King's Consort (Book 1)

King Alaric's POV March 6th, 1479 Another council meeting. How tiresome these gatherings are. It is always about finding me a wife, securing the future with a Queen and heirs. Such has been the constant refrain since I first learned to read and write. My father, the late King Wilton, passed away two months ago, leaving me, at fifteen, to assume the mantle of king. Despite my youth and the customary view that I am not yet of marriageable age, duty compels me to seek a bride. Father had desired that I wed either a daughter of the Squire family or the Carlton family. While their houses seem reputable, I know little of them. This decision will be made based on my judgment. “Gregory! Prepare the carriage at once. We are to visit the Squire’s estate,” I commanded. As Gregory set about arranging the carriage, I changed into attire more befitting a royal visit. Father always insisted on maintaining a polished appearance when meeting others, as it reflects well upon one’s station. “The carriage is prepared, Your Majesty,” Gregory announced. I stepped into the carriage, which then rolled past trees, cottages, and the impoverished folk lining the streets. Upon arriving at the Squire’s palace, I was met by Mr. and Mrs. Squire and their daughter, Desislava. They greeted me with bows, and I responded with a slight nod. In the background, I glimpsed a young woman of striking beauty. “Your Majesty,” they spoke in unison, their voices reverberating with formality. I offered them a polite nod. “I assume you wish to meet our daughter, Desislava, to determine her suitability as your queen,” King Drogo Squire said, his smile betraying a hint of anticipation. “Yes…” I replied, my impatience evident. I knew why their daughter was being presented to me. They had a male heir and were now leveraging their daughter for my favor—a sad reality of the era. Clearing my throat, I said, “I would like to spend some time with her. I shall do the same with the Carlton’s daughter tomorrow, and then make my decision.” King Drogo’s smile faltered. “Why not decide now?” he pressed, his voice tinged with frustration. “It was my father’s wish to choose between the two families. I will marry whom I find most suitable,” I answered, noting the growing ire in King Drogo’s expression. 'Curse it! Why did I say that?' I thought to myself. “Perhaps it is prudent to meet them on separate days,” I said with a nervous smile. “It allows for a clearer comparison.” “Indeed, Your Majesty,” Princess Desislava agreed with a smile. King Drogo, glancing between his daughter and me, eventually nodded. Princess Desislava then escorted me into the palace. The interior was splendid, and I observed the staff diligently attending to their duties—an enviable contrast to the chaos often present at my own court. Once again, I noticed the same beautiful young woman, whom I presumed to be a maid. “That is Celestina Rolfe,” Princess Desislava explained without much sentiment. “She is the illegitimate daughter of King Richard II. Her mother was a maid here before leaving, and now she works as her mother did.” So, Celestina’s mother was a mistress. While not unusual, it was remarkable that someone of such beauty came from such origins. “Let us proceed,” Princess Desislava said, leading me to the library. “Do you read, Your Majesty?” she inquired. “Indeed, I do,” I replied. “Have you read Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales?” she asked eagerly. I admitted my unfamiliarity with the work. “It is a magnificent tale!” she declared, proceeding to describe the book in detail. 'Being a queen seems both a burden and a privilege, though well-educated,' I mused. The book’s premise intrigued me, and I resolved to seek it out if possible. After spending some time discussing her interests, I found Princess Desislava to be a potential match. I approached King Drogo and bowed. “Your daughter appears a suitable match thus far. However, I must meet the Carlton’s daughter before making my final decision.” King Drogo nodded in acceptance. I returned to my castle, where one of my councilors awaited. “Your Majesty,” he called out. “Do you have a decision?” “As I mentioned, I will choose after visiting the second family tomorrow,” I said, my irritation evident. He nodded and left, leaving me, a weary teenage king burdened by duty. I retired to my chambers to read until bedtime, my sleep disturbed by nightmares of failing in my role. Yet, I cling to the comforting words of my father: “You will do well.” I repeat them in my mind for solace. Princess Desislava’s POV “Celestina! I noticed the king seemed taken with you,” I said, my tone laced with distaste. “Why would a king take an interest in me? I am but a maid, an illegitimate child,” she replied, lacking any self-awareness. I sighed. Despite her origins, I cherish Celestina as a friend, even if I must conceal it. If only my father were not so