The Next Day.
Oliver's POV
My heart ached for Adeline and my unborn child, but that gave me all the more power to fight and win.
I've lost a few men, but their sacrifice will not go unawarded; I shall make sure their families are well taken care of, and know how much of a hero their brave guard was.
I sighed, sitting upon my cot with my head in my hands. I had so much; whatever I wanted in life I could get. Even the tent I was given for battle is completely over the top.
I could get everything and anything except for the woman I love. And why?
"Because peasants are nothing but a nuisance. They work and beg. That's all," as both of my parents had always repeated in their better than thou way of presenting themselves.
The sun was high, a beautiful day despite the way I felt, but an abnormally dry one, and we were preparing ourselves for another push; or trying to. I felt defeated despite us successfully, though slowly, taking back the village.
I lifted my head up to look at the planning table, a map of the village on it with a couple knives in it to hold it in place, as well as the weight of my handcrafted, golden sword.
"My Prince," one of my men entered my tent hastily, apologizing when he saw me in my bed. "But news has come from the castle." He held out a tied-up scroll.
I stood up, making my way over to him with heavy steps. The beginning of the 2-week battle was easy, but now it was just tearing me apart emotionally and physically.
"My birthday's today. 19," I pointed out, as I grabbed the folded scroll from his hands he was offering me, hoping it was maybe just a birthday letter from my parents.
"Happy birthday," he said with lackluster effort, before excusing himself and exiting. The flaps of the tent hid him upon leaving, but his armor clanking gave his position away as he walked.
I then made my over to the planning table, laying the scroll upon it as I untied it's red string binding and laid it out over a portion of the map.
Oliver,
There's 4 days until you're set to come home, but an urgent matter has come about and we wish you to return the moment you receive this. We have appointed someone to take your place.
Please be quick.
Your mother, the Queen,
Mary Ambrose
I was a bit nervous about a situation demanding urgent attention, but I was lucky enough to leave and be able to surprise my love.
Perhaps I wasn't meant to be a Prince if I had more dedication to my family than the kingdom? Maybe I should convince her to run off with me? I thought to myself. After all, I did hear the whispers about me being a weak ruler.
My hands instinctively grabbed my sword off the table and mounting it to my hip before I made my way out of the tent to inform my men of the situation at hand.
However, as I exited, I was face to face with none other than a face I was all too familiar with. "Sir Gregory?" I was shocked. He was merely a night guard. "What are you doing here?"
"My Prince," he bowed, a smug smile on his face. "I have come to take your place for the remaining 4 days. I trust that the battle shall be won in the time left?"
"Of course, but why are you in charge?" Something wasn't right.
His blue eyes remained fixed on me, "a child with red eyes was born midday yesterday." My heart sank. Adeline had told me she was only a few months along, there's no way it was mine.
"The King fathered a bastard again?" I questioned him, but his smirk said otherwise.
"The prince fathered a bastard," his words were like daggers, "...sir." He then shifted, his black armor reflecting the sun softly into my face.
"There isn't any-"
"The child's dead," Gregory interrupted me. I staggered, nearly collapsing but the guard caught me. "Adeline is fine," he harshly whispered into my ear as I leaned on him, "but she's my wife to be."
I couldn't breathe, but a rage soon began to overcome me, a bloodlust, and I could sense the blood inside Gregory's body flowing like a delicious stream.
I shoved him, standing back to my feet, and pulling my sword on him, but he remained stone-faced, cold, as he showed no reaction. "You cannot kill me or she will die."
"What do you mean, she will die?" By now, my men began to surround us, unsure of what to do, watching me for a command.
Noticing the others, Gregory began to be more cryptic. "I made a deal with them. As long as you don't interfere any longer, it'll all be brushed under the rug and she will be able to live her life. However, the 22 law still applies, so what better person to be wed to her than one that's familiar with the situation?"
My hands wanted to wrap themselves around his throat. "You will regret this, Gregory."
"Will I?" He smirked. "It seems like I'm the real winner in all of this? I have the most beautiful bride, albeit poor, but a small price to pay for someone's extreme beauty. And now she shall bare my children and the only thing you can do is watch from afar; Unable to do anything."
I beckoned the rest of the men away, making them leave us immediately. "I will kill you."
"Then Adeline dies as well. You will then have to bury your love next to your dead baby." It was like Gregory saw only humor in my suffering. "How does it feel, Oliver? To have a family that's just out of reach?"
I scowled at him, shoving my way past him as I headed for my steed to return home. I didn't know what I did to him that made me deserve this.
"If you go to see her, I'll know." Gregory warned me as I walked from him. "I suggest you go directly home." His words began to become too much, and I turned to face him once more, but before I could speak, he started talking again, turning to face me as well. "Have you tried eating? Doesn't everything taste a bit bland?"
What's that supposed to mean?
Thinking of it, I hadn't eaten since last night. My mind had been too preoccupied. Curious though, as I approached my horse, I grabbed an apple out of a satchel mounted across his back and reluctantly bit into it.
The apple was red, and mostly fresh, dripping of juices with my bite.
It tasted like rotted shit and I nearly vomited. I wanted to cut my tongue out.