forget me knot, My Hostile Mate

"Jezebel?" The gentle voice broke through the white noise of my mind. Why was I being disturbed this late in the night? The guards must be changing shifts, for the crow had not sounded the cries of midnight. It was not too late then. Why again was I being disturbed? My eyes were still closed. My arms crossed beneath my forehead. I had fallen asleep at my desk. Once again... "Jezebel? The King has called a meeting of the Small Council..." My mind instantly cleared at those words. A Small Council meeting at this hour? What had happened? I was faintly aware of the skirmishes happening along our borders. Only from gathering scraps and tidbits of information that I could from the social gatherings my father continually hosted. Supposedly a display of our family's continued wealth and confidence in our status as the ruling family, also as an affront to our enemies. We were ignoring the ambushes and the military assaults happening at our borders, on our trade routes. What else could we do? My father kept the true numbers hidden but I was aware our armies were depleted. Our resources are scarce. "Why was the Small Council summoned at this hour? Why must I be present?" I spoke these questions aloud, knowing that my maid did not have the answers. Nor would she offer an answer. Any misdeed, in word or in action, often meant that a servant lost a tongue or lost an eye. Something that eternally marked them as a failure, resulting in a life of destitution after they were kicked out of the castle. "Your Highness, it is an urgent summons. May I help you dress?" The maid spoke softly again, her gaze locked on the floor. I sat up and stretched out my arms, arching my back only to feel my muscles strain in protest. Why? A part of me wanted to burrow further beneath my warm covers and ignore the summons. Another part responded with curiosity. Curiosity and wariness. "I will be ready before the candle burns another quarter." I announce as my body propels itself into motion. My bare feet feel the soft sting of the cold floors as I walk over to my wardrobe. "I will wear the black and cream gown today, with my mother's locket..." * * * "I have received a missive from the front lines, they are requesting reinforcements and weapons." The man wearing spectacles said. His dark eyes peering over an arched nose. He sniffed in contempt. "Nonsense! We sent them a thousand men-at-arms less than a fortnight ago!" Another man, younger and leaner, leaned forward in his seat to slam his fist onto the table before him. It rattled the cups set before each chair at the table. Five cups and four occupied chairs. "Calm yourself, Stewart, we will not be sending them any more. The captains will need to make due with the men and resources they currently have. They will receive no more..." The man with the spectacles began to say. However, his words were cut off by the guards announcing my arrival as the double-doors to the King's Chamber swung open before me. I could sense the tension building higher and higher with each step that I took towards the table the four men sat at. My heels clicking along the stone floor was the only sound. "Do not stop on my behalf, please continue... Sir Montesue." I said slowly, as I paused beside the only empty seat left at the table. There was an empty cup as well. I made a mental note to not drink anything from that cup, not trusting three of the four men now staring at me. Some eyes held disdain, some held caution, and only one met mine with warmth. The eyes of the King. "Yes, as my daughter said, continue with what you were going to say, Sir Montesue." The King drawled, leaning back into his seat. I noticed him physically relaxed when I finally sat down across from him. I flashed a smile towards my father, though I knew there was no warmth in the expression. My instincts were screaming for me to turn around and leave this meeting, so my caution kept my mouth shut and I did not speak out my usual quips or remarks. Sir Montesue did continue on his monologue of describing the useless captains who were losing the battle on the front lines, to the great shame of our kingdom. I could tell that there was more beneath the surface of his words, more said in the long pauses and the way the old man fidgeted with the rings around his thick fingers. What was he not saying? "Your Majesty, the enemy is growing stronger. Not weaker. Our army is... Our army is losing this battle, and will likely lose the war. I speak frankly to you out of loyalty," Stewart was saying, "I fear that we will need to raise the white flag above our forces lest we lose everything." "Is it truly that dire, Stewart? That we stand to lose the war?" I finally spoke, my voice sounded odd as it echoed in the room around us. "Yes, Your Highness, we may lose the war. No matter what Sir Montesue insinuates." "Then what is our next step?" I ask. I did not want to waste my father's time by allowing Sir Montesue to ramble on about how great the history of our military was. Because it was only that, history. The last two decades have weakened our kingdom from the inside out. Plague and civil wars. "A marriage treaty," The King said. His voice was low and calm. I balked. "The Kingdom of Ash has no daughters for you to wed! I will not be married off as a pawn..." My voice grew louder and louder as I felt hysteria flicker through my mind. There was the sound of a slap and my cheek smarted, burning from impact. I blinked, aghast. "Watch how you speak to your King," my father swore. "Why a marriage treaty, Your Majesty?" Stewart cut through the silence, tense and thick as it was. I dared to glance over at him with a look of gratitude. He did not meet my gaze. "I have only one heir and she is unwed. If our army is to be defeated, then I want my people to survive. A marriage treaty means no further bloodshed." My father said. It made sense. It was logical and sound. But still, I could not comprehend that he had come to this decision without consulting me prior. How was I supposed to marry the enemy of my Kingdom? The blood feud lasted four centuries. How could my marriage into the Royal Royal Family stop that?