The King & The Prince

Dinner

Roland

Dinner was awkward to say the least, s**t Daniella and Lord Anderson had glared at her the entire time. If Evelyn had been raised soft I am sure she would have freaked out but knowing the soldier she was I knew she could withstand a few stares from two evil people. Kane kept his eyes on her throughout the night as did Marcy which I thought was odd. Marcy and I's relationship had always been s****l but for her to befriend my future wife? That much in itself was odd to me. My time in Northwood had shown me how much everyone there had loved her, they truly loved her and cared about her as much as she cared about them. Evelyn was remarkable in every sense of the word, she loved her people and was willing to lay her life down for them all, even people like Daniella. 

This was a risk I knew that but what choice did I have? Lady Sasha was dead, Lady Daniella was a t**t, Lady Carissa was a w***e and Lady Eileen was mute. Evelyn was like a breath of fresh air, she consumed my thoughts if I am honest her beauty surpassed any woman I had ever laid my eyes on. Yet she failed to realize just how beautiful she was, those gorgeous green eyes surrounded by freckles and auburn hair. God how I had become so lucky to fall into this messed up predicament? She would have never been a choice if her elder sister wasn't a w***e. I stole a  glance at her while dessert was being served, thankfully the entire dinner had been silent, I noticed both of the Anderson's hadn't kept their eyes off of Evelyn and I was beginning to get upset by their disrespect.

Earlier when I approached Lord Anderson questioning why he had returned to the castle the weasel laughed and told me he had heard rumors when his men had returned from Northwood. Rumors of a certain highborn girl that would visit the barracks at night searching for a new lover. He hinted like I did not know he spoke of Carissa and her part time brothel services. Just the thought of her made me cringe and my blood boil. Anderson went on to say that if his daughter was not given her birthright as a choice for queen he would have to rethink his alliance with the crown. Blackmailing me into marrying that troll was the last straw, I grabbed his collar and threw him out of my office.

"My King might I request your presence in the kitchen?" Marcy asked out of nowhere snapping me back to reality. Everyone glanced between the both of us before I nodded and followed her into the kitchens before anyone questions me following a maid to the kitchens.

"Marcy what game are you playing here?" I growled out as I grabbed her arm.

"Roland you can't just let them run over Evelyn like that!" she almost yelled loud enough for them to here her.

She tried to humiliate me in front of everyone to save face for Evelyn, What had her and Evelyn spoke of before this dinner? I tried hard to understand what had transpired in the hours that led up to this dinner but I was drawing blanks. Had Evelyn and Marcy become friends? How in the hell was that supposed to work?

"Marcy I am trying to get them to ignore the fact that she is the second born daughter of Lord Harlow! What's it to you? Why are you so interested in Evelyn?" I yelled back as if she was trying to betray me this very moment.

Her eyes softened as she looked up at me, I couldn't help but feel all of her emotions here at once as if she radiated all of them towards me. 

"Roland she is the most beautiful soul I have ever come across in my years here as a maid, mistress whatever you want to call it. I have only held a short conversation with her but I know she is true to her word and an honest woman! She is beautiful, passionate and a wonderful woman! Do Not let Daniella and her father try to push you away from her!" Marcy was determined to push Evelyn towards me and the entire kingdom if I'm not mistaken. 

"Marcy why do you care so much?" I asked in disbelief.

She hesitated for a moment before she could respond the look in her eyes was one of doubt, whether she doubted I would doubt her word or Evelyn, I didn't know. Her eyes found mine and I could tell from that second that she was going to tell me the truth of what she had heard and witnessed and for that I was grateful.

"Because Lady Evelyn is true! In all my years as your mistress I have never been one to believe that what you and I had shared was true love Roland.. my true love is out there somewhere I know that..." she trailed off her eyes swelled with tears.

Before I could respond to her words she resumed.

"Roland he is out there somewhere for me... you ...you brought me to highs I have never seen but just as my mother has taught me to search for "the one"" she even went as far as showing the exclamations in the air as she spoke.

"My true love is out there waiting for me, I never felt love for you, lust? Yes I have felt that many times for you but I have never loved you Roland." she breathed as she waited for a response from her king.

"Marcy, you are an amazing woman but no I do not love you nor do I have the urge to claim you as my own or love you in any other way than physical... it's not there and I am sorry." I trailed off but she laughed.

"Roland I understand... but Evelyn ... I have never seen you look at another woman like that, please treat her like the queen you want and do not piss her off." she squeaked out.

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth, Marcy was right I had never looked at another woman the way I looked at Evelyn and just from the few encounters we had I knew that we did not need anyone to piss her off.  Evelyn was a queen through and through no further proof was needed  not from me or anyone else.

Evelyn

I sat there wondering what Marcy and Roland were doing but I could barely even process my own thoughts while two pairs of eyes bore into my forehead. Finally I had enough and turned to speak to Kane.

"What's wrong with these people?" I whisper.

Kane let out a chuckle and swallowed what was left of his apple pie.

"More than we have the time to discuss my lady." he spoke just loud enough that Lady Daniella and her father could only hear a muffle. 

We both laughed aloud all the while they never stopped starring at me. Hatred and jealousy radiated off of their clammy looking bodies, Daniella looked identical to her father even down to the mole they shared above the corner of the lip. Why did she hate me? I know I am not a first born daughter or a raving beauty but would she have hated Carissa this much? Probably I thought to myself. Carissa could be just as much of a hateful b***h as Daniella was proving to be. Or Eileen would she be this cold towards a woman who couldn't speak to men? Again most likely she seemed to be a t**t.

