Read Online Once Upon A Time (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, England, Medieval, Renaissance, Secret, Identity, King, father, 15th Century, betrayed, Childhood, queen, country, once upon a time, freedom, vengeance, Deceased, Threatened, Murdered, Talshamar, Heir, Prince Ruyen, Falcon Bruine, Common Enemy, Hearts Prisoner
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that had been erected for her comfort.
"Good night, Your Majesty. I regret that you will have only one servant to attend you on the journey. Her name is Netta Dermot, and she will serve you until you find someone of your own choosing."
"Thank you, Sir Humphrey. How well I treasure your devotion."
"I had always hoped to live long enough to see you crowned. Tonight that dream came true." Suddenly he looked regretful. "Would that your coronation had been held in the Richmond Cathedral for all your subjects to witness. But, no matter the place, you are still queen of all Talshamar, and your subjects revere you."
She stared down at the Great Seal of Talshamar that she still clasped in her hand, knowing it was of great significance, but not yet understanding its power. "I pray that I will be worthy of them."
Sir Humphrey bowed and backed away a few paces. "You are the queen—you are most worthy." His eyes swept her face. "Have I not seen this for myself?" His voice cracked with emotion and he quickly turned away in embarrassment.
On entering the tent, Jilliana saw a woman she judged to be in her thirtieth year. She had flaxen hair and her eager brown eyes were filled with reverence.
"You would be Netta."
The woman dropped to her knees.
"I am, Your Majesty, and it is my honor to serve you."
"Thank you, Netta."
"Your Majesty, so long have we waited for you." She lowered her head, feeling she had said too much.
"Then help me disrobe, Netta, for I am very weary."
Obediently and deftly, the woman complied. Her crown and the Great Seal were placed in a velvet-lined chest, and soon Jilliana was wearing her nightgown, her long hair brushed and gleaming. She climbed onto a cot cushioned with a soft downy mattress and her eyes drifted shut.
Soon she was asleep, unaware that a quiet celebration was taking place among her loyal followers. They drank wine from Talshamar to honor their queen. Two knights did not join in the celebration, but instead stood before the queen's tent, ever vigilant and alert to any danger.
And so it was that the newly crowned sovereign of Talshamar spent her first night as queen, lost in dreamless sleep, not knowing that she had just fulfilled her nobles' dearest wish: to once more be under the rule of their own sovereign.
The sun had not yet broken through the night sky when Jilliana awoke. After a quick meal of fruit, cheese, and a delicious cream-filled bread that was served on a golden plate, Jilliana allowed Netta to dress her.
The woman appeared nervous when she reached for the crown. She held it, not knowing how to place it on her queen's head.
This brought a smile to Jilliana's lips. "Tis only a symbol, Netta, you need not fear it."
"It is what it represents that awes me, Your Majesty. The honor of serving you is too great. That I was chosen out of all the women in Talshamar to wait upon Your Majesty has brought great respect to my family."
Jilliana was having trouble adjusting to her role of sovereign. She had lived a quiet, humble life, and to be suddenly so adored was somehow disconcerting. She took the crown from Netta and placed it on her own head.
"Come," she told the woman, striding to the tent opening, "I do not want to keep the others waiting."
When Jilliana stepped outside, a glorious sight met her eyes. Barons and knights, one hundred strong, were all wearing white, but for their golden chainmail. They were mounted on white steeds, their only ornamentation their family crests and helmets studded with brilliant gems.
Sir Humphrey, also dressed in white, came forward and helped her mount her horse.
"I trust you passed a pleasant night, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed, Sir Humphrey, I slept in comfort. Tis a glorious morning, is it not?"
"That it is, Your Majesty."
She smiled at him. She was finding it less and less difficult to adjust to the life she had been born to. But there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Sir Humphrey, it must be difficult for you to think of me as your
"Good night, Your Majesty. I regret that you will have only one servant to attend you on the journey. Her name is Netta Dermot, and she will serve you until you find someone of your own choosing."
"Thank you, Sir Humphrey. How well I treasure your devotion."
"I had always hoped to live long enough to see you crowned. Tonight that dream came true." Suddenly he looked regretful. "Would that your coronation had been held in the Richmond Cathedral for all your subjects to witness. But, no matter the place, you are still queen of all Talshamar, and your subjects revere you."
She stared down at the Great Seal of Talshamar that she still clasped in her hand, knowing it was of great significance, but not yet understanding its power. "I pray that I will be worthy of them."
Sir Humphrey bowed and backed away a few paces. "You are the queen—you are most worthy." His eyes swept her face. "Have I not seen this for myself?" His voice cracked with emotion and he quickly turned away in embarrassment.
On entering the tent, Jilliana saw a woman she judged to be in her thirtieth year. She had flaxen hair and her eager brown eyes were filled with reverence.
"You would be Netta."
The woman dropped to her knees.
"I am, Your Majesty, and it is my honor to serve you."
"Thank you, Netta."
"Your Majesty, so long have we waited for you." She lowered her head, feeling she had said too much.
"Then help me disrobe, Netta, for I am very weary."
Obediently and deftly, the woman complied. Her crown and the Great Seal were placed in a velvet-lined chest, and soon Jilliana was wearing her nightgown, her long hair brushed and gleaming. She climbed onto a cot cushioned with a soft downy mattress and her eyes drifted shut.
Soon she was asleep, unaware that a quiet celebration was taking place among her loyal followers. They drank wine from Talshamar to honor their queen. Two knights did not join in the celebration, but instead stood before the queen's tent, ever vigilant and alert to any danger.
And so it was that the newly crowned sovereign of Talshamar spent her first night as queen, lost in dreamless sleep, not knowing that she had just fulfilled her nobles' dearest wish: to once more be under the rule of their own sovereign.
The sun had not yet broken through the night sky when Jilliana awoke. After a quick meal of fruit, cheese, and a delicious cream-filled bread that was served on a golden plate, Jilliana allowed Netta to dress her.
The woman appeared nervous when she reached for the crown. She held it, not knowing how to place it on her queen's head.
This brought a smile to Jilliana's lips. "Tis only a symbol, Netta, you need not fear it."
"It is what it represents that awes me, Your Majesty. The honor of serving you is too great. That I was chosen out of all the women in Talshamar to wait upon Your Majesty has brought great respect to my family."
Jilliana was having trouble adjusting to her role of sovereign. She had lived a quiet, humble life, and to be suddenly so adored was somehow disconcerting. She took the crown from Netta and placed it on her own head.
"Come," she told the woman, striding to the tent opening, "I do not want to keep the others waiting."
When Jilliana stepped outside, a glorious sight met her eyes. Barons and knights, one hundred strong, were all wearing white, but for their golden chainmail. They were mounted on white steeds, their only ornamentation their family crests and helmets studded with brilliant gems.
Sir Humphrey, also dressed in white, came forward and helped her mount her horse.
"I trust you passed a pleasant night, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed, Sir Humphrey, I slept in comfort. Tis a glorious morning, is it not?"
"That it is, Your Majesty."
She smiled at him. She was finding it less and less difficult to adjust to the life she had been born to. But there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Sir Humphrey, it must be difficult for you to think of me as your
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