𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼

9

Kendra – chapter 9

I was nudged awake, soft hands cupping my cheeks. I felt the cold rings glide along my face. I squinted at the face, and I immediately recognized who it was. It was my mother. Queen Helena Dustmore, with her powdered and pampered face, and warm hands that were decorated with rings and bracelets of all sorts. Her dark brown eyes staring down at me, and elegant and tamed smile at her lips. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders. I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I reached for the jug of water and poured myself a glass of water. "Where is Ally?" I moan.

"Your father aspects you, she's getting your dress" she responds in a soft voice. I groaned, oh great now what does he want. Probably wants to scream at me for what I did yesterday. "Come on get up, everyone is waiting for you in the throne room, I am going there to inform them your getting ready" and with that she was gone. I looked around the room and stood up, the silks brushed my skin as I walked to the bathroom. Ally came in shortly after with a long dress, with jewels all over it. She smiled at me, but I could tell something was bothering her, she looked concerned.

 I didn't say anything as she dressed me up. the corset crushed my ribs, and I could barley breathe. She curled my straight hair and braided the front bad, it was half up and half down, and she took out two strands of hair at the front. She then placed a heavy gold crown on my head that was decorated with diamonds, it matched the white dress well. She threw all sorts of powders on my face, I investigated the mirror, and I looked like a bride. But it was normal for the royals to dress like this, of course. 

She smiled at me and led me outside, and my royal guards escorted me to the throne room. The heels I wore clicked at every step. Once I reached the throne room, the guards opened the door and I walked inside, and bowed to my father and nodded at my mother. Lucas stood close to them.

Kalen stood near Sir Caldor, looking at me he gave a small smile which also seemed disturbed. His eyes were bloodshot. And he looked tired as he looked back at the king. Father slowly stood up and walked towards me, it was already hard to breathe but now it felt impossible. My heart was in my throat, and I almost got a heart attack when father put his hands on my shoulders and kissed my forehead. For a second, I thought the connection was real, but I could tell it was an act. "Ignoring what happened yesterday, I have made the decision as your father, and the king of Esmond that will both be good for you and the kingdom. Honey you will leave and go to Caldor's lands as his wife, and you will gift him with love and children that will benefit us all." 

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked at Caldor on the side, he gave me a wink a smile tugging at his lips, I glance into Kalen's direction, but he didn't return my look, he was staring at the ground, his jaw clenched and his hands shaking at his side. I look back at my father, there was no way I could get out of this now, I nodded tersely. "As you order father, but I do have a request ... I will take a guard of my choice with me to protect me at all costs!" Kalen raised his head now. He looked at Caldor who kept his gaze on me. "I would like to take Kalen as I believe he is the best guard here" I announce. Caldor cocked his head to the side, and Kalen's looked at me in shock. Mother nodded reassuringly from her throne. "As you like Kendra" father answered. Slowly father's grip faded away and he walked to his throne. Caldor nodded at him and walked forward to me. His chest puffed out, grinning brightly. He grabbed my hand and pressed a kiss on my knuckles, and I tried to fake a smile, hoping it would make father think I'm happy. "I will make sure you are always happy, my love" Caldor vowed. I bowed low. As he stared down at me. Father gave us all permission to leave, and we returned to our rooms. However, mother ordered me and Caldor to go and talk to each other. I could tell she hoped some connection would form.

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Caldor gave he his arm and I looped my had through his, hoping I looked happy. The last thing I would want was father to punish me like he used to when I was a child. Caldor kept close to me the whole time, he enjoyed the feeling of getting what he wanted, it made him greedier. I didn't see Kalen at all after the meeting with the king. Caldor led me to the grand library. He took me to the back corner where there was a single big chair along with a ladder to reach the higher shelves. I un-looped my arm as he sat down and patted his thigh as if I was some dog, who needed to listen to his commands. I sat down my face red. He looked at me happily, feeling his power above me. 

Did he really think I loved him? The position was awkward, and I felt uncomfortable. Something in me told me to play along with this love he was providing me, so I slid my hand behind his neck, playing with his hair. I had to be honest it was so soft, I felt like not letting go. An approving smile at his lips that met his eyes. he placed one arm around me back and the other rested on my thigh. "I alerted the soldiers to send message to Vowen palace to prepare a room for us" he confirmed. His grip tightened slightly. And I rested me head on his shoulder as I played with his hair. "When is the wedding, Caldor" I asked as he grinned. He shrugged and I could smell his perfume, it was strong on my noise and sent a jolt through my body. "I am not sure; however, I think it is by the end of the month" he reassured me. So, I had time, I sighed, and we stayed in silence, until sleep took us both.

 𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 :)