insistent on my becoming queen. “Your status as a bastard is of little consequence. It is your character and treatment of others that matter,” I reassured her. “Now, let us visit my father’s chambers; I have something to discuss.” We proceeded to my father’s quarters. They prefer separate beds—my mother finds his snoring intolerable, among other reasons. Without knocking, I barged in. “Father!” I called out playfully, startling him. “Desislava! How many times must I remind you to knock before entering?” he scolded. “Forgive me, Father,” I said, my head bowed. “I shall remember next time.” He accepted this, his voice cold but familiar. “What brings you here?” he asked. “I wished to inform you that the king was impressed with me,” I said, noting a smirk forming on his lips. “That is good news. It seems you are not the disappointment I feared,” he remarked, his words devoid of warmth. I had long grown accustomed to his harsh judgments, primarily due to my brother being the heir. “Celestina, what are you doing here?” my father demanded. “I—um… She wished to—” Celestina stuttered. “Leave,” my father commanded, and she hurried out. “You have done well, daughter. You may go now,” my father said, dismissing me. I left his chambers, pondering the future. King Alaric’s POV March 7th, 1479 I awoke with a start, the remnants of a vivid dream lingering. It was a dream filled with longings I knew would never be realized. Dreams can be cruel in their promise of what can never come to pass. Today, I am to visit the Carlton estate to evaluate their daughter. To be honest, I have little hope. From what I’ve heard, their daughter is spoiled and arrogant. Nonetheless, the meeting is necessary. “Your Majesty, the carriage is prepared,” my maid announced. “Very well,” I replied, stepping into the carriage. I voiced my reluctance aloud, though I received no reply—perhaps for the best. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Carlton and their daughter, who was elegantly dressed. They bowed, and I returned the gesture. We discussed my previous visit to the Squire’s, and I noted the smirk of satisfaction on the daughter’s face—a troubling sign. Following her inside, I found their palace to be even grander than the Squire’s. “I see you have an appreciation for refined company,” she remarked. “May I inquire your name?” I asked, curiosity piqued. “I am Princess Colette,” she replied, extending her hand. Her touch was soft, and I found myself admiring it. “I should share a few things I enjoy,” she continued. “Helping others, animals, poetry… among many interests.” I listened thoughtfully. Could the rumors be false? Her passions were commendable, and I appreciated her charity efforts. After our visit, we bid farewell. A councilor awaited, eager to know my decision. “I have not yet made my choice." I said, growing impatient with his persistence. Princess Colette’s POV I paced anxiously, hoping my performance would be convincing. The constant rumors about my true nature only heightened my anxiety. “My efforts must pay off! I am determined to become queen!” I shouted, my parents attempting to soothe me. “You have a good chance, my dear,” my father said reassuringly, a sentiment echoed by my mother. Naturally, they would support me; they have little choice. I held them in contempt, but I knew they would do nothing to harm me. I made my way to my chambers, exhausted from the day’s events. Perhaps fate will favor me, and I will ascend as the Queen of Kakiage, celebrated for my reign. Princess Desislava POV March 8th, 1479 The anticipation was unbearable as the King prepared to announce his decision. I held onto a sliver of hope, knowing that if I were not chosen, my father’s wrath would be unending. As we arrived at the King’s castle, the Carlton’s were already there. I barely spared them a glance, focusing instead on the impending announcement. The King took his place on the throne, his presence commanding silence. "I have made my choice..." he began. I could barely contain my excitement, my father’s gaze piercing into me, urging me to succeed. "I have chosen Princess Desislava," the King declared. A wave of relief washed over me, and I smiled, trying to suppress my joy. From the corner of my eye, I caught the Carlton’s seething with anger. Their disappointment was almost palpable. "We shall prepare for your arrival at the palace. Pack your belongings and return here when ready," the King instructed. My father, now beaming, eagerly agreed. I packed quickly, my mind racing with thoughts of the future. I hoped to be a good wife, though the weight of expectation was heavy. My father’s demands—to provide an heir and fulfill my duties—loomed large in my thoughts. I was to bring Celestina with me, a directive I followed without hesitation. To my relief, the King seemed unconcerned by her presence. King Alaric POV As Princess Desislava arrived with Celestina, I found my attention