Chapter 3
972 Words
In the great hall, Clara Chamberlain sat at the family table which stood at one end of the enormous room near a large, ornate fireplace. Her older brother Colton, the third eldest of the four Chamberlain princes, sat beside her as servants rushed to bring them their morning meal.
“You’re quiet this morning,” Colton said after taking a drink from the goblet in front of him. “Usually, you’re yapping away about something.”
“I didn’t sleep well,” Clara replied, her voice sweet and soft.
“What’s on your mind? Is it the man you were telling me about the other day?”
Clara blushed. “No. I told you there’s nothing going on with him.”
“Well, maybe if you told me who he was, I could help you out a bit.”
“Colton, my personal life is my business. And since when have you been interested in helping me with a man?”
“You’re my little sister. I want you to be happy. If you didn’t want to me know about him, you should never have mentioned him.”
“You caught me in a weak moment. Try to forget about it.”
Colton reached out and put his hand on his sister’s. “You know I can’t do that. I have to look out for you.”
“I know you mean well, but you aren’t my protector. I can take care of myself.”
“You don’t have to; you have four brothers for that.”
Clara took a drink from the cup in front of her. “Girls can take care of themselves. When are you all going to understand that?”
Colton laughed at his sister’s comment. “If it wasn’t because of the guy, then what’s on your mind?”
“Because I couldn’t possibly have anything on my mind, except for a man, right?”
Colton smiled at his sister’s sarcasm and took a bite of the food on his plate.
“I’m worried about our father.”
“The king, why?”
“He’s more than ‘the king,’ he’s our father and I’m worried about him,” Clara stated. “Nothing specific, he’s just so cold lately.”
“He hasn’t been himself since he met Roslyn,” Colton clarified, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “She went right to his head.”
“She’s not solely to blame.”
“Our father is a complex man.”
“He rules like a tyrant, without showing compassion as he used to.”
“That’s his style…and it seems to work. The townspeople fear him, so they don’t act up.”
“You can’t keep a population quiet forever.”
“What’s got you so philosophical this morning?”
“Just a lot on my mind, I guess,” Clara said. “Nothing to worry about.” Clara rose from the table. “I’ll see you later.”
Colton smiled before taking another bite of his breakfast. After watching Clara leave the room, he waved for a servant to refill his goblet.
Upstairs in his chamber, Tobias held the naked queen in his arms. Kissing her as he adjusted his position in the bed, he lifted her head so he could look directly into her eyes.
“You’re far away,” he said softly. “Don’t I satisfy you anymore?”
Roslyn smiled. “Of course you do.” She kissed the prince. “I could stay right here in bed with you all my life and never need anything else.”
Tobias tightened his arms around her. “You are all I need, too.”
“I’m the king’s property. Your father wouldn’t be happy sharing, especially not with you.”
“You’re only his technically. You’re mine in every way that matters. One day, he’ll understand that.”
Roslyn sat up and put her finger on Tobias’s lips. “He must never know about us. It would be too dangerous. For both of us.”
“I can defend us against my father and anyone else who challenges my love for you. Besides, the rest of the family knows about us…and supports our relationship. They know how happy we are together.”
“Zachary is the king. Your allegiance is to him.”
“My allegiance is to the woman I love.” Tobias kissed Roslyn deeply.
“Promise me you’ll never say a word about us to him.”
“But I…”
“Promise me.”
“Very well, I promise,” Tobias agreed, kissing Roslyn to reassure her. “There are other ways to get what I want.”
“You already have my heart.”
Roslyn stepped out of bed and started pulling her garments back on.
“You don’t have to run off. Make his Majesty wait a bit. Maybe he’ll grow to appreciate you more.”
“It’s best for both of us to not keep him waiting.”
Tobias stood up and wrapped his arms around Roslyn. “One day when I’m king…”
“I may not love him, but I don’t wish death upon him. And you shouldn’t, either.”
“I don’t,” Tobias agreed. “But he can’t live forever.”
“You make it sound like he’s ancient.”
“His attitudes and methods are ancient, even if his age is not.”
Roslyn finished dressing herself. “I need to go.”
Tobias kissed her once more. “See you soon.”
Roslyn smiled, then left the room after cautiously looking outside the door to make sure no one was around.
Naked, Tobias walked over to the stained-glass window at the other side of his chamber. “What am I going to do about you, Father…”
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