Royal Entanglement

A Little Bait

Prince Xander watched the mirror keenly as the servant waiting on him brought his coat, then slowly wore it on his shoulders. He smoothened the fabric with great care, before moving to bring the accessories.

The single gold jewelery that hung from a lock of his hair down to his ear. A signet ring on each hand and the royal gold embroidered boots.

Prince Xander only watched, his reflection something he had grown accustomed to by now. Due to the vigors of the last three years, in and out of one war to another treaty, the kingdom has established a dominance like none they have ever witnessed.

He gave a small sigh. He just hated how he has to sit here in the palace now and watch some lady threaten him.

"You are now ready, Your Highness."

Prince Xander nodded, his eyes sweeping over his reflection once more, before he walked away and headed towards the royal court.

King Owen was sitting on a padded rug, his left arm balance on a large cushioned pillow, his eyes closed as he moved his head slowly to nothing at all.

"Royal father," Prince Xander said, then bowed a little. He waited for King Owen to acknowledge him, before he made his way to his side, and took a seat.

"Have you heard the news?"

"What news do you refer to, Your majesty?"

King Owen finally opened his eyes, dropping the tea up that he had held between his fingers all through.

"Lady Lisette has gone missing. From all indications, she has run away." His tone of voice gave away how disgusting he felt the behavior was, even though he said nothing of such.

"Quite hypocritical of someone who only ever worried for convention. I am surprised." There was slight mockery in Prince Xander's tone. Lady Lisette leaving was just like passing wind. He absolutely did not give half a mind to it.

"I do not think she possesses what it takes to be Queen. The grace, the poise, the confidence...these are the proper traits of a true Queen. And respect. That is crucial."

Prince Xander almost laughed, at the fact that Lady Lisette had once openly told King Owen she did not think the way he sat on a rug instead of his throne was very kingly of him.

"What if no one does?" Prince Xander asked instead, his mind immediately flashing to Charlotte.

She had as much grace as anyone, was confident, and her respect and shyness were part of the reasons she felt so dear.

"Someone has to. A lady of the royal classes..."

"What if she is not a lady of the royal or even upper classes?" Prince Xander suddenly asked, pushing his luck. His brows furrowed in a small pleading manner and King Owen turned to him.

For a while, there was silence, the silent whisper of the gentle late morning breeze the only thing that appealed to the auditory senses.

"The day you bring a servant, or a woman below nobility, Alexander, is the day I deprive her of the virtue to live and I deprive you of the virtue of being my son." He let his words hang in the air, before he slowly picked his teacup again. "We just need to find the perfect woman. For you. Lady Lisette is proving to be a waste of valuable time."

Prince Alexander swallowed, slowly nodding. One thing has become painfully clear to him. There was no way out. He either had to reach a treaty with Lady Sophia, or marry her. If he did not give in, she would win in more ways than one.

"Of course," he said, his voice low, his mind occupied.

Lady Sophia smiled a little as Paul walked into her chamber, then gave a small bow.

"He is still scarce?"

"Yes, my lady. It has been six days now, and each one, Charlotte waits for him, but he has never graced her presence. What are you going to do?"

"I am getting impatient. How about a little bait to help me hasten his decision a little?"

Paul's brows furrowed in a bit of confusion. "What do you mean, my lady?"

She smiled. "I have a little...errand for you."

Prince Xander took out another arrow, his eyes flashing the reflections of the large torches that lit up the palace training grounds. He mostly practiced his archery to clear his mind, and today, starved of Charlotte and still no solution in sight, he needed harsh training.

What worsened things for him was that Charlotte was the one attending to him tonight, and he could not even bring himself to look her in the eye.

He took a deep breath and pulled the bow, then promptly released it. It swished sharply through the air, then hit bull's eye.

"Congratulations, Your Highness."

Prince Xander said nothing, as he drew yet another arrow.

"Pardon me, my lady."

Prince Xander turned, only to see a servant handing Charlotte a small folded paper. His brows furrowed as she smiled and took it, then promptly pushed it into her dress, as if waiting for the right time.

He took a deep breath, his emotions spiralling out of control.

"Leave me alone. I would like to stargaze alone."

"Yes, Your Highness," Everyone left the large training grounds, and Charlotte started to make her way out of it before she felt a hand clasp around her arm, causing her to immediately stop and turn back.

She turned with a small yelp to face Prince Xander's furious eyes.

"You are receiving letters, already?"

"Your highness, I do not..."

"Yet you smiled so happily and accepted it?"

Charlotte blinked slowly, then straightened. "What about you, Your Highness? You promised to see me. I can not remember the last time I saw you, or even got to perceive you. You have kept yourself so far away from me like I am a plague. Do you not care for how I feel?"

Prince Xander bit down on his lips, before pulling her into his arms, wrapping them around her small frame. Her face buried in the folds of silk, and she got to perceive him again, his arms around her.

"I apologize, Charlotte. I am a horrible lover."

She shook her head but said nothing, simply choosing to enjoy the serenity that being alone with him availed to her.

But they were not completely alone, as Lady Sophia herself sat on a small broken fence that led straight to the palace kitchens, yet offered a clear view of the training grounds.

"You got what you wanted, my lady." Paul said, watching as Charlotte brought her small hands to wrap around Prince Xander too, and Lady Sophia smiled.

"Of course. We will be back by sunrise."