Prince Xavier's POV:
I sit beside Princess Esme, taking in my new bride's features.
She has long black hair that falls past her shoulders. She has a light complexion and an oval face. Her light brown eyes stare out at the scene before us, our guests enjoying the festivities.
The music switches again and Princess Esme perks up, seeing her ladies enter the throne room. She stands, taking a quick moment to compose herself before making her way over to them. I watch for a moment as she meets up with them, they all begin speaking at one. Then I feel someone make their way over to my side, bowing. I turn to see Commander Chester, overseer of the castle knights. King Ronan motions him forward and he moves to stand in front of him. My father gestures for him to continue on.
"Your Grace, I have come to inform you that there has been a commotion in the courtyard. Two young knights caught in a fight, Squire and Telver came to blows. Telver was killed." Commander Chester speaks quietly
I lean forward but make certain not to draw too much attention.
King Ronan's face falls.
Although he doesn't show it, I know he feels this loss.
"Discreetly bring them to the infirmary behind the castle. Once Squire is attended to, have him detained in the dungeon until further notice.. Are their families here tonight?" King Ronan ask
"I am not certain, Your Grace but I can find out." He says
"Do it quickly and discreetly."
He bows and makes his way over to some other guards.
I turn my attention back to the festivities.
Princess Esme takes her ladies over to the dance area. Everyone dancing begins to form a circle as the music switches again. They begin to move to the left, each of them placing their right foot behind them before moving to the opposite direction and repeating the same move with another foot. They hold their arms out at their sides extending them out to the circle of others.
They then move inwards, closing the space between them all, circling around again this time the whole way around. Pairing off the men spit off with the women, circling around one another. I watch as Princess Esme smiles at her dance partner, dancing gracefully. I feel an anger rise as I watch her dance with him.
Some nameless lord.
Princess Esme's POV:
Prince Xavier takes my arm, not at all lightly and we make our way out of the dining room and into the empty hall. Stunned by his sudden change of behavior, I try to pull away, discreetly at first and then with more force once we are out of public view but he holds on, his fingers digging in. I hurry to keep up with him and he stops suddenly when we finally exit. Turning around to face me, I can see an anger on his face that I'd never once seen. I'd never even heard him shout. I step back immediately away from him, trying to gain some distance either to run or attack.
" Do you get some sort of pleasure from making a fool of me?" He demands, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
He stands there, arms crossed, intimidating.
A cold wash of fear washes over me as I realize I am now without the protection of my family, now that I am wed.
"If I have mistreated you in any sort of way, I do apologize." I tell him quickly
I still do not understand why he is upset, but we have just wed and this is not how I want the beginning of our relationship to be. I do not want him angry at me. He looks away, staring off in the distance as if what I said what I said no effect.
"Please tell me in what way I have wronged you." I say taking a step forward, reaching out to console him.
He scoffs, stepping back.
Unbeknownst to me, Annyth sits inside her cave, pacing back and forth aimlessly, flapping her wings and erupting balls of red fire, feeling the tension of this argument.
There is a long moment of silence, the silence only growing.
" If you are to be my wife for the rest of my days as king, there's something you will need to understand and quickly at that: You are not simply to do as you wish. You do as I command."
He does not say this angrily.
Instead he states it merely as fact.
Without emotion.
I am stunned by his sudden aggression and possessiveness.
Traits, he did not show whatsoever in our courtship.
Granted we had only met a handful of times in our travels but when we did meet, we spent hours together.
" I do not understand. This is a night of celebration. Am I not allowed to dance with the other members at court?"
"You are not to dance with other men. You are not to be in their company unless they are a guard."
At this, I am taken aback.
I hadn't seen any sign of negative behavior from him until now.
Was he acting kind just to gain my hand?
I am angered as to how he speaks to me.
As a woman.
As his bride.
Even more so as a future ruler.
I am to sit upon a throne at his side.
How can I attend to any matters if he acts this way?
Will he be watching around every corner out of jealousy?
" I am to rule my county once my father passes, it is written into law. How am I to rule if I cannot be in the same room as another man? These expectations you've created are not sufficient." I tell him
At this, he laughs.
A cold sound with no joy to it.
" Your only duty is to please me. Look beautiful at court. Provide me heirs. Fail to do this and I will have no further use for you."
With this he walks away, leaving me in the hallway alone.