The King & The Prince

The Ride

   Evelyn

This week had flown by for me, all of my trunks were packed and most of my goodbyes had been said. I had not seen Kane since the night I had thrown myself at him like a harlot. The mere thought of that evening makes me cringe. I found myself missing our morning training sessions and the times we would drink at the bar outside of the castle gates just laughing like teenagers doing something forbidden. Kane and I had become closer than me and Paul, I missed our bond even if it had been only a few days. Roland and I had not kissed since the first time by the river, we spent time together to be sure but it was political at best. He would come and retrieve me to go and speak to the incoming soldiers or my father but other than that he kept to his room, avoiding Carissa I'm sure. Mary had just brought me the last of my mothers dresses that she knew I would wear to the capital, the carriages would be leaving shortly with me in tow. There was a knock on the door. 

"Come in." In walked my father and Paul.

"Evy your horse has been saddled as you requested but the King is not happy about you riding outside of the royal carriage." my father complained.

"Well his Grace best get used to Evy riding her own horse and doing as she pleases isn't that right Evy?" Paul laughed out.

"Yes it is! I am not some damsel in distress and his majesty best get used to that if he expects me to become his queen!" I all but yelled. This entire ordeal was beginning to stress me out, I had only ever wanted a simple life where I trained men for battle not worried about wrinkling my precious clothes outside of the royal carriage!

"Evelyn our family honor is in your hands now, I know this is not what any of us envisioned for ourselves but here we are and I believe it best if you go along with the King's wishes." my father has not been the same since he found out who Carissa truly was, his heart was broken and everyone knew it.

"Yes father." I mumbled and Paul looked any direction but his. 

We knew the truth behind that angry outburst was not directed at us but at Carissa, she had shamed the Harlow name and all of Northwood. King Roland would look like a fool once the royal ball took place, two w****s, one sickly and a mute for potential wives only to be left with a second born daughter who wished to be a soldier. It was quite comical really what a horrible choice of ladies for a king!  

"Evelyn please be on your best behavior in front of the other lords and ladies as to not cause his grace any more problems, we already know they will not be happy about this, they all have first born daughters who are eligible and rightfully King Roland should choose one of them." Father was worried sick that I would do something foolish.

"Father I promise while the other noble houses are present I will behave and be the young noble lady Mary raised me to be... but after they are gone I will be myself." I retorted.

"I expect nothing less Evy." Father chuckled out.

"I am going to miss you so much Evelyn Harlow!" Paul was almost in tears as he picked me up for a hug.

My first true friend was going to be hard to leave behind of that I was certain. Paul was the brother I never had, we had been in so much trouble together over the years and through it all we had each others backs.

"Paul I am going to miss you so much!" I almost cried as i hugged the giant teddy bear.

"Behave yourself Evy please." He whispered.

I winked at him, I could behave and pose as a prim and proper lady even if it killed me on the inside. Hell I had pretended to be a true lady for an entire day when Kane arrived. I just had to repeat Mary's mantra in my head over and over... "A lady is quiet and obedient at all times, she speaks when spoken to." easy enough. My face may not match my actions but I will give it my best shot to save Roland from having to choose one of those other ladies. Maybe I could get Lady Eileen to speak and I could weasel my way out of this haste arrangement I had made. Yes Roland and I had shared a magical kiss but I barely knew the man, he could be putting on a front just to sway me into becoming his wife where I was going to be his broodmare, popping out babies here and there!

"I promise to be on my best behavior Paul." I quickly shot my father a glance but he was staring out the window lost in his thoughts.

" Father could you have someone fetch the last trunk?" I asked as Paul and I carried the larger one down the hall.

"Yes darling." Short and sweet.

Kane

I sat on my horse with the rest of the royal entourage waiting for Evelyn to come down with the rest of her belongings. My jaw clenched as I saw Roland waiting for her to descend the steps with Paul, he went to grab her end of the trunk but she shoved past him just as I knew she would. Evelyn wasn't the type of lady he was used to, my love was far too independent for that so I remained seated in the saddle and waited for her to place the trunk onto the back of the carriage. Those perfect green eyes locked with mine but I could only offer her a small smile, I knew this was all my fault, the reason she was in this mess. Evy looked disappointed, hell I couldn't blame her I had made myself scarce this past week avoiding her at all cost. I loved that woman more than myself, but I also loved my brother just as much. Roland had saved my life from our father and I owed him a chance of true happiness, I also owed it to Evelyn to save her from the horrors of battle. 

My little redhead was fierce I knew that much but she had never been outside of Northwood, she had never seen men cut in half begging to die or wounds that no matter what you did the bleeding never stopped. I wanted her as far away from that as I could get her and if she had to marry my brother in order for that to happen then I would spend the rest of my life knowing that I had done my part.

"Evelyn are you ready?" Roland asked as he grabbed her now free hand.

"Yes I believe so, where is my horse? I thought Paul had him saddled already?" She asked confused.

" Well he did but I would feel better if you rode in the carriage with me." Roland stated as if it should make sense.

This ought to be good, I thought to myself. Somehow she managed to remain neutral but I could almost see the flames shoot up from her hair, Evelyn was pissed! She never said a word just mounted her old bay mare and looked back as if she had been waiting on us this entire time. Her actions almost made me laugh right in Roland's face as he made poor Adam dismount his own horse and take a seat in the carriage instead. 

"You forgot to tell me she could not be persuaded easily Kane." he muttered as he mounted Adam's steed.

"Calm now Roland, just last week she was to be the commander of your army recruits not some lady in waiting at court, I am afraid it is something we will all have to get used to." I spoke the last part more to myself than him.

This is by far  has been the worst week for me.