The King & The Prince

Betrayal

King Roland

“Your Highness, I am so sorry about earlier, last night’s dinner did not agree with me, I hope you can forgive me.” They way she said that boiled my blood but I hid it behind a smile.

“No worries my lady, I hope you are well enough to enjoy dinner with me tonight.” I stood and pulled out a chair for her to sit beside me.

I watched as Bethany and Bridgette rolled their eyes and stormed off when Carissa gave them a look. They loved Evelyn but had a clear distaste for their eldest sister. I couldn’t agree more, the longer I sat beside her the harder it would be to bite my tongue. Kane had already left the dining hall and Lord Harlow followed the girls out into the kitchen leaving me alone with Carissa. Servants came out and brought her some food but she pushed the plate away quickly and asked for some bread instead.

“When will we be leaving for the capital your Highness?” her voice sickly sweet.

“Very soon Carissa, I just need to see that your sister is well by the end of the week.” Her face turned a slight pink and her posture changed, she was jealous of Evelyn.

“Sarah told me what happened with the knight today, it is an awful situation but Evelyn is always getting herself into horrible situations. She is very stubborn.” She scoffed as she nibbled on her bread.

“I have never seen a woman fight before but if half the men in my army were as strong willed as Evelyn we would win every battle.” I continued to sip my ale but I could tell she was angry that I spoke highly of her sister.

“Would you care to take a stroll with me your Highness? All of the torches should be lit by now and Northwood is quite beautiful at night.” Carissa changed the subject back to her and placed her hand on my thigh.

“I would love to but I need to speak to your father before I head out.” I lied. Well I did need to speak with him but I wanted to get away from her.

“He is getting the girls ready for bed since Evelyn… well since she can’t at the moment.” She sipped her wine.

“Does she get them ready for bed every night?” If she hadn’t looked away so fast I would have caught her rolling her eyes at my question.

“Yes she does. Come on lets go and then you and my father can speak.” She had stood and reached for my hand so I grabbed hers and followed her out into the bitter cold night.

The wind was howling along with the wolves outside of these enormous walls surrounding the village. Not one person was in sight, the hall had pretty much cleared out before we left all of the people returning to their own homes. Carissa still had my hand intertwined with her own as we walked along the dirt streets of Northwood. She had been rambling on and on about herself for a while now every once in a while I would agree or laugh but I blocked most of her out. All of a sudden she stopped in between two shops and pulled me into the alleyway her lips were on mine before I could register what was happening. 

Inside I was fuming but I had to pretend I wanted her, she had no idea I knew she was pregnant by another man, the ale made pretending a lot easier. She licked my lips first and I let her tongue slide into my mouth, she was aggressive her hands already making their way to the buttons on my blazer. Carissa had every button undone and was trying her damndest to pull my other shirt from my trousers before I broke the kiss.

“We can’t Carissa, we must be wed before I lay with you.” I was pinching the bridge of my nose, s**t if I would have had one more cup I might have let this get too far.

“But I want you Roland, only you. I have waited so long.” She pleaded as her hand went south.

“I am sorry Carissa but I will not f**k my future queen in an alleyway.” Those words must have hit home because she took off running back towards the mansion.

She had planned on seducing me and claiming her child to be my own. If Adam hadn’t told me the truth I would have gone through with it, taken her body right here in the dirt. I have waited ten years to touch that woman but the thought of that now turns my stomach. Thinking of all the men she allowed to touch what was once supposed to be mine. Was it her betrayal of our betrothal to each other or the fact that she was attempting to betray me with a child she knew was not mine that infuriated me? I just sat in the alleyway and let my thoughts consume me.

Betrayal… the last words spoken by my father the night I killed him. Blood pouring out of his mouth yet he still found the strength to curse me.

Three Years Earlier

The kingdom was celebrating the return of their beloved Prince Kane and all of his recruits he managed to obtain in his months away. Our father was already drunk and in bed by the time he made it back into the castle, I was in the library finishing reading up on the new laws father had put in place. I had seen Kane earlier he was celebrating in the main hall; there were young maidens and soldiers everywhere I tried to speak to each one before retiring to my studies as future king. I was just about to blow the library torches out when I heard shouting from down the hall.

“You little bastard! You come back from Savanna and think you can stick your c**k in anything you like!” King Gerald’s voice boomed. Then bam!

I ran as fast as I could to Kane’s bedchamber he was laying butt naked on the floor with my father standing over him. Before I could stop him the king had the young maiden by the hair and snapped her neck. It was Lydia his new favorite s*x toy. He made a move towards Kane’s body and I snapped I pulled my dagger and stabbed him in the back right between his ribcage into his black heart.

“How could you betray me my son?” Blood was flowing from his mouth as he collapsed on the floor right next to Kane.

I ran to my brother and checked for a pulse, his head was bleeding but his heart was still pumping there was still breath coming from his mouth. He was alive thank God. I held his body in my hands and cried we were finally free from our father.

Evelyn

I was sleeping peacefully when I smelt the most awful stench, I tried to go back to sleep but it started getting stronger and stronger. Something touched my nose and the smell was so strong I jumped up as fast as I could to get away from it.

