Knight’s Vow

Knight's Vow- Chapter Three

We traveled in relative silence for hours, not stopping for lunch until the sun was midway in the sky. I dismounted as quickly as I could with numb legs and stretched before rushing behind the closest line of trees to relieve myself. For the first part of our journey, there should be plenty of places for privacy. Hopefully, this break will be long enough to cook a hot meal because we won't be stopping again before dark, and I'm STARVING. 

Leaving the tree line, I was hoping to see some fires going, but there was none. Luke must have seen my face. Laughing, he said, "No hot meals until dinner. Lunch is going to be cold leftovers or bread and dried meat until we reach another town. It takes too much time setting up and tearing down fires."

"It wouldn't take so much time if we had designated travel paths with permanent firepits like I suggested to Father years ago!" I angrily took the bread and dried meat that Luke handed me, tearing at the hard bread as soon as it was in my hand. 

"Calm down, Lana; it's only until dinner. We only stopped because everyone needed to take a piss anyway."

Did Luke just say piss? He would have never been caught cussing four years ago. Although I have to admit, it was kind of cute. Is it wrong to be excited that I get to learn all of these new things about Luke when I'm not excited to meet my future husband? More than anything, I'm scared. What if he's rude or unfaithful? What if he thinks a Queen should sit on a throne and behave? I can't change who I am or lose myself to appease him. I won't do it.

-------

Cyrus' POV

Ughhh, I could stay here forever. Surrounded by beautiful women and drinks. No responsibilities or problems. 

The women on the seats next to me were giggling, their low-cut dresses showing off way too much cleavage and leg to be considered respectable ladies. But, of course, we were in a brothel, and I did pay a lot of money to have fun with scantily clad women. 

A throat cleared from the doorway, and I looked up to see my father's advisor, Leo, glaring at me. He motioned at me to follow him, and, rolling my eyes, I got up to obey. I followed him out the back door and into the chill air. 

"Your father needs to speak with you at the palace, Cyrus. He sent me to get you and bring you back."

"How did you know where I was?" I asked, already irritated with my night being interrupted. 

"You come here every night, and every morning a girl leaves your room without fail. You couldn't be more predictable if you tried." Leo looked like he was fighting to stay level-headed. He was a firm believer in there being one person for everyone, and you should wait for your one. Honestly, I don't care as long as I get laid. 

"Fine, let's go." I followed him through the quiet streets of Morren. Luckily, the brothel wasn't far from the castle, and the trip didn't take long. If Leo had gotten there any later, though, he would have had to carry me home. 

We walked through the welcome hall and into the royal dining room, where the King was sitting at the head of the table.  My father and I looked alike; we both have olive skin and brown-nearing-black hair. The only difference was the green eyes I got from my mother. Unlike most royals, my father never took a bride. My mother was his mistress, the only mistress to have given him an heir.

"What is it, father? I was a bit busy." I say, smirking to myself. It's no secret I got my lady issues from him, and I know damn well he interrupted me on purpose tonight. 

"Busy is not the word I would use," Leo muttered, chuckling before he left us alone.

"Take a seat, Cy. We need to have a proper discussion." I noticed the grimace on his face, wondering what could possibly put it there. "Wine?"

"No, father. Please, get on with it." I sat, putting some space between us in case this conversation goes south, as they tend to do between my father and me now that mother is gone. She died three years ago from an unknown illness after being sick for a year. We have not been the same since, constantly bickering with or ignoring each other. 

"Fine. As you already know, the King of Tyriel and I have been attempting to reach an agreement and form an alliance against our common enemy for a few weeks now. We have finally found some common ground by agreeing to merge our families through a marriage between you and his daughter, Princess Alana. She will be traveling here along with an escort to marry you before we join our troops. You can expect her arrival in six weeks, with your wedding to follow immediately." He finished his spiel before even taking a breath, no doubt rushing to finish before I interrupted him. But honestly, I think I'm too shocked even to speak.

Me? Married? And to another royal at that. I never planned on getting married, much less to someone of equal status, as most other royal families are considered our enemies. 

"I.....I'm not sure what to say, father. I mean, we both know I'm not marriage material."

"Which is why I expect you to stop whoring around this instant. No more women and booze and forgotten mistakes. You are to quit now, and hopefully, you will have changed enough to be worthy of her by the time she gets here. They say she's a beauty, with brains and strength to match. She should be a fantastic partner if you can prove yourself worthy of her, son." My father smiled at me, but I don't know how he could be happy right now. All I can feel is panic, tightening my chest.