The King & The Prince

Marcy

Evelyn

The entire ride to Belicus castle had drained me both physically and mentally, Kane barely spared me a glance and Roland treated me like some precious gem. Needless to say it had been a long two weeks my best friend wouldn't even speak to me and a man I barely knew was trying to wait on me hand and foot. I just needed a break and it couldn't have come at a more perfect moment, just beyond the tree line I saw the towers of the castle resting just under the clouds. It had to be twice the size of Northwood mansion! The land surrounding the capitol was beautiful, trees and flowers covered the grounds for miles and miles until it reached the mountains. Roland must have caught me in awe of this beautiful landscape.

"Do you like the view Evy?" his voice was hoarse.

I turned to glance at him and he was staring at me the same way he had done at the river, it would have sent a shiver down my spine but I also caught a glimpse of Kane brooding directly behind his brother.

"Yes it is beautiful." I flashed him a small smile and turned back around.

"I hope you find it comforting Evelyn, when you are settled I shall take you on a tour of the city." I all I could do was nod in response.

This was about to be the most difficult time in my life, I had to pretend to be some lady in waiting until after the ball, the other noble girls should arrive in the next few days and I wasn't sure how I felt about it all. I was a second choice, second born daughter and the had the right to object the King's decision. Not to mention Marcy would be here! I had never been involved with a man. What was the proper way to treat your future husband's ex lover? Lord be with me I prayed silently. 

We were fast approaching the gates surrounding the city, from there we would have to travel the gravel road up to he castle gates. I was still dressed like a man but nobody had mentioned me changing before hand so I remained silent. If the king himself wasn't concerned with my appearance then why should I be? The reins started to become slick with my sweat this was nerve wracking to say the least. Before I knew it the gates were being opened and thousands of people were there to greet their king. Merchants left their wagons abandoned to bow before Roland, children chanted out to him and tried to get Kane's attention while they battled with their wooden swords. Everywhere I turned people were waving or bowing gold and creme banners flew all around. It was magical just like in the twins story books almost as if Roland was some sort of God. 

He had somehow managed to get in the front of the royal party, followed by Kane and a few knights I was in the middle followed by the royal carriage. Two guards on either side of me almost shielding me from the towns people. I had never seen anything like this at all, hell when the King had come to Northwood I had been changing out of my soldiers' garment into a dress I didn't get to see his entrance. I watched as both of them waved and smiled Kane's was forced but Roland truly loved these people and it radiated off of his body. Soon we had reached the castle and I had jumped off of my horse and handed him to the stable boy.

"Lady Evelyn, Marcy will escort you to your room." It was Adam who broke me out of my trance.

"Hello my lady welcome to Belicus castle." The beautiful woman smiled at me and I wanted the earth to c***k and swallow me up.

I had never seen someone as beautiful as the exotic woman in front of me, her black hair was braided down her back, her eyes were the brightest blue I had ever seen like deep pools of crisp cool water. How in the hell was I going to compare to her as a lover!? 

"Hello." That was all I could saw and I knew I was staring at her with my mouth open.

"Follow me my lady." she smiled again and placed her arm in mine.

"Okay." What feeling was this? Nerves, jealousy, admiration?

"I was expecting a blonde." She winked as if we were gossiping like old best friends.

"Oh yes well that is my sister Carissa, things happened and well I ..." hell what was I supposed to say? Should I tell her the truth? Roland and Kane had both left before I even dismounted my horse.

"Ahh I see, well you will have to tell me all about it! You are a welcome sight Lady Evelyn and I love the auburn hair." she gave me another smile and I couldn't hep but like her.

"Thank you Marcy, you are quite the beauty yourself." it was true.

"Thank you, well this is your room I had the maids prepare your bath and the men shall bring your trunks up shortly." I glanced around the huge bedroom chamber the bed was three times as large as mine and instead of animal skins it was covered in the finest silk fabrics.

"This... this is my room?" my face had to look as if I had seen a ghost by the way Marcy laughed.

"Of course it is my lady, the King places all of his ladies in the finest rooms. His bedroom is just down the hall and across from his is Prince Kane's chambers." she said so matter of fact.

"Oh... I see well thank you Marcy, I am sure I can handle the rest on my own." it came out ruder than I wanted it to but by then she had nodded and made her way back down the stairs.