“It’s just smelling sauce my dear.” Mary was giggling.

My eyes creaked open as I tried to adjust to the dim lit room, these candles had been burning for a while I could tell. My vision became clear as I looked around to see if we were alone but a tall figure was standing in the frame of my washroom arms crossed. I blinked several times before figuring out it was Kane. He gave me a warm smile and came to sit on the bed with Mary and I.

“I am so glad you are okay Evy. You scared me half to death my precious girl.” Her voice was choked like she had been crying.

“I am fine Mary just a little sore.” I tried to sit up but Kane pushed my shoulders down.

“Not yet Evy, you haven’t gotten all of your strength back. Do you want some broth or water?” He was commanding yet worried at the same time.

“Water please and I can eat real food Kane, he didn’t break any of my teeth.” Memories of this morning flooded my mind I couldn’t help but shiver at the thought of that giant.

“You’re right he didn’t, Mary could you fetch something to eat for her?” Mary nodded and left us alone.

Kane looked pained, and his lip was busted. I reached up and grabbed his face to turn him to me.

“What did you do to him Kane?” He was already starring at me.

“Edward is dead Evelyn, he performed a dishonorable act against a fellow soldier and as his superior I had to punish him for his crime.” He was being too formal I knew there was more than just a beheading but I wasn’t going to push him. I had bigger problems than that to deal with at the time, Carissa was pregnant and I was soon to be betrothed to his brother if I wasn’t already.

“Kane… I need to tell you something.” Tears sprung from my eyes as I tried to force the words from my mouth.

His hand caressed my cheek and wiped my fallen tears but there were too many.

“What is it Evy? Tell me please.” His hand still brushing over my cheeks.

“Carissa…she’s… she’s with child.” His hand stopped moving but never left my face.

We sat there in the silence for what felt like an eternity. Our eyes locked onto one another as if it were our only life line. Neither one blinking this was the worst thing that could have happened to either of us. My heart was almost at its breaking point by now, my dream of freedom shattered in one day. Kane knew, his eyes showed that he felt what I felt.

“Evelyn… I won’t let him… “He tried to speak but I pulled his mouth to mine.

I needed to feel him. His tongue fighting against mine again his hands caressing my body. Kane answered my unspoken plea as our tongues danced and his hands carefully pulled me into his chest. I had fought against these feelings for too long my body wanted him. His hands caressed my back our lips only parting as he lifted my shirt from my body. I had never been exposed to a man in a s****l way but I didn’t care I wanted Kane to have all of me. I was going to be forced to marry Roland but I will be damned if he was going to be the one I gave my virtue to. If this was my last choice as a free woman then Kane would be my first. As if on cue his hand reached for my breast kneading it in his hand before thumbing over my n****e. His lips traveled to my neck licking and nipping at my skin. Every inch of my body craved his touch.

Knock. Knock.

We separated in a flash and I straightened my bed as Kane threw my shirt back over my head and stood away from me.

“Come in.”

Mary entered with a tray of various treats followed by King Roland himself. I was shocked to see the king in my bedchamber and from the way Kane’s body stiffened so was he. Mary placed the food on my lap and left me alone with the prince and the king. How in the hell could she just leave me alone with these two?

“Kane, I need to speak with Lady Evelyn alone please.” King Roland broke the awkward silence.

“Very well, Evelyn I will come and see you tomorrow goodnight.” I nodded and just like that Kane left me alone with his brother. He wasn’t happy but he couldn’t refuse his king.

The door shut and I was left all alone with the very man who would be my downfall. He made his way towards my bed and sat in the wooden chair next to me. Silence. We couldn’t even look at one another, his head was hung low in shame and I was angry. Not the fact that he had chosen a beast to fight me and almost kill me but the fact that my sister put me in line to become his wife.

“Evelyn, I want you to know that I am so sorry. I had no idea that Edward was such a dishonorable man, if I had the slightest idea he would do that to you I would have chosen someone else. Please forgive me.” He looked as if he were going to cry.

I didn’t know what to say, he was the king he could chose whomever he wished to spar against each other. That was his right as king, and I knew why he had chosen Edward it was all to intimidate me to back down but that’s not who I was. King Roland did not know that though he only looked at me as a woman. Not a soldier just a weak little girl as so many others had seen me.

“There is nothing to forgive your Highness. I understand why you chose him, truly I do please don’t apologize for treating me as a soldier that is all I asked for and I appreciate it.” I hoped he believed me I hadn’t expected him to choose the weakest knight he had.

He just stared at me in disbelief, his eyes were identical to Kane’s a deep beautiful hazel but his lashes were darker and longer. Neither of us said a word it was as if we were both in a trance unable to break free.

“Your Highness…” I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind but this was becoming awkward. He chuckled and shook his head.

“I’m sorry it’s just I have never met anyone like you before Evelyn, you are a very remarkable woman.” I noticed his cheeks had a slight blush to them.

“I don’t know if remarkable is the word I would use.” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Roland broke out giggling like it was the funniest thing he had heard today.

“Remarkable, stubborn, brave not to mention extremely beautiful.” His eyes never left mine as he spoke now I could feel my cheeks burning.

