The Bartered Princess
The gathered ladies-in-waiting began to twitter endlessly behind their hands, but nobody moved towards her – save one – as the King dithered yet again.
“That will not be necessary,” the mercenary said, loudly, and she saw he was standing just below the dais. “Can I claim her now?”
“Please, Your Majesty,” Miriam begged, kneeling in what was a last, despairing appeal to her father. “Do not make me do this.”
All hope vanished when King Gregory snatched up the large pouch, dealt with the drawstring and peered within. Was he going to test the provenance of what must once have been his own coin? It appeared not for he set it aside, his lined face breaking into a smile.
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