The Almost Queen Read online

  The Almost Queen

  Fate Of The Crown Duology #1

  Laura Greenwood

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Gwen

  2. Lancelot

  3. Gwen

  4. Lancelot

  5. Gwen

  6. Lancelot

  7. Gwen

  8. Lancelot

  9. Gwen

  10. Lancelot

  11. Gwen

  12. Lancelot

  13. Gwen

  14. Lancelot

  15. Gwen

  Epilogue

  Author Note

  Also by Laura Greenwood

  About the Author

  © 2020 Laura Greenwood

  * * *

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the published, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email address; [email protected].

  Visit Laura Greenwood’s website at:

  www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

  Cover by Soxsational Cover Art

  The Almost Queen is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Blurb

  Betrayal, jealousy, and death have always been a part of my future.

  I'm the almost Queen. Betrothed to one man, and in love with another. Though there's no doubt in my mind who I'll choose. Lancelot has my heart, even if it'll lead me down the path to the pyre.

  -

  The Almost Queen is book one in the Fate Of The Crown Duology and follows Gwen and Lancelot. This is a non-bully academy romance based on Arthurian legends and contains an m/f relationship.

  Prologue

  Lancelot

  Six Years Ago...

  * * *

  "Artie, hold up!" Gwen yells, running after our best friend, her dark hair and pale dress fluttering behind her. She's covered from head to toe in splashes of mud, we all are.

  Arthur races ahead, not caring that he's leaving us both behind. It's a rare moment of lightness from the future King. I don't think I've seen him let go like this in years. It isn't something he likes to do.

  "Come, look," Gwen calls, her voice quivering with excitement.

  I race down the hill towards the sound of her voice, hoping she isn't hurt and calling for us as a result.

  "What is it?" Arthur asks.

  "A fairy. It was right there." She points to the side.

  "Fairies aren't real," Arthur responds, crossing his arms over his chest and staring her down. "You can't go talking like that when you're Queen."

  Gwen rolls her eyes. "I'll talk any way I want when I'm Queen. You're not the boss of me."

  "I'll be the King, that's the boss of everyone."

  I snort. "You still won't be able to best me at jousting."

  "Because you're called Lance?" he teases. "Your name alone won't help you win."

  "No. Because you'll be stuck inside doing boring lessons and I'll be out in the lists practising."

  "That's not true, we'll all be going to Grimm Academy in a couple of years," Gwen says. "We'll all have boring lessons."

  "I'm sure they have a jousting team," I counter.

  "And if they don't, we'll start one, then I'll get just as much practice." Arthur's triumphant expression says it all. He thinks he's won, but I have other ideas.

  I'm going to be his most trustworthy knight. The one who can protect him when all else fails. I need to be better than him, I need to be better than him, or there won't be anyone to protect him and Gwen when they're doing their royal duties.

  "You're both trying to distract me from the fairy," Gwen puts in. "I saw it just there." She points to a spot between several flowers.

  Even from this distance, I can see there's nothing there.

  "I believe you," I promise. "Mother always told me that fairies were real. And that they'd bless you with gifts if you're nice to them." I don't mention that she told me when I was five, and that ten is too old to still be believing in fairies, that'll hurt Gwen's feelings.

  "I'll believe in fairies when I see one," Arthur insists.

  "Fine. In which case, I vow that the next time I see a fairy, I promise I'll introduce you to it. But only if you promise that you'll never say you don't believe in them ever again."

  Arthur steps back, a serious look crossing his face. He comes across as so much older than me and Gwen when he does it, no doubt because of his upbringing. Gwen may know she's going to be Queen already, but Arthur has been training to be the King since the day he was born. It makes him different from the rest of us.

  "Done."

  "We have to make a proper vow," Gwen insists.

  Arthur sighs. "Fine. Lancelot, will you be our witness?"

  "I will." I try to sound as serious as possible, copying what I've seen the adults do when they do this kind of thing. Maybe fairies aren't the normal subject of vows, but it's good practice for us to do this.

  Gwen holds out her hand. Arthur takes it reluctantly, seemingly still annoyed over the whole situation. At least he's still humouring her.

  She clears her throat.

  "I, Lady Guinevere Olwen, vow that the next time I see a fairy, I will introduce Prince Arthur Pendragon to it." Excitement laces through every word, and I'm surprised she isn't bouncing up and down from it.

  "I, Prince Arthur Pendragon, vow that if such a thing happens, I will believe in fairies and never say they don't exist any more." He drops Gwen's hand as soon as he's said the words. "Happy now?"

  "Always." She beams at him, then turns back to the flowers, no doubt looking for the fairy she thinks she saw. She pulls her skirt away, but it gets caught on a bramble and she has to tug on it again.

