Chapter NineThe bewitched king insisted on holding the wedding immediately, so preparations were made.
Ellis realised the day of the wedding that he had run out of time to wrestle with his conscience, and must make the decision between moral expression and servile decorum.
Sire, I must speak, for something is troubling me.
Speak on, Ellis. You know that you are my most trusted advisor.
Well, Sire. I have sworn my life to protect you and your family. 
And in the spirit of protecting you and your family, I feel I must tell you, I fear this rushed marriage is not wise. No one knows her or where she comes from!
The day of my wedding, and this is what you choose to say to me? I will go through with this marriage. It is my duty to follow through on my word as a king. Apart from that, I love her and I wish to marry her!
I meant no disrespect, Sire. I am only concerned for your safety, and Snow’s.
She is my child, not yours! It is not for you to be concerned over her safety!
And as for my wife-to-be--she will soon be your Queen, and you must never again dare to cast aspersions upon her character or intentions.
Ellis was taken aback by such a response from the normally kind and gentle king, but replied respectfully.
I beg for your pardon, Sire. It was not my place.
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At the appointed time, the king and his love stood under the arch of the marriage covenant.
If only the king knew the cause of her excitement.
Soon I shall be so powerful, the world will be mine!There was someone watching and taking note, however. One who had experience reading the tiniest tremor in a shadowy forest could see through the darkness of the witch's deception.
The ceremony was small. Only a very few were invited to attend. They included representatives from the surrounding kingdoms and various other peoples, such as the fairies. There was also a representative of the nobility of that kingdom. All were very moved by the ceremony, or at least prudently pretended to be. Diplomatic connections were tenuous and mutable and must be carefully maintained.
I, king of this land, take you to be my Queen and consort.
They exchanged the sacred rings of the kingdom, passed down through generations of royalty.
As a blessing of goodwill, the ambassador of the fairies caused a shower of heart-shaped flower petals to fall upon the newly wedded couple.
The king and new queen shared the traditional cake with their honoured guests.
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Later that evening, most of the guests had gone, after the customary offer of shelter by the king and new queen and the equally traditional refusal by the guests. One guest remained behind, though, to her consequent sorrow.
You dared to stand at my wedding?
I am sorry, Your Majesty, it is the custom in my--
You must abide by our customs here, not your own!
The ambassador was shocked to find herself transformed into a toad.
And thus the new queen’s reputation spread as one not to be trifled with.
