Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

suppose.'
    'He's a pain in the backside,' said King John firmly. 'Don't try to whitewash him to me, girl, I've known him a lot longer than you. Underneath the spoiled-brat image he so studiously cultivates for the courtiers, Harald is what I raised him to be: hard, ruthless and self-sufficient. In other words, perfect material for a
    man who will one day be King. Rupert, on the other hand, takes after his mother too much, thinks with his heart more than his head. I've always done my best as King, but I was never really cut out for the job.
    No more is Rupert. But Harald ... he could be the best chance this country's got to get back on its feet again.
    'Even after we've thrown back the long night, the Forest Land can never be what it was before. Too much has happened. The Barons have tasted power, and they'll not willingly give it up. Things will probably hang together for a while out of sheer inertia, but whoever succeeds me to the throne will have to be ruthless, determined and much more of a diplomat than I ever was. Where I once commanded loyalty, Harald will have to fight and bargain for it. He should do well enough at that, he's always shown a natural talent for deceit and double-dealing. But he's never made friends easily, and he's going to need people he can trust at his side if he's to hang on to the throne. Especially if he has to fight a civil war to keep it.
    'Harald has the makings of a great King, but he'll always need someone beside him to be his conscience, to temper his justice with mercy, to teach him compassion. Someone he cares for, and respects. You'll make a good Queen to his King, Julia.'
    'I don't want to be Queen!'
    'Nonsense.'
    'I don't love Harald!'
    'You don't have to. In a royal marriage, duty is more important than love. And don't frown like that, as though duty was an ugly word — it is, but we can't escape it. Just by being born into royalty you and I took on responsibilities along with our privileges. We get the best of everything because we have the hardest work to do. We live in luxury because we give up everything else that matters. We weigh ourselves down with duty so that others can be free. And unlike any other job, we can't walk away if the work gets too hard, or we don't want to do it.
    'You're a strange lass, Julia, and sometimes I don't understand you at all, but in many ways you remind me of Rupert. You're honest and you're loyal, and you'll fight to the death for something you believe in.
    That's a rare combination these days. There are a great many pressing reasons for this marriage to take place, but as far as I'm concerned there's only one that really matters — the Forest Land needs you.
    'So you see, my dear, I don't have a choice in the matter either. What you or I may want is no longer important, we must both do what we have to. The contract has been signed, and the marriage will take place two weeks from today, even if you have to be dragged to the altar by armed guards.'
    There was a long silence. Julia stared at the white frothy wedding dress, her eyes cold and hard.
    'Can I go now, Sire?'
    'Rupert isn't coming back,' said the King quietly.
    'Yes,' said Julia. 'I know. You sent him to his death.'
    'I had to,' said King John. 'That was my duty.'
    Julia turned her back on him, and left the Court.

    Out in the antechamber, Harald glared coldly at Sir Blays.
    'I know I'm late for your little gathering, Landsgrave; my father insisted on seeing me.'
    'Of course, Prince Harald,' said Sir Blays calmly. 'I quite understand. Unfortunately the gathering of friends you insisted on has been under way for well over an hour, and if the promised guest of honour doesn't make his appearance soon, I fear the party may be over before it's even properly begun. These people need to see you just as much as you need to see them, Sire.'
    'I'll be along in a while,' said Harald.
    'It would be better if you were to accompany me now,' said Blays, and Harald didn't miss the sudden coldness in the Landsgrave's voice.
    'Better?' said Harald. 'Better for whom?'
    'Better for all of us, of course. We're all in this together, Prince Harald.'
    'I'll be there.'
    'You'd better be.'
    The two men stared at each other warily. Something was changing between them, and neither was sure exactly what it was.
    'That sounded almost like a threat,' said Harald softly.
    'Think of it more as a friendly warning,' said Blays.
    'Like the warning Sir Bedivere so nearly gave my father not an hour ago? If those