The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 8

~Tori~

The next morning, I dreaded getting up. I didn’t want to discuss wedding preparations with Adrian. I didn’t feel like dealing with his multiple personalities, but seeing that my life will never go back to how it was, I had to adjust. This was the only way for me to roam around freely. Emily and Sophia entered the room and they looked unharmed. They smiled at me as they sat my clothes down on the bed.

“You’re going to marry the king,” Emily sang. I shook my head.

“I don’t want to. I don’t want this life,” I sighed.

“But you would be our queen, Lady Victoria.”

“Please just call me Tori. You guys are the only friends I have here.” They smiled and I returned the smile.

“Let’s get you ready for the preparations of your big day.” I dragged myself out of the bed. Man, I’d rather be home binge watching Agents of Shield or one of the Tyler Perry series. Instead, I’m in a kingdom outside of the city. Pushing these thoughts away, I looked forward to eating a real breakfast. The girls helped me dress. I wore a red long floral dress with a v-line revealing just a peek of my cleavage. The fabric felt so soft against my skin. It was paired with some white heels and with silver jewelry. Sophia pulled my hair back into a slick ponytail leaving a few flyways to frame my face. Light makeup was applied and I had to argue with them about that. I was never the one to wear so much makeup. Once we were done, they looked satisfied with my look.

“The king would be very pleased,” Sophia said.

“Pleased indeed,” Emily chimed in.

“Thank you both so much.”

“Of course, my lady,” they said in unison.

They guided us down stairs to the grand dining room where I was greeted with red and pink roses on the table. Emily and Sophia left after I sat down and shortly after, a servant came in and served me eggs, a bowl of fruit, juice, and toast with apple jelly. I ate in silence and alone. It was nice and for a moment I felt at peace. The food was some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Maybe it was how they made it. The servant returned and collected my empty dishes and I knew that now my little paradise of peace was over. I stood and walked back into the hall. The guard was at my side in an instant leading towards Adrian’s study. He knocked on the door and I can hear Adrian’s voice on the other side telling us to come in.

“My King, I bring you, Lady Victoria.” The king looked at me and then at the guard.

“Thank you, sir Henry.” The guard left, closing the door behind him. He was looking at me holding a glass of McCallan in his hand.

“Please take a seat, my fiancée,” he said with a playful tone. I wondered which personality I was getting today.

“My King,” I said as I sat down. He squinted his eyes.

“I told you when we’re alone, you call me Adrian.”

“You wanted to discuss wedding details, right?” I asked, ignoring his last comment.

“Um. Yes, so the wedding will be in two months and it will be held here in this Kingdom.” Two months? How can I plan a wedding in two months?

“Why so soon?” I asked. His expression was inscrutable, not allowing me to see right through him. But then he flashed a mischievous smile as he leaned forward on his desk.

“Because, I can’t allow you to get away from killing my father. Trust and believe that you are lucky to be alive right now. We’ve executed people for crimes less than this.”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t kill your father.”

“So you say, but you were there when he died. You were covered in his blood. My men saw your hovering over him.”

“Right, they saw me over him trying to stop the bleeding. They killed your father when they pulled me away from him.” I folded my arms and leaned back into the chair. “Adrian I have no reason to kill your father. I didn’t even know him. And if he’s the King, the most important man in this kingdom, where were his guards? Why weren’t they there to protect him? Isn’t that they’re job?”

His face scrunched up. I wasn’t saying anything wrong and he knew that. Someone intentionally wanted this man dead and I intend to find out and clear my name.

*****

~Adrian~

She made a valid point. A king is suppose to be protected by his loyal guards. But they said she was there covered in his blood. I was conflicted because there are so many missing pieces. A part of me wanted to believe her. Listening to her talk with her parents, she looked content. She didn’t give away any indication of being in trouble. Why did I say that we are going to marry? Because I acted on impulse, I couldn’t expose her to everyone as my dad’s killer, and because of Jasper. He’s my brother and wants to be King more than anything. I know he would do whatever it takes to get my crown.

No one knows what happened to my father except for the people in this castle. The media and news reporters believes he died of a heart attack. My mother has been sent away to grieve without the media in her face. She would be back soon. I looked at this beautiful creature in front of me. She held her own the whole time here and I must admit that I’m impressed. She doesn’t let anyone walk all over her, including me. Her long dark hair was in a neat pony tail. She wore light makeup, but her natural beauty still superseded.

“You don’t know do you?” She asked. That’s why you can’t answer me. “You know deep down that there is something wrong with this picture.”

“And if it is, it doesn’t mean that you’re innocent. I just can’t let you go without knowing all of the facts,” I said.

“And you just can’t keep me here either.”

I downed my drink and sat the empty glass on the desk. “It’s too late now. If I set you free, then I won’t be doing my part as a King. Look on the bright side, as Queen, you will have your freedom but it also comes with fulfilling your role to the people of Adenville.”

“So basically I’m still a prisoner,” she said as she straightened up her back, her cleavage coming into my view. I glanced down and back at her with a smirk.

“Well, you already have the look of a queen. Just beautiful.” s**t, did I say that out loud? How awkward was that? “I mean, being a queen is not being a prisoner. You just have a job that comes with your freedom, just like a normal working woman.” She scoffed at my response as she covered her chest.

“Well, it’s not like I really have a choice in this matter,” she muttered.

“I’m afraid not, darling. But you do get a loyal husband.”

“Loyal my ass. You’ll probably sleep with whatever woman that throw themselves at you.” She stood and I followed suit. Clearly this was the end of this conversation. “I may become your wife on paper, but that is as far as it get.” I strolled up to her, causing her to sit back in her chair. I trailed a finger down her cheek. It was so soft and silky. “You will be my wife in every way it counts.” She bit her lip, failing to hide the effect I had on her. I knew she was attracted to me. I knew this arrangement wasn’t right, but what choice do I have now? I announced it in front of everyone. She is my fiancée and in two months she will be legally binded to me forever. “We have an interview with the press,” I said.

Her eyes bulged. “I can’t go. I don’t want my parents to know that it’s you I’m engaged to. At least until they meet you.”

I nodded my head yet again giving in to her. “Fine, I’ll reschedule the interview. But we do have to finish the arrangements.”

She nodded her head. “Okay, so let’s plan our wedding.”