His Betrothed: An Arranged Queen

Princess Eleanor’s Point of View I stood by my window watching the distant houses in the villages while everyone got ready for yet another year and month when many people come to our kingdom for the tournament. It is a tournament that knights come around from neighboring kingdoms to fight each other and I think they usually win nothing? I watched as people step up the tables in the arena where we usually host such events. I inhaled sharply before turning to leave the window when I turned around finding my brother, Edward was standing there behind me watching me. “Still not coming for the Tournament?” He questioned me his head pointing to the bag that was next to me., I reluctantly nodded my head. “Eleanor, come on! I can talk to father and let you do this another day,” He tried to convince me not to go for my usual work to spy for him. I always go out in villages to find out what is happening around the villages “What can I do, huh? If he thinks I should not be part of the gatherings, then it’s for the best” I said to him grabbing my woven bag from the table ready to leave. “Still, I think it is quite unfair that you keep doing this” He insisted as I chuckled. I walked up to him and brought my hands to his shirt fixing the buttons on his white shirt. He left three buttons unbuttoned but it just made him look so untidy for a prince and a powerful knight. “You don’t hear me complaining, do you?” I asked him with raised eyebrows and a smirk on my face. I fixed up his shirt and kissed his cheek. “Go. I am sure Diana must be going crazy right now looking for you” I said to him before walking past him, I was leaving early so that I can be back in time for the tournament even though father didn’t want me to. I am the second born in a family of fourth. My brother Edward is the crown prince is second in line to the throne, while I am the third in line. I wore a grey and black dress with brown boots. I threw on a light grey robe on top and check if I was okay. My normal hair is dark brown with Chestnut highlights “How do I look?” I inquired from him trying to make sure my outfit was perfect for today’s mission. “Splendid. One may never actually recognize you” He complimented me coming towards me as I smiled vividly. “Well, I had better go because I might change my mind and decide to stay” I quickly packed my things ready to leave. “Are you sure you do not wish to stay for the tournament? I can speak to father?” He inquired from me coming closer to where I was. I titled my head smiling at him. I brought my hand to his cheek looking into his eyes. “I am certain. I would rather be out there than watch you lose yet again this year” I am joining said letting out a giggle as I walked away from him. I grabbed my things and made my way out, I had to make sure that I leave discreetly because I did not want people asking why I am dressed like someone else.  I hurriedly took the secret passage to the east end of the palace checking my surroundings first. I took the staircase going down to the tunnels that were built centuries before.  I pulled off the chain that holds the two steel doors which were leading inside. I came out and checked both directions if at all it was safe for me to come out. “So much for being Father’s favorite daughter” I sarcastically said while making my way into the woods. I walked in the woods looking around me, the grass was green, and the morning dew was still fresh on the leaves.  I smiled at myself making way through the woods going to the wall. I arrived at the wall, I looked at it and took deep breathes thinking I must do this again. and it was a few feet taller than me. I grabbed powder from my bag pouring on my hands, I place back the bottle in the bag and started climbing the wall. I climbed over the wall easily and in a few seconds, I was on top.  I jumped the wall landing on both my feet as I smiled at my little achievement yet again as I smiled broadly. I looked around and ran in the woods before anyone who was on patrol would notice me. I ran as fast as I could going to join the road which led into the village. I smiled at myself as I started approaching the village. “Good morning John. What do you have for me this morning?” I shouted going over to the first man you would ever meet in the Isle of Moda. He has an old man who has a noticeably big body if I might add on. He stands at say Six-Five feet. He has a long beard and a very likable face with red hair, I always come here if I need herbs for Mary, the royal physician. “I have the fresh herbs that you requested for yesterday. Also, have some sage that I brought with me. For only two silver coins, it’s all yours” he said placing the herbs on the table as I admired them. “Well, I can get all things for some wine from Geoffrey. Why would I spend my coins here?’ I questioned him with a smirk on my face as he scoffed pulling back the herbs. “Then go to Geoffrey!” He hissed at me as I chuckled softly holding in his hand before he would put them away. “Oh, come on! I was only playing with you. Here! I will take this off your hands” I said placing the coins on the table for him. He smiled at me taking the coins from me and he started packing the herbs for me as I looked around seeing how people were so excited. “Seems many are coming for the tournament this year?” I started the conversation with him knowing on his way here he might have heard some things for me. “Well! I hear things are different this year. Even people from Celidan will be here as well. I can’t imagine how bloody the tournament will be” he said handing me my herbs as I furrowed my eyebrows. “Celidan? Isn’t that…” I wanted to say but he cut me short. “King Michael? Yes, it is. Rumour has it he wants to claim his betrothed while he’s here” he said to me as I nodded my head before leaving. “Betrothed? He has a bride here?” I asked