The Red Princess

Part 28

Natalia lay in Steven's arms, feeling as if she was in heaven. His strong arm around her waist, her head on his firm chest, his lips on her forehead. It couldn't get any more perfect then this.

"Good morning sunshine" he said as she looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

"How long have you been up? " she asked.

"I barely slept, couldn't give in to sleep when I had such a beautiful sight to adore" he said.

She blushed, and looked down. He leaned in, and kissed her gently on the lips.

"You better dress up and leave before any one knows" he said.

She nodded, and got up holding the sheets to her chest. Steven couldn't look away from her, and that made her very nervous.

Natalia blushed, and then took her dress from the floor. Steven got up, and quickly put his pants on, then helped her put on her dress, even the torn bra, which he quickly sew back.

"You know a lot of things " she said.

"Yes, I do my dear princess" he said.

"I am, now your queen" she said, standing on tiptoes to kiss him.

"As much as I want you to stay, you have to leave" he said sadly.

They hugged tightly, his head digging into her chest, taking in her fragrance, her innocence, her softness. While she crushed herself in his embrace, getting as close as possible.

"Win me, fast Steven" she said, as they parted, and she took his hand and kissed it.

"I already have" he said.

They both shared a kiss once again and then she proceeded to leave, putting her hood back on.  Before opening the door, she smiled at him, and he smiled back.

As soon, as she opened the door her heart almost stopped.

Loki stood there smirking, along with king Nicholas and his guards.

"I told you my king, the heir is an imposter with higher motives" Loki said.

Natalia's heartbeat raced, she held onto her chest.

"Seize the traitor" King Nicholas announced.

But before the guards could land a hand on Steven. Natalia stepped in front of him.

"No, father. This man here is my husband. And we have consummate our marriage. You cannot hurt him without widowing me" she yell.

Nicholas's eyes went red and Loki fumed.

"He has committed a sin my king. Adultery! The princess cannot marry without witness and priest. Kill him. Kill him for the unforgivable sins he committed " Loki said.

"No, father no. I would give my life too if you did so" Natalia pleaded.

Steven stood silent, he didn't have to speak in defence.

King Nicholas withdrew his sword "I would finish him, myself".

But a firm hand grabbed his arm.

"I don't think it would be wise, fellow king" King Anthony said.

King Nicholas looked at him in shock and anger.

"If you lay a hand on my heir, I promise you, I would destroy your kingdom, and your heritage, along with your Prince Loki, to the point of extinction. " King Anthony said.

Natalia sighed in relief. Loki's face lost colors, and so did King Nicholas's.

"We are sorry, your grace. We thought he is an imposter" King Nicholas said, lowering his gaze.

"Apologies accepted. I should formally introduce you. Meet Prince Steven Grant Rogers, heir to Ironica" Anthony said proudly.

"But, you grace. We do not understand " Loki said.

"Of course you don't. Well Steven saved my life once, and proved himself worthy of Ironica's throne" Anthony explained.

"Anyways, now that Princess Natalia has accepted my heir as her husband, the need of the tourney is void. I would like to depart with my heir and his newly wedded wife. " Anthony finished.

Lokk was so angry, he wanted to kill everyone in the room and escape with Natalia.

King Nicholas lowered his head, and looked at Natalia in anger, and she looked away.

They were leaving when Steven finally spoke.

"Your graces" he said. King Nicholas and Anthony turned.

"Yes, my dear" Anthony said with a smile.

"I understand what I did is wrong, so.. I still want to compete with Prince Loki and prove that I am the one, worth of the princess's hand" He said.

Loki frowned, "You already married and claimed her, what would I get if I win? "

"You get my head" Steven said.

"No! " Natalia shouted, "No way". She grabbed Steven's collars, "you don't get to decide this, do you understand. We are married. Everyone accepted it. You cannot do this to me"

"Natalia, as much as I love you, I cannot live with the fact that we cheated our way" he said holding her hands.

"Everything is fair in love and war Steven. You don't get to do this. You don't. I cannot loose you after everything we have been through. You cannot choose this. I cannot become your widow and then Loki's wife" she yell.

"Natalia, don't you trust me? " he asked, looking into her eyes.

"I trust you, but I don't trust him" she said.

"I won't be able to live with the guilt" he said.

Everyone stared at him in disbelief. Anthony was clearly annoyed, while Loki smirked.

"I am not a game to be won, Steven" she let go of him and screamed, "I am not a price. I am a person. And I chose you. But you feel guilty of stealing the price then winning it. " she was very angry now.

"Natalia, its not like that.. We didn't play fair.. " Steven tried to reason.

"Yes, we didn't. Because its not a game to be played. Its my life!! And I am done with all of you men tossing with my heart like a ball. Keep playing whatever you want, cause I am done. I am a married woman now. And I don't need anyone to fight tourneys for my hand anymore. You can fight all you want Steven, but I am not a part of this sickening game anymore."she yell and stormed out of the room.

Everyone watched her go in shock.

*****
Poor Nat💔
She is so hurt. Steven why can't you just accept that you have already won.
What would happen now?
Do give your reviews.