Bardulf was dressed in his best outfit for the ball and talking to his best friend Flik when Princess Jacqueline swept up to them and curtsied. Flik nodded and left, leaving Bardulf to have the agonizing dance he'd rather not have. Jacqueline reached her hand out to him to take, keeping her eyes cast down. She looked beautiful in her gown, but he did not like how bright it was. He was blinded by the light reflecting off the shimmering gold and silver.
"King Bardulf, I believe we are to dance. Will you dance with me?" she asked politely.
After another moment, he took her hand and nearly dragged her into the middle of the floor. When he turned and wrapped his other arm around her waist, she was scowling. Bardulf said, "That isn't lady like, Princess. I would have thought your parents had taught you better than this?"
"I would have thought your parents would have taught you on how to treat a woman correctly?" she retorted.
He smirked. "They did. I just don't take orders from anyone. And I'm allowed to do as I please. It is the lady who is the real role model for the people."
She scoffed and intentionally stepped on his foot. When she saw he didn't balk, Jacqueline glared. "You are very rude, King Bardulf."
He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "Be glad it isn't worse, or else you'd be dead right now."
He heard her audible gulp as the dance ended and the music paused. He bowed low to her and was about to walk out of the room when he saw Philippa. She was wearing a plum dress with sleeves covering her arms. Her hair was set into a bun with two locks on either side framing her delicate face. To Bardulf, she looked uncomfortable, yet gorgeous in the light.
Pushing past the Princess, he strode up to her and held out his hand. "May I have this dance, Mi 'Lady?"
He saw her cheeks turn pink as she gently lifted her hand and put it in his. She nodded. Unlike with the Princess, he gently led her away and onto the dance floor, taking great care so she didn't trip. When he turned to her, she seemed nervous and had her head bent so he couldn't see those beautiful hazel eyes.
Putting a finger under her chin, he made her look up at him. "What is wrong?"
She gestured between them then shook her head, those big eyes of hers looking terrified.
Understanding, he took one hand in his and wrapped his arm around her. He felt her body tense with the contact, but she didn't pull away. "Has no one taught you how to dance?" he asked.
She shook her head and looked down at her feet.
"Look at me, not at the ground." Philippa instantly obeyed, but every other second, her eyes would flick downwards. He gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, Philippa. I'll lead you. I won't mind if you step on my feet."
• • •
And step on his feet, she did, wincing every time. They danced a few songs together, and with each one, she got better. Bardulf spun her around and lifted her up off the ground, watching her face light up in the fun experience. Somehow, she ended up with her head on his chest, eyes closed, and swaying with him and the music.
Of course, during the quiet moment between them, the King made an announcement. "If Princess Jacqueline and King Bardulf could come stand beside me, we can tell the people what this ball is truly about."
Philippa's head shot up and her eyes went wide. Bardulf saw she was about to cry and cupped her face. "Do not show tears, my sweet Philippa. It will do you no good."
She gazed sadly at him and slumped, all her energy just disappearing. With one hand, she gestured for him to go.
Bardulf took that hand and kissed it, his lips lingering longer than necessary. "Do not fret. I will come back to you."
In Philippa's mind, she thought he would only come back to dance with her, then head off into the sunset with Jacqueline. In Bardulf's mind was a whole different story that he planned to put into action as soon as the right time came. After lifting her chin and helping her stand straight and tall, he went up to the King's side.
• • •
Once everyone was quiet, the King spoke. "My daughter, Princess Jacqueline, has agreed to marry King Bardulf as to form an alliance between our kingdoms. It will benefit both and build strong bonds to each other. So, in one month, there will be a wedding to celebrate and finalize the alliance. Jacqueline will be leaving with Bardulf in one week to see his home and understand their ways. She will return the night before the wedding. I would like you all to congratulate their engagement and help me wish for their happiness."
All around Philippa, the people cheered and chanted, "Long live Princess Jacqueline!"
