The King & The Prince

Murderer

Roland   

Once I left Evelyn’s room I headed straight for James’s study knowing he would be there. I knocked on the door but it took him a minute to come open it. He was drunk the bottle of brandy sat on his desk almost empty. I walked over and helped myself to a glass, the ale from earlier had long disappeared from my system.

“James I know she is pregnant.” I hadn’t turned around to watch his reaction by the way he had been drinking I was sure he was already aware.

“Your highness, I was going to tell you I just found out myself from her maid. I swear to you I had no idea until earlier this evening!” James was almost in tears.

“I know James, you are an honorable man I have never doubted that.” We both sat down and remained silent for a few moments.

“What will be her punishment? Will you wait until the child is born or kill them both now?” He let a tear slip from his eye.

“There will be no punishment other than she will not become Queen, also I want the father of the child named and they are to be wed.” His eyes bulged out of his head as I spoke.

“No punishment? Your Highness she committed treason and betrayed us all. I am her father but I still understand the law she deserves to be punished for her actions!” He was yelling now.

“My father would have had her flogged in the street as a w***e and then hung but she is your daughter and I will not punish her! You have the right to punish her as you see fit but I will not be a part of it.” We were matching each other shout for shout now.

“You said yourself that she was your last hope maybe we can fetch the healer and rid her of the child then you two can be married.” James was lost with drink I knew he didn’t want that sober.

“The damage is already done James; even if I could get past that I would never trust her and what is a marriage without trust? As the king I must trust my Queen.” We both began to calm down, James was lost in thought I could tell he was disgusted with his daughter.

“Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of this Kingdom but given the state of affairs we are in at the moment will you grant me your blessing to court Lady Evelyn?” I just spat it out hell I was just asking as a courtesy to James. I was the king and could command whatever I wanted but I would feel better if I had his blessing in a situation like this.

“Evelyn?” He sounded unsure but I had never been surer of anything in my life or at least I believe I am.          

“Yes, she is beautiful, brave and kind she would make a wonderful Queen, hell she is a better candidate than Carissa was before she got herself knocked up .” I said the last bit under my breath as I took a sip of brandy waiting for him to grant me permission.

“With all due respect your highness that is not the life I envisioned for her, she was not born to become Queen.” He was concerned I knew that he would be.

“She would be the perfect Queen, everyone here loves her and she proved today that she can handle anything mentally and physically James. I could make her my Queen and she could lead that way instead of leading men into battle.” I prayed he understood how this could benefit both of us.

I could have a woman worthy of being the Queen and he wouldn’t have to worry about his daughter being slaughtered or beaten half to death on the battlefield. After a few tormenting moments he finally spoke up.

“If you promise to listen to her ideas and allow her freedoms that a normal woman is not permitted then yes you have my blessing your highness but I won’t let you cage her up in that castle.” His voice was still a bit resigned he wanted his daughter to be his legacy on the battlefield but if I could promise to make her legendary then he would accept that.

“You have my word James; I will not expect her to follow the protocol of a normal lady. Evelyn is unlike any other lady I have ever met. I will honor and protect her and as Queen she will have as much power as I have, she can change the way things are with her words.” I said as a small smile crept up on my face.

“Have you spoken to Carissa about all of this?” Drunken James was back asking the dumbest question.

“Carissa? Why would I ask Carissa what she thought about me courting her sister? She ruined her chance at becoming Queen when she f****d who the hell knows and got pregnant with a bastard!” Now I was livid I knew James was drunk but I thought we had reached an understanding.

James sat there probably trying to recall what he had just said when there was a knock on the door. I was the only one who could stand so I went and opened it. Kane stood there with his brooding face and entered the study to join us for a drink. I explained the entire situation to him and gave him a few moments to comprehend what it all meant.

“You can’t marry Evelyn, I won’t allow it Roland she belongs here training soldiers not cooped up in that bloody castle with nothing but her thoughts to keep her from going insane!” Kane was pissed.

“I will not coop her up Kane! She will be the Queen free to do whatever her heart desires I’m not going to make her stop training or anything she loves doing.” He looked at me and rolled his eyes.

“You will allow her to train with your knights and soldiers? Allow them to catch glimpses of her body? What if they accidentally brush against her breast while sparring? Are you going to be okay with someone touching what’s yours?” Kane was testing me now but this was about more than just me taking her away from Northwood.

“Have you touched her Kane? Is that was this is about? Are you in love with her?” I yelled.

Kane stayed quiet his eyes locked on the fire that was slowly turning to ash. James just stared at the both of us not saying a word.

“If you will excuse me, I think its best that I go and lie down I have had a bit too much brandy.” This wasn’t a conversation James was interested in being a part of.

I nodded and he stumbled out of his study once again leaving Kane and I in silence. I poured another glass of brandy this was going to be a long night.

“Kane answer me damnit!” My patience was getting the better of me.

If Kane was in love with her I couldn’t take that from him, I was desperate but there was no way I would sacrifice the relationship I had with my brother. I loved him more than anything we were all each other had left. I had sacrificed for Kane before and I would do it again in a heartbeat but would he do the same for me?

Kane

“No, I am not in love with her but she deserves better than to be your trophy.” I was lying in the few months I had been here I had fallen madly in love with Evelyn.

She possessed every quality that I would want in a wife. Kindness, bravery, strength and beauty all in one small package. My heart beat quickens when I touch her even the simplest brush of her hand on my sleeve sends it into a frenzy. Roland deserved his happiness but not at Evelyn’s expense I would not sit by and let him destroy her dreams.