“Umm…thank you. I think?” I nervously giggled I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He smiled and leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees.

He wanted to say something I was sure of that, I swallowed down the lump of nerves in my throat unsure of where this conversation was going to go. Do I bring up Carissa or not? Does he know already has my father spoken to him? A thousand questions and scenarios were running through my mind. Was he going to kill Carissa and her lover? Did she even know who the father was? King Roland must have noticed I was a mental wreck at the moment he just sighed and rubbed his hands over his face.

“I didn’t just come here to apologize to you Evelyn. There is something I need to talk to you about. Something serious has happened and it will have an everlasting affect on this kingdom.” He was waiting on my response but I was lost for words.

“Evelyn, your sister has betrayed not only me and the kingdom of Bellicus but more importantly she has unintentionally betrayed you as well.” He spoke those words with so much sadness and hatred for Carissa; it was true she had betrayed us all.

I couldn’t speak all I could do was let the tears fall silently. I would never forgive her for this; she had taken away the one thing that mattered to me all because she couldn’t keep her bloody legs closed. All this time I thought she took heed to my warnings but I was apparently very wrong. Roland had knelt by the bed and grabbed my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles gently.

“Say something please, tell me what you are feeling.” He begged me squeezing my hand a little.

“I’m sorry your Highness…I…” The tears wouldn’t stop it has been a long time since I had been this angry.

“Evelyn please just call me Roland, if you’d like I will leave you and we can speak tomorrow. I still need to speak to your father about this situation. I only learned about her pregnancy this afternoon. I don’t know if anything like this has ever happened before in our kingdom’s history.” He stayed still and waited for me to respond.

“Thank you I think I need to rest. On behalf of my family I want to apologize for her actions. Please know that my father has never seen her for who she truly is.” I managed to choke out.

He gave me a soft smile and headed towards the door. He was about to walk out when he turned around and said the most terrifying yet mesmerizing words I had ever heard.

“You don’t need to apologize for Carissa’s wrong doings, to tell you the truth I haven’t given your sister a second thought since the moment you stepped into your father’s study Evelyn, goodnight.” And he was gone but my eyes were still bulging out of their sockets.

What in the hell just happened? I went from being in a coma state, then almost making love to Kane to feeling flustered by the King’s mere words in less than twenty four hours! Damn I needed something stronger than this water! My emotions were becoming too much to process in such a short amount of time I had to find some ale or wine hell even my father’s brandy would be a welcomed friend. I crept out of room once I was sure there was no one in sight and headed towards the kitchens. Mary kept a stash of alcohol behind the cupboard for herself, she thought no one knew about it but Porter and I had stumbled upon this little honey hole years ago.

I had to be extra careful and walk around the long way in order to avoid my father and King Roland. Sneaking around was easier than I thought or maybe it was because all of the focus was on Carissa’s crimes and keeping it hush hush at the moment. There were only a few servants in the halls and I made sure none of them saw me creeping around in the darkness like a thief up to no good.

Finally I made my way to Mary’s secret spot and grabbed what felt like a bottle of wine, it was hard to tell in the dark. I could hear shouting coming from my father’s study even though I went the long way around. Any normal nosey body would have stuck around to listen but not me I had enough problems of my own! Before I made it to the top of the stairs a large hand grabbed me by the arm and covered my mouth before I could scream!

“Ev, what the hell are you doing sneaking around the house with one of Mary’s bottles of wine?” Liam was laughing as quietly as he could.

“I needed it and I couldn’t ask anyone else to get it for me they are either asleep or arguing.” I motioned my head in the direction of the shouting.

“Liam what in the hell are you doing sneaking around this hour of night?” I raised my eyebrow as I accused him of the same.

“Well I was here…umm…well…” He was slurring his words as if he had drunk a bottle already.

“You should know by now that I am not an i***t Liam I know you were here to see Daphne, why so late?” Now I was messing with him he and Daphne had been in love with each other for years.

“I shouldn’t speak of such vulgar things in front of a lady.” Laughter erupted as we tried to cover our mouths.

Shit we were about to get caught, the door to father’s study opened and I could hear footsteps. I went left and Liam went right, splitting up just like the four of us had done since we were children. That way if one got caught they would take the blame and the beating. I was smaller and quieter than the rest of them and almost never got caught but there had been a few beatings that left me unable to sit for an afternoon. The coast was clear only three doors until I reached my room I made haste and closed the door as quickly and quietly as I could. I grabbed my dagger and dug the cork out, this wine better be worth that adrenaline rush.

After a few sips my thoughts returned to the time I had spent with the king this evening, then his brother. Did I truly love Kane or did he just answer my prayers of being accepted for who I truly was? A woman who loathed gowns and gatherings where everyone pretends to like you but in truth they hate you because they are jealous of you. My entire life had been spent surrounded with people who loved me for me, not because I was a noble woman. Kane was the first outsider that liked the real Evelyn, I could be myself around him. A girl wearing trousers and shirts that were just like his, my own armor and swords made just for me. I was so close to giving him a sacred part of me but was I doing it out of spite or my love for him? Tomorrow was going to be a horrible day I thought as I drank the rest of the bottle.