The Tale of a Princess and her Knight

Chapter 4

After Cordelia’s sixteenth party, which was really a courting party, the seven Princes’ came over to the castle one at a time. Each time, they never had a second time coming over as she makes sure of it.

After realizing her feelings towards Nicolas, she hasn’t been the same. Every time Erin would speak to him, she got jealous. Every time she touched his shoulder in a friendly manner, laughed at his unfunny jokes, or flirted very obviously, Cordelia felt her jealousy rise. In her mind, Erin became a problem. She doesn’t know he felt the same way as he has mastered masking his true feelings for her.

“Nicolas, Mireum wants to speak with you. Something about the Princess’ meals for the week?” Erin was the one who said this. It’s every week. This is her job, not Nicolas’ job. She knows what they’re doing every week, or can assume as much. The walls talk and she hears all of the rumors.

“Tell Mireum I’ll be down soon. I have to inform the Princess of my disappearance.” With silence on the other side of the door, a knock sounds through her room. “ Princess,” he starts. She doesn’t allow him to continue as she speaks. “Go on ahead, I heard from beyond the door you were needed in the kitchen.”

With a hesitated nod, Nicolas leaves her chamber door. He noticed Erins’ advances towards him but each time he denied her. Erin isn’t who he wants, it’s the Princess. His forbidden love for the Princess, if discovered, might be the death of him; not even his father’s status would save him.

Inside Cordelia’s chamber, she’s seething with jealousy. She only assumes Erin warms Nicolas’ bed at night, or during the day. Her feelings for him grew tenfold since her sixteenth birthday. She was still confused about her feelings but she knew what she knew. She knew she liked him more than a guard and was attracted to him, she knew she wanted Nicolas to be hers and she knew she couldn’t have him because of the titles they held.

She was lost in her thoughts as she heard a knock, a certain knock Nicolas did when he came back to the door when he went away from her chambers. She knew the knock like she knew the way to her special hill. With the thought of her hill in her mind, she decided to disappear for a little.

Swinging her own chamber door open, she walked right past a surprised Nicolas who quickly followed her in silence. Cordelia knew he was following her, she couldn’t go anywhere without him being near her and for that, she was grateful. Grateful he was always in her presence in her everyday life. Laying down on the hill, she looked up at the sky. It was a light blue with white puffy clouds floating around. The scenery calmed her a little, as if she belonged to the sky.

Nicolas watched Cordelia as she seemed entranced with the blue sky. She always looked more calm when she was outside, laying on the hill she has claimed ever since she was young. He can’t help but take in how beautiful she looks under the sunlight. Any light of the sky makes her look beautiful, just like any other day. She can wear a commoner's dress and she’ll still look beautiful to him.

The dinner bells chime, bringing both of them out of their thoughts. Cordelia stands up in silence, something Nicolas respects and doesn’t try to make her talk, and goes back to the castle.

“Cordelia,” Edgard begins to speak, his voice void of emotion, which is peculiar for him as he normally would have some type of emotion to her words. “Tomorrow I will have the seven princes come again throughout the week. I’ll make sure they're not stopped from coming like last time. I hope you have an answer before your eighteenth birthday for whom you want to marry.“

Cordelia, tired of such talk with her father as it seems to be the only thing on the King's mind, just silently nodded in agreement as she ate. Edgard inwardly smiles to himself, thinking he finally got her to agree to marry a Prince. He knew Nicolas had feelings towards his daughter and as did she towards him. He won’t allow such a union though. In his mind, she must marry another royal from a different kingdom to unionize another kingdom to theirs.

Marriage for Edgard has always been political, it was by chance he found his one true love in his first marriage. He wishes for the same for Cordelia but he’ll be just as satisfied if she found someone worthy of being by her side and won’t fight on his gained title. As she is the heir, her being Queen won’t change. Any Prince she marries will be deemed as Prince Consort.

