The King & The Prince

Lover

Roland

This woman had some damn nerve to request a meeting with me and her father, surely her little hand maiden told her that the entire castle knew now. Carissa sat on the couch in James’s study while James sat behind his desk and I propped against it. Evelyn had slipped in and was sitting on a chair at the opposite side of the room away from everyone.

“Speak Lady Carissa, I have plans for this morning.” I said coldly but glanced at Evelyn who was holding her head down looking at her fingers.

Carissa’s face looked as if she had cried only a short time ago but I wouldn’t let that bother me. Not after the evil she had done to me, all the shame she would bring to me and her father’s name. I was going to play the fool until she spilt her guts out naming the man who fathered this child she grows in her belly. They would wed this evening and then James can determine the punishment for the both of them, after this moment I would wash my hands of Lady Carissa.

“I have heard the horrendous rumors going around about me your highness and they are absurd! I had a stomach bug of some sort, get the healer here to check me if you don’t believe me!” Her voice was almost strained.

“Why would your own handmaiden tell my squire, Mary and your father that you are with child Lady Carissa?” s**t this was supposed to be a better day than yesterday.

“Sarah is easily manipulated your highness! She must have been pressured into lying to save her from a hiding or worse! Please you must believe me I swear to you I am not pregnant!” Carissa was a crying mess now as she fell to her knees and continued her begging.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration what the f**k was going on in this mansion? I glanced at Evelyn she was starring at her father with wide eyes at the scene before her. It was almost comical the way her sister was begging at my feet to believe her after everyone else had informed me of her pregnancy. The healer would be able to examine her but after all of this chaos how could I choose her over Evelyn. I had already declared my intentions with Evy to her father and even my brother.

“James call the healer now. We shall get to the bottom of this today Lady Carissa, and if I find you are lying to your king the punishment you shall suffer will be heinous.” I say between clenched teeth.

The three of us sat in our same spots in the study while James headed to get the healer and a priest. No one said a word save for a few sobs that Carissa let out every now and again. I let my eyes move to look at her she had on a tight fitting dark pink dress her breast threatening to spill out at any given moment. My eyes move on their own over to Evelyn in her black trousers and white shirt her auburn hair braided to the side, simply beautiful. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone with what she chose to wear; right now Carissa was dressed like a noble woman and Evelyn looked like a gorgeous stable hand. The door flew open and in walked a healer, a priest and James who all looked as if they had ran here.

“Lady Carissa we are here to examine you dear if you wish for anyone to remain in the room please tell them now. Otherwise everyone out as she undresses.” The healer announced. He was an older gentleman late sixties I would guess by his shoulder length grey curls. 

“King Roland would you stay please? I would like for you to be present when they announce I am not with child.” She smiled weakly at me.

James and Evelyn had run out just as the healer made his announcement, not even glancing back at me. I let out a giant sigh and nodded my head. The priest helped the healer who introduced himself as Elmer to place up a sheet as a shield for Carissa to undress behind for her exam. I walked around and sat at James’s desk away from them but close enough to hear everything. I could see their silhouettes behind the curtain as Carissa took off her dress and bodice. 

“Now this will be a bit painful miss just lie down and stay still please.” Elmer wasted no time and began to pull all sorts of tools out of his satchel.

I watched as he pulled out what looked like some kind of clamp and went between her legs. Carissa cried out at the pain it caused her. s**t what was he doing to her? The priest was chanting prayer after prayer over her body as Elmer continued his exam of her private area. All of a sudden she screamed bloody murder as he was slowly pulling something out of her. My mind told me not to but I ran to the privacy sheet anyway and yanked it back.

Elmer held an oyster like blob in his hand upon further inspection I saw the sack held an infant. He wasn’t fully developed but it was very clear it was a child. A child that had been dead for some time. Shock was plastered on both the priest and Elmer as the chanting became louder.

“What have you done girl?” The priest was horrified.

“No! No! He… it should be gone already! Sarah gave me some tea she got from Matilda in the village…. I was supposed to take it at my first missed course but …I … I must have taken it too late this time.” Carissa was in tears her lies lay in the hands of the healer.

“You killed a child of God bastard or not you had no right woman!” The priest threw holy water in her face during his rant.

