The King

Madden

People's heads turned when they heard the ear-piecing sound. I sat there, watching as the knights on the field played with their swords. I bit my nails, my eyes trained on Ed and Sir Madden, they were engaged in a heated 'practice session'. Apparently it was 'good for the both of them' to get out there every once in a while. When metal hit metal, you could hear the vibrations filing through the air. The sound was eerie and made my ears ring.

They both laughed, throwing their swords on the ground.

"You did great," Ed said, out of breath.

"You too, mate," Sir Madden wasn't just Ed's knight, he was his closest friend. They had been friends since before they could walk. Ed's mother knew Sir Madden's, and when the family visited the castle every month, Ed and Sir Madden- Jackson, would play together. Jackson had just returned to court for the first time in a year, he had been off visiting family in Birmingham.

You see, Jackson Madden wasn't of royal blood, in fact, he had no connection to royals what so ever. Except Ed of course. But other than that, nothing. He wasn't technically supposed to be a knight, but Ed broke the rules and put him in the group.

They walked over to me, I smiled. Ed sat down next to me, taking a drink of the water I had. Jackson stood in front of us, his dark brown eyes fixed on me.

"Kara, right?" He asked, he had a strong posh accent. I nodded, sitting up to shake his hand. "Jackson Madden."

"So, you're the fierce knight Ed talks so much about?" I asked, smiling up at him. He chuckled, some of his long black hair falling in front of his face.

"I would suppose so," he said, turning to Ed.  "Ed, mate. You didn't tell me how beautiful your girl was."

I felt my face heat up at the sudden attention, not that Ed didn't give it to me, but to hear it from another man was different.

"Well, words don't cover it," Ed said, wrapping his arm around me, pulling me closer. My face got even redder, if that was possible.

"Sire, we've got a meeting!" Bleu yelled, running out of the castle.

"Oh right," Ed said, standing up. He turned to me, "you coming? It is about your mother."

"What happened to your mother?" Jackson asked.

"Nothing," I sighed, he looked confused.

"Then why are you having meetings about her?" He asked.

"He can talk about that later," Ed said, taking my hand.

"Alright then, I'll see you two later then," Jackson smiled, showing off his perfectly white teeth.

Ed and I walked back up to the castle, keeping our distance. We didn't want people to know we were together, especially in a time like this.

"So, this Jackson guy," I started, once we reached the corridor.

"What about him?" Ed asked.

"He seems really friendly," I commented.

"He is."

"And good looking," I added, he froze.

"What?" He asked, through clenched teeth.

"Well, I mean...he's not ugly," I said.

Ed scoffed.

"What? I'm not aloud to find him attractive?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"No." He snapped.

"That's not fair, I'm sure you find other women attractive," I argued.

"Not at court," he said, a shiver running down his spine.