"I know my father; our
wills may clash, but in this instance mine shall be the stronger."
"But this is not the end."
"You mean that there will be other kings?" She had not thought of this,
and some of the brightness vanished from her face.
"Yes, there will be other kings. I am sorry. What young girl has not her
dream of romance? But princesses must not have romances. Yours, my
child, must be a political marriage. It is a harsh decree."
"Have not princesses married commoners?"
"Never wisely. Your highness will not make a mistake like that."
"My highness will or will not marry, as she pleases. Am I a chattel,
that I am to be offered across this frontier or that?"
The chancellor moved uneasily. "If your highness loved out of your
class, which I know you do not, I should be worried."
"And if I did?" with a rebel tilt to her chin.
"Till that moment arrives I shall not borrow trouble. You will, then,
tell the duke that you have changed your mind, that you have
reconsidered?"
"This evening. Now, godfather, you may kiss her serene highness on the
forehead."
"This honor to me?" The chancellor trembled.
"Even so."
He did not touch her with Ne hands, but the kiss he put on her forehead
was a benediction.
"You may go now," she said, "for I shall need the whole room to dance
in.
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