"May I then call you by your name, Your Majesty?" he asked softly.
"As you wish," I nodded, feeling a cautious openness stir within me. "Evelyne," he whispered, his voice tender yet tinged with longing, "your name is sweet to my ears and sour to my heart. A young and beautiful lady like you should not be sad." He lowered his document, locking eyes with me as he continued, "Evelyne, the whole country is under your feet; people, young and old, look up to you when it comes to their future. You have everything a person might desire. But what about love? Have you considered love in your life?" I looked away, my voice tinged with bitterness, "Love is only meant to hurt you." He gently placed a hand on my book and said softly, "You chose me as your right hand, and I am choosing you as my left. Will you let me be your friend and show you that love is not only meant to hurt? If love hurts, then something isn't quite right. Love can confuse you, but it can also nurture you." I paused, then asked, "A friend?" setting down my book. He nodded with a faint smile, "It is my turn to do you a favor." I met his gaze and replied, "Then I will look forward to this friendship."
"Ah, ah, ah!" I couldn't help but wish that all of this was just a dream, and that when I woke, everything would be as it should—normal and familiar. But instead, it felt like a nightmare. I had complained about being lonely, yet I couldn't imagine myself having a friend; in the ten years past, such a thing had never crossed my path. Though I agreed to the idea, I also regretted it, realizing that deep down I was afraid of change, which explained my fear. I had already convinced myself that I was better off alone. On the Thursday of the sixth week after the coronation, I was invited to Elvada to sign the alliance. We arrived after five days on the road, taking many breaks along the way. Elvada wasn't too far, but the journey was slow, and I found myself slowing the carriage to gather courage. I knew my caprice might have upset some, but in truth, the delay ended up saving me more than I realized. When I finally stepped off the carriage with Sir Léon, my sister came to greet me. I was glad to see her, but I couldn't shake the thought that there must have been countless more ways to forge this alliance than simply marrying her off.