His Girl

Chapter 14

"Where have you been?" He exclaimed.
"Clearly I have been here, Your highness." I said sweetly, hoping to wind him up even more.
"I have sent soldiers and Knights all over the city to find you."
"Didn't look hard enough did you."
"Tania what were you thinking, you could have been killed, these places aren't for girls like you."
"So you think I can't look after myself?"
"Tania, you know I didn't mean it like that."
"Then what did you mean. That other people would try and take advantage of me. But not you, oh no you are the protective prince who won't let anything bad happen to me. I don't care what happens to me as long as I do it willingly and with out you telling what I can and can't do."
"Just come back to the castle Tania. I know that you may think I'm controlling but it is for the best."
"THE BEST!" I shouted "You have no right to decide what's the best for me." And with that I stormed past him. He may be the future king but what allowed him to make decisions for me. I heard him groan in frustration before following.
I was just about to walk out of the tavern when the landlord yelled from behind the bar.
"Ey, you, girl you need to pay. This place don't run on magic ya know." He said. I turned around as Jackson pulled out a bag of coins and placed it on the bar. The landlords eyes lit up greedily and tipped the contents onto the table top. By the time Jackson had turned to look back at me I was already out of the tavern and making my way down the streets.
Looking around me I could see why Jackson was so concerned, I had found myself in the bad part of town. When I had started my angry walk I was in the wealthier part but I must have wound up here once it had started to rain.
It was early in the morning so only a few people were up setting up various stalls that seemed to be selling things I'd rather not know about. I kept my head down and until I heard Jackson shout from behind me.
"Tania wait up." He cried as he ran up to me. I continued to walk at my current speed. It didn't take long for Jackson to catch up with me and stand in front of me to stop me from walking on.
"Look Tania." He said running his hands through his hair, I could still see he was angry at me but he knew that if he showed his anger I would make him livid, as I am exceptional at winding him up. "I was worried alright, you were so angry I had no idea where you would go or what you would do."
"You just need to let me make my own decisions okay your highness." I knew that by calling him 'your highness' would irritate him.
"I know I'm sorry but I can't help myself, I have been brought up to protect the people I care about, no matter what the consequences." He said as he cupped my face in his hands. "I'm so sorry Tania, but you must understand that I just don't want you to get hurt."
I sighed, what he said sent my heart pounding. "I understand"
And with that he leant forward and kissed me.

*
Jackson raised his sword up in triumph. The crowd exploded in a storm of applause and cheering, I saw Audric smirk beside me, he knew all along who the victor would be. Jackson walked around the arena, basking in his own glory, this was only amplified by the reaction of the crowd. Audric got up from his seat which immediately made all the people sat around the arena silent.
"This has been an excellent few days, full of men displaying their bravery and determination. This last contest is certainly one that I will remember for being so entertaining. I am very proud to congratulate the winner of this years Triad to be my son Jackson, Crown Prince of Lothelor." The crowd erupted into shouts and cheers as soon as Audric had said this. I think that they were mainly happy as they were being reassured that their future king was strong, brave and well respected. Jackson now walked over to the royal stand he torn the helmet off his head and threw it to the ground, the crowd clearly loved this newly dramatic Jackson. He jumped over the barrier and into the stand. He landed in front of a group of overly made up ladies whom all gasped and sighed at this sight of the prince looking so rugged and, as much as I hate to admit it, sexy.
He winked at me before making his way over to his father who held the Triad Trophy in his hand. The trophy was a shimmering sliver cup with red rubies adorning the handles. Audric smiled as he presented the cup to his son, he then whispered something in his ear before slapping him on the back. Jackson then raised the cup up, much to the people's delight. The trumpets then sounded, signalling the end of the triad. The stands around me almost seemed to shake as the people who had been sat on them were eager to get out and catch a glimpse of some of the unsuspecting contestants who may be lingering around. I felt Jackson sit down next to me.
"Not going to congratulate me are we?" He smiled jokingly.
"When you do something meaningful I will." I grinned, he knew that I was happy for him but it was fun playing with him.
"So the Triad meant nothing to you then?"
"No it's very stressful for the spectators you have no idea how close some people were to dying, I could barely watch it when you..." I stopped myself before I said something that would send his ego out of whack.
"Aw you care about me don't you." He said mockingly as if he were talking to a child.
"Don't push your luck."
"I think you were the only person watching who experienced this 'stress'"
"Where I come from we don't have this sort of thing, I guess I'm not used to idiots hitting each other with things." I laughed.
"It's a lot harder than it looks Tania. Where are you from anyway?"
"We will save that confession to another time." I said, I really didn't want to tell him about my past, I still didn't know whether I could trust him and he definitely wouldn't look at me the saw way if he knew.
*
It was now a week until the summer season, where the whole of the aristocracy would stay at the palace. I had been told that this happened every year and included not only nobles from Lothelor but kings and dignitaries from other kingdoms as well. It was the time to form allegiances and pacts but also a time for courtship and romance. I had spent most of the previous days cleaning every inch of the castle, washing every tapestry and polishing armour and furniture. My hands were raw but it felt good to finally realise what hard work was. A few other maids had at last spoken to me and found that I don't seek the prince's attention, nor do I want riches or power, I am just a normal girl at heart. I hadn't seen much of the prince as he had spent a lot of time with his father in the great hall, planning all sorts of things that I would never be allowed to know.