  I wince as the sound of ripping fabric fills the air. We're all going to get in so much trouble for this. We're supposed to be back at the castle with our tutors learning the kind of things we need to know before we head to Grimm. I should have stayed, but as soon as Gwen starts suggesting anything, both of us go along with it. She has a power over people that she doesn't realise.

  "You're not going to find it now," Arthur calls after her.

  "Not if you keep making so much noise."

  I smile at the two of them, but don't follow them into the thicket. One of us needs to be on alert in case someone attacks. I wish they let me take weapons out of the armoury, but every time I'm asked, they tell me ten is too young to do it. But that doesn't mean I won't manage to protect them.

  Nothing will happen to Gwen on my watch.

  Or to Arthur.

  1

  Gwen

  I pick at my food, not enjoying the festive atmosphere of the dining hall as much as I normally do. The food at Grimm Academy is good, as befits the children of the next generation of kings and queens. But that doesn't stop the churning in my gut.

  The door by us swings open, and several members of the jousting team swagger in. My heart leaps. The one person I want to see the most will be here at any moment.

  "Gwen? Is everything alright?" Dindrane asks.

  A shock runs through me, I must have started staring into space.

  "Sorry, lost in thought. Where were we?" This is why we shouldn't work and eat at the same time.

  She gives me a knowing look, which I ignore. I don't want to burden her with my thoughts. Not when she has her own prophecy to contend with, one that ends just as violently as mine.

  "We were halfway through the seating chart for the New Year feast." She points to the large drawing sitting on the table in front of our plates.

  I suppress a groan. As a future queen, this should be the sort of thing I love doing, and yet, it isn't. Probably because I don't want the position I was apparently born to. Why my parents didn't have the foresight to annul my betrothal to Arthur once they heard our prophecy, I don't know. It's not something I'll ever understand. If I'm ever blessed with children, and I find out that one of them has a prophecy, then I will do everything in my power to help them avoid it.

  "We can do this another time?" Dindrane suggests, bringing me back to the seating chart yet again.

  I sigh heavily. "No need. It'll be no more fun then than it is now." I shovel a forkful of potatoes and gravy into my mouth as I study the chart in front of me.

  How did we end up with this mess of a job? Most of the balls and events at Grimm are planned by the staff, not the students. But they asked for volunteers and before I knew it, Dindraine's hand was in the air offering our services. I assume she sees it as a way to keep her mind off her prophecy. She likes to keep busy.

  But that's not good enough. Everyone who is anyone knows that prophecies don't just go away. We have to watch for the signs ours are starting, and then work out how to stop them.

  Which is easier said than done.

  "Gwen!" Arthur shouts.

  I look up as soon as I hear my name, but it isn't the Prince who just said my name who draws my attention, but the serious-looking dark-haired one behind him.

  Lancelot.

  I know I shouldn't. If I fall for Lancelot, everything will come apart at the seams and my prophecy will start c
oming true.

  And so will Arthur's.

  Loving Lancelot will only bring death, war, and fire. Knowing that isn't enough to stop me. No matter what I do to try and avoid it, I can't help being drawn back to him constantly.

  The two boys sit in the seats opposite us, completely ignoring the seating chart. Arthur leans over and swipes a bread roll from my side plate.

  "I'm starving," he mumbles through the roll.

  "That's because you didn't eat before practice," Lancelot points out, reminding Arthur of what he should be doing. He's the perfect knight and companion, which is what he's been sent here to be.

  Should I say something future-wife-like? I don't know what I'm supposed to do or say. If I could just feel the way I do about Lancelot about Arthur instead, then we'll all be so much happier. And have so much less to worry about.

  "You should go get some proper food," Dindraine tells them both, a stern and caring note in her voice.

  I flash my friend a confused glance, but she isn't paying any attention to me. I know she cares about them as friends, but there's something more in her voice that I can't pinpoint. It almost sounds the way I do when I talk to Lancelot.

  "Where's Galahad?" she asks after her brother.

  Arthur shrugs. "He's still out on the field with Percival."

  "They're spending a lot of time together," she muses.

  "They need more practice," Lance says.

  He avoids looking directly at me, the same as I'm doing to him. If we ignore each other, then we can't do anything to put all three of us in danger. Along with everyone else in our kingdom. No one comes off well in war, and I refuse to have our people's blood on my hands.

  "Ah." She turns back to the seating chart, avoiding eye contact with them. I have no idea what's going on there, but I'm sure she'll tell me in her own time.

  "Come on, Lance, we'll get some food," Arthur instructs his best friend.

  The two of them head off in the direction of the service hatch, leaving Dindrane and me to clear up our seating chart. Neither of them will be any help with it. They wouldn't know half of the people for a start, nor who doesn't talk to who. If Arthur and Lance do the seating plan, there'll be at least six fights break out, and several more disastrous events.

