The Princess and The Knight

Thirty Years Ago Marcus was only twenty when he fell deeply in love with Alexandra, then Princess of Lancebrough. He had seen her in a masquerade ball dressed as an angel in a beautiful white dress and wings made out of white peacock feathers with gold tassels hanging down from them. Her eyes were covered with a silver mask concealing half of her face from which deep blue eyes penetrated like two sapphires sparkling inside a jewellery box. Her skin was smooth and flawless with some freckles near her nose. She had honey brown hair which stopped above her hips. Her white gown was hugging her at just the right places causing her observers imagination to turn chaotic. She was laughing at a joke cracked by one of her companions which revealed the most gorgeous of her dimples. Prince Marcus had been invited to Lancebrough by the King himself who wanted to strengthen the economic and political ties with his country, Mezark. The King was an intelligent man, he loved his people and would go to great lengths to acquire new projects and reforms for the prosperity of his country. In similar fashion, he had invited other Royal and political figures to his country to attend the ball. It was a magnificent night filled with dazzling splendour. The sky blue draperies and the intolerable glare of atleast hundreds of huge cut-glass chandeliers, reflected, with its myriads of crystals descended in clusters made the circular ball room appear like a magical crystal ball illuminated. Everywhere one looked, his eyes would fall upon a celebrity. Princess Alexandra moved past the swarm of people with grace, putting up no airs, welcoming everyone. She was performing the job of the queen who had died eight years back. She was an epitome of beauty. After a couple of hours when it was close to midnight, Alexandra decided she had to go out to the lawn to get some fresh air, the place was heaving with people and it had become increasingly warm inside. She felt she would pass out. Once outside, she deeply inhaled the fragrance of freshly bloomed flowers and felt a relief. “I believe you are on grave need of this punch Princess, please accept it for it will make you feel better.” Marcus offered her the glass but she didn’t take it immediately. “Pardon me but I do not recognize you probably because of your mask.” She replied in her soft voice. “Oh right,” he took off his mask revealing his handsome face. Her eyes were still devoid of any recognition so he formally introduced himself. “Princess Alexandra, I’m Prince Marcus of Mezark,” and he bowed his head, taking her hand in his and kissing the tip of her fingers. She bowed to him as well and took the glass of punch from him. “Thankyou, I was in dire need of it. It has become too stuffy inside.” Alexandra exclaimed as she gulped down the contents of the drink. “Your garden looks perfect, it has every possible flower in the world it seems,” Marcus looked around the grounds giving an appreciative glance. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a foreign voice, “Alexandra, I have been looking everywhere for you. The waltz has started and I was distressed for I couldn’t find you anywhere. I need my partner.” Alexandra blushed and her eyes seemed to be sparkling. “James” she responded coyly, “This is Prince Marcus, he was kind enough to get me something to drink. It was becoming too hot inside.” “Thankyou sir, that was very kind of you.” James shook Marcus’s hand. “Sir James is father’s most trusted and bravest knight of all. Father is very fond of him.” She continued, admiring him and would have carried on if James had not stopped her. To Marcus it seemed their friendship went a long way back for there weren’t any formalities between them and both were at ease with each other. He noticed a sudden change in Alexandra’s demeanour, she seemed rather excited around James. James gave a courteous gesture towards Marcus and looked at Alexandra, “So should we take our places for the dance?” “Yes we should,” she beamed and the two headed inside dancing the night away. From a distance Marcus kept observing them, James whispering softly in her ears making her laugh, Alexandra giggling over his jokes. She seemed flushed which made her look even more enchanting. As the dance ended, James left Alexandra to resume his duties. This gave Marcus the chance he was looking for and he came up beside Alexandra asking to be her partner for the next dance. Alexandra accepted out of courtesy and when a slow number started, he placed a hand on her slender waist pulling her towards him. Her fragrance filled his mind. She smelled of roses, intoxicating him. Her hand was idly placed on his chest and they were dancing without any conversation. Her touch sent sparks down his body and he felt uneasy. He looked at her beautiful red lips which were irresistible. He was overcome by the sudden desire of pulling her into a passionate kiss, he wanted to taste her, touch her perfect curves. Throughout their dance Alexandra kept glancing sideways, hoping for James to return sooner. Finally, the silence was broken between them and Marcus asked Alexandra about her interests. “I love reading books, romantic novels to be more specific,” she replied. “I enjoy reading books myself, my father makes me read political books. He says they will help me in the future when I’m King.” He loved to hear her talk and loved the way she made him feel. He wanted to never let go of her, as if his life depended on her. But as soon as the music stopped, Alexandra excused herself walking straight towards James. Marcus was already missing her sweet fragrance and his heart ached at the sight of her leaving him like this.  He resorted to drinking, with every drink his longing grew deeper and he burnt for Alexandra more and more. He decided to look for her. Everything about her was a turn on for him. He went through different corridors, turning from one chamber to the other and finally found Alexandra on one of the terraces. “I thought you had retired for the night.” Marcus exclaimed in a gruff voice which startled Alexandra. He continued to walk towards her with uneven steps. “Prince Marcus, what are you doing here?” She replied with a hand on her chest steadying her heartbeat. She didn’t like his drunk state and the way he kept walking towards her with faltering steps made her uneasy. He stopped just a few inches away from her, the air around her filled with his pungent smell. She was trying to increase the distance between them but she was pushed against the terrace boundary. She thought of moving sideways but his arms on her sides blocked her path. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “It’s a magical night, isn’t it princess?” His face inches away from hers, both staring into each others eyes. His eyes dark with emotion and filled with lust, her eyes terrified, darting sideways. His hot breath on her skin, causing her to squirm inwards almost holding herself from throwing up on him. Marcus’s eyes then fell on her lips and he removed her mask with one hand and with the other he tilted her head upwards bending down to kiss her. Alexandra was stunned in her place not able to move. Before he could taste those luscious lips he was forcefully pulled by the collar and thrown to the side. A menacing figure stood over him, his face not visible in the dark shadows cast by the trees. Finally, the moon reappeared from behind the clouds illuminating the face of his assailant and he shrunk backwards looking into the cold eyes of Sir James. He was taller than Marcus, had more strength than him and had a broad muscular body. His face was livid and he punched Marcus who instantly withdrew, covering his face and bellowed in agony, “What the hell?” “How dare you touch her?” James growled, “Behave like the title you wear so arrogantly not like a common drunken bastard who can’t wait to take his pants off.” When he was sure Marcus wasn’t getting up, he turned towards Alexandra and his eyes softened. She ran into his arms and he kept her in his protective embrace till she stopped trembling. She was sobbing and he couldn’t help but feel vexed at himself for not coming to her aid sooner. “It’s okay my love, you’re safe now. I’m sorry you had to endure this, I had to fulfill some orders.”  He kissed her forehead and then her cheek calming her racing heart. In his strong arms, he guided her towards her chambers putting her under the care of her maid making sure not a word of the night’s incidents leak out. Once she had changed and slid into her bed, he stayed by her side till she drifted off to sleep. The rest of the night, nobody saw Prince Marcus, Princess Alexandra nor Sir James.