The Silent Knight

-14-

A couple days have passed as the newly wedded couple has stayed in the Queen's chambers. Any chance I was able to catch a glimpse of her I would.

The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing of her status of being a Queen. He wouldn't dare lay a hand on her or hurt her. He would be beheaded and I would be the one to do so.

Matthias makes his way out of her bedroom. Pulling her out with him. They laugh into each other's grasp.

"I must go set myself up in my chambers. Seeing as I haven't touched my belongings in days." Matthias says as she laughs and kisses him.

I stand straight in front of the door, my eyes looking straight forward down the hall.

"I will see you around." She says with a smile, while he nods. He looks over at me slowly then back at her before he walks down the hall and out of the door.

I blink still standing as still as a rock. It becomes silent as I feel her presence next to me, staring at me. I don't move, I can't move.

She turns to walk back into her room but before she does so, she reaches out and lays her hand on my arm. I feel a fire spread throughout my body from the touch of a dragon.

I turn my head towards her and our eyes meet. She gives me a small smile and then walks back into her room, shutting the door behind her.

I could follow her into her room but that would be reckless. I clench my jaw and turn back to the hallway. Our interactions are to be like this from now on. I am okay with that for I will have to be.

An hour or so passes as she comes out dressed in a casual black and red gown. She looks up at me.

"Would you escort me to the dragon pit, Maddox?" She asks softly. I nod and instead of holding out my arm for her to hold I look back forward.

She lets out a sigh and begins to walk down the hall as I proceed to walk behind her, not being as close as we usually would.

We get to the door I speed up in front of her to open it for her. As I go to open it she stops me, turning me towards her.

"What on Earth happened to your hand, Maddox?!" She says in shock grabbing it.

Her hand holding mine sends shivers down my spine as she looks at it and back up at me.

"It was nothing. Just slipped, your grace." I say. She furrows her brow and tilts her head to the side.

"That doesn't look like just a slip." She lets go of my hand and I instantly miss her touch.

I stand still as she walks up to me and takes my helmet off, I grab her hand to stop her.

"Anyone could walk through this door at any moment, Marisia." I state still holding her hand.

"I need to see you." I let go of her and with a sigh as she pulls my helmet off slowly. She stares at me, biting her bottom lip.

"You've been crying." She says seeing my puffy face and red eyes. It has been hard for me not to these past days.

She reaches up with both of her hands and touches my face lightly. I take my hands and place them on hers gently pulling her hands away from my face. I look at her sadly.

"I am so sorry." I say and she looks down, my hands still holding onto hers.

She's knows what I am apologizing for. Having to give herself to someone she does not want to. It is cruel what our world deems as a harmless act, in order to keep peace within a realm.

"It is what I have to do in order to produce an heir. Our heir." She points towards herself and I.

"I do not believe Matthias will allow me near his kids, even if he gets the inkling that I am creating a bond or relationship with them." I say.

"You can end this, you do not need to be with this man." I plead, not wanting her to suffer as much as she already has.

She shakes her head and looks back up at me.

"Trust me." She says walking closer towards me.

"I do." I say with hesitation. She quirks an eyebrow up at me.

"I heard our dear friend Rose Stark has taken over your chambers." She says.

"She insisted on staying, weighing her options on your proposal on her counsel position."

"She has her own chambers here." Jealously laces her tone. How it would change when Francesca was brought up in conversation.

"It is not what you think, my love." I say. She backs away sighing.

"I know. I have been stuck here, alone. I feel myself going crazed and my maidens filling me in about your time together is not helping." She says truthfully, placing her arms at her sides.

She knows that lies between Rose and I has always been platonic. Friends or not, Marisia has always been this way towards other women. I think deep down she feels guilty for having to keep me locked away. My life being hers. Her title is what is keeping us this way. A title I have a duty of keeping protected. I lean down and place a kiss upon her forehead.

"Then perhaps maybe it's time you go for a ride, your grace?" I say as a smirk lays upon my lips.

"Indeed it is." She says before taking my helmet and putting it back on my head.

I open the door for her and she talks exactly five steps in front of me, keeping a distance that wouldn't raise any eyebrows.