Blood-Stained Rose [ON HOLD]

Prologue

Jan 18, 1486

Lady Marinette had gone from being one of the princesses of England to a bastard. And had then finally married the newly crowned King of England. King Damian the First was the son of the Earl of Richmond. His father had won the Battle of Bosworth, but instead of him becoming king, he appointed his only biological son. The question was, why? The public had asked that question too, but the answer was simple. It was Damian who had organized the whole ploy. It was he who had gotten all of his brothers to fight in the battle. And he who rallied up the nobles against Richard iii. 

Marinette was in their chambers, waiting for Damian. She was a bit nervous as anyone would be in the circumstances of an arranged marriage. The man had murdered her uncle, and she wasn't quite sure if he would do the same for the rest of her family. He may be the reason why her brothers had disappeared from the Tower. But she doubted that. He didn't have enough power in the first place to do such a thing when they were put there. She wondered what attributes he possessed, was he arrogant, cold, or controlling? Or was he shy, humble, or kind? Would he ruin her family name like her father did his mother? She was broken out of her thoughts when she heard approaching footsteps getting louder. Once they come to a stop, she lifts her head and looks up to see Damian looking straight at her as though searching for something. She immediately gets up, curtsies, and addresses him, 

"Your grace."

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Damian was briskly walking to his ⏤ no, his, and the newly crowned Queen Marinette's chamber. Although Damian never in a million years would admit it, the whole ordeal made him nervous, especially his new wife herself. Yes, he understood the purpose of an arranged marriage, but he didn't understand why he felt this way, but he did. Unfortunately, he couldn't ask anyone because his father would not understand how to communicate with Damian. Grayson was too much into feelings and would make too much of a deal of it. Todd would end up laughing his ass off even if Damian just uttered a single word. And Drake was always way too tired. He would probably think Damian was a hallucination. Everyone else in is his family was off-limits except for Cassandra, but was mute and so wouldn't be as helpful in getting her point across nor helping Damian. Broken out of his thoughts once he finally reaches the chambers, he walks inside and sees Marinette looking down. He comes to a stop and starts studying her closely. He sees her look up, and she immediately rises for him, curtsies, and acknowledges him, "Your grace."

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Damian walks closer to her and touches her chin, lifting her head gently, staring directly into her bluebell eyes. He was a bit annoyed that his wife had called him that, shocked as to why he cared what she called him, but didn't say anything. She was raised to be the 'perfect' Queen Consort. He saw mixed emotions in her eyes but most noticeable was a mix between fear and curiosity. She was beautiful. She had long raven hair, a sweetheart shaped face, pink pouty lips, and big almond-shaped eyes with long dark eyelashes. She was wearing a dark red dress that was trimmed with gold lace and lined with fur.

"Call me by my given name while we are in our private chambers." He said quite bluntly but with a hint of annoyance that could barely be heard. Marinette was a bit surprised by this but complied, "Alright. Do you wish to do anything before we retire?" "No, not really, what do you suggest we do?" Marinette pondered the question, what should they do? Read a book or play a game of chess?

"Why not a round of chess?" Damian considered the idea for a moment before slowly agreeing. He went to set up the chessboard on the table. 

They played a couple of rounds. Damian came out as the victor of the majority of the time. Throughout the rounds, they did not say a word to each other opting to glance at each other once they thought the other wasn't looking. At one point during their last round, they ended up glancing at each other at the same time. It had surprised them both. 

It was awkward but not uncomfortable. Staring into the other's eyes before continuing their game. Now that they had caught each other's stares they continued to do so, no longer worried about getting caught. 

Their marriage was most definitely a strange one. The idea was to have peace between the two rival houses. An alliance through marriage. 

Marinette was originally against the idea but then caved in due to the Lancasters winning the battle. It wouldn't hurt to at least give him a chance. Besides, it was either spending her life in living hell or spending it as the queen. 

Damian thought nothing of it. It was only natural that after he won he would have to find a wife of noble blood. He needed a wife to give him heirs to secure the dynasty as well as his place on the throne. He had also made a promise to his allies that he would marry Marinette of York if he won the battle. It seemed as if his uncle was right. 

He did succeed him. Although through bloodshed instead of peacefully. He had to be careful. Even though he was the King of England, it didn't mean he was immune to assassinations or plots to get him off the throne, it just made him a larger, more vulnerable target. 

He wouldn't be like his uncle, the useless Henry the 6th. The only thing he was useful for was his position, he had been dethroned and then murdered during Edward the 4th's campaign. 

Edward the 4th was betrayed, which in turn reinstated his uncle on the throne. He was only back onto the throne after his uncle's murderer. 

These events just show how he has to have constant vigilance. Even his wife was to be suspicious. She had no close family but distant relatives could still use her as a way to dethrone him. 

Both decided after a couple more rounds along with some stolen looks to call it a night. As they got ready for bed they both realized something, they had to find a way to survive in this turbulent time. But one thought crossed both of their minds as they settled into bed. Would they be doing it together, or would they be doing it separately with a stewing mutual dislike?

(1124 words)

Hi guys, this is the first book I have ever written, so make sure to cut me some slack here. As mentioned in the authors note this is a collab with   so make sure to check out her book. BTW, just because it is a collab that doesn't mean that it will be the same. For this chapter, I worked with her and then added my own twist, so the two stories will be kind of different. Remember to vote, comment, and tell me what you think I should add or not add to the story! I appreciate all feedback, but please be respectful about it! THANK YOU!!!!

- Crystal ❄️🐬