A Royal Arrangement

Chapter 5

Rey had gotten up and gotten dressed. Ben had requested she'd be there with him for breakfast.

Rey was nervous to see him again though. Ben had been cold towards her since they met. Does it look good for everyone to know that we can eat together as future husband and wife? Rey thought to herself.

"Good morning, your highness." Rey greeted giving Ben a small bow.

"Good morning." Ben mumbled giving Rey a quick nod.

"Thank you, Fred." Rey said facing Fred.

"You're welcome, princess. I better go do my other duties; I will return to escort you later." Fred responded and walked away.

"Hm." Ben mumbled raising an eyebrow at them. It was weird for him to see Rey thanking Fred for doing his job and talking to him as if he weren't there to serve her as his future queen.

"Did you sleep well, your highness?" Rey asked looking back at Ben as they headed toward her seat.

"Yes." Ben answered and pushed Rey in her seat and then sat at the same chair he had sat before. The maids had given them their breakfast and water and left them alone. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did." Rey answered and took her fork at started to eat her food.

"That was very odd." Ben mumbled as he started to eat his food.

"What was?" Rey asked, confused.

"You thanked a guard." Ben answered raising his eyebrow at her.

"Without trying to be rude, I do want to ask... why wouldn't I thank him?" Rey responded more confused and annoyed at him.

"He is a guard and his job to make sure you are not in harm's way." Ben answered.

"Which I'm grateful for," Rey sighed. "He should know that."

"I'm sorry but there is no need to for a future queen to thank someone for doing their job." Ben chuckled in a mocking way.

"You take everyone around you for granted. What kind of king does that make you?" Rey asked, glaring at him.

"A real king," Ben coldly responded. "I would never thank some maid of mine for cleaning."

"Where I come from, we don't let the ones below us do their jobs and treat them like they're just below us and nothing more. Unlike you, my father was a kind king and he--"

"Be quiet." Ben stopped her. "You're nothing to me and your father isn't here, is he?"

Rey looked down and teared up not answering his question.

"Is he?" Ben repeated.

"No." Rey answered crying.

"You live in my kingdom, I demand respect and just because you'll be queen in six days doesn't mean I care for you, you're just part of a deal. You're nothing to me." Ben coldly said.

"Just because it's your kingdom, doesn't make it right." Rey responded and got up from her chair. "Excuse me." Rey mumbled and walked away.

Ben watched in silence as she left. He felt a sudden feeling of guilt as he saw her leave. He barely knew this girl and yet felt guilty for talking to her the way he did.

Rey ran to her bed and softly cried in her pillow. She felt like she was living in hell and was to wed Satan in the flesh.

There was a knock on the door and Rey sat up to see who it was and asked, "Who is it?"

"It's Fred!" Rey heard Fred shout and she quickly ran to the door opening it and hugged Fred as she continued to cry.

"I'm so sorry." Fred said in a soft whisper.

"Why is he so cruel?" Rey softly cried as she let him go and wiped her tears.

"It'll get better after the wedding." Fred responded as he closed the door.

"How do you know?"

"I don't."

"That helps." Rey said shaking her head and rolled her eyes as she sat down on her bed.

"Don't stress over it, Rey." Fred said following her. "Please don't let him get to you like that." Fred whispered placing a hand on her shoulder.

"My lady-- I mean, Rey." Olivia corrected herself as she entered the room.

"Yes?" Rey mumbled looking up at her.

"The king needs to speak with you." Olivia responded.

"Great," Rey mumbled. "I'm in more trouble."

"You should hurry." Olivia said.

"Tell the king I will need a moment." Rey said.

"As you wish." Olivia said and bowed.