The Seven Kings

Chapter 3: Gold Band

The dance felt like it lasted forever, I was bothered at the fact that all anyone would talk about was how the youngest King had found his Queen.

Some blonde with a soft voice and a clear attentiveness to obedience. All she has to do is pass the tests, and then she'll be his bride.

The brides of the Kings have to follow strict rules:

1. Never address the Kings in front of the public eye. It's always in silence and never among the other Kings. 

2. Queens don't have a say in how things are run, they are simply there to make the Kings happy. 

3. Queens never gossip, a slip of the tongue to any would result in death. 

4. Never sleep outside the Kings, and never initiate the s*x among the other Kings. 

5. Be a Virgin on the wedding night.

It's a bit comical, the Kings only marry Virgins and are even sworn to keep their virginity until they've met their first bride. So many woman save themselves just for the Kings, even after they get married. (In case they're ever chosen)

In a way it makes sense, you wouldn't want to start up any diseases or infections from outer s*x circles.

Lifting the basket of laundry, I walked it to the line and began clipping them up trying to ignore Nathaniel's oddness to me. He's been very still and quiet, almost terrified or hateful toward me.

I believe he's still bothered about what I said in the garden.

"Why the long face?" Moira asked as she helped me place the sheet onto the line. I shrugged, "I'm just thinking is all." I said while she gave a nod.

I've been with Moira since I was a kid, she's let me stay way past eighteen, I'm twenty and as long as I help she keeps me around. But sometimes I wish I had a real mother, not just someone who's kept me for years.

Her hand shooed me, "Go sleep child, I'll finish." She said with a soft sigh.

I nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I'll tuck the kids in." I added while earning a nod that I better.

Smiling, I went inside and gathered up the twelve of the children rushing them to the bathroom to clean their teeth and faces before I had them each changed and then tucked in.

By the time I finished, it had been two hours and exhaustion was at its highest point.

"Jane!" Moira whisper shouted and I headed out the bathroom drying my face with the towel before going down the stairs and eyeing Nathaniel in the doorway.

Okay.

I gave Moira a small smile and she took the hand towel before going up stairs telling me not to leave this home.

Nathaniel said goodnight to her and held a small smile on his face before it dropped and he gave me a worried stare, "Jane, I-I want to say that if you and I...If we ever became something, if we married, I could not save you from the wrath of the Kings if they ever chose to kill you for treason. What you said there-what you said was beyond against rules." He said carefully.

My mind stuck on the word 'married' and I gave him a long and cautious stare, then he c****d an eyebrow, "Understand?" He asked.

I gave a small nod and he broke into a smile, "Alright, it's settled then." He said sighing and then rummaging in his pockets.

Leaning into the doorway, I watched him before he gripped whatever it was and got onto one knee, "Jane Lei Eisley, will you marry me?" He asked with a smile.

My heart tore, I wanted to say yes, to say of course, but something in me hesitated.

I stared down at the gold band and lowered my eyes to my hand, picturing the ring on my finger. Up until yesterday, I dreamt of this, I wanted nothing more than this, but after the quick retreat he had from this argument, I wasn't sure.

I'd never want to be in a marriage where I couldn't be completely open, completely honest.

He dropped his gaze to the ring, "Listen, Jane, my love I know it's nothing much, I swear I'll work harder and get you a diamond, I'll get you five if you wanted." He said with a shy smile.

A diamond? I don't want diamonds, "I want honesty." I said softly.

His eyebrows furrowed and he stood staring down at me, "We are honest, aren't we?" He asked running a hand over my cheek.

I felt a tear slip but quickly wiped it, "Yeah, we are." I lied and gave a small smile, one he didn't believe.

He slipped the ring onto my finger, "I'll wait for you to decide. I'll wait years if I have to." He said with a small laugh.

Giving him a salty kiss, I said goodnight and watched him run toward his house. Shutting the door, I held my hand out while eyeing the ring.

"I'd have thought you'd be happier." Moira said from the stairs.

I stared down at the ring and shrugged, "I did to, but I guess things change." I said softly as I pulled the ring off and placed it into my pocket.

She gave me a saddened look, "I never married for love, my husband and I held many secrets. Trust that it does not end you, this is a good opportunity for you. I don't see a line of men outside asking for your hand." She had a point there.

Laughing, I crossed my arms over my chest, "Well maybe they just don't have my address." I said smirking and earning a small smack as I passed Moira.

She's right, men aren't lining up outside my door, but it doesn't mean I have to stay with the one who does.

Maybe-maybe I don't need a man.

Maybe I don't want one.

Maybe I'm better off alone, without anything to hold me down, I could travel, get up and leave whenever, have a bed to myself and eat when I feel like doing so.

No one to tell me where to go, what to do, who to see.

I'm sorry Nathaniel.