Nova's POV
"In the name of the father, son and the holy spirit" The priest says as he touches the cross onto his forehead, "Amen"
"Amen" Alfred and I repeat as we both stand up and walk towards the priest
As the priest pours the holy water in our palm, Alfred looks at me in desperation
"So you won't tell me where you went, that too abruptly?" He whispers
"Shhh" I say as the priest closes his eyes and begins his preaching in latin
"Nova please! Don't do this to me" Alfred says from the corner of his mouth
(Alfred)
"I will talk when the service would be over, I want peace. Please" I squeeze my eyeballs at him
"...Corpus Christi..." The priest says as he opens his eyes and kisses the cross in his hand
We wrap up our private service and walk out.
"Now..." Alfred says the minute we step out
"I went to meet him" I say as I look at Alfred
Whose air has been sucked out of his lungs
"IVAR?" He raises his voice a little but calms himself down
"Yes, Ivar" I say as I resume walking as Alfred walks beside me
"You are putting yourself in danger!" Alfred tries to maintain his cool but cannot
"By doing what? Meeting my husband and the father of my son?" I stop again and stare at Alfred, but not in anger but more in affection for his care towards me
"You don't realize how dangerous and crazy that man is" Alfred says, "His powers has transformed him into a beast"
"I can assure you that I can take of myself and my child, thank you" I say
"What about Alfie?" Alfred takes my arm
"I have ordered a secret room to be built by my chamber for Alfie" I say, "He shall stay there till this cloud of war doesn't hang upon us anymore"
"Eric has been working hard to defeat the heathens" Alfred changes the topic as he looks at the floor
"I reckon I saw him practicing his skills the other day" I smile
"Oh oh oh, If it isn't the Queen of France out at this ungodly hour" Judith jumps
"Mother... be nice" Alfred interrupts
"Oh I am being very nice but Alfred you should not be seen with a married woman, out and about these corridors" Judith begins her drama
"We just finished our service" I interrupt as she dramatically looks at me
"At this hour?" Judith scans my eyes for an answer
(Judith)
"Yes, at this hour, now if I may, I would like to retire to my chamber" I say as I take a bow
"Well" Judith begins as I walk a little but not too far till I cannot hear them still
"Before the war begins, we need to find a suitable girl for you to marry Alfred. We cannot leave the Future of England on the edge"
I stop at this sentence...
"Well mother, I trust your judgement but I shall choose whosoever I intend to wed" Alfred keeps his arms on his mother's shoulders
"And I give you the freedom to choose your wife" Judith smiles as Alfred kisses her forehead
"I will marry you" I say absentmindedly
Alfred and Judith turns towards me in deepest shocks
"You need a Queen and I need a King" I walk towards them in pride
"THIS CANNOT BE, DO YOU HAVE NO MIND?" Judith screams as her eyes water
"Nova, what are you saying? Are you serious?" Alfred asks
"I married a pagan, which doesn't really count as a marriage in church. There are no papers and no agreement between Ivar & I. I am not liable to him" I continue, "Marrying me would be an alliance of France and England which is mutually beneficial to our countries, especially in the time of war" I say
"ALFRED DON'T LISTEN TO HER, SHE WILL RUIN YOU" Judith screeches
"Let her speak, mother" Alfred says his hand, "The church will never agree, you have a child" Alfred says
"The church will agree because the faith is in danger. If Ivar wins against either of us, the catholics are church are in danger, alike" I keep my hands on my waist, squeezing out reasons Alfred and I should be married like lemon juice
"I WILL NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN" Judith cries
(Judith & Alfred)
"You said, Alfred may choose whosoever he wants to marry" I look at Judith
"YES, BUT NOT YOU!" Judith stomps her foot
"You never mentioned that" I reply jadedly
"YOU BLOODSUCKING VAMP" Judith cries
I Ignore her, "Alfred as much as I can read a man, I know you fancy me, the offer is on your table" I bow again to leave
"Take your time" I say as I walk away
Leaving Alfred in an exciting shock
And
Judith in puddle of tears....
As I smile on my way back to the chamber.
Let the game begin.