drawn irresistibly to the maid. Her presence was captivating—her golden hair, gray eyes, and graceful form all enchanted me. I was torn between my responsibilities and the overwhelming attraction I felt for Celestina. I wrestled with the desire to make her my mistress, an arrangement I knew was morally dubious but one I felt was necessary given the circumstances. I found Celestina alone and requested a private conversation. “Celestina, may I speak with you?” I asked, dismissing the other maids. “Yes, your Majesty?” she replied, her voice trembling. “I want you to be my mistress,” I said, struggling to mask my intentions with indifference. Her eyes widened in shock. “I—I can’t,” she stammered. “You must,” I insisted, my tone brooking no argument. “If you refuse, there will be consequences.” Tears welled in her eyes as she agreed. “Fine,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Don’t cry,” I said, forcing a comforting smile. “Return to your duties, and remember to wait for me tonight.” She hurried away, her distress evident. I couldn’t suppress a small, cruel smile. Now, I had both a future wife and a secret mistress, a situation I intended to keep under control. Princess Desislava POV The evening unfolded quickly, and the reality of our situation hit me. I approached the King, ready to fulfill my role. “Shall we begin?” I asked. The King responded eagerly, “I was about to ask you the same.” Our night together was intense, a blend of passion and duty. Little did I know what the morning would bring. King Alaric POV Afterward, I visited Celestina’s quarters, as promised. I found her waiting nervously. “Follow my instructions, and you’ll be fine,” I said, trying to reassure her despite my own conflicted feelings. I treated her as I had with previous mistresses, leaving her with the same sense of finality. I returned to my chambers, feeling a strange peace settle over me. The complexities of my duties were momentarily forgotten in the calm of sleep. Celestina Rolfe POV March 9th, 1479 I started my day as usual, trying to keep a low profile. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on me, making it difficult to focus on my tasks. I avoided any encounters with King Alaric, my emotions a tangled mess. The act we shared was a betrayal to my friend, the princess, and a painful reminder of my mother's life as a mistress—a role she never chose willingly. As I conversed with the other maids, snippets of gossip caught my attention. "Did you hear that the King doesn't love the princess?" one maid said. "Perhaps it's because he has a mistress," another added. My heart sank, fearing that our secret might be discovered. King Alaric POV I awoke beside Princess Desislava, who was still asleep. Gently, I extricated myself from her embrace and dressed for the day. As I prepared to leave for the council meeting, one of my guards reminded me of my next appointment. The council meeting was as dull as ever until one member inquired about the princess. I responded tersely, "Yes, we consummated the marriage." Another council member then dropped the startling news: Princess Desislava was pregnant. My internal frustration flared; the princess was pregnant before I had even fully explored my relationship with Celestina. The council's reaction was mixed, but they urged me to announce the news. I addressed the people, declaring Desislava’s pregnancy with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. The crowd's cheers were deafening, but my internal displeasure was far from quelled. I found Desislava later, where I delivered the news about the wedding being scheduled for the week after next. Her smile was forced but polite, and I could tell she sensed my lack of genuine warmth. My search for Celestina proved fruitless. I needed to keep her secret, especially with the council now becoming aware of it. Their anger about my personal affairs did little to ease my growing anxiety. Princess Desislava POV March 10th, 1479 Despite the royal excitement surrounding my pregnancy, I sensed Alaric's displeasure. I had hoped that carrying his heir would be a cause for celebration, but his attitude suggested otherwise. My father's plan seemed to be unfolding, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. I placed a hand on my still-flat stomach, trying to imagine the future. My thoughts were plagued by doubts. What if Alaric’s indifference was a sign of something more troubling? Had he discovered something that made him unhappy with our baby, or was it something about me? I knew the stakes were high; failure to deliver a male heir would mean not only personal failure but also a significant blow to the kingdom. As I prepared to go outside, a maid congratulated me on my pregnancy. I forced a smile, masking my concern, and ventured into the garden. I was determined to uncover the truth behind the unease and ensure that both my role and my future were secure.