Philippa though, did not cheer, did not chant, did not smile, and toast her drink to the couple that stood beautifully together beside the King and Queen. One lone tear slipped down her cheek and she made her way out of the room to get some air.
Bardulf caught movement near the exit and just saw a flash of purple before his attention was taken by Jacqueline. "We are to dance now, to show them we are a couple."
He searched the crowd for any sign of the woman he had just danced with, for those large hazel eyes that were so innocent and beautiful, for those soundless lips he so desperately wanted to capture between his own.
"King Bardulf!" Jacqueline hissed and tugged on his arm. "Did you not hear me?"
His heart dropped as he realized who left the ballroom. He returned his gaze to the Princess and gave her an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Princess. One of my men just signaled for me to some disturbance and would like me to check it out. I will dance with you when I return."
Her eyes turned concerned. "Is everything alright?"
"I hope so," he said, and meant it. Bowing to her, he strode across the room and into the hallway. Right or left? Taking a deep breath, he went with his instinct and went right.
Taking many turns and barely watching where he was going, he almost didn't see her in the dark corner before he passed. Bardulf skidded to a halt and backed up, staring at her shivering form curled up into a ball.
He stepped towards her and chips of stone cracked beneath his weight, alerting Philippa to his presence. Her head came up and he halted, seeing her tear-stained cheeks and swollen eye. "What happened?" he asked softly, not wanting to scare her.
But she started shaking and moving her head from side to side, pressing herself into the wall behind her. He walked forward and after a few steps, saw the blood.
"Philippa, I won't harm you. I just want to help," he said in as gentle a tone as he could manage with all the rage inside him.
A small gasp came from her mouth. Her eyes darted around, as if searching to see if someone else was there with them. Bardulf already knew they were alone and knew he could and would kill anyone who harmed her.
Kneeling, he brushed away her hair that fell out of its bun and looked her over. "Are you bleeding?" he asked softly. She shook her head, still shaking. "Did you recognize the person who did this?"
She gasped again, curling back up.
"Philippa, they won't come after you again. I'm here now," he said and she shook her head, waving a hand in a nonsensical way that he couldn't read. "You're hurt and probably exhausted. Let's get you to your rooms."
He hadn't even finished when Philippa pushed him away and started running. Stunned for a moment, he just sat there wondering what happened. He was brought out his stupor by something hitting the ground. He got to his feet and spun around, seeing Philippa sprawled on the ground. Bardulf ran over and pulled her up. She gasped and held onto him, unwilling to let go as tears streamed down her face.
"What hurts?"
She lifted her leg a little and gestured down to her foot.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Bardulf went down on one knee and grabbed her ankle. Fingernails dug into his shoulders and neck as Philippa gasped and tried to remove his hand. "Easy, there," he said and pulled it up so it rested on his thigh. Looking up into her eyes, Bardulf said, "Nothing is broken, I think. It's just got twisted from your little escape run."
That light pink swept across her cheeks before she looked away quickly.
Bardulf chuckled. "Can you lead me to your chambers if I carry you?"
Philippa seemed shocked by his question and startled but nodded her head. Bardulf swept her up into his arms and started carrying her bridal style. When they reached the main hallway, she pointed left.
For the next few minutes, he followed her directions and made sure she was relaxed in his arms. They reached her chambers and he bent down so she could open the door so he could walk in. When he saw the room, he was oddly disappointed to see there was nothing to show who she was or what she likes. The woman pointed to the bed, so he sat her down on it and grabbed her ankle again.
Philippa tilted her head to one side in question, so Bardulf said, "It isn't bad. It should be fine by morning. You should stay off it until then and let it rest. No need to be getting up, I don't think."
She made a movement and he understood she was asking about the princess.
"I'm sure she can take care of herself for one night, Philippa. She has two hands and two legs that are not injured." He pulled the covers down and put her head on the pillows, then covered her body up to her chin. Sitting beside her, he brushed her hair behind her ear and gave her a small smile. "I will see you soon, my sweet Philippa. Rest well."
