The Apathetic Knight

Chapter 9 - Cinder

Chapter 9 – Cinder

November, 313 A.R.

"Lady Kynareth Renna Severing, aged thirteen, yet another girl here for her first hunt," the king called.

I heaved out a heavy sigh, but I stepped over to her, my gait confident, and she struggled not to flinch as I approached her. I did not kneel before her, but I did bow at the waist, the proper action for a prince to give to a noble lady.

"My dear betrothed," I said, glancing up at her. "I offer you my hunt, and ask for your favor," I said, before I leaned closer to her and whispered so that only she and I could hear. "If I were not obligated, as your fiancé, to do this, then you can rest assured that I certainly wouldn't be doing this. I do not like you. I am not doing this because I want your favor," I said, before pulling back, a smirk on my face as I held my sword up expectantly.

Trembling, she reached into the box that sat on the table beside of her, and grabbed a ribbon, tying it with shaking fingers to the hilt of my sword. It was a pretty, sky-blue color with golden embroidery...and I was immediately reminded of her hair and eyes. Girls were known for choosing their favorite color for their ribbons, and I was surprised to see that a blue was her favorite color.

That was a pleasant thing, I supposed. I wouldn't have to suffer the humiliation of wearing a pink, prissy ribbon on my sword.

It was tradition, as it were, for a man to start integrating his fiancé's favorite colors into his wardrobe as their marriage approached and especially after they had wed. I was exceedingly thankful that it wasn't pink or purple. I could tolerate a shade of blue much easier.

My preferred color was a deep navy blue anyway, so a color scheme of the two blues with white or black or gray...that would suit me just fine.

I turned to the crowd, pumping my sword into the air as they cheered, before I lifted her gloved hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back of her fingers.

"Thank you for your favor, my lady," I said, stepping off.

As if I gave one single f**k about her favor. I could do well enough without having it. Ever.

She released the heavy breath she'd been holding, but she recovered quickly when her brother's knight, Sir Varo, stepped forward next, kneeling.

During the hunt, I was quite pleased with my preys, feeling that I did quite nicely. Surely, this would be a sufficient offering for a fiancé who disliked me, right? Hopefully, she would be pleased enough with it. The hunt lasted throughout the night, and by the following morning, I was well pleased with my total hunt. We all gathered our hunts, putting them on wagons, and I was too busy to really notice anybody else's, though I did notice that I didn't see Seryn's wagon anywhere.

He sat back in a chair, arms and legs crossed, looking a bit bored, before we were all called back.

My father got up on the stage with the ladies, and addressed the crowd.

As they went through each noble lady, I waited, watching Kynareth's curious gaze as she took in the offerings and listened to the score count.

I idly wondered what her total score would end up looking like.

When it was time, I watched her step forward. We all stepped up to her, and the other hunters kneeled while I gave a small bow first. Since I was her fiancé, I would be giving her my offering first, and so I stepped up first. "I bring you an offering of a wolf, a stag, two foxes, and three rabbits," I smiled, looking at the cart that held my prey, proud of myself.

I wasn't quite as proud, however, when her knight put my offering to shame, making me look like a chump.

The sun was lowering in the sky when everything was wrapped up and ready to go, and the royal family stepped up to her family before we left.

"Congratulations again, lady Kynareth," my mother smiled, and Kynareth gave a deep curtsy.

"Thank you so much, your majesty," Kynareth smiled. "I am truly honored." She turned her attention to me, giving me a curtsy as well, to my shock. "Thank you, my betrothed, for hunting on my behalf today and for the wonderful offering you gave me. I am honored to have had you on the field for my name's sake."

I scoffed, but the king jabbed me in the side with his elbow and I sighed, giving her a bow and gritting my teeth.

"It was an honor to hunt for you, my lady," I said, carefully toneless. "I am glad that I was able to give you a pleasing offering. Please do take care on your way home."

I hoped her carriage was destroyed, but alas, my hopes would end up being dashed as usual.

My birthday was approaching soon, so at least I had one thing to look forward to. My family tried to make that day special for me.