A knock sounds at Cordelia’s door in the dead of night as it signals it is time for her to train with Nicolas. For the past couple months it became routine for the two. Three in the morning Nicolas would knock on the Princess’ chamber door and they would train for an hour; fifteen minutes after, she’s back in her room sleeping until the maids wake her up for the day.

She’s currently dressed in a grand, flowy dress as she watches the guards train in the morning. Due to her being pressured to marry, Edgard has allowed her to step back from helping him in his office as she can focus on who she wants to marry. This decision, however, made her have a lot of free time as she still doesn’t want to marry right away.

Cordelia isn’t fighting her father on the subject anymore as she’s tired of repeating herself. She’s allowing him to think she finally gave in but truly, she didn’t. She doesn’t want to marry, especially any of the Princes’ she’s been given as a selection.

The staff of the castle have been talking; saying their Princess is too headstrong, independant and has a certain air to her. The air they’re talking about has been the King will have to choose for her. They too share the concern Cordelia does; marrying a prince and they fight her to become King instead of just a Prince Consort.

Another concern they have is they believe Princess Cordelia will reinstate the harem, opening the harem wing once more. Her unwillingness of marrying instills that thought more than any other one. The older staff members have seen what the harem did to the nobles and the state of the castle and they do not wish for such to happen again.

As Cordelia watches the guards train, she’s taking mental notes of several techniques being used but it’s hard when her sight always goes back to Nicolas. She’s starting to feel a certain pull towards him and it gets stronger every day. None of the Princes’ have made her feel this way. All they ever think about is obtaining such a high rank in the kingdom as their first born offspring becomes the next ruler of such a kingdom.

Their main thought was power; something they do not have being further down the line of successors to their own kingdoms. Cordelia doesn’t want that nor does she want to deal with the fight she’d have to do for her rightful place in the power play. That’s her biggest fear; the prince will fight for a title that isn’t rightfully his. She’ll have to kill the prince which can result in war.

Cordelia has been faring better than Nicolas thought she would in her training sessions with him. She’s a lot stronger than when she first started and a lot faster as well. The increase in speed and strength took Nicolas by surprise. For a human to have such strength and speed, she could be unstoppable on the battlefield.

As soon as Nicolas figured out her abilities, he’s been trying to focus on them as that will be her strength. During training, he’s been having her work on hand to hand combat as well as with a wooden sword. Their sparring has lasted more than ten minutes at a time; she’s gotten close to beating him but not quite. Every time she’s about to win the spar, he turns the table and quickly takes the upper hand.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her name being called by a maid. “Princess, Prince Jackson will be here any moment. Please follow me to the tea room.” Without waiting, the maid turns and starts walking. Cordelia quickly stands up, taking a quick glance at Nicolas before following the maid. She doesn’t remember her name; Beatrice maybe? It definitely started with a B.

Trying to remember the maids name, she doesn’t realize they’ve arrived in the tea room. Adorned on the table were an assortment of sandwiches cut into small squares and an assortment of small portioned treats. On a separate table was a tea kettle, waiting to be poured into teacups.

Cordelia took a seat, waiting for the prince to show up. Deep down, she’s hoping he doesn’t as she hasn’t given any of them good impressions each time they’ve met. They all have been persistent though as the title they’ll gain from her. Not even five minutes later, Prince Jackson came into view. “Princess Cordelia, looking lovely as always.” He smiles at her widely, his mind going into awful places.

Prince Jackson is used to women throwing themselves at him, having a different woman every night warming his bed. Despite being the sixth prince of his kingdom, they’ll still get the title of princess and that’s better than being some noble's daughter or even maid. There wasn’t a woman who hasn't warmed his bed in his own kingdom and his overly confidence makes it show.

Cordelia knew he wouldn’t make a good match for her as she’s certain infidelity will ensue the whole way. “Prince Jackson, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Putting on her most fake smile, she motions for him to take a seat and he does so.

The conversation was making Cordelia uninterested in the interaction. She’s been politely nodding with a fake smile, trying to seem interested in his words. All he’s been talking about is a certain maid who obviously caught his attention.