The maid reached over to the table beside her and grabbed a quill and parchment, then wrote down a question.
'Why are you here with me when you should be dancing with your bride?'
Bardulf chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "Would you rather I do go down and dance with her?" Philippa shook her head. "I want to spend time with you."
'I am a maid.'
"So?"
She wrote down her answer and handed the parchment back.
'You are of higher status. I am nothing but a peasant and servant. I cannot be what you want in the role of Queen.'
Bardulf sighed and set the parchment aside, deciding how he should tell her the truth of what he was and what she meant to him. His mouth opened when the door to the chamber opened abruptly. "Phili-" Jacqueline started then stared at the two on the bed, having the worst thoughts.
"Princess Jacqueline, I can explain," Bardulf said hurriedly.
The Princess didn't wait to hear him. Instead, she strode up and slapped him across the face. "You bastard! You go and sleep with my friend! My maid! You are a fraud! I knew you shouldn't be trusted! I knew there was something off about you!"
He grabbed her delicate wrists in his hands and glared down at her. "Accuse me of falsehood again, and I don't care who you are, I will beat you!"
"You went to bed with her! How can I not accuse you? You're in here with her, beside her in bed, smiling at each other!"
Bardulf had enough of this woman. It was one thing to insult him personally but accusing him of something so asinine was going too far. He looked at Philippa and softened his eyes. "Rest, Philippa. I will answer your question when we see each other. Don't get up unless absolutely necessary."
She nodded and gave him a smile.
He didn't return it but dragged Jacqueline out of the room so she could sleep. The princess shrieked and struggled in his firm grip. He didn't acknowledge her until he found a door that led into a closet and shoved her inside. Shutting it behind him, he barred the door with a broom then turned to the woman who was glaring at him.
"Let me go!" she cried.
He crossed his arms and said calmly, "We are not getting married."
She halted her mouth from saying something and stared. "But, the alliance. You agreed to it."
"But I signed nothing. And, I've decided I don't need your resources to help my people. I will figure something else out without binding myself to someone like you."
Jacqueline seemed disappointed for some reason Bardulf could not explain. "I'm sorry for accusing you and Philippa. I didn't think."
"Correct. You didn't think," he said and straightened his body. "But apology not accepted. For your information, your maid was attacked earlier this evening while your father announced our engagement. I went in search of her, and found her in a corner, shaking to death. I took her to her chambers, and we started talking. Under no circumstance were we doing anything you were thinking."
Jacqueline swallowed a lump in her throat and bowed her head. "Please don't cancel this marriage. My father needs it as much as you do."
"No, he doesn't. I need it more, but I will find another way to help my people. My people are dying hourly every day because there's not enough food and warmth. Your kingdom needs nothing like mine does. Your people are greedy. Your King is greedy. I do not lead by riches and balls, but loyalty and friendship."
Jacqueline's eyes teared up once more. "My father isn't greedy!"
"Isn't he?" Bardulf said with a raised brow. "He uses your marriage as a bargaining chip to ally with him. He thinks of you as property. Always has and always will. I will not be a part of your loss and his gain. You may go beg him to convince me otherwise, but I do what I want. I will find my queen worthy to be by my side, who isn't sold as property and used as a pawn."
A lone tear rolled down her cheek. "So, what are you going to do? What am I going to do?"
Feeling slightly sorry for the woman, Bardulf softened his voice and said, "For the rest of this week, we will act civilized. To spare you the humiliation and reprimand, I will tell your father that I no longer need to marry you for his resources and that you may marry whomever you wish. On the final night before we are supposed to leave together, I will disappear back to my kingdom. You are to keep quiet about our conversation tonight. If I hear you have spoken out of line, run and pray I never find you. Because if I do, your punishment will be severe. Am I understood?"