Declared as his

Chapter 3

Prince Marcus POV

We were making our way back to our parents. My mind completely made up on the case. Kissing her was one of my best decision in life. The way she felt against me, the way our lips move together. It was all so perfect and her reaction to it was even better. Knowing that I was the first one to ever hold her, the first to ever taste her lips gives me a sense of pride. Pride that I possessed her. I shouldn’t be thinking like this, but the idea of her ever being with anyone other than me makes my blood boil. I look to my side at her. She is still flushed from our kiss and from what I said to her afterwards. I looked down at our entwined fingers, our hands fits so perfectly together. I can feel her trying to tug her hand free as we get closer to our parents. She is so shy, I’ve never really liked shy girls, but on her it’s cute. As she had said she has never experienced anything like this. She is only 14 after all a fact that shocked me greatly she surely doesn’t look 14. Her age also accounts to her nervous attitude. The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that she doesn’t seem to be interested in furthering this relationship. I’ve never met a girl that wasn’t interested in dating me and everything that came along with that. I have big plans for us. We finally reached our parents and I’m not ready for them to go yet.

“Why don’t the two of you go clean up and then we’ll have some tea.” I suggested handing Calla her shoes.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Her mother agreed. I gestured for a servant to come closer.

“Show them to a bathroom and then bring them to the drawing room in the west wing.” I said assertively making sure no one could suggest another option. The left with the servant leaving me and my father alone.

“What did you do to the poor girl she looks like she was caught in the headlights of a car?” I huffed at his description a small smug smile playing on my face.

“I only claimed what is mine. I kissed her. It was her first kiss ever.” I told him nonchalantly like I was speaking of every day things.

“The poor girl. You need to take it slow with her if she is so inexperienced. She hardly knows you and you seem to be forcing your attention on her. You need to take a step back. I know you like her a lot and trust me I’m glad you finally found someone you want to be serious with, but take her feelings in account to she isn’t just some object you can claim and possess. Don’t even argue with me I can see the challenge in your eyes, boy.” There is a saying that you should grab what you want with both hands before you loose it.

“I’m not going to take a step back father. I want your permission to get engaged to her. According to the royal marriage act of 1722 I require your permission, the permission and approval of the sovereign.” It’s not like I never listened to his ramblings.

“Marcus you don’t even know this girl! Are you insane, you can’t just get engaged to anyone you fancy in the moment. This is a decision that will last a lifetime.”

“I’m sure I want to be with her and I’m sure I don’t want anyone else to be with her. With her times stops. Other than that she comes from a good family. She is the daughter of a Duke and Duchess. She has her own money and influences, so we do not need to worry about that.”

“It isn’t about that Marcus. I’m sure that she is a fine and well behaved lady. She is still very young and so are you. I can’t give you my approval.” I don’t know why he is making this so difficult I am sure about my decision and nothing will change my mind on the matter.

“We won’t get married immediately. Of course we would first get to know each other…” Then it hit me I can’t play fair in this instant, my father wouldn’t.

“I’ll make you a deal, if you give me your approval for this marriage I’ll start taking my studies seriously and I will let you mentor me…no mold me into the perfect ruler. I will not argue with you and will attend every event you deem fit for my role.” There is no way he will be able to say no to this, this is the one thing he wants most in the world and I will sacrifice my objections to it for her.

“I don’t know Marcus this is very sudden. Yesterday you were all about not wanting to be accountable yet and now you are jumping at the idea for the one thing that will make you permanently accountable.” He is being tough on his negotiations, but I think I have something to sweeten the pot.

“Okay how about this. I promise we won’t get married until I’m 21 then she’ll be 19.” He nodded in thought about what I said.

“Will you be courting her for the next four year then? If you are why not date and then get engaged when she turns 18.” He suggested once more and I was getting tired of this back and forth.

“This will be like an arranged marriage. She will be mine from today on and everyone will know that she is. Yes I will be courting her, but not in the normal sense. If I have to wait for four years for her to become my wife I have conditions too. I want her to be taken to our small vacation palace where she will be staying for the next four years. I do not want her to have any contact with any other males. In these four years she will be trained to be the perfect queen, just as you will be training me your trait. A week before I turn 21 she will be returned here, we will then take three months to arrange our marriage.” The shocked on his face looked surreal.

“You want to have her locked up somewhere for the next four years. The girl barely knows you and now you want to isolate her from the world? Come on Marcus think about her, what about what she wants?” and this was my limit I was over this. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I’ve wanted her.

“Fine, if you do not wish to give me your approval over this matter even though I will be giving you more than what I’m getting out of the idea. I will have only one option and that is to abdicate my thrown so that I can marry her.”

“You can’t be serious. You are not thinking straight Marcus.”

“Actually I am. You know I never wanted this, but I’ve accepted it since it is what I was born into. Calla doesn’t seem to enjoy the fact that I’m a prince either. So it is a very rational decision.” I saw the fight leave my fathers eyes.

“I give you my approval, but only if Calla agrees to this.” Stupid free will.

“I’m sure that she will. Let’s go and talk to my fiancé.” We left for the drawing room, our discussion took so long I never had to clean up, my feet was still dirty from walking barefoot in the garden. We walked into the room and saw Calla and her mother sitting down waiting for us. At seeing us they got up and curtsied. Tee was poured for us and we sat down to enjoy it.

“We have a proposal for you.” My father started with the conversation. Hurriedly hoping that calla rejects it.

“My son wishes to get married to your daughter.” He continued. I saw how Calla’s face palled at his words. I knew she would have difficulty with this, but that is rather an overstated reaction to hearing you could be married to a prince and one day be a queen. Most girls fantasize about this.

“My daughter is still very young, sir.” Her mother said in defense, but I could hear the excitement in her voice no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

“We have considered this. If they were to get engaged then they will only get married once my son turns 21. That is in four years.” He explained further. I saw the smile growing on her face.

“That sounds wonderful, doesn’t it darling?” She took Calla’s hand in hers beckoning her to say something.

“No it doesn’t. No offence your majesty but I wish to finish school. I want to see the world and then go and study. I want to have a career…I just want a normal life.” Calla burst out saying desperately.

“Don’t you like the prince sweetie?” Calla looked up at me and I gave her one of my best smiles, my heart stopping smile.

“I do like him, but I don’t like this lifestyle. No offense Your Majesty.” She apologized to my father. She looked desperate to escape from the room. Her eyes begging for that escape again and all I want to do is capture her. She just provokes something within me. The problem now is that my father won’t accept this if it isn’t of her free will.

“She will marry you, your royal highness. This is just all very new to her and she is in shock by the severity of it. Just give her some time to come to her senses.” Verena her mother explained to me.

“There is more you need to know. If Calla accepts this offer of marriage she would have to go live in one of our houses in isolation where she will be trained to be a queen. She will be provided with tutors so that she can graduate as well.” My father explained further.

“It will be complete isolation? Even from us her parents?”

“Yes.” I informed her. She needs to get out of her mothers influence as well. She’ll need to become her own person. I don’t want her to live under someones thumb.