“Prince Jackson, why don’t you try and marry this maid you seem so fond of? I’m sure matters of the heart are more important than matters of the kingdom. Don’t you agree?” She knew this question was risky, but she didn’t want to marry someone who won’t be all in for her.

“Princess,” Jackson starts, giving a humorless laugh. “I wish that was the case. Father wouldn’t allow me to marry a simple maid, no matter how smitten I am with her. Only reason I am here, trying to court you is because of my father.”

His whole demeanor changed as soon as she suggested marrying the one he truly wants. Jackson now seems like a lost puppy, yearning for its master. Along with noticing this, her whole being also changed. She softened slightly while giving a small sigh.

“You know there’s a way for you to be with her. Why don’t you elope? Go to a village far from your home, go to a priest and marry her there. Your father surely can’t deny your union then as you’re already married to her.” Cordelia truly wants to see Jackson happy. No one should be denied true love because of their title.

All Jackson did was give a boyish smile, one that a child would give when given a present that they’ve been wanting all year, nodded and left without a word. Cordelia gave a sigh of content, knowing Jackson won’t be coming back as he’ll probably be doing what she suggested.

Standing up from her seat, she walked away from the tea room and towards her own office. At some point, Edgard gave his daughter her own office as they don’t have to share an office anymore. Once she becomes Queen, her office will be the one she uses as his will become her bedroom.

The two offices are next door to each other, she doesn’t have far to walk to her fathers office. A small pile of papers are neatly on her desk, needing her attention. Since her twelfth birthday, her signature was needed on every paper the king also signs. This makes sure everyone in the kingdom knows of their soon to be queens signature early on.

Sitting at her desk, Nicolas is at his position outside of her office. All of these years she's never allowed him in the room with her, which he is now grateful for as he doesn’t know what his actions will lead him to do. He doesn’t understand the attraction he has towards Cordelia, he wasn’t taught such things as he was made to focus on training to be the best.

Now that he is the best, he doesn’t know what to do with his time. Everyone who trains in his group is no match for his strength. His three in the morning training sessions with the princess was the only stimulating part of his days. She’s gotten quite well really quick as she’s lasting longer and longer in each sparring session.

Nicolas fears one day she’ll beat him in a sparring session, resulting in the end of their secret training sessions. Just to spend time with her, he doesn’t want it to end. He wants to spend all the time with Cordelia, as much time as possible.

He knows their secret time is coming to a close as a knight told him the king wanted to see him in his office. He knows his world is about to come crumbling down as he enters the king's office. What he didn’t anticipate was his father in the king’s office as well. ‘This can’t be good,’ he thought to himself.

“My King.” Nicolas greets, bending at the waist as he bows down. His mind was trying to think of why the king himself wanted him along with his father. A million thoughts crossed his mind as Edgard finally spoke up after a moment of silence.

“Rise, Nicolas. Have a seat as we speak. You too, Vladislav.” Edgard spoke. Sitting down himself at his desk, both Nicolas and Vladislav sat down after he did so. “What’s this about, Edgard?” Vladislav spoke up this time, being informal as it was just the three of them in the room.

Edgard wasn’t phased as Vladislav addressing informally wasn’t new. Ignoring his direct question, Edgard addresses Nicolas instead. “I’ll get to the point. Nicolas is no longer needed for Cordelia. I see the way he looks at her, Vladislav. I recognize that look in his eyes. I cannot allow this to go on any longer.”

“In all respect, Edgard, Cordelia also look at him this way. You know what this means. Mirai looked at you how these two also look at each other.” Vladislav wants to tell him to give up on having her marry a prince but he knows it’ll be futile.

“Sir, I would never allow my feelings for the Princess and my assigned job clash with each other. Please allow me to continue to serve Princess Cordelia.” It was all in vain but Nicolas had to try. He didn’t want to be seperated from her. He knew what they were talking about but he didn’t put that as an option. Maybe that’s why he’s been thinking about her in such a way.

