unwanted TREASURE

chapter ten

Richard

The guards entered with the envelopes, delivering the news of the upcoming wedding. The announcement echoed throughout the kingdom that a wedding would take place between Prince Richard of the Middle West and Princess Sydney of the Middle land. The reality of it hit me like a cold gust of wind, and I couldn’t seem to escape the thoughts racing in my mind.

I sat in my room, staring blankly at the walls, wrestling with my emotions. There was a knock at the door, and my mother entered, her presence always calming, even in this turmoil.

"Your Majesty," the guard greeted her, bowing before leaving.

"Richard, you’ve been in here since the wedding was announced," she said gently.

I looked up at her, feeling the weight of my thoughts pressing down. "I’m trying to gather the courage for this," I muttered.

"You’ll be fine, my boy," she reassured me, her tone soft.

"I know I will be fine," I said, standing up, running a hand through my hair. "But I don’t know if I won’t kill her."

She gave me a knowing smile. "I believe in you."

I sighed heavily and threw on my coat, my thoughts dark. "Where to?" she asked as I made for the door.

"The village," I said, my voice flat.

"You need to be taken care of," she said with concern. "The wedding is in two days."

I turned to face her. "It’s the peace treaty that’s taking place in two days. And you’re receiving a daughter. The marriage on my side is just a formality, not something as exciting as you’re making it seem."

"Richard," she began, her voice soft but firm. "This is about more than just a formality. You know that."

I shook my head, irritated. "This is all about you, Mother. I know how much you want a daughter."

She smiled, clearly understanding the weight of my words. "I’m glad you do. Now please, will you do this for me?"

I clenched my jaw, but I didn’t hesitate. "I will. I’m getting married whether I want to or not, so relax. The village needs me now."

As I left, I heard her call out behind me. "Take out his old clothes and tell the tailors to bring in the new ones."

I nodded as I exited the room, my mind still clouded with everything that had just happened. I needed to clear my head, and the village was the best place for that.

---

I met Harry from the village along the way. He was, as usual, causing trouble.

"Been causing trouble in the village again?" I asked, my tone dry.

"Yes, because that's what I do with my life," he replied, walking past my horse.

"Care to join me?" I asked.

He stopped in his tracks, eyeing me warily. "Where are you headed?"

"The village," I replied simply.

"Bring my horse," he said, turning to the stableman.

I grinned. "How about you ride on mine?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What’s this? Why are you being nice to me?"

"I’m always nice to you," I said, shrugging.

"Am I supposed to believe you?" he asked with a skeptical look.

"Come on, little one," I said, offering him my hand. After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed my hand and climbed up behind me.

"It’s been ages since I rode with you. I wonder what the mighty Richard is up to," he said, his voice teasing.

"This marriage thing is making me lose my mind," I confessed, my voice lowering. "I need my happiness with me."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "So I’m your happiness?"

"Unfortunately, yes," I said with a sigh. The last thing I wanted was to be trapped in a marriage I didn’t want, but this peace treaty... it was all for the kingdom. For my people.

---

We returned from the village, and I found Harry attempting to swing a sword. I couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he looked.

"You look ridiculously stupid," I teased.

"I need to get this right," he said, swinging the sword again.

"Here, let me show you," I said, stepping in and taking the sword from him. I demonstrated a couple of moves, showing him the proper technique.

"It looks easy when you’re the one doing it," he remarked, clearly frustrated.

"Just put some interest into it," I said, handing the sword back to him.

He tried again, but he wasn’t getting it. "I can’t believe you’re getting married," he said, looking up at me. "I thought our kingdom wouldn’t have the next queen."

"I’m doing this for the people," I said, feeling a pang of guilt. It wasn’t the life I wanted, but it was the life that was needed.

"And for your mother," Harry added, grinning. "She’s so excited. It’s like she’s the one getting married."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "She is so excited. It’s a little ridiculous."

Harry smirked. "The princess might not have your love, but she’s definitely taking your mother’s."

"Do you realize that this will affect you too, right? Mama’s boy," I shot back.

Harry chuckled. "I see someone has got jokes up his sleeves. Or have I got you? So, lover boy, what about your mistresses?"

I winced. "I won’t dispose of them."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You’re going to be a married man now. You need to dispose of them."

"Yeah, that won’t happen," I said flatly.

Harry grinned. "I hope you haven’t forgotten the custom of the first night of the wedding."

I groaned inwardly. "I can’t imagine myself doing it. And that’s one thing that’s killing me about this wedding."

"The people will be outside waiting, so you have to do it," Harry said, his voice teasing.

"Pray," I muttered.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You want to go against the custom?" Harry asked, clearly intrigued.

I sighed deeply. "Come on, let me teach you how to hunt."

---

The next morning, I was in my room, trying to organize my thoughts, when the Queen came in, clearly flustered.

"I want everything in order," she said, rushing past me to inspect the preparations. She suddenly stopped when she noticed the room being organized.

"What’s going on here?" she demanded.

"Prince Richard requested for this room to be organized," one of the maids said.

"Stop the organization now," she ordered, her voice sharp.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid quickly responded.

The Queen stormed into my room, catching me just as I was about to leave. I was sitting at my table, working on my sword, and I looked up at her as she entered.

"I hope it’s not what I’m thinking," she said, her tone full of concern.

"Is anything the matter?" I asked, looking at her.

"Why is the next chamber being organized?" she asked, her voice tightening.

"Oh, that’s for the princess," I said, my voice flat.

"She is your wife," she interrupted.

"To be," I corrected.

"She will sleep in the same room as you," she insisted.

"I have a lot of things to do," I muttered, standing up and kissing her on the cheek as I moved to leave.

"Richard, don’t you walk away from me," she called after me.

I stopped, turned around, and bowed. "Your Majesty," I said, before walking out the door.

---

The Queen stood there, exasperated. "Oh, God," she muttered, walking to her room. "It’s your fault."

King David entered as she was sitting down. "What did I do this time?" he asked, clearly confused.

"Richard won’t sleep with his wife in the same room," she said, frustration evident in her voice.

"She’s his wife-to-be," King David corrected, brushing past her.

"Same difference," she said, her voice rising. "He’s preparing a different chamber for her."

"What does that have to do with me?" King David asked, brushing it off.

"Are you really going to ask me that question?" she shot back.

"I have things to do," he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Let him do as he pleases."

The Queen sat back, clearly defeated. "What have I done to deserve this?"

King David was already walking out the door. "We already jeopardized his happiness. Let him do as he pleases. And I’m not like Richard, if that’s what you’re trying to say."

The Queen stared after him, her frustration mounting. "I need to make sure everything is in order," she muttered as she walked out to inspect the preparations for the wedding.