him “Of course. I heard he is betrothed to one of the princesses” he said to me as I swallowed hard. “Thank you, John,” I said walking away. I made my way around the marketplace and town for the day and before it was noon, I decided to head back to the palace. I went to the market for gossip but whenever I took all the information to my father, he never did anything about it. I took my things and made my way to the castle. Father had mentioned that I would need to be back in time to welcome someone important. I made my way inside just like I had left and gone to Mary’s quarters before I could head to my room. “Your Highness. We have been looking for you all over. Where have you been?” I heard my lady in waiting shouting as soon as she saw me walk in the quarter. “Will you let me rest first? Hello Mary, I brought you something you might like” I said taking out the herbs from my bag as I approached where she was making a tonic. “Did you go out again? I thought his majesty made it…” she wanted to say as I turned to look at her glaring at her and she quickly closed her mouth. “Are we expecting visitors from far?” I inquired from Mary and she was not responding to me, I let out an exasperated sigh before showing her the mugwort that I had bought from her. “Where did you find that?” Mary finally spoke as I smiled vividly at her. “Did I hear correct? OH my! I should get going, the king would like me to attend to his guests” I teased turning around taking away the herbs. “Eleanor of Alarenna. Where did you find that?” She questioned me as I rolled my eyes with a smirk. “How about a trade? The herbs for a few questions about our visitors who are coming that father wants me to accompany?” I questioned her and she sighed deeply looking into my eyes. “You do realize that I can go to your father and tell him that you have been seeing that boy from another pack?” She questioned me as I clenched my jaws. “Now tell me who gave you this?” she questioned me coming closer to me as I pursed my lips together. “John the gardener. He bought them on his travels” I said to her. “I see, why don’t you go and get changed then?” she said to me as I nodded my head walking away. “Shall we?”  I asked Esperanza who had a smug on her face. She must be so happy to know that Mary had put me back in my small hole. “Who are the guests that father wants me to welcome?” I asked Esperanza as we made our way to my quarters. “King Michael of Celidan I heard my father’s voice behind me as I quickly turned around bowing my head. “Your Majesty” I quickly said my head bowed down and my hands on my dress. Esperanza also bowed her head waiting for my father to allow us to look at him. “Eleanor.”  He gently called my name as I lifted my head with a smile looking at him. “Father, you are early today” I pointed out as he smiled nodding his head. “Yes. That’s because I wish to speak to you first” he said to me as I swallowed hard. “Shall we?” He said giving me his hand. I wrapped my hand around his arm, and we started walking to my quarters. “So, who are these people? And why is it so important?” I questioned him as he chuckled softly. “Patience Eleanor. Patience. It’s a trait that you lack” he said to me as he opened the door to my quarters letting me lead the way. “Of course.” He said to me leading me to the bed as we both sat down. He looked into my eyes and he gently stroked my cheek with his hand. “I always remember the day I held you in my arms. You were so tiny that I thought you would never make it.” He said looking in my eyes as I smiled at him. He looked worried and uncertain. “I can’t believe after more than twenty years I still see you as the little girl from the day I held you” he added on as I smiled back at him holding his hands. “I know!” I said to him, and he smiled vividly. “What’s wrong?” I questioned him and he lowered his head. “Do you remember when you asked me to let you get married to any of our allies and I said No?” He questioned me and I gave him an affirmative nod. “Well. That is because. I already knew who your partner is” he said to me as I widened my eyes in shock. “You knew? Who is it?”  I questioned curious and anxious to know who it is. “To whom?  How?” I questioned him and he lowered his head in shame I was scared for myself if my father did not tell me before it was because something was wrong. “Father?”  I called him. I felt like I was dreaming.  He let my young sisters get married before me and people persecuted me because of it and he did nothing about it “I am sorry. I should have told you soon, but I never thought he would come back here after so many years. I thought he would have just let you go but I was wrong” He explained to me, and I stood up from the bed pacing around the room. “And you couldn’t tell me this before? Why? I mean you knew that I have a partner and you didn’t even bother to tell me?” I said to him as tears filled my eyes. Everyone who was around my age was already married and had a family of their own and I was the only princess who did not have one. How could he do this to me?   He walked up to me and came closer to where I was standing. “I thought he would be married but he was waiting to hear from us.” He explained to me as tears fell from my eyes. “Father, please do not do this to me. I cannot marry him” I pleaded with him, and he held my hands. “There’s nothing I can do. He’s your betrothed” he said to me as I swallowed hard letting the tears fall. “I am sorry my angel, and there’s nothing I can do. The king should be here any day” he replied cupping my face in his hands. My tears fell from my eyes as he pulled me in an embrace. “King Michael?” I questioned at the same time as my father gave me an affirmative now. “I expect you to welcome him,” he said walking away. How could he do this to me? He wanted me to get married to a murderer and someone with no regard for people