“It’s final, Nicolas. My apologies but I can’t allow what’s going on between you two to render the union of our kingdom and another.” With his words, Nicolas stands up suddenly and walks out. Vladislav knew that was going to happen.

“Edgard, you know what you’re doing is wrong. What’s going on?” He has never been this adamant on anything, not even when it comes to his daughter. Something was wrong and he wanted to know what it was.

Meanwhile, Nicolas passes Cordelia’s chambers reluctantly, wanting to stand by her door again but he now can’t. He goes straight to his chamber and lays down on the bed. His time Training her also has come to an end. He knows it wasn’t implied but he doesn’t want to take that risk. Watching another knight is going to kill him inside as he now can’t be close to her.

He didn’t know she was who he was waiting for, no one told him of the signs of when you found that one. He was taken away from his family and home before they could tell him anything. Vladislav told him only the basics, nothing about love. Vladislav never found his one but he seems content in his life without her.

As Nicolas gets lost in his own thoughts, Cordelia is finishing up the pile of papers that was waiting for her. It only took a couple hours for her to finish the stack of papers as her signature was only needed. Looking at another pile of papers, she gave a heavy sigh. That stack of papers seems to have been doubled, like a never ending stack.

Her father surely has kept her busy all night as Cordelia hasn’t left her office in several hours. All of her meals have been taken inside of her office by many different maids. It wasn’t until well after midnight that she didn’t go into her bedchamber and got dressed to train with Nicolas. She waited until he did the usual knock but it never came. She then decided to go towards where they trained but no one was there.

Cordelia was confused but slowly started piecing everything together. Nicolas wasn’t the one to be outside of her office door when the maids came around for her meals, another knight was there. She never heard the knock on her door, indicating he came back from meeting with her father. Nicolas never came back and this surely made her mad.

Knowing her father would be awake as it’s been a few hours now, she marched right down the hall to his office. “Father! We need to talk.” Her fierce attitude coming out towards him was something he hasn’t had happen to him. It was an attitude that made him taken aback.

Composing himself, he responds. “Yes, we surely do. I assume this is about Nicolas? He was becoming a distraction to you and he needed to be moved.” His words were simple, but they added to the fire inside of her. It wasn’t a response she thought he would respond with.

“That’s unacceptable!” She yells, her body becoming heated with her anger. She doesn’t know where this heat was coming from, but she allowed it to consume her. This feeling felt so natural to her and she didn’t want to lose it. “Father, you know he’s the only knight I can stand now. We became close! It’s that what you wanted? For my knight and I to become close? Why rip us apart as soon as that happened?” She questioned, emphasising ‘my knight’ to get her point across.

“Yes, it is what I wanted at first. I know the feelings you two share with each other. It’s become obvious, even to the others. I had to put a stop to it before rumors started about you two. You making all the suitors leave and not come back is already going to start rumors by itself. Now, I’m very busy, Cordelia. Please, leave.” Satisfied with his own answer, he goes back to signing some papers, ignoring his own daughter.

With his words, the heat inside of her body became increasingly too much to bear. With a scream that surely got Edgards’ attention, her body was engulfed in flames. Cordelia welcomed the flames around her body, showing her rage with the situation. Edgard looked at his daughter with wide eyes, not thinking this would happen to her. She surely has taken after her mother.

As Cordelia’s screams stopped, the flames calmed down. She welcomed this new feeling inside of her. The feeling of power she never felt before. Feeling the surge of power, Nicolas and Vladislav ran towards Edgards’ office, watching as Cordelia’s body emerged from the flames around her body. Nicolas felt proud she finally emerged while Vladislav felt fear. Fear for what can happen now with a newborn.

Cordelia will need more training than she originally has been getting. It’s never been a secret Nicolas was training Cordelia as they were making a lot of noise. Coming down from the high Cordelia got from such rage, she realized what actually happened. Confusion on what she became overcame her whole being. What is she now? She surely isn’t human. Why did the flames feel so natural to her?

