A Royal Marriage

Page 7

"It wouldn't bother me a bit."

"Well, after you see to your fiance' I want you to talk to General Harris, we need her to find a new route for our patrols. They are being skirted. I have had three reports about brigands. I had my secretary send them to yours."

"I'll see to it."

"Well, then I'm heading up. Last night tired me out, if you bring him here make sure you show him where my rooms are I want him to visit me often. He'll be a wonderful thing to keep me going."

"I'll make sure of it." I watched her shove to her feet and a guard stepped forward to help her up to her room.

"My lady will there be anything else?" A servant asks as I stand from the table.

"No thank you." I head out and find the castle adjutant she's busily directing staff.

"My lady, how may I help you?" she asks bowing slightly.

"I'll be moving my fiance into the room next to mine early. After last night I'd prefer him to be here where he is safer. Might as well just give him the room he'll occupy after he and I marry. Will you make sure the room is aired, cleaned linens put out and the water filled. I also want to make sure everyone knows that he's to be treated well and given every consideration."

"Of course my lady I'll see to it all personally. Shall I make sure the connecting door is in working order?" I chuckled. She knew I'd use it but her asking really was just a practical thought to make sure it was in working order. She had been in her position a long time and would not gossip or encourage it in anyway. I knew whatever secrets she learned were kept out of the castle rumor mill.

"Yes. Be sure to have the keys laid on my desk when you get it working."

"Very well my lady. Will he need a valet or maid?"

"I'm not sure. A valet should be found for good measure. If there are any troubles ask Willa." the lady nodded. Willa was my personal secretary. A few years older than me and invaluable. I headed to find Commander Erin. The graying woman was over seeing troops moving out.

"Where are these going?"

"your mother requested a change of patrols so I'm changing up the troops. May I be of assistance?"

"My fiance is going to be moving into the castle. I want a guard set out for him. He'll need a full placement after our marriage until you have them together a few will be alright."

"I already have the guard ready if you'd like. I've been having them sparing for days to make sure they are in tip top shape. They are in the ring if you'd like to take a look at them." I nod. She leads me over to a group of fifteen women who were sparing and polishing swords and armor in between their turns at the sparing. As soon as I'm noticed all fifteen women spring to their feet and line up for inspection. I'm introduced, as one they bow formally and then stand straight.

"Ladies, I want to press on you the treasure that is being put into your care. My soon to be husband is a handsome, and gentle man. I am trusting that you will keep him safe. No only from physical harm but from any who seek to make a spectacle of him, even interact in ways that are inappropriate for them. I'm going to be blunt to make sure that it's understood. I don't want him touched by any female in a suggestive way. He is mine they'll keep their hands off at all times. If you aren't sure about someones motives you have my permission to interrupt and bring him home, I'm sure that will tick him and others off but I'm a possessive and jealous female, he'll learn that soon enough. He'll be moving in, today if I can manage it, your task will start the moment he's on these grounds. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." They all snapped and saluted with a hand over their hearts.

"Thank you." I nodded at the commander and took off toward the general's office. General Harris was among the oldest of the still serving women. She might be hard as a rock when it came to her duty but if you ever see her with her husband and sons you'll see a completely different person.

"Highness what can I do for you?" she says struggling to her feet. Her legs were strong it was her knees that gave her pains. I sat so that she'd sit back down.

"Mother told me of some trouble, perhaps you can explain what's been happening?" I spent several hours talking to her and approving various methods to catching those responsible. Then I headed for my own office. Willa was just knocking on the door when I arrived.

"Everything alright?" I ask as she follows me into the office.

"The room next door to your bedroom is ready. The keys are on your desk. The guard is settled and two will be arriving no more than another hour to take up station outside his door. Another two are waiting in the main hall for his arrival and will be his escorts while here at home. Four will be sent with him should he leave the grounds."

"If he wants to leave the grounds notify me before he leaves."

"Yes ma'am." I hold up a note I'd written that morning before heading for breakfast.

"Take this, I want you to retrieve him with my personal carriage yourself. I explain everything in my letter. I doubt he'll question it and I really doubt his mother will have a problem with this. Give the letter to him only. If he chooses to share it that's up to him but it is to him first." she nods. "When he arrives show him here to me first. I'll take him to my mothers room, she wanted to see him when he got here. If you have any troubles simply send a messenger back here. Take the four to be his escorts when you leave I want him protected."

"Yes my lady. Anything else?"

"Keep your eyes sharp, I don't want him to be hurt."

"Are you expecting trouble my lady?" she asks. I smile.

"No but then I'm not fool enough to think everyone is happy that he's the one I'm going to marry. Take as long as is necessary for him to have all of his things." she nodded bowed and headed off. With her dispatched I settled to work.