  It's not worth even thinking about.

  "Is everything all right?" I ask her, unsure if she'll actually tell me anything.

  She shrugs. "Just having a rough day. There's a girl in my class who is better at playing the lute."

  I narrow my eyes. She hasn't shown that much interest in playing music before, it seems strange that it bothers her now.

  "Can we do anything to make it better? I can send home for a better instrument..."

  "I can't ask you to do that," Dindrane whispers.

  "You're not. I'm offering." I don't want her to be insulted by me offering, that isn't my intention. But I'm very aware that my family has more money than hers, and can afford the better quality of instrument she needs. I don't play, but my parents don't know that, I've been providing for Dindrane for most of our time here at Grimm under the guise that it's for me. I'm hoping my parents never ask about it, or I'm going to have an awkward situation on my hands.

  "Thanks, Gwen, but I don't think that's a good idea. She's better than me because she has more talent, not because she has a better instrument. It's one of those things."

  Hmm. I don't believe that. No one can make music like Dindrane can. Every time I hear her play, all I can think of is the beauty of the world. She's captivating.

  "All right. But just say the word and I'll send the letter. It's not a problem."

  "Thank you." She reaches out and squeezes my hand, dropping it quickly when she notices Arthur and Lancelot returning.

  Their plates are piled high with food and groan under the weight. Sometimes, it amazes me how much they can eat. I don't think I'd ever be able to manage the amount. But then again, I have been eating more since coming from Grimm and being away from Mother's pressure. She's always reminding me that a Queen has to look her best, and while I understand it, I'd rather do more dancing and keep myself in shape that way, rather than undereating.

  "Did you hear there's another ball coming up?" Arthur asks between mouthfuls.

  "Isn't there always?" Dindrane asks, before a blush rises to her cheeks. Even after several years here, she hasn't gotten used to talking to Arthur without using his title.

  I'll admit it took some getting used to even for me. Being talked to formally is such a big part of our lives back home. Here at Grimm, not so much. No one is supposed to use titles.

  "It's another masked ball," Lancelot says, shooting a glance at me before pulling his gaze away.

  A thrill shoots through me. We'll be able to dance together without feeling like everyone is watching. I know it's unlikely anyone thinks twice about me dancing with my betrothed's best friend, especially with them being so close, but because of the way I feel, it's hard to justify it myself.

  "That'll be fun," I say, trying my best not to return Lancelot's secret looks.

  "It was last time." There's an excitement in Arthur's voice which confuses me.

  What happened at the last one to make him look forward to a second? As far as I'm aware, it wasn't anything special, just another ball at Grimm. They have them at least once every two weeks. Something to do with forging bonds between the students by having them, and allowing us all to practice our courtly graces while we're dancing. I see the sense in that. Most students are royal or nobles, and we need the connections for once we leave. The balls are just a way to keep us socialising.

  And a masked one gives me the perfect opportunity to spend the evening with the one person I want to. That's something I can't feel too bad about.

  2

  Lancelot

  I'm in love with my best friend's future Queen. I've known for nearly a decade, and it's hard to ignore. Especially when she goes around being as enchanting as she is. I'm not sure if it's the way she walks, or the way her dark hair shimmers in the light, or something about the way she speaks with unrivalled confidence.

  Gwen's beautiful, but that isn't why I love her. It's something more that captivates me. I think it started the day in the woods when she thought she saw a fairy, but perhaps I started falling in love with her before that.

  Which is a problem. No matter what happens, I can't do anything about it. Not without hurting Arthur and setting off a prophecy which will destroy us all. I don't want to pick up arms against him, but that's what the prophecy says will happen. And even if I can't understand how it'll happen, I'd be a fool not to believe the words.

  But I wish Arthur and Gwen's parents would have ended their betrothal due to the prophecy, but that would be too much luck for me.

  "Lancelot?" Galahad calls me back to attention.

  "I'm sorry, what did you say?" I need to focus.

  "I asked if you needed anyone to spar with after class," he says.

  "Oh, sure." Hopefully, it'll take my mind off Gwen. Besides, he needs the practice more than anyone else I know.

  "Great, I'll meet you out on the list." He disappears before saying anything else, which is good. I have to get into the classroom, or I'm going to be late. I'm not sure what will happen if I am, but I'm not royalty like Arthur, or even future royalty like Gwen. Which means I have to be more careful to toe the line.

  I drop down into a seat in the middle of the room and start to get my book from my bag. I probably won't make any notes, I learn better when I listen.

  The scent of waterlilies overrides all rational thought as Gwen sits down beside me. She fluffs out her skirt, only intensifying the smell. I'm not sure if it's her perfume or something she does to her clothes, but it's a smell I only ever associate with her.