I felt the dirty soapy water slosh up my arm, soaking my newly cleaned shirt. Today I wore a plain cream shirt that was tucked into a long brown scratchy skirt and a laced apron tied around my waist. I looked down at my sleeve and lifted my arm up to inspect the damage, only to knock over the entire bucket over.
"I don't think you suit this cleaning nonsense, I could think of a much better way to put your talents to use."
"Not going to happen." I replied instantly, it wasn't hard to recognise that voice yet I still kept my head down.
"I think your doing a great job Tania." I heard another voice say. I looked up to see Cedric who was smiling down at me.
"This place doesn't clean itself you know, at least someone appreciates it." I replied, making Cedric laugh.
"You are my mistress Tania Connor, I don't want to see you cleaning the floors, what will the Kings say when they see you on your hands and knees scrubbing away."
"Remember out deal Prince Jackson, I would only be your mistress if I could carry on being a servant until the summer season. And even then that doesn't include all the mistress related responsibilities."
"Hmm what ever you say honey." He winked at me.
"Will you two stop flirting, I'm right here for heavens sake. Aren't you going to ask her what you came here to say?" Cedric said impatiently. Jackson laughed and said,
"Your coming with me tomorrow to greet some of the court at the harbour."
"I'm busy." I said bluntly, the last thing I wanted was to be shown off in front of stuck up nobility.
"You haven't really got a say in the matter, you are coming with me."
"Haven't we talked about your controlling issues?"
"This has nothing to do with that."
"Then what is the big deal, why do I need to go?"
"Because your my mistress sweetheart, I need you there." He came up to me and placed his hands on my waist and his face was close next to mine. "Please Tania, do it for me." He whispered in my ear.
God this boy is annoying, why did he gave to be so irresistible. Finally he said the word I wanted to hear, one that didn't come out of his mouth very often.
"All you had to say was please, all your attempts at being seductive won't work on me." I said pushing him away from me as I told a total lie.
"Good I'll see you tomorrow then, oh and stop the with the work I can't have my mistress with maids hands." He said grinning as he picked up my bucket and walked off with Cedric who was laughing beside him.
I groaned in annoyance, I was still surrounded by a sea of brown soapy water.
"He really seems to like you, you know." A maid whose name was Rose said from behind me, we had only recently started to speak to one and other.
"Do you reckon, I think he is playing with me, just showing off to his friends." I replied quickly, I had never really been able to get a different perspective on how Jackson treats me.
"No I think he likes you, I have seen him with hundreds of girls, all of which have been flings and whom he couldn't give a toss about. But he does care about you, otherwise why would he want you to be his mistress? Well you are more beautiful than all the other girls, but he must like you for who you are or he would have dumped you a long time ago." Rose said, she was one of those girls who wasn't afraid to voice her opinion, and I was grateful for it.
"Hmm, I don't know, I'm not sure whether I can fully trust him. I will never see me as anything but his pretend mistress, I'm not royalty or even nobility, there is no chance his father would allow it."
"You never know Tania, but for what it's worth he is a good guy and I know for a fact every girl in this kingdom would give an arm or leg to be in your position, it's not every day you get to be courted by the future king."

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Sorry for the long wait but I have been away. So what are your current thoughts on Jackson, personally it's on and off for me, one minute I love him the next I don't.do you guys feel the same way?
Thank you for helping me get #152 in historical fiction, it means so much to me.
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Till next time my lovelies

Beatoria x x x x