Royal!au
I always knew that I would not be marrying for love. My entire life I was taught that my greatest importance came from my ability to attract a prince or king whom would benefit our kingdom.
I was foolish to ever assume that love had a chance. I was foolish to think I could have the heart of someone who loved me. That I could give my heart to someone who would care for it, protect it.
"Are you listening, dear? You're getting married! And in just under a month! I expected more excitement." My father cheered from the head of the table.
"To King James Barnes? Of Brook?" I questioned, hoping maybe I had heard him wrong. My eyes shifted around the table, my brothers stared at their plates, both of them avoiding my wide eyes. My mother stared at me in pity, her shaky hand clutching a fork.
"Of course!" His voice was jovial as his knife cut through the steak on his plate. "This will be very beneficial for our kingdom. He has requested your hand in marriage in turn for using our territory for his armies to pass through and camp in, not to mention the large alliance we will be gaining!"
"A beneficial alliance yes, but King James goes to war much more often than we do. He will expect our assistance." My oldest brother Henry spoke, his voice quiet but stern.
"Then help we we shall. Besides, the money that comes from the soldiers that pass through our kingdom will be beneficial towards the economy." My father waved the worry away.
I sent Henry a grateful smile, he had clearly been trying to prevent. My gaze fell to my other brother, Benjamin, the middle child between us. His foot tapped aggressively under the table, something the rest of chose to ignore in the moment. His food sat untouched.
"May I be excused?" I tried to keep the begging out of tone. "I'm a little overwhelmed by the news. If I could just have a moment to myself."
My father grumbled my permission. I carefully stood from the table, my hand held on my stomach as if it would push the nausea away.
I've never met the King of Brook, but it wouldn't be necessary in knowing his reputation. The man was said to be cold in attitude, many claiming it impossible for him to smile. He's gone to war more times than my hands could count, and he hasn't been defeated in a single one. His court is built of a tight inner circle. He did not allow anyone else within his castle besides a few servants and his soldiers.
I will not be meeting the King before our wedding. Father says he is in the midst of declaring war. It would take too much time to travel all this way.
Once I finally reached my room, I threw myself into my mattress, finally allowing the sobs to escape my chest.
I thought maybe my mother would come to comfort me, but after a half hour I lost hope. When I finally heard the click of my door, I turned with hopeful eyes. Instead of my mother I was met with my lady in waiting, Natasha.
"Natasha," I cried as she pulled me into her arms, holding me close to her chest. "I don't think I can do this."
"I know, lovey. I know." She soothed, rubbing my back. "You are a beautiful, intelligent woman. You'll entrap his heart before he has even realized what's happened."
"I've heard such terrible things," I said.
"I'm sure they've been blown out of proportion. He would be a fool not to love you."
"Do you think he would allow you to join me? To continue your duty as my lady in waiting?" I pondered. "Would you be willing?"
"I would follow you to the ends of the world," she promised. Though how much truth her promise bared I didn't know, I knew she would never leave if they did not take her husband as well.
