Heir's & Enemies: Breaking Bloodlines

~Princess Rowan's P. O. V.~ Pacing the floor of my room in anxiousness. My eldest brother, King Ruhn, was set to leave for another kingdom tonight. I know they are having Court because of the recent fall of another kingdom. I am 16 years old and not ready to be married. I know it's our custom. It's my duty as a princess to marry another prince or king. I told Ruhn that I was not comfortable with this arrangement. He told me that he didn't like the man I am betrothed to either. However, he made a promise to our late father. That Ruhn followed through the arrangements father made. When that promise was made, neither Ruhn nor I had met my suitor yet. It was a chance encounter between my eldest brother and my betrothed. I didn't meet him face to face, yet, I was nearby as I listened in. He seemed nice enough at first, but when my brother said that he hoped for my happiness with him, his eyes filled with a hunger. I heard him scoff as he asked why my happiness was important. I was only to bear him an heir and not to be heard. I covered my mouth at the thought. Queens are equal to Kings, some are actually above the king. They are matriarchal and amazing kingdoms. What my betrothed said that day? It made me want to break it off. I stopped pacing for a moment and ran down to the foyer where my brothers and sisters stood, bowing to my eldest brother. I took my place and bowed as well. Ruhn came in with his head held high and his sword sheathed. My heart was pounding out of my chest. No words were spoken between the 9 of us. Ruhn motioned for us to lift our heads. Giving each of us a warm embrace. I loved my brother, he was strong and kind. When he let go of me, he snapped his fingers. A servant came over with a silver tray. Ruhn picked up the letter that was on that tray and handed it to me. I gently took it from his hands and looked at it. He shook his head. I understood. He didn't want me reading here, nor now. We all bowed again as he left. Once the doors closed, my other siblings began to talk amongst themselves. I, however, went to the front gardens and watched as his carriage left with him. I sent up a silent prayer to whomever may be listening that my brother will come home safe. I sat in the garden and opened the letter. Rowen, My sweet, dearest sister, I will bring to the courts' attention about your betrothal. Do not hope highly. If they feel that your betrothed is not suited for you, then there will be a vote. If they vote in favor, then a new betrothal will be made. Know this; if this comes to pass, I will be breaking our fathers will. I hope you are prepared for the consequences thereafter. I will be gone for 30 days and 29 nights. Another warning, my little sister, if they vote no, then there is nothing I can do. Even a king has limits in his powers. I love you. Take care of yourself. Ruhn. I sat on that bench as silent tears fell. He told me not to hope highly, yet that is all I can do. I hoped and prayed that I will be given to another, one that is kind and just like my brother. One that treats his queen with respect and as an equal. Mother was immediately notified when that conversation took place. I didn't even hear her calling for me, I felt her gentle hands and arms around my shoulders as she read the letter. She and I cried together at the thought of me having been placed with this evil man. I do not know his name. Yet, the coldness in his dark brown eyes told me all I needed to know. He would treat me as if I am nothing. Not even worthy of the dirt he steps on. Mother and I stayed in the gardens until the sun set. She dried my tears and told me to get ready for supper. I agreed to her request and went to my room. There, I sat in silence. My washroom held a mirror, I washed my hands and looked into my mirror. My eyes are red and swollen, they used to look like pearls with amber rings in the middle adorned with onyx in the middle. My fiery red hair up in a braided bun. I washed my tears away and tried to look presentable for supper. I finished with my business, I went to the dining hall and sat in my chair. It was closest to Ruhn's seat. He felt that if there was ever an intrusion during meal times, that I would be the most protected with him and my other siblings defending me. Yes, I am the youngest of 9, yet if anything happened to my siblings, I would be the one to carry on my father's legacy. Reclaim the kingdom and rejoice that I survived. Mother sat on his other side. She was still acting queen even though my brother is now king. Until he finds a worthy princess, my mother will continue her duties as such. It fell to her and me to stay safe. I heard my other siblings talking about their hopes for their kingdoms when they get them. I, however, did not want to think about such things. I let my mind drift off, thinking about my horse. She was such a noble steed indeed. A Drum horse is her breed. She was mainly used for town celebrations when Ruhn would come home successful from a battle. Not by killing his enemies, but making them submit and pledge their alliance to us. We are powerful. ~King Ruhn's P. O. V.