The Princess and The Knight

The Wedding

The next morning was a busy day with the King and other important delegates from different countries. The breakfast was a lavish affair with everything imaginable on the table. The royal chef had made a table fit for the kings and queens who were moving about gracefully, adorning their glamorous gowns and suits. With so many guests in attendance, nobody had seemed to miss the presence of Prince of Mezark. News had reached the king that his valet had called him in sick so the royal doctor had been sent to Marcus for his immediate treatment. He was tending a swollen eye which was all blue and black. The King wanted to get to the bottom of the matter but he was told that the Prince had fallen down the stairs and his eye hit against the door knob.

He looked for his trusted knight and found him in one swift glance.

“James, where is my daughter? Why isn’t she here hosting the guests?” He asked looking around in an alarmed manner.

“Your Highness, last night she was awake past midnight and in the morning her maid informed me that the princess was suffering from a headache and was asleep.” James replied in a courteous tone.

The King was concerned to hear this revelation and gathered his robe and marched towards his daughter’s room. One look at his daughter and he knew something was amiss. Her eyes had turned red and swollen from all the crying and her hair was disheveled. As soon as she saw her father, she got up and rushed into his arms. He patted her lovingly, untangling her hair with his fingers. He ordered for a glass of warm milk for his daughter and prodded her to quell his anxiety.

Sir James knew he lacked the tact of a proficient liar and cursed himself over it. He never wanted the King to know about last night’s violence in his castle and jeopardize his efforts towards his country’s development and prosperity. Getting the State involved was never a good idea, it could mean a significant amount of dirt might be thrown over Alexandra’s character and a scandal was never befitting a princess. He would never let anyone hurt his Alexandra. James had already planned to send Marcus packing immediately on a chartered plane back to Mezark and if questioned, it would be due to medical reasons.

“Oh father, I had the worst of all dreams. I just miss mama so much,” and she let out a soft sob while her father kept soothing her. James clenched and unclenched his fists, Alexandra’s vulnerable state compelling him to protect her from all evil. He felt like giving Marcus another blow but refrained from doing so remembering he didn’t want higher level involvement.

As planned, Marcus was sent back to his country and his sudden departure raised some eyebrows but they were dashed by the doctor’s report. In the passing days, James made sure that there were no political, agricultural or trade agreements between the two countries and spoke in front of the King and the council of the demerits of trusting such a young lad with huge responsibilities. A man who couldn’t control his desires in front of a woman was no man to him.

Mezark was not in a good state and its people were unhappy with the current Prince who was soon going to be the King. It was a known fact that most of the state’s money was spent over the Royals of the country instead of the people who were over burdened by taxes. Marcus was furious that his visit to Lancebrough held no accomplishment either personally nor state wise. Any agreement they could have had was also lost now.

Though, Prince Marcus was glad that the matter had been hushed for if otherwise, his succession would have been questioned by the council and they would certainly stop the coronation. He was completely taken in by Alexandra’s beauty and wanted her to be his, he thought it would be a good idea to send his proposal for her once he was king. His anger was still raw over the disgrace he had incurred by the hands of that bloody knight. If only he could taste those lips, touch the body which was of a goddess, his thirst would quench. No amount of philandering could subdue his desire for Alexandra.

An year had passed, it was spring and the beautiful gardens around the castle in Lancebrough were once again blooming in full with every flower imaginable. Everybody was cheerful and scurrying about, tending to their tasks. A huge ten tier cake was being designed by the royal baker, and all the maids were hovering around the princess, preparing her for the biggest day of her life.

Princess Alexandra looked regal in a white chiffon gown which complemented her complexion beautifully. She was a sight to behold, as she entered the church alongside the King and several flower girls holding her veil. Sir James couldn’t take his eyes off her and as soon as the vows were exchanged they both kissed each other tenderly.

Marcus was beyond furious, the news of their betrothal had reached him and the castle was roaring with his rage. He also made a vow, a vow to never let them live in peace, a vow to avenge them for his disgrace, a vow to rip them off the love which solely belonged to him.

Present Day:

“Princess Angela, you need to ride your horse at a canter it’s going very fast,” shouted the groom who was riding fast enough to keep up with the Princess’s horse. She was an aspiring equestrian and spent the early hours of the day riding her Black Beauty. She wore a black tank top with matching black jeans and high boots. Her soft brown eyes were fixed on the track in front of her and her honey brown hair flying about her under the helmet. She had no care in the world for her looks and could be passed as a tom boy except she had taken her mother’s beauty and her father’s love for archery, horse riding, fencing and even shooting.

“Angela” just then she heard her father calling her and brought the horse to a halt.

“Dear child, didn’t your groom just ask you to slow down your horse?” The king asked in a tone that demanded immediate answer.

“Yes father but I was very close to the finishing line,” she exclaimed but one look at her father and she bent her head and murmured a soft apology.

The King ordered the groom to take back Angela’s horse as she would be riding back to the castle with him.

“Yes, Sir James,” the groom replied and took the Black Beauty away. He had clung to the title of Sir instead of King as he held no fancy for the latter.

“I see my daughter has a great talent for riding.” He whispered in Angela’s ears who was perched on top of the horse in front of her father. Her eyes gleamed from her father’s praise as she always sought his consent.

“Why didn’t you tell you were going out riding? With the coronation in two days your father and I were worried about you. You do know you can’t leave the grounds unattended.” Queen Alexandra scolded her only daughter as soon as their horse stopped in front of the castle entrance. She had been waiting for them to return.

“Mother, I’m sorry for troubling you but you do know that gowns and balls are just not my thing. I’m tired of being measured all the time for dresses after dresses.” She responded while taking off her riding gloves and helmet. “It’s so boring,” she objected as she started ascending the stairs.

“Stop right there young lady, your cousin is coming over for your coronation tonight. Be ready to receive her.” Queen Alexandra informed Angela who turned around clapping her hands, her face lit up. She rushed towards her mother giving her a tight hug and then ran towards her room.

The Queen looked at her husband and her blue eyes held nothing but love in them. James took her hands in his and patted them, “Don’t worry, she’ll learn soon enough. That’s why we decided to hold the coronation in the first place, so she could learn her duties and responsibilities from us not from someone else once we’re no more.”

The Queen sighed and the two went inside the castle.

Cousin Margaret arrived just in time for dinner and was received by the Queen, Sir James and Princess Angela. The two girls hit it off immediately reminiscing the fun times they had while playing in the lawns and hiding amongst the tall bushes, letting a horse free from its stable and later getting an excessive scolding for it from their parents. The balls they were not allowed to attend when younger and how they tricked the Nanny to take a peek into the glamorous world of gowns and tuxedos.