Tears started to flow from her eyes and down her cheeks as she noticed her fathers reaction. True fear was written all over his face. Why was he afraid? She was the same little girl he has raised all these years. Right? Nothing changed as she’s still the same Cordelia. Right?

A wave of doubt of if she is the same person anymore overcame her. Edgards expression quickly changes as he opens his mouth to explain but Cordelia ran out of the office before he could. Vladislav and Nicolas quickly got out of the way for the princess as she ran.

“This is why you should have told her sooner, Edgard.” Vladislav starts. Nicolas didn’t stay to hear the full thing as he ran after Cordelia, his whole being screaming one single word. A word he’s been waiting to hear from his second half. Finally, she’s been with him this whole time but just now found out.

Why hasn’t she emerged on her birthday? She was thought to only be a human, but the display of power and the flames made it obvious that she isn’t. She’s just like him and was hidden until now. Following Cordelia deep inside the woods, he catches her attention by his own footsteps.

Her hearing was heightened along with her smell. The scent of Nicolas became intoxicating to her. A voice inside of her head was telling her something she didn’t understand. “It’s okay, Princess.” He starts, not knowing how to say this. She’s going to be upset with him and he isn’t ready for this.

“I know what you are, I’m not scared of you. We’re the same. It’s going to be okay.” He comforts her, continuing to be vague as he feels he isn’t the one to tell her. Her father should be the one to tell her what she truly is. Being vague with her is hurting him but he knows it’s for the best.

“Nicolas, please tell me what I am. I deserve to know. I don’t want to be in the dark anymore. Please, tell me.” She begs. She’s never begged before but right now, she feels vulnerable. Feeling vulnerable with Nicolas is something that feels natural for her.

“You know I shouldn’t be the one to tell you. When you’re ready, talk to your father. He knows. He should be the one to tell you.” With a silent nod, she waits until she’s calmed down. At this moment, Nicolas is holding her in his arms and it feels so natural for her to be in his arms. She doesn’t want to be in anyone else’s.

After what seemed to be hours but was only minutes, Cordelia reluctantly got up from the ground. Brushing the skirt of her dress off, she walks back to the castle. What was she? Why does the little voice in her head keep telling her one single word without any context to what is meant? Why now?

Walking back into her fathers office, she speaks up. “Father, I demand you tell me what’s going on. Please, what’s going on with me?” She sounds so demanding but so weak at the same time. She doesn’t want to sound weak but her voice betrayed her.

“I’ll tell you, but it’s going to be in the form of a story.” Edgard starts, motioning for her to take a seat. Sitting down, he lets a dreaded sigh escape. He knew this was going to be a conversation but he was hoping he wouldn’t have to. He was hoping she was human like him but she wasn’t. Cordelia was just like her mother.

“Once upon a time, there was a Prince and a Princess of another country. The prince's father arranged for the marriage between the two, needing what the Princesses' country would give for the marriage. A couple weeks went by and the two royals fell in love and were married. The Princess had a secret though, the country she came from had a secret. “My dearest husband,” she began, looking into the prince's eyes. “I was told not to tell you till after the wedding and after the wedding night. I have a secret and I hope you’ll keep this between us. If this country finds out, they’ll be afraid of their future queen and I don’t want to rule by fear. I’m a dragon shifter.” The Prince's wife explains. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the tales about man turning into wolves, I’m similar but I turn into a dragon.” The prince didn’t care, he knew he loved her with all of his heart. So the prince accepted the secret. She explained her kind can control a certain element, but it depends on the child’s parents. Two people who have different elements have a fifty-fifty chance of either one. The Princess controlled water as her parents controlled water and fire.” Ending the tale, realization comes across Cordelia’s face.

Her mother was the princess in this tale, her father the prince. Her mother was a dragon shifter. She was a dragon shifter. “There’s more, isn’t there?” With a simple nod by her question,he takes a moment before speaking. What else could her father be keeping from her?