~ I hated leaving my sisters and brothers with nothing but embraces. I especially hated leaving for many days at a time. It left my kingdom vulnerable and my youngest sister unprotected. My brothers knew how to fight, that is no doubt. Rowen, on the one hand, is special to me. I was there when she spoke her first words, I was there to hold mother's hand while father was away duning her birth. I was there for her with everything she did. Her first dress fitting, her first royal ball. I wanted to make things right with my youngest sister. Can I truly betray father and his wishes? For her sake, I hope I can. Meeting that wretched bastard the first time, had me wanting to draw my blade. The vulgar things he said to me about Rowen made me want to kill him. I was not named king yet, so a prince killing another prince would have been seen as treacherous. And other kingdoms could have invaded and taken all my sisters. That is why his head remains on his shoulders today. I thought about my family, where I doubt he would have shown the same courtesy. The ride to a neutral kingdom will take 7 days to get there and 7 days to return. This journey was going to be difficult. Court hasn't resumed in many years due to my father's passing. This will be my first time going as king and not as prince accompanying my father. I do not know whom else will be there, aside from one kingdom. Rowen's betrothed. I have been keeping an eye on his kingdom if he ever becomes king. Luck would have it, that his father refuses to give him the kingdom until he is married. For that, I was slightly grateful. It gave me more time to postpone Rowen's marriage to him. I will admit, that when we shook hands, something about him seemed wrong. I cannot describe it, yet, my heart and mind were giving me warnings about him. I will have to investigate this further. I do not want her to be in a marriage with someone who will see her as nothing but a tool to use and throw away. I looked out the window from my carriage, the forest was glowing bright with the suns rays shining on their treetops. An hour passed, then two. This was long and tedious. When night fell, my carriage coachman and horses needed to rest. I made preparations for us to stay at an inn along these routes. The coachman knew where to go. I need not give him directions. He pulled the carriage up to the inn's door. I opened my door and stepped out. The village girls were gawking at me. I played nice and smiled at them. A royal and a commoner cannot be together. This was law. Do not misunderstand, they are quite beautiful, they just weren't princesses. I went into the inn while my coachman put the horses away. I laid 5 gold pieces on the inn's counter. The innkeeper nodded and showed me where I will be staying for the night. A royal traveling at night is very dangerous. I closed the door to my room and sat on the bed. I hated traveling the most. I am not rude to them, but these beds hurt my back because of how thin they are. It was slightly better than sleeping in the carriage, though. I thought about the dangers of night travel. Only because I was in a dangerous situation once. I was on my way to meet with some traders about supplying provisions. I drifted off to sleep in the carriage and the next thing I knew, we were surrounded by bandits. Luckily, my knights took them down easily and even found their camp. I was not one to dance on the dead's grave, however, we still reaped the rewards of their hoard. They had stolen gems and jewels from other kingdoms. If I recognized it, I would return it to it's owner. The gold we kept, since it was harder to trace. I closed my eyes and thought of home, thought of my family. I hated this. For 30 days and 29 nights I will be away from them. I hoped my kingdom will be all right without me for that long. I know our allies would come to my family's aid if asked. Yet, it was a risk I had to take. All kings and Princes must attend Court. Another law we had as royals. It was to decide what would be best for the people, who would get unclaimed land and who should marry who for stronger alliances. Rowen, please do not hope for a good outcome, dear sister. I covered my eyes with my arm as I continued to hope for this to end in our favor. I do not wish to give her any false hopes nor do I want to shatter her heart with distressful news. 6 more days before I am meeting with several other kings. 6 more days before the 14 days of Court. My food arrived on time, a knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts of Court. I got up from my bed and saw a young woman holding a tray filled with fine meats and the ripe smell of mead. I could use the drink, honestly. I grabbed it from her and thanked her. I set the thing down on the nearest side table. Court was going to be interesting, to say the least. The last time I went, there was a huge argument about who would get old king Lazarus' kingdom. He had no heir after his son died of an illness. He was a good king and good to his people. His queen died of heartbreak and he died from taking his own life. The other kings and princes were mournful.