The King was informed that his fiancée was ready. He ordered a celebration, and invitations were prepared. Dignities were summoned from neighboring lands. Hundreds came from near and far, curious to find out about this mysterious woman that the King purchased at a slave auction. After nearly eight months, the much-anticipated day came. The King sat upon his marble throne, and a new throne that had never been sat upon silently graced his left side. A queen’s throne.

At the sound of trumpets piercing the air, everyone stood and faced the opening doors. Two male servants unrolled a silk runner from the huge mahogany double doors to the steps of the throne. A pair of beautiful maidens scattered red and yellow rose pedals while their burgundy gowns gently swished with each step. When the King stood, silence instantly overtook the room. All eyes focused on the doorway, where two more maidens entered. They carried grandiose bouquets of red, yellow, and orange roses, a striking contrast to the delicate pink silk and crisp white lace of their dresses.

The mysterious lady followed five paces behind them. Awe filled the air the moment she passed the threshold. Clusters of pearls dotted the white wedding gown she wore, and her face was veiled with the finest of lace. Her long hair was ornately pinned up, and tiny flowers formed a colorful crown that stood out boldly against her shiny black strands. She walked with poise, strong and confident, along the silk path that led to the King. As she approached, he stepped from the platform to the floor, took her left arm, and gently turned her to face him.

They made their vows before God as the priest led them through the ceremony. The King motioned to his servant for a ring made of the finest gold and cradling a pink diamond that made every lady in the room hold her breath. Ever so softly he took his bride’s hand and slowly slipped the ring on her delicate finger. His handsome face broke into a grin as he lifted the veil and looked into the brightest, bluest eyes he had ever seen. Her smile in return melted his heart. His eyes sparkled and he tilted his head slightly to the side. With a flush of her cheeks, she responded by taking a half step towards him. Their lips slowly drew near and met in a brief kiss. As she pulled back, she whispered softly, “Thank you.” The King escorted his bride up the steps of the platform and to her throne. He turned to face the audience and announced, “I give you your queen!” The crowd of a thousand or more burst into applause, the trumpets sounded, and the festivities began.

Her appearance then would make anyone think she had been raised in a palace. She exemplified grace and glamour. Her features were radiant—eyes of ocean blue, long dark eyelashes, full lips, and copper-toned skin that was as smooth as the silk she wore. She walked with poise and confidence rather than pride or arrogance. Who was this newlywed queen? Nobody in that part of the kingdom knew her or had ever seen her. She was brought in on a slave wagon along with nine other female slaves. The other slaves sold quickly; the older women were bought to be housemaids and the younger ones to be governesses.

But she was the last one on the auction block—a mere flesh-covered skeleton standing just over five feet in height. Her hair obviously had not been washed or brushed for weeks and lay matted and tangled on her shoulders. Her eyes were downcast and sunken into her head. Her jaw was clinched as she shook uncontrollably in the cold morning breeze. She wore nothing but a thin robe that was tattered and filthy. Lack of food and the need for a bath gave her an ugly façade.

Too weak to work in the fields, too sickly to be a governess, and too homely to be a housemaid, she was not worth anything to anybody. The auctioneer’s enthusiasm was gone as he tried to get someone interested in her. But nobody wanted a useless slave. Suddenly an ornate chariot entered the milling crowd, and knees bent as the King stepped down. He fixed his eyes on the frightened maiden, who was now on her knees with her face almost touching the ground. To everyone’s amazement, he stepped onto the auction block and knelt beside her. Gently and slowly he touched her chin, lifting her face to look into her eyes. His mouth said nothing, but he seemed to gaze into her heart through her hollow eyes, which resisted his. After all, who was she to look upon a King? He dazzled onlookers with his majestic robe and fine jewels. He was royalty; she was a run-down slave. He sat on a throne; she sat on dirt. He no doubt laid his head on goose-down pillows and walked on marble floors; she slept in barns with pigs and goats and walked through filth.

The King continued looking into her eyes, and then his serious stare gave way to a comforting smile. He addressed the auctioneer without looking up. “What has been bid for her?”

“Sire, nothing has been bid; seems that no one is willing to offer anything for her.”

“I will purchase her.”

“You may have her, sire, at no price.” The auctioneer said with a cold and calloused tone.

The King stood, looking sternly into the face of the auctioneer, and said firmly, “I will purchase her.” The king held out his hand, and his treasurer instantly placed a bag in it. He handed it over to the auctioneer; inside were enough gold coins to purchase six strong, healthy slaves. As soon as the auctioneer pulled open the strings of the leather pouch, he smiled and began to barrage the king with praises. The king, not impressed with such hypocrisy, quickly held out his hand to silence the man. At a wave of his other hand, the king’s servants lifted the newly purchased slave to her feet and gently guided her to an awaiting carriage. The crowd stood to their feet as the King made his way back to his chariot. Many whispers arose as the procession left, for the people were awed that a king would purchase something so useless.

The guards said little to her but were gentle. They offered her water and sat her on a blanket. Her face did not give away her confusion, but her thoughts provided an endless stream of questions and counsel. Who is this king? What does he want with me? I’m useless to anyone and to myself. For the last six years all I’ve experienced is abuse. Why would this be any different? He probably bought me to give away or to make an example of. Her skeptical heart couldn’t help but wonder why, then, the king’s eyes were kind and his smile was warm. She shot a sideways glance at one of the guards, puzzled by their kind actions. Don’t get your hopes up. Don’t you dare get your hopes up.

The chariot arrived at the palace in less than an hour, and the gates swung open to reveal a massive stone structure. Garrisons ^[a]stood erect and alert at four corners of the castle. Archers stood at ease behind the arrow loops. The gates were quickly closed once the carriages entered the immaculate courtyard. Cobblestone pathways led away to all the outbuildings, and an impressive granite statue stood in the center. She read the words as she passed by. “The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. Proverbs 29:14.”

She cowered in the chariot and took in her overwhelming surroundings while the King entered his palace. He instructed his female servants to bathe her, feed her, and dress her in fine silk. “I want her treated with respect and dignity. I want you to teach her how to walk tall, with her head held high. I want you to furnish her with the best gowns; teach her to dress like a lady. Teach her how to talk with confidence, and teach her how to live like a queen, for she will be my wife!”

The king’s bewildered councilors caught up to his confident stride and asked, “Your majesty, why her? You can have any woman in the region as your wife. Why a slave?”

He halted, pivoted on one foot, and looked them in the eyes. “I have seen in her what no other man has seen; I see a beauty that is buried under abuse.”