One Shots

The Royal Dahlia I

A couple years ago, I wrote a kind of medieval one shot on another website for a friend. I wound up writing another part to go with it later on too. As I was going through old work for some inspiration, I came across this weird little two-part story I did and decided to edit it and publish it here to this collection. It's a little different than what I usually do, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
x
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The princess slammed the door behind her, tears spilling from her eyes out of frustration. What a travesty her life had become!

Her father had finally found her a "suitable" husband, a man who was as egotistical as he was completely repulsive. He stood barely an inch above her but acted like he was twelve feet tall. His arrogance nearly got them in trouble at dinner, when he ran his hand over the top of her thigh beneath the table which startled her and caused her to jump. She wound up excusing herself to escape his lewdly public advancements. When she had tried to tell her father, the princess was told a suggestion about civility would be given to her new fiance but that she was soon to be his possession, and her complaints would soon fall on deaf ears. She'd held the king's gaze until he flinched before leaving his chambers.

The princess collapsed to her bed, praying her betrothed, Prince Oliver, would not be so stupid to try and see her tonight in her chambers. It was enough to be embarrassed by his behavior at dinner. Even still, the princess couldn't help but admit to herself that she would have welcomed the advance if it had come from a person she actually fancied.

While the young woman had always been precocious and very spirited, that had only caused her to be more ostracized. She was called a pariah; after the death of her mother in childbirth, her father had a difficult time not placing the blame on the beautiful baby that had lived. The servants, having lost the truly better, kinder half of the monarchs, could not stop themselves from resenting her either.

A few quick knocks hit the door before a low voice was heard. "Your highness, are you decent?"

She rolled her eyes, her anger building rapidly. "I do not wish to be disturbed! Go away!" She rolled over to her side, despite struggling with her corset, and crossed her arms.

Silence answered her, and she sighed in relief. Thank Heavens somebody listened to her around here.

It only took moments for her to swallow her words, because the silence ate at her and only made her situation that much worse. All she could do was think about how awful her predicament was with the new prince. She struggled to sit up straight as her circumstance settled in her stomach, which caused anxiety to plague her thoughts now. She glanced at the entrance to her chamber, weighing the silence that she'd received by request. Without thinking, she rushed to the door and threw it open.

Before her stood a guard, although she was immediately taken aback. While he wore the standard uniform of the castle guard, his appearance made him look unique to every guard in the kingdom. Instead of keeping it short and trim, his black hair reached his shoulders. He had blue eyes that were so crystal clear and deep he could drown her with a look. He stood taller than most, at least above six feet, and his build was more slender but still strong.

Breathlessly, she asked, "What was it?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, your Highness." His voice was a deep baritone that rattled her. "Your father assigned me to guard your room for your few remaining nights. I simply wanted to inform you of this guard shift before you retire for the night."

The princess eyed him, having not recognized him in the first place. "What is your name? Why haven't I seen you around here before?"

Clearing his throat, the guard answered, "My name is Andrew Biersack. My father is--"