befalling the once noisy hall. He could see Roselyn’s face light up in joy, and her mother’s turn stunned.

"It’s settled then!" Alexander announced again, but this time, Felista could not tolerate his dominance in her kingdom.

"I do not approve of this relationship. I am the queen regent and my decision is final!" She announced. And turning to Roselyn,

"You’re not going to have that Crescian for a husband. I’ll find you a better Arcadian man."

"Since when did you start making decisions for Your Majesty?" Roselyn asked her, loud enough for the crowd present to hear?

"Majesty?" She asked, a frown on her face. "You’re not yet the queen!"

"I became the queen the moment I chose my King consort. Isn’t that how the procedure is? Or did it change overnight, mother?"

It now dawned on Felista. Roselyn was no longer the princess she’d control around. She had been against everything that Felista had said today. And by chosing one’s King’s consort as a queen, it meant one had officially assumed her royal duty as a queen. The coronation would be the only thing remaining. Realization hit her hard.

"I’m sorry if you don’t like him mother. But he’s my choice, I love him," she said.

Felista slouched back on her seat defeated. Roselyn’s gaze shifted to Lord Newton who stood elegantly at the floor. A smile appeared on his face when she looked at him, the smile that had lit her up whenever she felt dullest, inspired her when she felt hopeless and when her mother was too busy to even comfort her, he was always there for him. Now she had given him a chance to light her life, forever!

The meeting was adjourned after the coronation date was set. It’d take place the next day! Lord Newton followed Alexander while Isadora followed Roselyn to her chambers.

"You’re born to be a queen," Isadora said closing the door behind her.

"Mother will hate me for this," she said resting on the edge of her bed. "I should have listened to her."

Isadora sat beside her, holding her hands. "Sometimes we make selfish decisions that we know will end up making us happy and hurting the ones we love, but we choose our happiness over theirs."

Roselyn only stared at her before nodding softly. "You’ll get married tomorrow," Isadora pointed, still holding her hands. "You’re nervous?"

"A little. I have known Newton but it feels like only a fraction of him. I don’t know..."

"I can assure you he’s a good man. I’ve never seen him with a woman my entire life." Roselyn had to blink thrice to confirm it. Everything had happened so fast. Her father’s death, now she was getting crowned, and with a husband! Why did it feel so strange yet right at the same time?