"Father, I don't think I'm cut out for this." I say, as tears threaten to fall. My father and I have been training in the throne room for hours, and for the life of me, I can't just swing the sword like I need to, and slit the man's throat. I am the crown princess of my kingdom of Saton, and a disappointment to my father. I can't even punish someone who deserves it with a day in prison. Pathetic.
"Clearly your skill set is not in punishment." My father, King Rupert says to me, eyes full of admiration as he strokes his graying beard. Being completely honest, I hated that beard. It's a testimony about how he's getting older. "I have found you a husband who can handle the punishments." Another tear threatened to fall. I didn't want a husband to handle it for me.
"Thank you Father. May I leave?" I say as I get up to leave it to go to bed. He nods sternly and I leave. It is getting late and the palace is asleep. I wish I could just forget tonight. My father is awful, and constantly insults me, but there are some people you just can't stop loving I suppose. I always figured it was resentment because I was a girl, but he never explicitly said it.
As I run down the halls my mind turns to Ezra Archer, the handsome boy of seventeen, who seems to love to take up my thoughts these days. We met as he was pretending to be a palace guard, and he kidnapped me for a couple months. I know it's messed up, but I fell for him and his attention. As they say, those who weren't fed love learn to lick it off of a knife. It was the first time I felt desired by the male gaze. After he let me go, he snuck into my room again, and would 'kidnap' me again and again. I wouldn't call it kidnapping though. I would only call it that because he is a rebel and it would not be proper to say we go out together willingly. In reality it is more like courting, except we both know it would never be accepted by the courts, or by my father. The queen and a thief. Besides, my father had me set to be married to the prince of Scotland, who I had never met. I had known this Ezra for years now. He didn't like my fathers way of ruling, but he endured it for me. I am lost deep in said thoughts, when a hand comes out of nowhere, and grabs my wrist with gentle, gloved hands.
Even in rough, worn, gloves Ezra still manages to be gentler than my fathers hands that had never known a day of hard work. He was here. Without knowing I needed him. He always was. He silently guided me away.
3rd person point of view
"Well here we are again Mr. Archer" Juliette said, rolling her eyes, trying to hide her smile at the familiar boy in front of her. Tall, about 6'1", with gorgeous green eyes and brown hair. "What a coincidence that I was just thinking about you, and your failed attempts at kidnapping. You better be careful or I might believe you enjoy my company."
"Well my dearest, Juliette, you know my intent is never to kidnap you, except for that horrid first time of course." Ezra says standing nearby, then he comes over and using his gloved hand to tilt her chin towards him says, "I had merely hoped that my actions will some day bring you to inherit the kingdom instead of the current bastard who currently calls himself our king, pardon my language."
"Well Mr. Archer, you know you are in the presence of a lady, and bringing me to a room is not the greatest way to gain my affections, especially a filthy one like this." Juliette snapped, looking mock disgusted, though they both knew that she didn't mind the thrill. "You are ruining one of my favorite dresses. And to be quite frank, I hope my fathers reign is long, I'm not ready to rule yet, I must say I would be a terrible ruler. I hope we know each other well enough for me to say stop trying. I would let crime run wild for fear I would offend those who only mean good."
"My Juliette, you do not know yourself well at all. You would be a marvelous queen, and a considerate one, and Darling! I'm truly sorry for the dress, I'm sure you have more than enough means to make another like it with the snap of your fingers. " He said, demonstrating the snap, a goofy grin playing across his face. "Though I must say, I'm sorry to see this one go." He says with a fake sad face, letting his fingertips skim the airy fabric. A blush crept across Juliette's face at that implication. "You do look quite lovely in it, then again don't you always. I have brought you a gift." Ezra handed her a hair clip, in dark green.
Juliette giggled, and admired the hair clip, but then sighed. What future queen would allow herself to be captured by a rebel for the thrills, accept his gifts, what would the kingdom think, of their future queen constantly being 'bested' by a mere thief, for she could not tell them it was intentional, that would be scandalous, even if he was a handsome one. 'Whatever' She thought, 'I will be a terrible leader anyway.'
"Well Darling, would you like to go somewhere with me tonight?" He asked, a twinkle in his eye, and a daring grin, the same one that always got her in trouble. This was the first time they ever left his little cove though. "As long as you don't run away of course" He added with a laugh.
"I don't know Mr. Archer, I might run" She said with a twinkle in her eye, they both knew she wouldn't. She couldn't. She had this feeling around him, magnetizing. Terrifying. Wonderful. A more naive person might have called it love. Whatever it was, she was sure he felt it back.
Ezra laughed, it was a beautiful sound, deep and smooth like butter. The kind that lit up a whole room, led everyone into a false sense of security, and showed off his perfect teeth and smile. It was infectious, and caused Juliette to giggle a little too.
"My lady" He said in a mock posh accent, offering her his hand after over exaggeratedly bowing.
"Of course my good sir" She said taking it, her heart fluttering at the feeling.
YOU ARE READING
The Queen and the Theif
RomanceA story of a princess suddenly thrust into power because her father was killed by who she believed was her soulmate. She banishes him, but what will happen when he appears again, with a different side to the story?