"So Lady Evelyn how did it come to be that your here and not Lady Carissa? Is she unwell?" Lord Anderson faked concerned.

"Lord Anderson I'm not sure if you are hard of hearing in your old age but my brother said it was none of your concern." Kane answered for me.

"Well the story behind all of this is quite a mystery then. Guess I will have to solve it myself." He smiled a knowing smile.

"I do hear that a certain sickness has visited quite a few of the Northwood women this year, I do pray that she hasn't caught it." Lady Daniella snickered.

This b***h! I could feel rage pulsing through every inch of my body. My ears began to burn and I'm sure my face was redder than an apple. Kane sensed it too because he reached and grabbed my knife before I could stab it into her s**t colored eye. Lord Anderson tapped on his daughter's hand.

"Now now dear everyone knows Lord Harlow would never allow one of daughters to behave in the type of... sinfulness, I'm sure that's not the reason." his voice was poison.

Our saving grace came just as Roland entered the room, he was alone this time and I couldn't help but wonder where Marcy was. He glanced at me and his eyes went wide, I must look insane right now. He followed my glare to Daniella and her father and put two and two together. 

"Lord Anderson you and Daniella must be tired after your travels, I know I am. Gia here will show you all back to your rooms." Roland wasn't asking and Lord Anderson knew it. 

"Of course your grace, we bid you good night." He grabbed Daniella's hand but she slipped out of his grip and latched onto Roland's side.

Little leach! I wasn't jealous but I did not like her at all! I knew the protocol to be a "lady" and that was a big no! You do not throw yourself at a man like that and definitely not the king himself.

"But Rolly you promised me a walk in the gardens!" she whined and pouted at Roland.

"Daniella it will have to be another time." he growled out. She was pushing his buttons and he was on the verge of snapping!

Roland

I didn't miss the looks Evelyn gave Daniella when she flung herself to me. It wasn't jealousy more disgust than jealous, part of me wished it would have been jealousy. I know that sounds ridiculous but it was just a thought. After a very upset Daniella finally walked towards her chambers Kane made his way out to check on his men leaving Evelyn and I alone for the first time since coming here. I couldn't take the silence anymore. 

"How are you liking Bellicus so far Evelyn?" I asked hoping she would finally look at me. Just as I had hoped she turned those beautiful eyes my way.

"I like the castle just fine... not so much the other guest here." she scoffed. I chuckled of course she would hate Daniella and Anderson who didn't?

"They are a pain in my ass too." I said as I slid my hand down my face. God I had to get rid of them but I couldn't not until after the ball.

"I see why she would not be your first choice." she snorted and giggled. She was beautiful just sitting here at the table across from me. 

Our eyes locked and I couldn't stop the smile on my face, Evy flashed me her sweet smile, before I knew what I was doing I was on my knee in front of her, her hands in mine. 

"I would rather marry a tiger and have it eat me alive than be married to that evil woman." we both burst into a fit of laughter.

"By the way she ate tonight she is more than capable of eating you alive!" she spoke through her giggles.

I stood and pulled Evelyn up with me, we made our way towards the back of the castle. The moon was bright tonight so none of the torches were lit, it was breathtaking, but not as breathtaking as Evelyn. She was nervous I hadn't told her we were coming out here but I knew that I owed her an explanation and an apology for just disappearing this morning.

I pulled her along with me to the abandoned watch tower, glancing back at her every few steps.

Evelyn

Where were we going? I thought Roland was tired and that's why everyone was forced to go to their chambers a few moments ago but he was as energetic and excited as child. His strong hand gripped mine he pulled me close to his body and pushed the large door of the tower open. The moon was bright but the inside of the tower was pitch black.

"Hold on to me Evy, I promise I won't let anything happen to you." he whispered seriously unlike the jolly voice he had mere moments ago while he wrapped my arms around his waist. 

"I know." I breathed out and made our way up the steps. At the top of the tower 

"Come on let us finish this day better than it started." he whispered.

My pulse was racing as he dragged me up the stairs two by two. Roland was far more relaxed than Kane, he was in control of his emotions where Kane was impulsive, but reserved. He wanted me yet his loyalty to his brother and his kingdom came first. Roland wanted me and only me, kingdom and reputations be damned, he would have me. That was a terrifying thought, after all I had lived my life in the shadows, just a girl wishing to be a soldier a warrior, not a queen. A virgin even though I had heard Paul, Liam and Porter's s*x capades I was still a virgin, up until a month ago I had never been kissed. Until Kane, my first Kiss my first "fondle" really my first everything, he was the first man from the outside world that I had ever loved. I knew in the depths of my soul that what I felt for Kane was more than a crush or love drawn up by some little girl... I loved the man, more than a best friend, more than a lover, Kane saw my soul, he saw my insecurities my faults, everything had been laid bare to him yet he loved me. But I was pushed into the arms of his brother the king, who at the moment had me on a romantic picnic of sorts. The man was beautiful, charming and if I am being honest sexy, but he had a kingdom to run, support he needed to submit to and wars to win. I was just a means to reproduce, and if dinner was a show of his options I know I am by far the best choice he has made.