Bloody hell! I was in the same room all of those other women had been in and just as I had imagined there was no other explanation other than I was just a replacement. No other girl had fit the needed criteria so here was little old me stuck in this castle with a future I didn't want. I should have thought it all through before saying yes, for once I should have been as selfish as my sister but that wasn't me! Evelyn Harlow was NOT a selfish person but perhaps I should have been!

The bath was still warm by the time I was done cleaning the dirt off of my body and out of my hair, there was a silk robe hanging on the bath door and I decided to wrap myself in it before stepping back into my bed chambers. I cracked the door open to make sure the coast was clear, thankfully it was and the men had sat my trunks by the foot of the bed.  Throwing on the navy blue gown that had once belonged to my mother I threw my hair into a side braid and decided to roam around a bit.

Roland

How could I have been so stupid! I should have warned Rhonda not to send Marcy to greet her not on her first day! It was almost a slap in the face to Evelyn and if I am being honest to Marcy as well. Michael had ran up to us so fast warning of Lord Anderson's early arrival with Daniella in tow and of the passing of Lady Sasha one week ago. There was so much going on and I hadn't had time to warn anyone of the changes, Lady Carissa being a w***e and that I had chosen Harlow's second born to wed. 

"I have placed them in the east wing your Grace, far away from your chambers on the second floor." Michael was a hot mess as he blabbered on about the Andersons.

"Very well Michael that will be all, see to it that they have everything they need and that Daniella stays far away from Evelyn!" My tone held no room for an argument and Michael bowed before walking out of my throne room.

"Well brother what is to be done now?" Kane had been moody since we left Northwood.

"Hell if I know Kane, I was hoping to have Evy to myself before the ball so that she could get used to the castle but it seems that will have to wait. No other Lords know that I have taken a second born daughter and I need to inform them of that before I introduce her as my future wife." this was going to be harder than I thought.

Kane's jaw clenched but he held his temper like a trained warrior.

"Alright would you like me to show Evy around the castle grounds? I can give her a tour while you speak to Lord Anderson." his voice was muffled but he held my gaze.

"I would be grateful for that Kane, as you know you are her only true friend here and I want her to feel welcomed." I watched him nod then turn to leave before I spoke up.

"Remember brother you are to treat her as a sister." I was jealous of their relationship, it wasn't fair and as a king I shouldn't feel that way but Kane was about to spend his time with my woman while I was left to deal with the troll that is Lady Daniella.

"Of course Roland." he spat out.

Kane

This was the most nervous I had ever been in my entire life! I will never understand what possessed me into volunteering to be Evy's tour guide but now that I had there was no turning back. She was wondering down the hall in a very dark blue dress when I finally found her, that dark red hair cascading down her toned back almost reaching her bottom. s**t this was going to be impossible, I could never see her as my sister!

"Evy would you like a tour of the castle?" she jumped and turned at my question. 

Those green gemstones sparkled then turned almost black as she scoffed and turned back around heading back the way she was going.

"Evelyn wait please I can explain!" I yelled as I ran to catch up.

"Oh so you can speak to me now your grace?" she spat not even trying to hide the venom in her voice.

"I'm sorry Ev! I don't want it to be like this it's just... it is a difficult situation for me and I know I haven't handled it like a man." finally after what seemed like an eternity she turned to face me.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she glanced around us making sure we were alone.

"Do you believe this is easy for me Kane? I wanted to be a commander of the royal army not just another woman that your brother sleeps with in his down the hall common w***e brothel that he has placed me in! s**t! And to make this entire situation worse... the one man that I have come to trust and admire is one of the very ones who betrayed my dreams! So please tell me how difficult this has been for you Kane!!" tears ran down her freckled cheeks like a river.

We were right outside the library and against my better judgement I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her inside. No one had been in here since Roland had left not even the maids by the looks of it but it would do for the conversation we were about to have, I couldn't have the entire Belicus castle know how I felt about their future queen.

"It is for your own good Evelyn! One day you will see that I only want the best for you even if that means that I have to let my brother... " I ran my hand through my hair damnit just the thought of them together made my blood boil. Evelyn was right this was something I have to live with.

"Let your brother what Kane?" her bloodshot eyes locked with mine her bottom lipped trembled.

"Marry the woman I love."