“This child is in the later stages of development Carissa, from the looks of it at least four months along. When did you take the tea?” Elmer was calmer than the priest had been.

“Two days ago, she gets it for me once monthly before my courses are to start but Matilda has been out of squaw mint for a while now and she said it may not be strong enough.” She whispered but I heard it loud and clear.

I could stay no longer I had to leave this f*****g mansion, I didn’t even glance at Harlow or Evelyn as I made my way to the stables. She killed her own child to become my queen? Her words this time… how many times had she done this? What kind of sick woman was she? Hell if Elmer hadn’t of pulled him out today she surely would have died from the infection.  Did that thought even cross her f*****g mind? My plans had already been to ride this morning with Evelyn but now I needed to be alone. Adam handed me my reins and I took off out of the gates.

Fresh air filled my lungs as we galloped off towards the tree line. I had no idea where I should head but I had to gather my thoughts in private. The river was through the woods I remembered that much from years ago I just had to find it. A small game trail appeared to lead the way and I clucked at Sparrow to move on. Winter had left the climbing vines bare of leaves but tough to cut through so I had to dismount and walk us the rest of the way through the trail. I could smell the water so I was sure I was close, and then there it was White Wolf River. I tied Sparrow to the tree loose enough for him to find small blades of grass under all the foliage.

A large boulder sat on the edge inviting me to sit upon it and let my worries go. The sun hadn’t dried the morning dew off of it yet but the chill did not bother me. Hell at this point what could bother me? News of Carissa’s pregnancy was a sting to my pride but to know I was the reason she murdered her unborn child how does one live with that? The woman who consumed my dreams for years and was supposed to marry me and bare heirs to the throne murdered her own child just to become f*****g Queen. My mother would be mortified if she were still alive. How could a woman do that? A tear fell as my mother appeared in my thoughts, the unconditional love she showed Kane and I even when father had beaten her black and blue she would tuck us in and protect us with everything she had from his rage. To me that is who a Queen should be. A twig snapped in the distance and I grabbed my sword.

“I’m sorry your highness, no one ever comes to this spot on the river I thought I would be alone. I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” Evelyn said as she appeared behind a large oak tree her dagger already unsheathed.

She bowed her head slightly and turned to leave, I had wanted to be alone but just the sight of her made me want to tell her my deepest darkest secrets. As if she had the power to calm me without doing anything at all.

“Will you stay?” it came out whiney almost childish. I coughed to gain the manhood back in my voice.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be a bother to you the entire river is free I can find somewhere else to collect my thoughts.” She rambled nervously.

“Please join me I had planned on spending my morning with you before....” I gave her a soft smile and scooted over on the boulder.

She placed her dagger back in its sheath and walked over to me. Vanilla carried through the wind when she sat down beside me and I couldn’t help but breathe it in deeply. Nothing but a few birds chirping and the water trickling down the rocks was heard. Neither of us knew what to say, last night she was to become my bride because her sister was pregnant now her sister has killed her baby where does that leave Evelyn and I? I refuse to marry Carissa but would Harlow allow me to marry Evelyn now that Carissa was no longer carrying another man’s child?

“May I speak freely your Highness?” She broke the silence that surrounded us.

“Of course Evelyn I want you to feel comfortable telling me anything.” I hoped she believed that.

“She’s always been a selfish b***h, beheading would be revenge but she wouldn’t suffer the pain she caused that child.” Evelyn was angry I could tell but not angry enough to let her tears fall.

“Carissa has committed a vile sin by purposely killing her own child. The punishment is up to your father as I do not wish to see your sister’s face again.” I sighed out even the woods hadn’t gotten the images of this morning out of my head.

“He is angry but I’m afraid her punishment if any will be less than she deserves.” She sighed out.

“He will see it as an act of desperation.” It was true even though James wanted her punished he had planned this very event in his drunken state.

“Precisely, father has turned the cheek to all of her wrong doings since our mother passed. Mostly because Carissa is an exact replica of her looks wise. He never really looks at her, it is like starring at her ghost to him.” She choked out.

“Geneva passing brought him great pain; the entire kingdom knew how much they loved each other. I can tell you that Carissa may look like your mother but that is as far as the resemblance goes.” I placed my hand over hers on the boulder in an attempt to comfort her.

