I will never forgive you

One cont..

“Good afternoon.” I bow my head and shut the door behind me walking outside once more. Lord Winston grunts as I follow next to him. Markus slowly walks away with a sly grin on his face almost as if he’s saying “I told you so.” I fist my hands in my pocket as Lord Winston responds.

“Good afternoon.”

“Is there a reason you came here?” Lord Winston holds his arm out and I quickly take it in mine as we walk down the path toward the temple. “There isn’t another service today, Lord Winston.”

“Hush. There should never be dread when learning about the lord… But since you do dread it so much I might have a separate service just for you, but we need to speak to you before the king makes any decisions.”

“Uhh, We?” As we approach the temple doors Lord Winston stops and faces me with a frown.

“There is no need to start any arguments or there will be..”

“Lessons, Of course, Lord Winston I am aware” I rush my response as he shakes his head in approval and then opens the door to the temple. I break from Lord Winston walking down the carpeted hallway and through two large double doors. I walk down pew after pew until I stop just yards away from the King.

“Ellanore.” His deep voice awakens me from my thoughts.

“Your majesty.” I bow and then take a seat at one of the empty pews. The crowded people in the room bow their heads to the king and then take a seat. As I lean against the pew the King speaks with Lord Winston and a few of his royal court I wince in pain as the scabs on my back begin to rip open.

“Ellanore Princess of Brinn please stand.” My country's name is entitled to my name makes me hesitate. King Malcolm has never announced me as the princess of Brinn. “I said stand.” I quickly jump to my feet immediately regretting the fast pace and my back begins to feel damp. “I want to start by saying that you have grown in the past years since the day I removed your family from their heirs including yourself.”

I haven't been removed from my heir. I am still ALIVE!

“How can I manage to put into words how incredible you have become.” INCREDIBLE. I am either dead or dreaming. “You have proven yourself to me that I can now trust you.” I am dreaming! I am dreaming! “I think you have finally learned how to do as you're told.” The court laughs and I roll my eyes. Nope, not a dream, just a joke.

“Excuse my rudeness your majesty but is there a point to this meeting or are we just going to throw around jokes all day about my existence rather than an adult council meeting.” The court silences quickly and I am welcomed by a very familiar glare from both Lord Winston and King Malcome. AHH, Great El Way to GO!

“No one is here to humiliate your existence Ellanore. You have been excused of your misbehavior, another reason why your crimes are no longer held against you.” My eyes darted to the King's cold black eyes. Instantly freezing to his locked stare unable to let go because I am now firmly aware of what Markus had been talking about.

“It looks like you have her attention, your majesty.” Vladimir whispers to the king but Malcolm grins in a way I have never seen.

“Yes indeed.” He folds his hands in his lap. “You want freedom don’t you Ellanore.”

“Are you being serious?” My head tilts to the side but I allow the King to continue.

“As you are aware the Grand Ball is arriving and I can’t leave you unmarried and a prisoner for the rest of your life.” I gasp quietly unsure how I feel. The king continues to smile. “Since you have proven yourself somewhat trustworthy you now have a curfew with no guards trailing your back and you must attend ALL Ball activities.” I take a step back surprised. “Once all activities are fulfilled and through you will then be escorted back to your quarters by your two guards.”

“Wait?” I put my hands behind my back fixing my posture standing tall inwardly wincing at the sharp burning sensation in my back. “You're telling me that you are allowing me to attend the Grand Ball without guards as I am welcomed to be around all the high nobles?” The court quietly laughs.

“Yes, Ellanore, that is what I just said.” The king hesitates before answering me.

“I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean.” Malcolm slowly raises an eyebrow. “There has to be something else that I am missing here. What is it that you want in return?” The King nods his head with a slight grin exposing his well-mannered mask. I KNEW IT!

“Yes, with these freedoms you must swoon a particular man and marry him.” My mind races. I pray silently hoping that it's not Markus. Page would be so devastated.

“Who?” I whisper.

“Reid Einar” My eyes and mouth widen.

“Ahh, what?” Oh God no PLEASE NO!

“Reid Einar” King Malcome shakes his head in frustration.

“That is absurd” I laugh aloud. “You want me to marry Reid Einar?” I laugh even harder as though this entire meeting is a joke. “You do realize that he has denied seventeen marriages within the last three years” The King stands up slowly warning me of my place.

“I am fully aware of Einar and his denials throughout the years but!” He holds up his finger glaring at me as though his eyes could rip my soul from my body. “If you do not convince him of marriage I will take everything away from you.” I roll my eyes. You’ve already taken everything away from me. “I will send Markus to the dungeon, I will punish you as I always do, and then I will slowly start killing any person who dares to speak to you. I might even make you take their lives.”

I gulp suddenly aware that he still has my entire country held against me. I am the only thing truly protecting the citizens of Brinn. If I disobey he punishes them to punish me because he knows that I care more about Brinn than myself.

“Ellanore it is quite simple.” I shake my head.

“Fine, I agree to your terms.” Once again I cower down. Obeying like an animal. What have I done? Malcolm's grin grows wide and prideful.

“You are dismissed then.” I nod my head urging myself not to cry. I slowly make my way through the temple and back to my chambers that sit a hundred yards away from the castle. Once I enter my room I take a deep breath and sit down on my old couch trying to truly process what is happening.

Knock, knock, knock

Markus barges into my chambers with a grin plastered on his face. I try to compose myself fully aware of the guards just a few feet away.

“You are the luckiest person I know! Markus comfortably leans against the fireplace.

“Not quite as lucky as you think.” I shove my coat off and throw it at Markus.

“Reid Einar, man that seems pretty lucky.” I scrunch my nose.

“Well, I don’t know why you're jealous because Page loves you and I'm stuck with a stranger.” The words blurt out before I can stop them.

“I know.” Markus tosses the coat beside me with a sigh. He plays with the dirt under his nails.

“You don’t feel the same way do you?” I already knew this but I couldn’t help myself but find the clarity.

“She’s a kind and a beautiful young woman, Ellanore but…. No, I don’t”

“You know you should tell her.”

“I know but I just don’t-” He huffs loudly running his hands over his face. “I just don’t know that I can. I mean you are her best friend, why don’t you tell her.” Markus points his finger at me. My face begins to feel warm.

“Are you kidding me? No this is your problem, not mine.” I quickly stand up, placing my coat on an old rack. “If you don’t have feelings for Page then you need to be the one to tell her and besides how could you not like her I mean unless.” My lips smirk playfully. “Then who do you like?” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down. His face is grum and he doesn’t meet my eyes.

“Uhh..” My insides begin to twist. “I like you, Ellanore.” Realization strikes me. My heart plummets to the floor as Markus finally looks up at me. How could I have not known this? The only time Page sees Markus is when I am around.

“Markus” I try sounding sincere but he cuts me off.

“I know that you don’t feel the same way” I stiffen at the hurt that flashes in his eyes. “At least I was able to spend the time that I had with you. I hope you enjoy the Grand Ball Ellanore.” Markus walks out the door but then turns back. “Maybe Reid isn’t as bad as you think.” He shrugs.

“How would you know?” I cross my arms in irritation and I'm not sure if it's towards Markus or the fact that I have to marry a stranger.

“I don’t but I mean you're not half as bad as people say you are so maybe the same goes for Reid.” Markus shuts the door before I can respond. I slump down in my seat with defeat.

Markus has a point but people don’t know the truth about who I am and what I have done. The people are angry with me but I'm not the one who raided an entire castle and murdered my family taking its last heir as a prisoner to show as a trophy of the victory Fjord won.