Chapter 15

Sera walked up to King Bertram and held out her hand in greeting. It was probably the bravest thing she’d ever done. “Hello, I’m Serendipity, and I’m Princess Ruby’s fairy goddaughter.” When he stared blankly at her hand she swallowed and continued. “I noticed you seem a bit upset with how things are going, and since you are the king it’s kind of important that you approve things. Is there somewhere we could go so that I can properly explain?” She gave him her best smile.

The king looked for a moment like he might just call the guards and have everyone in the room hauled off to the dungeons, servants and wedding guests included. But then he looked very old and very tired, and said, “Right here will do fine. No one’s paying attention to me anyway, and it seems that things turn out better if they don’t.”

The king sat down wearily on his throne, and Sera perched herself neatly on the edge of the dais. “I’m sorry if this causes you trouble. I certainly never meant for there to be such a muddle. Green and Princess Ruby were supposed to fall in love, not Prince Kennard and Phina.”

The king blinked in astonishment and smiled a little. “Phina? You don’t mean that’s Alexia Seraphina?” Sera nodded rapidly. “So it is her. It shouldn’t surprise me. Audley always warned me that Kennard would find her again someday.” Sera looked at King Bertram in shock. “But it seems to have surprised you, Serendipity. You don’t know much about Phina, do you? Or her family?”

Sera was a bit taken aback at this question and had to think for a minute before answering. “I don’t really know anything at all,” she said sheepishly. “I’ve only really known Phina a little while. I’m an apprentice, you see, and she’s my teacher. A master fairy godmother.”

“Really?” King Bertram looked interested. “Phina became a fairy godmother? That’s a rare thing these days. Kingdoms have gone to war over who should have the most fairy godmothers to help their people.”

Sera let her head hang wearily. “I don’t know much about all this, to be honest. I’m only a fairy goddaughter right now, and a lousy one at that.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Sera looked at the king in surprise. “For such a supposedly lousy apprentice you’ve managed to get four people to fall in love, in spite of my own plans, and you’ve brought them together here today.”

“But you’re not happy,” she said, and sighed glumly. “And it’s your opinion that counts.”

At that King Bertram looked at her curiously “Why would you think I’m not happy?”

“Your face was purple and your mouth was hung open like Uncle Green’s dog Farmer when he’s growling at intruders.” Sera listened to the unwise words fall out of her mouth and she cringed.

But the king chuckled and said, “It’s a good description, I have to admit. And I was angry, but I’m not now. My boy’s found a woman he can love and the alliance is in place even if there’s no wedding.” He pointed to the happy couples, still entirely oblivious to the existence of anyone but themselves.

“Alliance!” Sera suddenly blurted out. “I’ve got an idea!” She snapped her fingers, just like she remembered Phina had. A pen and paper appeared and she handed it to the king. When she told the king her idea he smiled and beckoned Sir Audley over, passing on the paper and pen to him. As soon as everything was explained to Sir Audley the old man smiled widely and began to write.

It only took a few minutes to get everything properly written out to the king’s satisfaction. Standing strongly to his feet, King Bertram took the paper and strode down the three short steps and across the room to his son. Sera followed close behind, and tried not to grin too widely.

“Kennard, sign this.” Drawn out of his Phina-induced stupor, the prince stared blankly at his father and the piece of paper he held. Eventually he decided to back up, holding Phina’s waist tightly. Sera watched as Green did the same thing for Ruby, pulling her closer.

“Read it, son. I’m not going to throw your choice of a bride in the dungeon.” The king looked like he was about to laugh.

Kennard cautiously took the paper and read it. And then read it again. “You’re a fairy godmother?” he finally asked Phina, his eyes wide.

She flushed and nodded. “Ever since I left. I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you then, but...”

The prince interrupted Phina with a laugh. “This is perfect! If I marry you the kingdom has an official fairy godmother for the first time in a decade!”

Sera tapped the king on the arm and asked, “What about Princess Ruby?” After all, the princess was the one Sera was supposed to be helping in the first place.

The king shrugged. “The alliance is in place. She might as well marry the farmer. She’ll have to wait for her father’s blessing before she marries, but Alric always had a soft heart where his children are concerned, so I’m sure he won’t object. I’ll write him a letter after the wedding."

Confused by what the king said, Sera was about to ask when King Bertram took a deep breath and said loudly, “My good people, I welcome you to the marriage of my son Kennard to the Lady Alexia Seraphina, our kingdom’s new fairy godmother.”