Emma
It's been one month since I married Luke and our relationship has hardly improved. Now instead of screaming at each other every time we're together, we simply ignore each other. I haven't spoken a word to him since our last argument over drawing the curtains in the study. He insisted that it's foolish to work by candle light in the daytime, but I refused to look at the dreary English sky for another second, fearing it would push me further into depression. We yelled for hours until I finally went into my chamber, deciding to write my letters to France when Luke was no longer in the study. And since then, he acts as if I don't exist.
Our typical day goes like this: I rise at 7:00, and my ladies in waiting assist me in getting dressed. I go down to breakfast alone. It is not unusual for Luke to sleep till 10, even 11:00. At breakfast, I sit next to Queen Elizabeth, whom has proved to be a good source of comfort and friendship. It's usually just the King, the Queen, and I; but sometimes we are joined by Luke's older brothers Ben and Jack.
Luke's brothers both chose to lead the military instead of ruling, which passes the line of succession to Luke. They always make me laugh when they're around, doing something foolish like juggling ten oranges or trying to sneak a swig of alcohol without their mother noticing.
After breakfast, I typically go back to my chambers to sew or do some reading. Most of my time here is spent doing insignificant tasks to keep me from being idle. Some days I almost wish to get into an argument with Luke just to have something to do.
By lunch time, Luke is out of bed and grumpy. I don't envy the servant that has to wake him. I take my lunch in my chambers most of the time in order to avoid his incessant complaining. After I've eaten, I go for a walk outside if it's not raining, but if it is, I must stay inside and spend another 5 hours reading or sewing until dinner. Luke and I are required to attend dinner together, making it a painfully long and awkward event to sit through. Every night, there is some kind of party at the castle in which music is played and everyone is merrily dancing.
Tonight was no different than any other night. It's the same routine every day and at this point in the evening, Luke has consumed a considerable amount of wine and I am sitting quietly watching the people as they dance with their partners. Ashton sits with me, jabbering on about on his recent trip to Spain. I listened intently, grateful for his company. I've become increasingly lonely since my arrival in England. Queen Elizabeth and Ashton aren't available for most of the day and I dislike the company of my chamber maids, as all they talk of is gossip. I write letters home every day, begging to come home, begging for this marriage to be annulled, and I've even asked for something as simple as a visit from my mother. All my requests have been denied with short letters instructing me to do my royal duty.
"So," Ashton says once he's finished telling about the lovely girl he had met in Spain and how much he misses her, "I heard you were quite the troublemaker back in France."
"Yes, my Father and the French noblemen felt I was too involved in politics for a woman. I told them they could rot in hell, which put me in the position I am currently in," I sigh.
"What do you mean?" Ashton asks, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Well, they didn't like being ordered around by a woman, so they got rid of me. The solution was simple; King Andrew and Queen Elizabeth were looking for a pure wife for Luke. They knew the English people wouldn't like the idea of their next king sleeping around with countless women, so my Father offered me. Not only did this marriage end the ongoing war between our countries, but it also expelled the outspoken Princess of France," I explained.
"They told you this?" Ashton asked, his face etched with sympathy.
"No, I figured it out for myself. I had no say in the matter, I was uprooted from my home and shipped off to London with no warning. They traded me like an animal," I say, on the verge of tears.
"I'm so sorry Emma," he says, my story had affected him emotionally almost as much as it had me.
"Thank you Ashton," I say as Luke runs out of the ballroom, most likely off to wretch up the alcohol he's intoxicated himself with. We sit and talk a bit more before I politely bid him goodnight.
****
It took me a few weeks, but I finally learned to navigate the castle on my own, but the pathways are very dark at night, making it difficult to find my way to my chambers. Suddenly, my footing was disrupted by an uneven patch on the floor, making me trip. I gripped my ankle in pain, having twisted it during my fall. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and soon a guard helps me up.
"Are you alright princess?" he asks once I'm on my feet again.
"No, I believe I've twisted my ankle," I reply, blushing at my clumsiness.
"Good," he grins, "can't have you running away." His hands roughly grab my waist and shove me against the wall. I tremble in surprise and fear. With one hand he gropes my breast, with the other he palms his crotch. He breathes heavily, his foul breath hot on my face. My head spins as I realize there is no one in this part of the castle right now who could help me.
"P-please stop," I stutter. The man only laughs and attempts to kiss me. I turn my head away.
"I've been watching you for a long time Princess," he says. He unbuckles his pants and starts to reach up my dress. I cry out in the opposite of pleasure as he starts to touch my upper thigh. My mind frantically searches for a way out, but I can't do much with an injured ankle. Just as he starts to hike my dress up, a voice stops him.
"What do you think you're doing with my wife mate?" a very familiar voice says angrily. In any other instance, I would have thought it unpleasant to hear Luke's voice, but right now he was like an angel sent from the heavens. Luke ripped the man off me, and punched him square in the jaw. I fell to the floor once the man's arms weren't pinning me to the wall. Of course, I fall on my bad ankle, making me whimper in pain. Luke stops his assault on the man and looks over at me. He pushes the man aside and bends down.
"Are you alright?" I hear for the second time tonight. I feverishly scoot away from him, fearing the worst.
"No, no I won't hurt you," he says soothingly, his tone was kind towards me for the first time. He reaches out to assess my ankle, and I flinch when he touches my skin.
"I think you've sprained it. You'll have to stay off of it for a few days," he tells me. Unable to find my voice, I just nod. He turns around to see my rapist gone.
"Fuck! That bastard got away!'" he swears. At this point, my body and mind are in agreement that it would be best to shut down before anything else traumatic could happen. As my eyes flutter shut, I feel arms wrap around my body and lift me. Everything goes black after that.