“Mother was a great woman, Carissa is a narcissistic twat.” She laughed out trying to lighten this conversation. I couldn’t help the chuckle I let slip out at her outburst.

Minutes passed as we sat there in the silence my hand still covering hers. I hadn’t wanted the contact to end even if it just as simple as my hand on hers. I still needed to know her thoughts of a courtship with me; I had everyone else’s but her acceptance is what I longed for. Taking a deep breath to muster up the courage I finally turned to face her.

“Evelyn, I have asked your father and Kane permission to court you but I haven’t asked you. Would you allow me to court you as I would have your sister? Could you find it in your heart to come with me to the castle and be my lady? I understand that your dreams are here in Northwood training soldiers but becoming Queen could give you more opportunities to change the way our world works.” I squeezed her hand as I stared into those beautiful green eyes holding my breath for her to answer me.

Her breathing was a little shaky but she knew last night when I hinted around my plan. I never intended to ask her permission but I wanted her to know I saw her as my equal. That I would ask her opinion on everything in our life if we shared one together, God I hoped we could share one together without me having to force her hand.

Evelyn

The King of Bellicus was sitting on the edge of the river waiting on me to respond. How in the hell do I keep getting into shitty situations like these? A courtship? Going to the capital? What would I do in the bloody capital? A woman who fights and dresses like a man engaged to the King! I was trained to be a lady just as every noble woman is but a Queen? No that is not me!

“Your highness….I….” Here I was a lady stuttering out like a scared child.

“Roland please just call me Roland.” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

“Roland, why would you want me? I am not exactly Queen material, I mean I understand why you would have to if Carissa was unavailable… but now what of the others….” I’m a bloody stuttering mess today.

“Carissa will never become Queen of Bellicus, she does not care for anyone but herself as she has proven today. Lady Sasha is on her death bed. Lady Eileen was a good candidate unfortunately she is a mute among all men especially me, so you can see where that would have its issues in the marital bed.” He said the last as a s****l innuendo I’m sure.

“And what of Lady Daniella?” I asked unsure if that was her name or if it was Daisy I wasn’t entirely sure I remembered from my studies of the other noble houses.

“Ahh… Lady Daniella and Carissa are very much alike selfish t***s I believe you said.” He chuckled out giving me a boyish grin.

“So I take it she wasn’t to your liking your highness?” I tried to say in less sarcastic than it came out. He must have found it funny by the way he laughed at me.

“No she was everything I detest in a woman and everything I despise in a potential lover.”  He was dead serious now.

I swear my heart leapt into my throat Kane was a very good looking man but Roland there was something alluring about him dare I say sexy. The way he could laugh and cut up yet remains stoic and focused when needed. After last night’s wine binge I had come to the realization that my infatuation with Kane was based on my need to feel accepted as a soldier. He had been the first true outsider that was not pressured by Samuel to accept me as one. We had become the best of friends both of us comfortable in the presence of one another. Just like Paul, Liam and Porter only I had never kissed any of them. My actions last night were enough to make me feel like a w***e, I shudder involuntarily at the thought.

“So you sleep with your courted ladies as a test?” I gasped and covered my mouth the moment it came out! s**t! s**t! s**t!

His eyes widened but there was that boyish grin again, Lord I could feel the sweat dripping from my forehead.

“No I haven’t slept with any of the noble women I have courted Evelyn. Especially one I find naked in my bed practically throwing herself at me like a common whore.” His smile faltered a bit, I’m sure it had to do with my w***e of a sister.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked you that was rude of me. I mean you are the king if you wish to sleep with someone then you have that right.” I stuttered out. God I needed to tame my mouth sometimes.

“I told you that I want you to speak freely to me about any and everything Evy and I meant it. When I said lover I was referring to more than just f*****g, a lover is so much more it is as if you have possession of each other’s soul not just their body.” The way he said it made me nervous but in a good way, the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

“Evelyn?” I was still lost in his eyes my thoughts running rampant.

“I…I’m sorry Roland, it’s just…well have you had many lovers?” I attempted to shake off the weirdness. I shook my head trying to repeat his words in my head…more than f*****g.

“No only one that I would consider a lover, I have slept with other women though Evelyn.” He sounded disappointed in himself.

“Oh, do you still sleep with your lover?” I just keep letting my thoughts slip from my brain and out of my mouth!

