“I understand. He is already finding his place as the head of the guard, and he is taking charge of foreign diplomacy and performing some of the duties of the chancellor. He is staying busy. He told me that was his worst fear, that he would not have enough to do.”
“Yes, he told me the same, and I am very glad.” Father Johannes smiled at her. “You will both do well as long as you follow the command to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I am not worried, for you both have humble hearts, a willingness to learn, and a desire to do good.”
Elyce thought about what he said as Delia came back into the room.
“Delia, did you ever get a reply from Queen Anne?”
“Yes, she said she spoke to King Richard about your plight, and though she sympathized, he said he couldn’t get involved in something so far from home. Her words were very compassionate, though, and she offered a place at court and a comfortable home for you, should you decide to flee your country and your arranged marriage.”
“That was kind of her, but thankfully, I didn’t have to do that.”
Delia asked what advice Father Johannes had given her, and that led to Delia giving her own advice, which was to always forgive and never stay angry, to talk things through, because it was sometimes difficult for men to understand their own feelings until they had talked about them.
All this advice had her thinking about the fact that Gerard had had a good father and mother, though she had died young, and close relationships with his seven siblings. Elyce had no one. Was Elyce damaged because she did not have any good family relationships?
She couldn’t imagine that she would ever take him for granted or be ungrateful for him, and she liked to think that they would love each other so much that their love would make up for how lonely she had always been.
When Elyce stepped out onto the steps of the castle, Gerard was waiting for her. He took her hand and stared at her, a strange look on his face, as if he was fighting back tears.
“Do you like my dress?” she asked.
He took in a long, slow breath and let it out, then cleared his throat. “Your dress is lovely, but you are more lovely.” She saw tears in his eyes.
Of all the things she loved about Gerard, perhaps the thing she loved the most was that he wasn’t afraid to show honest emotion. And he would never try to shame her for showing emotion.
He was exceptionally handsome in a matching blue tunic with silver embroidery on the front and silver braid on his shoulders. His eyes shone pure blue as he gazed at her. Her heart swelled with love and she longed to embrace him, but so many people surrounded them, waiting to walk with them to the church.
They made their way slowly down the steps, her groom tucking her hand under his arm and walking close by her side.
“You are the most beautiful bride the world has ever seen,” he said, leaning to speak close to her ear.
She almost argued with him, but instead she said, “And you are the handsomest husband. I can never thank God enough for sending you to come help me.”
His chest rose as he took a deep breath, looking at her adoringly. “I am forever grateful for that vision, because it brought me to you.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Glancing up at the sky a moment later, she said, “It looked like it would snow just a few minutes ago.”
But the sun was now peeking out from between the clouds, and the crowd following them let out a little cheer.
She felt as though she was watching the wedding, floating above it. The only thing that felt real was Gerard’s hand holding hers, his face as he stared forward at the priest, and his eyes when he turned toward her at the end.
The sun was beautiful, as were the faces of her people as they hailed their newly married queen and her husband.
As they rode festively decorated white horses back to the castle, waving to the people around them, snowflakes started to fall, shimmering in the sunlight like diamonds.
She heard a collective gasp as the people noticed the snow mixed with sunlight. How perfect it seemed, as they had spent the whole winter together, with snow falling on so many of their days. Sometimes it had been like her wedding veil—difficult to see through and only lifted at the end, when life was good and, though not perfect, shining brightly, like a gem of great value.
Gerard reached out and took her hand and kissed it. She thanked God that her life had changed so much this winter, and that God had given her love, which was the greatest gift she could imagine.
Discussion Questions
Why was Princess Elyce so determined not to let King Claude force her people to work in his mines? And why did she care so much about her people’s opinion of her?
Why was Elyce’s servant Ysa her closest friend? Do you think being a princess would be lonely? Why or why not?
Why did Sir Gerard go to Montciel to help Princess Elyce? Why did Sir Oswalt go with him?
Why did Princess Elyce feel so conflicted about allowing people to see her showing emotion? How do you feel about showing emotion? About other people’s public displays of emotion?
Why did Elyce not wish to marry Count Rodrigo?
In what ways did Elyce’s original plans to save her people from King Claude succeed? In what ways did they not succeed?
Why was the trapper, Bertold, so angry and inhospitable? How did he change, and why?
In what ways was Sir Gerard a good husband for Elyce? What attitudes did he display that Elyce found refreshing and different from her father and even Ysa?
Have you ever been in a foreign country and didn’t know the language? How did that make you feel? If not, how would you imagine you would feel, not being able to understand what other people were saying to you?
Do you consider yourself an emotional person? What do you think about Elyce’s statement that “emotion made life more bearable, producing joy and love,” which were fruits of the Spirit?
Do you think it would be difficult to defy your father if you were in Elyce’s place? Why or why not? Do you agree with Gerard’s assessment, that Elyce was honoring her father by treating him with as much respect and kindness as possible in the situation?
Have you ever felt as if God was directing you to do something, similar to how Gerard felt God was directing him to go to Montciel?
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my editors, Kimberly Carlton and Julie Breihan, for all of their helpful suggestions and hard work on this story and characters. It’s so good knowing I have such skilled and talented editors on my side! Thanks also to all the good people at Thomas Nelson and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, who make me feel as if my books are in very capable hands. Thank you so much.
I’d also like to thank my amazing literary agent, Natasha Kern, for all of her help and advice and friendship. Thanks for everything!
I need to thank my wonderful accountability/writing friends, especially Kristin Billerbeck, who helped me finish this story when I was struggling with stress and an ugly case of Unmotivation Syndrome. (Yes, I know I just made that up, but it’s a thing.) I also want to thank Cheryl Hodde, Tina Radcliffe, and Josee Telfer for writing with me and keeping me accountable. I couldn’t have written my last three books without you.
I have to thank my daughters, Grace and Faith, and my husband, Aaron, for always being willing to brainstorm with me and listen to the plot of whatever book I’m working on. Thank you!