Hopefully, I'd be able to put Kynareth out of mind for a day, at least. Maybe I would get lucky enough to not even have to hear about her for a whole day, too...because I normally wasn't afforded that courtesy.

Nobody understood just how much I hated this situation...

Or, perhaps, maybe one other person understood.

*

August, 314 A.D.

It was the night before the wedding, deep into the evening, when my fiancé's belongings arrived to the palace. I had already chosen a chamber for her and her personal knight to share, directly across the hall from my own chambers. I wouldn't force her to stay in the same room as me.

The maid who had been taking care of her all of this time had come to help set up the room, trying to make it at least close to how her chambers were at home, at my command, to ensure that she was as comfortable as she could be.

I saw her set down a small box of items before she walked out again, and I saw a letter folded neatly in the side of the box, along with several book-dried dandelions...the symbol of the twins. I glanced around, before I swiftly took the letter in my hold, and I unfolded it and read it...

My blood felt like it was freezing in my veins, as I read Astaroth's romantic love confession to his sister.

From the lip-stain marks and tear tracks on the letter, and from how I had seen her act around her brother myself, personally...I could only surmise that she felt much the same as he did.

Something about that bothered me. I couldn't say that it was strictly her blood-relation to him. We were, as it were, second cousins ourselves.

In many countries, relationships among siblings could be common. Perhaps less so among twins, but even identical twins like this pair weren't very common, especially among boy-girl twins.

I wondered how far the twins had gone, now. She had been checked, that very morning, by a physician to ensure that she was, indeed, an intact virgin bride...and she had been.

However, to know that she held such affection for her own sibling...I felt a bit odd about it. I didn't know what to think.

Members of the royal family often wed cousins or half-siblings, but twins? Full-blooded, shared-the-same-womb twins?

It seemed so...unholy to me.

That, and the fact that despite my hatred for her...she was mine.

She was my fiancé, my intended, my betrothed. She would be my bride the following morning.

I knew that Astaroth was marrying another duke's daughter this very evening, but to know that he coveted what was mine, even though I didn't want her...

It made me angry, for some unfathomable reason.

Sure, I didn't want her...but nobody else could have her, either. Not if I had anything to say about it.

I placed the letter carefully back where I had found it and walked out of the room, not paying much heed to the rest of her items as they came in, before I went to my own chambers, lost in thought as I could hardly sleep that night.

Had he touched her? Kissed her?

How many times?

Had he used his mouth on her?

Did she somehow have more experience in bed than me, even though she was younger than me by five years?

...Would I be competing against her brother for her orgasms?

Would she be thinking of him when I made her come...?

I shuddered at the thought.

Perhaps, I shouldn't bring her to orgasms at all.

Maybe it would be better if I kept our marriage completely, strictly business.

I could live with that, right?

*

The next morning came, and I sighed, siting up and letting the servants get me dressed and prepared for the ceremony. It was better to go ahead and get this out of the way.

As I was getting ready, I heard that her carriage had arrived, and I glanced out of the window of my chambers. I couldn't see her, but I could see her knight standing there, reaching for her hand. I looked away, making sure I didn't see her. It was bad luck to see a bride before the ceremony. No matter if this was an unwanted farce or not, I at least didn't want to bring even more bad luck upon myself.

I made my way to the main floor of the palace and to the throne room, taking my place by my father, when finally, she was announced.

She looked stunning, and I couldn't deny it. I hated her, for sure, but I couldn't deny it when it was right in front of me. She was beautiful, really. I hardly recognized her.

They walked inside, and in that moment, and it was obvious that the two escorts she had were having to carry most of her weight, as her legs struggled to step forward, shaking so hard. She was nervous.

When they reached the throne stage, her father kissed her cheek through her veil and let go of my hand, going to take his seat, but Seryn stayed at her side. I was a bit surprised and slightly put off by this, but I didn't say anything...yet.

I saw her glance at me, looking me up and down and taking me in. I was wearing a black uniform with silver and gold embroidery, and a cape that was black on the outside, but a beautiful, sky-blue color on the inside.

