The Alliance

Chapter 19: Arising suspicion

The morning sun streams through the tall windows of Prince Phillip’s study, casting golden rays on the mahogany furniture and shelves lined with books. A large portrait of Princess Bianca, Jasmine, hangs on the wall, a centerpiece that draws the eye immediately. Phillip sits at his desk, flipping through documents detailing the wedding arrangements, his brow furrows with focus.

The door creaks open, and Queen Eleanor steps in, her regal presence filling the room. Dressed in a deep crimson gown with a pearl-studded collar, she moves with grace and purpose. Phillip rises from his seat, bowing slightly.

“Mother,” he greets warmly, gesturing for her to sit.

Queen Eleanor’s sharp eyes drifts to the portrait of Bianca. She studies it for a long moment before turning back to her son. “She’s beautiful,” she says carefully, her tone measured. “But something about her unsettles me.”

Phillip frowns, his arms crossing over his broad chest. “What do you mean?”

The queen’s gaze lingers on the painted image. “She keeps her face veiled, even in your presence. That is… unusual. You are to be her husband, Phillip. I cannot help but wonder if there is something she’s hiding.”

Phillip straightens, his tone firm but not defensive. “She wears the veil as part of her kingdom’s traditions, Mother. And if there were anything to hide, I would have seen it.”

Queen Eleanor raises an eyebrow. “Seen it?”

“Yes,” Phillip says, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve seen her face beneath the veil.”

The queen’s eyes widens slightly, surprised. “And?”

Phillip’s smile grows as he leans back against the desk. “She’s radiant. More beautiful than any portrait could capture. Her features are delicate, her eyes… enchanting. And beyond her beauty, there’s a grace to her, a quiet strength.” He pauses, his gaze softening. “I admit, she’s been distant, even uneasy. But I believe it’s nerves. This marriage must be a great adjustment for her.”

Queen Eleanor studies her son carefully, noting the sincerity in his voice. “You sound smitten,” she says with a small smile.

“I am,” he admits. “Though I’ve been cautious about approaching her again. After our last meeting… she seemed so shy, so unsure. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. Once we’re married, I’ll have the rest of our lives to show her she has nothing to fear with me.”

The queen nods slowly, though the concern in her eyes lingers. “Very well, Phillip. I trust your judgment. But remember—marriage is more than duty or beauty. It’s partnership. Ensure she feels like an equal, not just a bride.”

“I will,” he assures her, his voice firm.

As their conversation lulls, Phillip’s mind wanders briefly to Rosaline, his former lover. Her drunken outburst at the welcome feast resurfaces in his memory, her tear-streaked face haunting him.

“She tried to throw herself at me,” he says suddenly, shaking his head as if to clear the thought.

Queen Eleanor frowns. “Who?”

“Rosaline,” Phillip replies. “At the welcome feast. She was intoxicated, and she… approached me. I avoided her, of course. I had Sir Eadric escort her safely to her chambers.”

The queen sighs, folding her hands in her lap. “That girl has been a complication for far too long.”

“She was,” Phillip admits softly, “but not anymore.”

His mind drifts to the arrangements he’d quietly made. He has gathered a generous sum of money, enough to secure Rosaline’s future in another land. With the help of his most trusted knight, she would be safely transported to a neighboring kingdom, where a respectable family has agreed to take her in. There, she would have the chance to marry and start anew.

“She deserves a good life,” Phillip says, his voice tinges with sadness. “I couldn’t give her that. This is the least I can do.”

Queen Eleanor reaches out, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done the right thing, Phillip. She will find peace, and so will you.”

Phillip nods, though the weight of his past lingers faintly in his chest. As the queen rises to leave, she cast him one last look. “Tomorrow, your new life begins. Be patient with her, my son. Win her trust.”

“I will,” he promise, his hand brushing the edge of Jasmine’s portrait as he gazes at it with quiet determination. “I’ll make this work—for both of us.”

Queen Eleanor leaves the room, leaving Phillip alone with his thoughts. Though doubts flickers in his mind, his resolve grows stronger. Tomorrow, everything will change, and he vows to be the husband—and prince—his kingdom deserves.