A king's desire

Cassandra I walked down the hall in silence. The woman next to me walked just slightly behind as I escorted her and yet I felt as if her eyes kept glancing my way. I was well aware at this point what a rarity I was, especially in this kingdom. My long wavy silver hair was currently tied up out of the way with a simple black ribbon. That alone drew attention and I was used to the stares. More than that, though my purple eyes were a sight. I was told it was the eye color of the old royal family of the kingdom where features like mine were common. In this kingdom, I had met no one else with purple eyes. Even more than that, though I was a woman serving in the palace. Female knights were not very common, as it were, but I was the first female knight to serve at the palace in almost a hundred years. My loyalty to the royal family drove me though. I had been abandoned as a baby on the steps of a temple. I had no idea why or who my parents were. They left no evidence or reason. The hand resting on the pommel of my blade clenched lightly. I sighed internally. The stares from this woman in particular were intense as I could feel my senses on high alert. Soon we would be at our destination though, and I would be free of her gaze for a bit. As we approached the large doors at the end of the hall that was the King's study door, I felt my back stiffen ever so slightly. I knocked gently. We were expected, so I said nothing to announce us. "You may enter!" I heard the voice of the king's personal guard call from inside. I stepped to the side, taking my place next to the door as the noblewoman entered. I almost let out a breath of relief. Though I didn't relax. As if the king could somehow see through the wall, I stood as straight as I could. This was the closest I had ever been to him since I started serving at the inner palace. I reached up, taking the end of my ribbon in my fingers lightly. The words of the one who gave it to me rang through my head. 'You'll make us all proud, Cassandra. I am honored to have raised such a strong woman.' The words of the woman I looked up to like a mother had helped me through the tough times since I joined the knighthood. I don't think either of us expected me to rise so far in my duty. I was just one more of her kids at the orphanage and yet I knew she truly believed in me. My gaze shifted to the large windows lining the hall. As I stared out at the beautiful weather I saw brief flashes of my childhood days. It all still almost felt like a dream. Even though it had taken years to rise to my current rank and ability. I had never found a real home. While I had people staring at me all the time, I could also see as they whispered quickly as well. No one truly wanted a daughter whose features were so unique. I dropped my fingers from my ribbon, placing my hand back on the sword pommel. I couldn't let my mind wander. Even in the inner palace, I had to stay alert. I wondered briefly if the woman I had escorted was having any luck. The king's mother had been trying to find him a wife for almost 2 years at that point. Ever since his father passed away and he inherited the throne. Yet the king seemed not to care about his mother's efforts and he turned away every woman she sent eventually. I personally escorted a few of them through the inner palace. They were all beautiful and they wore dresses that cost more than I had earned in my entire life. Word of his disinterest in all of the ladies had even spread to the common folk. Whispers of the dowager queen growing desperate. None of that had anything to do with me though. I just did my duty as best as I could. I owe the royal family my life at the very least. The orphanage that took me in and raised me was funded directly by them. The king's grandmother had started it after she married to the throne. It sits near the center of the capital. Because of their kindness, I was never hungry, cold, or without a place to sleep. I owed them all a debt that could never be repaid. Suddenly, there was a crash from inside the room. My body moved on instinct as I rushed into the room and drew my sword swiftly. The sight caused me to freeze in my tracks though. The noblewoman was at the side of the desk surrounded by papers as the king glared at her from behind his desk. His personal guard stood between the pair with his arm up in a block. Suddenly the king's gaze flashed to me. I saw as he flinched as our eyes met. His eyes were like ice both in color and emotion. The icy blue was void of emotions as he looked at me. Suddenly remembering myself, I bowed at the waist as I put my sword away quickly. "Apologies your majesty!" I felt the shame fill me. I had jumped far too quickly into action. I had intruded on the king, which I had not been allowed. Still, I felt a clenching in my gut as well. I had actually come face to face with the king. I had seen him from a distance but never would I imagine our eyes would ever meet. His eyes were as bright as I had heard the noble women babble about. Framed in his long black hair, they stood out even more. "Who is this woman?" The voice of the king was cold and I felt a small shiver down my back. My mistake was glaring though, and even though the words had not been directed at me, I acted. I dropped to one knee in respect and placed a fist against my chest. Keeping my head bowed and not daring to make eye contact again. "Cassandra Blaze your highness. Second company junior commander." I introduced myself firmly and respectfully. I heard a soft hmmm from the noblewoman as she collected herself from the ground finally but ignored it. I knew she would recognize the last name given to those from the orphanage who reached adulthood without finding a family of their own. I have been looked down upon many times for it but it never bothered me. "A woman knight in the palace?" The king's voice showed the smallest hint of curiosity, but I dared not respond to his words this time. "Yes, your highness. She shows great promise." His guard responded to his question. The silence filled the room instantly and it felt like an eternity before the king finally took another breath. "You're both dismissed." He said and I stood from the ground and walked to the door. Still not daring to even glance the king's way again as I waited on the noblewoman. I heard her huff in annoyance before she followed me. I opened the door for her and shut it behind us quickly. The shame in my body refused to leave even as I escorted her back through the halls. I had really blown it. In front of the king, no less. I could feel the noblewoman's gaze twice as strong as I led her back to the guest wing in silence. The king had pointed out how odd it was for a female knight to be serving in the palace after all. I was dreading going to dinner tonight. The whispers among the guards and knights spread faster than wildfire around the palace. Soon all the servants would know too.