I wore a turquoise broach and even in my crown, freshly crafted in honor of this day, there were turquoise stones. Her eyes were wide and glassy, cheeks flushing as she took me in.

I could see in her eyes that she was surprised.

After a hiccup about Seryn's position, the king had us recite our vows, tying our left hands together with a golden rope. He had us put rings on one another's ring fingers, and then proclaimed that we were married and could kiss.

Taking out her veil, I leaned forward, pressing a small, effortless smooch onto her lips as fast as I could manage. I didn't want to kiss her.

I hated her. I hated her, and I hated that she had probably kissed Astaroth with those lips.

The crowd seemed a bit concerned and confused before cheering.

Then, the king presented a beautiful, sky-blue velvet pillow that held a beautiful, stunning tiara there. I'd had it crafted with her specifically in mind. It was a simple but elegant, almost elfin-like design of beautiful, simply loop and knot work. I placed it into her hair, before I turned, presenting ourselves to the crowd.

The room erupted into cheer, before slowly the room emptied out to the ball-room, where a large banquet, as well as a large, luxurious bed, awaited us.

I gestured to the bed, glancing at her before speaking quietly to me. "Do you wish him to stay at your side for this too, 'wife'?" I asked.

She gulped, but gave a soft nod. "If you will allow it."

I glanced up at Seryn, who was looking away, but still holding her hand.

I decided to allow it, and she seemed to at least appreciate that much.

She did not respond as she scooted back onto the bed, being sure that her hand never let go of Seryn's.

Everyone around us whispered and found this quite odd and particular, thinking it was a bit inappropriate, but I didn't care. It comforted her, for some reason. I didn't feel that I should take that comfort away.

My heart began pounding when I had her lay beneath me, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

"You really do look beautiful today," I said softly. "I was almost impressed. Definitely surprised."

Without any preamble, I quickly undid her underwear. I didn't want to make her or myself further uncomfortable by touching or kissing on her too much.

I knew she didn't like me. Still, I felt a bit concerned because I knew that she wasn't going to be prepared, and she wasn't going to enjoy this.

I pictured a willing woman in my mind, a woman all over me. I had seen some exotic dancers perform a while back, so I used that as inspiration to fuel my hard on, before I knew that I was ready.

"This might hurt," I warned her as soon as I was ready.

I quickly put myself to her hole, shoving in forcefully, almost groaning at how tight she was.

I'd never been inside of a woman before, but it was the most amazing thing I'd ever felt wrapped around myself. My hand simply couldn't compare.

She gasped, crying out in pain as I forced my way into her, and she clenched her entire body, sobbing as she bit down—hard—into Seryn's hand.

As our bloodied-sheet was removed, she desperately whispered out apologies even as tears ran down her face, but Seryn simply shook his head, refusing to look back at us.

Just trying to get this over with—and struggling with how good her insides felt around my c**k, how amazing being inside of another being felt—I began moving within her body even as she continued crying.

She threw her head back, looking up at Seryn's back, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Please..." she whispered, and I saw Seryn glance over his shoulder at us. He looked away again, but he lifted their joined hands to her face, wiping her tears away with the back of his hand even as I continued my task. I could feel her clenching around me, forcing the internal movement with her sobs unconsciously. I knew she wasn't aroused and she was in pain, but that fluttering around my hard on was orgasm-inducing.

I didn't think I could handle that much longer.

I began to let my pace pick up and the cheering increased, sensing the end was near.

I looked at Kynareth, whispering pleas for me to hurry, and I felt myself grow inside of her body as my release hit me and I came. I jerked and gasped, and we both startled as I began twitching and throbbing in her heat, even as the warmth of my come shot inside her.

She gasped, looking down at our joined bodies, and the bloody, mangled mess there, looking away just as quickly.

She met my eyes, and I felt terrible, looking at the gore between us. I hadn't meant to hurt her so much...I had just wanted to end it quickly, for both our sakes.

I sighed, whispering an apology into her ear before I stood. I wiped us both off a bit with a wet cloth a servant brought, before I put my chub into my its place as I pulled my pants on and made to rejoin the celebration.

