Falling For The Crown

Chapter 4: Meeting Her

I feel like the king is really on my ass today. I can tell he is excited for me, he has been wanting me to find someone to settle down with. I personally never found the appeal in marriage and now I am being forced into a marriage, with no doubt a stuck up nobleman's daughter. I don't see what marriage has to do with becoming king? I think whoever she is will only get in my way.

I could turn the king down but looking at the other possible candidate's I am most likely the best choice, as arrogant as that sounds. The king is pretty adamant that I am a good fit for the job. Although one thing I haven't been able to figure out is why he needs to do this now? Is he sick? Or is there a reason he needs a contingency plan? All questions I intend to get answered.

For now, I need to get through today, today is the day 'she' arrives. I have done nothing but dread this for the last three days. She has either done one of two things, excited at becoming a princess or upset that she is being told by someone that isn't a royal. Or even a nobleman. Most women in the kingdom all aim for a wealthy man once they are old enough for marriage. That's another reason I don't think I need a wife. All women see is money and wanting to live a lavish lifestyle. I'd rather stab both of my eyes out than deal with that, not to sound dramatic or anything.

"Excuse me, sir. The king has asked me to relay a message to you."

"Marcelo. Please don't address me like that, you and I go way back to when we were just boys. Just call me like you always have."

"I'm afraid that is not possible. You are now royalty and must be addressed as such."

"Marcelo. Come on, please you are the only friend I have here."

"May I speak frankly your highness?"

"Of course!"

"We are not now nor shall we ever be friends again. And I do not know why the king has chosen you as his heir and some bimbo as your queen but you have forever lost my respect. I am only here because that is what the king wishes, I will serve as your knight as he has decreed. But heed my warning now 'Sir Dimitri.' If you do anything that will harm the king or the kingdom I will take your head myself."

"Wow Marcelo, please tell me in great detail how you think of me and my future bride?"

Marcelo simply scoffs at my retort and begins to walk away, he pauses for a moment to look over his shoulder at me.

"The king has asked me to tell you, he expects to see you out front to greet your new bride. He also wishes to see the two of you before he retires to his chambers. Now unless you have anything else for me your highness I will be on my way."

"No. Thank you, Marcelo. This conversation has been truly eye-opening."'

He says nothing again as he stomps and slams my door behind him. I knew he had some issues with me after our last battle together, but for the life of me cannot figure out why. I have done something to offend him during that time. But we were in the middle of a war, everyone was on edge and nobody was in a good state of mind. That's what fighting for months on end does to a person. Even the best of us.

I turn to look out the window, it's getting late she should be here any minute. Guess it's time to bite the bullet as they say and go fetch my 'fiancée.'

Looks like I am not the only one waiting for her then. Almost all of the main servants are outside waiting to receive their new princess. I hope she lives up to their expectations at least. If we can seem like a good fight on the outside then maybe we won't have much resistance when we announce the news.

Everyone looks to the left as a carriage comes down the pathway. I can see they are bustling with excitement. I thought no one was meant to know about her until the announcement was made. I guess the cliché about maids and gossip is true.

I walk down to the bottom of the steps while the carriage pulls up a few feet away from us. The man driving the carriage hops down and gets out two bags and places them in front of the steps, waiting for someone to come and collect them.

Why isn't she coming out? Wait? Does she expect me to escort her? HAH! She thinks highly of herself. Ah well, she can't sit there forever.

I make my way over to the carriage and open the door with so much force I thought I broke it. I look down and into the carriage and I can say with all honesty that I didn't expect to find her so beautiful.

Her fiery red hair and breathtaking gorgeous emerald green eyes. She looks up at me with uncertainty and possibly even fear in her eyes. Or maybe it is merely all in action to come off weak? I guess we will find out.

I put my hand to help her out and she just stares at it, as if it is going to come up and bite her. After a long, very long pause on her part, she finally takes my hand as I help her out of the carriage. It was only for a split second but I could have sworn her legs were shaking.

I don't remember having ever spoken to the duke or his daughters but I do remember seeing them from across the hall once at the king's coronation. That's most likely why they have chosen one of his daughters to take the place of my wife. The queen had asked me if I had my eye on anyone and jokingly I mentioned the duke. I didn't think she would take it so literally and now here we are. Stuck together.

But I could have sworn she was more petite and her hair was more of a blondish colour. Although it was a while ago and she wasn't standing exactly right next to me, so I could be mistaking. Either way, she isn't bad to look at, at the least the nights together should be pleasurable enough.

She looks around like a lost kitten trying to find her way. Is this how all nobleman's daughters behave? I would have thought she would have been groomed for this very scenario. It could very well just be, I don't exactly associate myself with people like her. I mean am I supposed to say something? What do I say? Thank you very agreeing to be my wife? Or should I apologize now for all the times I know she will have regretted this day. Although I don't know how much of a choice they had in the matter. When the king and queen want something they don't know how to take no for an answer.

"Um."

Oh? Is she trying to say something? I look down at her with a curious expression but it seems to have only scared her. I don't understand this woman, she seems to be all over the place.

"What is it?"

I guess she wasn't expecting me to say something from the way she just jumped. I can't tell if this is endearing or pathetic.

"Where-where are we going?"

"To see the king. He has requested that we see him before he turns in for the night. I guess he was expecting you a lot earlier."

I thought I would tease her a little just to see what kind of reaction I would get. Most stuck up rich women would take offence to that kind of comment but she looks like she has seen a ghost. All of the blood has drained from her face and I didn't think it was possible but she seems to be even more scared now. Maybe the king is what she is afraid of.

We finally make it inside the castle and outside the king's throne room. The guard standing outside was getting ready to announce our arrival but I just walked straight past him. I hate s**t like that.

"Your majesty, we are here as you requested."

"I see that. And you are not alone. Let me see your face child."

I think the guards outside could hear her gulp. She hesitated for a second but finally looks up and stares at the king. They both kind of just staring at one another for a long moment. Maybe he is as taken with her beauty as I was. She reminds me of someone. Someone I have heard stories about growing up. Whenever the knights would get together they would tell these wild, vivid stories about how things used to be.

Use to be? That's who she reminds me of. No one knew her name but as the story goes there was a powerful mage that struck fear into the hearts of many across Sumitra. They said she had long flowing red hair with blue eyes. Eyes that could pierce straight into your soul if she wanted to. No one knows what happened to her but she just disappeared into thin air along with the rest of the magic and sorcerers.

"What was your name child?"

"Aurora your majesty. My father sends his regards."

"I see. There is a reason I asked you both to see me. I wanted to let know that I have acquired some land in a small village just outside Sumitria's walls. I want the two of you to live there for the time being and help get the village back to how it was. As of late, it has been pillaged by bandits and many of their people have died along with their crop and any resources they need to survive. Winter is coming and I would like for you two to have made progress by then. That's three months I am giving you."

"I see. And when exactly would we have to leave for this village?"

"I will give you five days to make the arrangements you may need. You are welcome to take anyone you wish to go with you. So I suggest you chose wisely. As for your status, we will make the announcement the night before you leave."

"Understood your majesty."

"That is all for now. You may retire back to your rooms. Aurora you will have a young lass called Alessandra waiting for you. She will be your lady in waiting and help you get settled."

"Yes, your majesty. Thank you."

"Alright off you go. The queen won't wait for me much longer."

We are both kicked out of the throne room and I can tell she is as unsettled as I am about this. Do we have to get a village back to living conditions in three months? Things just got a lot more annoying.