“Have you touched her Kane?” His eyes were staring into my soul.

“Yes I have. We have kissed but nothing more Roland I respect her, she is nothing like Carissa.” I bit my lip remembering the way her breast felt in my hand but I would not shame her and tell Roland that.

“Then I will make you a vow. I vow to honor and respect her, if she wishes to continue her training then I will allow it. She will be my wife Kane and your sister by law can you vow to me that you will never touch her again?” His face was like stone until he clenched his jaw when I hadn’t answered right away.

I knelt in front of him and grasped my dagger, I held it to my lips and swore my vow.

“I swear to you I will not touch her body again, I give you my vow to respect her as I would my own sister.” Those words tasted like bile in my mouth.

He was sobbing when his hand grasped my shoulder pulling me up into a hug.

“Kane you don’t know how much you mean to me brother. I would not take the love of your life away from you no matter how desperate I am. I swear to you I will be a good husband to her.” He was happy I could hear it in his voice even through the sobs.

Roland had waited ten years to marry but God had given him the short end of the stick when it came to his choices of first born noble women. Lady Sasha was too sick to get out of bed, Lady Daniella was an evil t**t like her father, Lady Eileen was beautiful but mute around men especially Roland and then Carissa despite Evelyn’s efforts went and got pregnant with God only knows who.  It was his punishment for killing our father even though the bastard deserved it. Roland was being punished by God for his sin I was sure of it. Even though he had taken a life to save mine we are still supposed to honor thy mother and father no matter the hell that he put us through.

“I know you will brother.” It was all I had the energy to say.

I had already given up the dream of us marrying and having children because she deserved better, she deserved to be free and have her own dreams. I prayed that she would understand that even though this was not the way she wanted it, it could be a better way for her to make a difference. Evy would be the Queen of Bellicus, she would have enough power to change the laws so long as Roland listened to her and accepted her ideas.

“Are you sure that you do not love her Kane?” Roland placed his hands on my shoulders and made me face him.

“I am sure Roland I am not in love with Evelyn, I only want the best for her.” My heart broke as the lie flew out of my mouth.

“I plan to take her riding tomorrow to get to know more about her would she enjoy that?” I felt angry but I had been the one who said I did not love her.

“She loves to ride I am sure she would enjoy it.” As much as I despise the idea of him getting close to Evelyn I had been the one to open the door for him. It was a way for the two most important people in my life to be happy.

Evelyn

Waking up was hard after drinking the entire bottle of wine alone. Somehow I managed to pull myself from the warmth of my bed and wash myself clean of yesterday. I sat in the tub until I was good and wrinkled unsure of how today would go. There was a knock on my door as soon as I had pulled my clothes on. I was still trying to brush the knots out of my hair as I pulled my door open it was Adam, Kane’s squire.

“May I help you Adam?”

“My Lady, King Roland wishes you to accompany him on a ride after breakfast if you are feeling up to it.” I was shocked he got that out without a hint of a stutter.

“Umm… of course I should be ready in the next thirty minutes.” Adam bowed and scurried off but he wasn’t the only one in the hallway.

Carissa and Sarah were staring at me in disbelief both of them had smoke coming out of their ears. They must have thought that would make me cower back into my room like it does Bethany and Bridgette but Carissa had obviously forgotten who I am in her pregnant state.

“Well good morning ladies.” I said sarcastically with my eyebrow raised.

“You little b***h! The king is betrothed to me why would he ask you to ride with him?” She yelled. Throwing her hand up on her hip to prove just how angry she was.

Did she not know that Sarah had told our Father and Mary or that the King himself knew of the little bastard in her belly? Yet she is yelling at me? I saw red and every ladylike quality I did posses flew out of the window.

“He knows you f*****g i***t! If anyone in this hall should be pissed it is me! If you weren’t carrying my niece or nephew I would kill you right now I swear it!” My voice sounded evil even to me. I stalked over to them as Sarah cowered behind Carissa hiding her face.

Carissa stood tall but I could see what little color she had flush from her face. Tears started to form in her eyes as reality sunk in. She would be labeled a w***e never to become a queen or even a noble woman anymore if the King stripped her of her title.

“Evy… I…I swear please. I just need to speak to King Roland this isn’t true.” She wiped her tears and tried to hold her head up. She really bought her own lies my eyes rolled almost to the back of my head at this nonsense.

“Oh by all means Carissa be my guest if you think you can prove to the King you’re not with child.” I held my arm out urging her to lead the way.

She was still walking about as if she owns this castle and is the lady who will become the Queen of Bellicus. Servants stop and stare at her once she walks by the whispers begin in every direction. I followed them into the great hall, King Roland was already seated next to my father and sisters enjoying their breakfast. Kane was nowhere in sight as usual he must have eaten breakfast with his men. Roland’s eyes never left his food even when my father gasped at the sight before him.

“Your Highness, father I wish a private meeting with the two of you please.” Carissa was posed like the perfect princess.

Roland glanced up at her in anger and disbelief before his eyes caught mine and he smiled. Carissa didn’t turn to look at me but by the way she clenched her fist I am sure she is pissed. Father never spoke he just glanced at the king and waited for his approval. Finally Roland nodded and they all walked towards father’s study. I went to sit with the girls when Roland summoned me to the study.