"Take the princess to her chambers," I told the maids.

That had been a horror show. A complete disaster. A disaster that felt amazing on my c**k and would leave my life never feeling the same, but still a disaster all the same.

I was a man, now, but I didn't feel much like it. My d**k had gotten all the action...I felt more like a r****t.

Feeling guilty, I ate my meal as people around me conversed, and I could practically feel her family glaring at me throughout the meal.

I knew that I had acted far too rashly. I could have taken my time, made it better for her...after all, I had received education on how to please a woman's body...or, at least, the mechanics of how to do so.

During the banquet, I had several maids report to me about her condition, letting me know how she was doing; As if I had asked them to, or as if I actually gave a s**t.

I didn't. I felt guilty, but she was the one who was given to me, so it wasn't my business if she was feeling okay.

I sighed, making to go into my own chamber, but I felt obligated to check on her myself. I gave a light knock, and after a moment, Seryn opened the door for me. He set his sword aside, going back and sitting in the chair by her bedside.

"Is she alright?"

"She is in pain," Seryn's voice was bitter. "Do you even care?"

"Yes," I said, a bit of regret in my tone. "I hadn't meant to be so...rough. I just wanted it to be over."

"So did she," Seryn responded, malice beneath the surface of his voice.

"I wanted to let you know that I would be coming by for meal times by order of the king, and she should be aware of it so she isn't so...horrified when I arrive."

"I will inform her."

"Please do. I don't actually want for her to suffer. I hate her, but she had as little choice as I did. The least I can do is attempt to stay...civil."

Seryn seemed to consider this. "A truly pitiful situation," he whispered, sighing. "Well, if that is all, your highness..."

"Yes, I will get going. Should she require anything, let me know and I will take care of it. Oh," I paused. "Her maid from home will be moving here upon your request in the morning. She should be settled in by midday. Does she need any other servants?"

"I will be sure to ask her," Seryn responded.

"Good, then. Goodnight, sir Seryn."

"Good night, your highness the crowned prince."

I left the room quickly, striding across the hall and into my own chambers before flopping down onto my bed.

I hated this girl, and I hate that I felt guilty for hurting her.

Perhaps she didn't deserve my wrath, but—

A knock sounded on my door. I sighed heavily, standing, and I found my father standing there.

Before I could utter even a single word, a harsh slap resounded against my cheek.

"I know that I taught you better than that," he snarled beneath his breath. "You made a fool of us. I know that you don't like her, and we all know it now! But starting tomorrow, you will put your pettiness aside or I swear to you, I will not tolerate it any longer and I will make your brother the crowned prince. I have had enough. You talk about how she needs to learn to hold her tongue? You say you have accepted all of this and that you understand that it is necessary? You sure didn't act like it today. You knew that I was going to make you go through meal times and one night a week in the same bed, but then you had to go and practically maim the girl! You were educated, Cinder, you—" He cut himself off, sighing. "You will do better from this point forward. This is not up for discussion."

He turned, walking away and leaving me to dwell in my regrets...

Even as I hardened in my pants as I thought of the feeling of her wrapped around my length again.

I needed a cold bath...

*

Morning came soon enough, and we had breakfast before I left her to her own devices for a while.

Lunch time came later, and when I went to her chambers, Seryn was resting beside of the chaise lounge even as my wife snored lightly, napping in the sun.

I chuckled, taking in how defenseless she was. She truly did look like a little lion like this.

I supposed that I really had a lot to get to know about her.

Seryn glanced up at me, standing to his feet and giving me a bow. "Your highness."

I waved it off. "At ease," I told him, and he went back to relaxing. "I guess...It makes sense that she is still tired, right?" I asked, and he gave a nod.

"Are you...worried?" He asked, a bit surprised.

I looked away. "I told you already; I don't wish ill on her. It is my obligation to care for her, even if I hater her."

Seryn looked back to his mistress, gazing upon her with a warmth in his eyes that I had never expected.