Roland’s eyes widened I was being too blunt today. But I found myself so curious about him and his life, even if I was nervous about his answer and how it would make me feel. Around the King I was relaxed yet still on edge because I did not know him as I have come to know Kane. He didn’t have to answer anything I asked but something told me he would and it would be the truth.

“Marcy is just a servant now no longer my mistress; I ended it with her about a year ago when I was due to court my future prospects for a Queen.” He said it as if it were normal to talk to your future Queen about ex lovers.

“So you got tired of her and made her a servant?” I was getting a little bit upset and the notion of him discarding her as if she were trash.

“No she was always a servant but she … served in a different way and had privileges that the others do not have, we were not in love but I did care for her.” He sighed out.

Marcy works in the castle? So if I were to go to the castle with Roland, hell I am going to the castle my father has agreed to it as well as Kane. Here we go again with men controlling a woman’s own destiny, a never ending story unless I could change Roland’s mind about it all. When would men come to realize that a woman could do as many things as they could, I mean seriously?

“May I ask you something personal Evelyn?” He asked his eyes glinting with curiosity. 

“Of course you can but I am not sure I will be able to answer you.” I laughed out nervously as I felt my cheeks begin to burn.

“I know that you are a very independent woman and that up until yesterday you were not betrothed to me….” Oh boy did I know where this was going.

“I… just want to… well have you ever… laid with a man?” There it was the burning question of my purity from the King himself.

I don’t know what came over me but I decided to be entirely truthful with him. There was just something about Roland that compelled me to do so. Perhaps it was the fact of him being betrayed by my sister that had me wanting to console his mind. Did he think we shared the same interest in screwing random men? God I hope he could see my sister and I were as different as fire and water. His face was neutral as he waited on me to answer the question that would separate me from my sister and Lady Daniella. I took a deep breath and tried to answer without coming off as a smart ass.

“I have spent years of my life fighting men not seducing them, so the answer to your question is no I have never laid with a man.” My eyes never left his showing him that I was indeed being truthful.

“It was not fair of me to ask you that I know but thank you for telling me.” He smiled as his fingers placed my loose hairs behind my ears.

“Roland, I must be honest with you I have kissed Prince Kane, it is not something I am proud of but given the circumstances I want you to know.” I had no idea where that came from.

“I know Evelyn, Kane told me that the two of you shared a kiss so I will ask you are you in love with my brother?” Roland’s voice was strained as if he was scared to hear what I would say.

“Kane has my respect and I find that I do love him, but it is the same love I have for Paul. He accepted me for who I am without General Sam pushing it on my behalf and for that I will be forever grateful. We have spent the last few months in each other’s company everyday without fail, Kane knows everything about me and accepts it just as it is.” It was true I did love Kane but he didn’t make me weak in the knees or my heart to flutter like they do in Bethany and Bridgette’s stories.

“I accept you just as you are, I am willing to do anything you ask of me Evelyn, you can wear whatever you choose I promise I will not force you to do anything outside of your comfort zone. You can train with my knights and sit by my side at war councils please.” By now he was on his knees in front of my begging me to come with him.

“Y…yes, I will go with you freely Roland, you won’t have to drag me behind your horse but I am not sure the other nobles will be okay with me.” This was going to be different from how I imagined my life but I know everything happens for a reason.

“Well maybe not at first but they will come to love and respect you I know it.” He smiled as he rose from his knees.

Roland’s hand squeezed mine but his other one went to the back of my neck caressing it while pulling our faces closer together. Our foreheads almost touching the tension between us was more than I could handle. A longing radiated off of us both but neither one of us moved beyond that point. His breath was on my lips my heart was beating inside of my ears the water and birds had all but disappeared.

“I want to kiss you so bad Evy…” He panted out his breath heavy.

“Then kiss me…” was all I could muster.

He wasted no time as his grip on the back of my neck tightened and pulled me even closer. His lips on mine were demanding entrance in an instance. Roland’s tongue caressed mine until we were finally in sync with one another, he put my hand on his shoulder as he deepened the kiss grabbing my waist and pulling my entire body up off the boulder closer to him. I thought that Kane’s kiss was special but Roland had me barely able to stand up. His hands were grabbing me under my ribs with his thumb rubbing up and down. Our chest bumping together as we both struggled to breathe.