Leighton

Chapter 4 A Proposal

Princess Estelle

“Darling how lovely to have you home.”

My mother, Queen Anna kissed on the cheeks after the briefest of hugs.

“Where is father ?”

“Oh he is still in a meeting,. He will see us after. He has some news for you.”

“News?” I was now intrigued, maybe he had finally found a way out of the promise he made a long time ago to ruin my life. Hopefully all my wishing to the moon goddness had worked.

She was saved from answering by a tornado appearing in my arms.

“Elle, you are home. I’ve missed you.”

“Hey Izzy I’ve missed you too.”

Princess Isabelle was my very best friend, despite being a year older than me she and I had grown up together and I don’t know how I would have coped without her.

“I’ll let you girls catch up, I’ll see you in the Kings office in a hour Estelle.”

Leaving us she flounced out in a whirl of lace and skirt.

“How have you been?” Izzy asked me. I hadn’t seen her since my 16th birthday when my parents broke the news of my impending engagement.

“It’s fine, I’ve accepted it. I mean I could probably do worse than Prince Alonso, he has always been nice enough when we met in the past.” Admitted that hadn’t been often and not for a long time.

She eyes me skeptically, while I managed not to break down in front of my parents I had been a mess when she crept into my bed that night as I sobbed my heart out for the mate I wouldn’t be able to receive now.

“I can’t do anything about it, would you start a war you can’t win for a mate you haven’t met? What if I never meet him, would sort of Queen would I be if I let my people suffer for my choice?”

“They would still love you.” Izzy said sadly.

It was probably true, my parents story was that of fighting for love and the entire kingdom had backed their fight.

It was common for royals to take a chosen mate, political alliances had been built on them over the years. It was also a way of keeping the gifted lines intact and strengthening their powers. My mother had been promised to King Adalfunis before meeting my father, her fated mate.

My father King Louis refused to honour the promise, mating and marking his mate. Uniting their two Kingdoms. The people were moved by their story of love and when King Adalfundis declared war on the newly formed Britannia kingdom the people had willing gone to protect their King and Queen.

However Adalfundis had supernatural help, as it looked like they would lose King Louis bartered a deal that meant peace for the Kingdom. He promised a daughter born from Queen Anna to be given to King Louis in marriage to his son.

If they didn’t bear a daughter then their son would marry Adalfundis daughter. While apparently unmated it was known that he had several illegitimate children already.

Queen Anna was already pregnant at the time so the deal was made, before I was even born.

I had trained to be Queen my entire life, but my parents waited until I was 16 before they told me of the promise to the King and that I would rule not only Britannia but Ingazo as well, but from Portugal not France our home.

Isabelle was the niece of King Adanfunis, and now I understood why her family had been sent here when my mother was pregnant, as spies.

Fortunately for me she was my very best friend and her mother was nothing like her tyrant brother.

“Peter promised he would rescue you, there is still time if he is your mate he won’t let you marry Alonso.”

Peter was her older half brother. Princess Clara had met her mate before she married Prince Alfred. King Adalfundis had arranged the match. Peter was a result of their brief encounter. Her mate died in suspicious circumstances after he was born.

Flashback

“You don’t need to fear pretty princess. I’ll be your Prince. We won’t give your Kingdom to that monster.” He took a knee and placed my fingers to his lips.

“What about your mate Peter? You might meet them and forgot all about me”

“One could never forget you Princess. Mate or not you can always rely on me.”

“Shh Peter, the King would kill you if he heard that. Anyhow, I would never deprive you of your goddess given mate. I’ll be fine, I was born to be a Queen, Prince Alonso will never rule me.”

“That’s my little tiger.” He had smiled and kissed my knuckles again, waking the butterflies in my stomach.”

End of flashback.

“Where is your brother ? I haven’t seen him for an age.” I changed the subject slightly as I hadn’t thought about Peter being my mate for a long time.

Before knowing about the agreement I would above loved him to be my mate. Now the thought was horrible. Either we would accept the bond and plunge my Kingdom back into a bloody war or I would have to reject him and watch him take another.

It was best not to think about, I understood that my role required sacrifice, I just hadn’t realised it was so high. At least I loved my people, and I was determined to be a good queen not a tyrant like King Adalfundis.

Speaking of tyrants I was now waiting outside my fathers office. That was mean, he was a good king it was in the father department he was lacking. I wouldn’t have know any better if I hadn’t spend so much time with King Alfred growing up. He seemed to prefer Peter, a pup that wasn’t even his, than my father liked me.

While he had never hid his displeasure that I hadn’t been male I didn’t recall it being too bad when I was little, but laterally his difference had become much more obvious.

“You know I hate tardiness Estelle, stop hiding outside and come in.”

The temptation to ignore him was strong but I was too curious as to what his news was.

“Good evening father.” I curtsied as I entered, noting his displeasure when I didn’t call him your majesty.

“Where is your mother?” He asked.

Lovely to see you to.

“I don’t know, she said was would meet me here.”

As I spoke I saw my father relax as my mother entered the room. Watching him breath in her scent as she floated towards him and greeted him with a kiss.

“So Estelle, I have some good news for you. Prince Alonso is of age to take his throne. It has been proposed that we announce your engagement at you 18th birthday party.”

“Pardon.”

He frowned like I was being deliberately obtuse.

“You will announce your engagement to Prince Alonso at your birthday party. Once married you will become Queen.”

“ I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

“What did you expect ? They have waited over 18 years for this kingdom. I’m afraid we have no choice but to adhere to their request.”

It was easy for him, he had got what he wanted. Obviously he could tell I wasn’t happy about the news.

“We can’t risk another war, Estelle. We barely survived the last one. King Adalfundis wants Britanna, at least this way you still get to rule, and Prince Alonso is a good match, his fire gift paired with yours will produce a new line of strong pups.”

“I’m not a breeding bitch.” My wolf Raine snorted in my head.

“I thought you accepted this?”

“I’m a Queen. They cannot take my throne”

She was going to give me a headache. Why couldn’t I have a calm sensible wolf.

“I just thought I would have more time time to adjust.” I looked at the King. “It’s not like he has even proposed.”

“He has sent this ring as a token of his affection . He hopes you will wear it.”

He handed me a box and I opened it. Inside sat and large vulgar looking ring, nothing like I would have chosen. I looked at my Mother.

“This is his proposal?”

I saw her face fall and I knew she was linking my father.

“The Prince is a busy man and you know this is just a formality Estelle. Stop deluding yourself with silly romantic notions.”

“Of course father.” I replied automatically. My heart breaking just a little more as the reality of my life set in.

“One more thing, I have a mission for you before your party. King Adalfundis has not managed to find the gold wolf we heard the whispers about. I’m sending you to see what you can find out about those gifted wolves across the water. Alpha Jackson will send someone to collect you at the end of next term.”

“I’m going to Elite training ?”

“That’s your excuse, but really I want you to spy on these wolves. You report back to me and I will decide what to tell Adalfundis. That’s all you may go now.”