"Lunch will be served in a short time," I told him. I glanced down at my fencing clothes. "I will go and change before then. Be sure to wake her and have her ready to eat something. She needs to eat properly and stay hydrated in order to recover."

He gave a nod before I turned, walking back into the palace and across the hall to my chambers. I pulled the rope to summon the servants, and ordered a good meal for us to have for lunch before I washed off my face and hands with a wet cloth, getting dressed again in simple clothes.

She seemed, at the very least, at ease enough to not be worried about dressing up each and every time she saw me, so it actually took off the pressure I had felt to do that myself. I had been dressed up this morning for breakfast, and had been surprised to see her in a simple gown and messy hair, completely uncaring on if I liked it or not.

I scoffed out a small chuckle. I was glad that at the very least, she didn't seem to be vain.

When I returned to her chambers, I was surprised to see Seryn brushing out her hair, before he swept it back up into a high pony-tail, tying it into place before he took his post by her side.

Servants came in, bringing in the meal, and as per usual, we had it poison checked before we began to eat.

"Oh," I spoke, and Kynareth glanced at me. "Your maid has arrived. She is getting settled into her quarters, but will come to you as soon as she has gotten her things settled."

Her face lit up. "Alice!" She smiled, beaming up at Seryn, who smiled warmly down at her.

I felt a small pang of something...almost akin to jealousy, but that didn't seem right.

I didn't even like her, so why did I want to see her smile at me the way that she seemed to smile for everyone else?

The way that she smiled for her maid? The way she smiled for Seryn?

...The way that she smiled for Astaroth.

Surely, it had to be my d**k's head thinking for me. It had to be because she had made me come, right? Even that was just a physiological reaction though, wasn't it?

I hated these thoughts swirling around my brain.

A maid came in, whispering some information into my ear, and I smiled softly. "Do you like tournaments, 'wife'?" I asked her.

She flinched softly, but met my eyes. "Tournaments?" She asked.

"The king has put together a tournament, in your honor. It is a tradition, I'm afraid, when a member of the royal family marries, to hold a tournament in honor of the new member of the family. They sit in a seat of honor, and they even have control over the tournament, in a sense. There would be singing, games, dancing, a grand feast, and then a set of battle events."

She seemed to have her interest piqued by the idea, and smiled softly. "I've never been to one, but I've read about them..." She said, soft. I did recall, that when her things had arrived from the duke's estate, there had been several crates of books that she had brought with her. I had even ordered for a bookshelf to begin being built to put in her chambers to store them. "I have always wanted to go to a tournament."

I gave a tight nod. "Good, then. The tournament will be taking place tomorrow, then, from dawn until dusk." We continued our meal, and when she had finished, she glanced up at me.

"Who will be competing?" She asked. "In the battle?"

I smirked at her. "Your knight may participate on your behalf, if you like. I will also be competing, as will my brother. Your brother, also, will be competing. He was quite excited about it, actually. Many knights and mercenaries compete, so the competition is usually quite diverse."

She glanced at Seryn. "Do you wish to compete?" She asked, and he gave a nod, a grin on his face.

"It sounds like it will be fun, so I would like to participate," he said.

"It is settled, then," I said, a bit tonelessly. "Did you enjoy the meal? Was everything to your liking?" I asked her, and she gave a nod with a timid smile. "I am glad to hear it, then. Well, princess," I said, standing. I approached her, glancing down at her. "May I?" I asked, holding out my hand for hers. She hesitantly placed her hand in my own, and I lifted it to my lips, kissing the back of her hand. "I shall see you in a few hours for supper. Please let me know if you require anything."

I tried to ignore the look of dumb astonishment on her face.

It wasn't like I had a choice.

Father had servants everywhere, and if he asked them to spy on me and one of them happened to report to him that I wasn't at least courteous to her, I could potentially lose my position to my younger brother.

I wasn't saying that my younger brother couldn't be the king, or even that he wouldn't do a fairly decent job as king...but this was my position.

I had been born for it, trained for it all of my life.

I loved my country, and my younger brother was still in his wild and free stage of life. He wasn't of the right mindset to rule.

Neither was my bride...