Royal Entanglement

Ron's Mission

"Your Majesty. Let me tend to His Highness. He might need me more."

King Owen turned to her, and slowly nodded. "Take care of him. Alexander, you too."

Prince Xander said nothing, and even though he found his behavior strange, he did not say a word about it. He turned away, his guards following immediately.

Lady Sophia and Prince Xander remained in the chamber, each staring at each other, with gazes that spoke nothing of affection.

Lady Sophia slowly turned away, then called for a servant. "Bring the servant Charlotte."

The servant bowed and swiftly turned on his heel.

"Do you intend to keep playing games because of the affection you believe to be my weakness, Lady Sophia?" Prince Xander asked, as he took a step forward, his eyes thin.

She smiled, then moved further, her eyes scanning the chamber. "Games, Your Highness? How dare I?"

She passed slowly by his side, and he grabbed her arm roughly, bringing her to him. There was merely half an inch between them, as he leaned closer to her. "How dare you break your promise to me?"

"You are one to talk, Your Highness. I do recall your meeting with Charlotte last night a little too well. You broke the agreement first, and whatever I do, whatever I have done, you have only yourself to blame."

He watched her eyes, then slowly grinned, his grin small and wicked, and stayed far away from his eyes. "You do have a spy. I look forward to bestowing on you a marriage gift, Lady Sophia."

Her jaw clenched a little, but she did not give her slight nervousness away.

"Your Highness." Came Charlotte's small voice.

Lady Sophia smiled, then leaned slowly, taking a lock of Prince Xander's hair. He looked down at her, his brows knitting with her sudden gesture.

"I trust you can wait till we are married, Your Highness. Everything has its own time."

He slowly let go of her, his eyes flaming. She smiled again, knowing without context, her words gave off a different meaning. A meaning that would only widen the gap between Prince Xander and his lover.

But she did not quite care. She turned around, and walked out of the chambers.

Charlotte stood by the door, her head lowered, tears filling her eyes again. She had not, even in her worst nightmares, imagined that she would wake up to this news. The sight of Prince Xander running to a woman, then holding her like that in his own chambers.

"Take care of your wound," Prince Xander suddenly said.

She lifted her head to him, then sniffed. "Will you really marry her, Your Highness?"

"Yes. She is the woman I will marry."

Charlotte felt her heart break even more. "I thought you loved me."

He nodded. "I am of royal blood, Charlotte. Love is no more than a board game to royals. I have decided to not be a child anymore. And as an adult Prince who is to be crown prince, I need my crown princess."

"And that is no servant, is it?"

Xander swallowed. "Definitely not."

Her lips parted, her heart breaking with each word he uttered. She found it hard to believe he was really the one, the words that came out of his mouth felt a little too different. Like they were words of someone else.

"Then you should not bother about this servant's wound either. She could bleed to death, and royalty will still thrive."

He said nothing, and watched her as she bowed, then slowly turned away, her hand clasped in front of her, her head lowered in defeat. Lady Sophia had defeated them all, and Prince Xander would not let her get away with it.

"Is anyone there?"

A servant immediately answered, and bowed in front of him.

"Send a message to Ron. I need to see him immediately."

The servant bowed and immediately walked out, leaving Prince Xander working his jaw slightly.

"I heard it went well, Lady Sophia. Will the wedding be soon?" Paul asked, as he walked alongside her horse, his eyes squinting up at her.

She nodded slowly. "I believe so. But in as much as I want to punish Prince Xander, the servant, Charlotte does strike pity within me."

Paul shrugged. "She would have been cast aside anyway. She is just a servant. Servants should never dream of maintaining a relationship with the upper classes." There was a small tinge of sadness in his tone, and Lady Sophia turned to him.

"Is that what you thought of my sister, Diana?"

He smiled and slowly shook his head. "I loved her. From afar. It still feels the same now, since she never gave me reason to believe she would ever reciprocate it. I do feel like she would not be happy with me encouraging you to marry a man you despise so much, my lady."

Lady Sophia smiled wistfully. "I do believe she knew I would do anything for her. Whatever that may be."

Prince Xander sat with his back turned to the window, his eyes closed. He still wore his robe, and this time let it fall behind him, leaving his upper body open. It was a pride, however, beautiful enough to be seen.

Suddenly, a slight thud came from behind, and a small gust of slow breeze followed.

"Ron." He said without opening his eyes.

The man, clad in black robes from head to toe, his hair falling over his right eye, and the rest falling down in a tight knot down his back. He held a sword, and on his left cheek was a long, jarred scar.

He was Prince Xander's personal assassin, guard, and servant. The man who did the work Xander could neither trust just anyone with, and was not willing to do himself.

"Your Highness. You called for me."

"Indeed. I need detailed information on someone. Her name is Lady Sophia from Green oak. She is currently in Fermich. I need everything there is to know about her, and I do not have time to spare."

Ron nodded and bowed. "Is there anything else I can do for yoh?"

"I also believe there is a man with her here in Fermich. Bring him to me. Alive."

Ron raised his head a little. "Is it something I can not do?"

Xander finally opened his eyes, and they were filled with pure despise. "I intend to serve him to her. On our wedding night, I intend to break her defense, the way she believes she has broken mine."

Ron bowed again. "Your wish is my command."

With another slight gust of wind, Ron was gone.