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scribble-dribble-writes · 1 year

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Conquered - (3)

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A soft knock resounded through the hall as I put away my jewels. Today had been an arduous day and having hand maidens flit about me seemed to add to that stress. Now as the crickets chirped beckoning the middle of the night, I knew there could only be one visitor. So I pushed away from my vanity case, my hair still done up in an absurd royal fashion but my need to open the door put the urge to pull away the pins to a pause.

The knobs were cold in my hands but it swung silently, enough to catch a glimpse of his face. The golden flame from the torch, illuminating his features, making his hair look golden.

“You can’t be here.”, I chided, my eyes trying to catch a glimpse of moving shadows but he stepped closer.

“I wanted to see you. It is only a few hours before dawn.”, he whispered and I grew irritated, his urgency a reminder of the event that awaited. The event that I will have to sit and watch.

“You were foolish to throw out this challenge.”, I seethed as he slipped into my room, which caused him to react.

“Foolish?”, he whipped around to see my face. His expression torn as his eyes pleaded, as much as people believed me to be heartless, I was full of it.

He was the one I wanted to save, to keep away from harm but it drew me to frustration that he kept putting himself in situations that made it difficult for me to protect him.

“Years. I’ve longed for you, for years.”, he resumed his stance as he edged closer to me. His tall physique one to be hailed. I knew of the rumours and his appeal among the women in the towns he visited.

“Times have changed.”, I argued.

I wasn’t a princess anymore, running away to the stables to catch a glimpse of him as he trained. My thoughts were often preoccupied with politics that I had no time to think of pleasures for my own.

He became quiet over my statement, looking away to sigh.

“If you have any regard for me. Call off the duel.”, I found my seat by my vanity set.

“You cannot ask me to lose my dignity and you at the same time.”, he argued.

I was growing desperate, I couldn’t see him, his very presence in the room a temptation for me to run into his arms. Like the girl I had once been, but it changed when the crown was passed onto me at an age I thought I could be free. It was a life I wasn’t used to. My mother had caught the eyes of the emperor, causing my life to change over night.

In all this burden, he had been the only one, who was sweet, kind and noble.

“But instead you can make me sit and watch you get hurt.”, I met his gaze finally having mustered the courage.

“But I will win and erase this divide between us.”, he held my gaze with a softness I’ve always longed for.

“If I were to marry a commoner, the credibility of my rule will be questioned. Can you not see my hands are tied?”, I looked away. I couldn’t let him see me break within.

“This is the closest we can be and you need to accept it.”, I pull away my rings and earrings.

“You are my knight and you will remain to be just that.”, I pushed away and walked past him.

“I thought titles meant nothing to you.”, he snapped.

“It doesn’t. Now it’s just my occupation.”, I waved my hand as I pulled the curtains away to let a bit of moonlight in.

“Does it offer you comfort? Can it give you love?”, he stood behind me. Pulling away the a hair pin to let my hair fall and now if was dangerous territory.

“Love?”, I ask and laugh.

“When did you begin to know of such things?”, I tease but his expression stayed solemn.

“When I met you.”, he said softly and the hairs in the back of my neck rose. He knew well how to work through my defenses, this was one. His truth and honesty will break through my non chalant disguise.

“Stop.”, I ordered but he didn’t listen.

He drew closer to me, his eyes solving the puzzle as I tried to hide.

“I have other men for such purposes, to keep me company when I am lonely.”, I break away from his gaze in a hopeless attempt.

“My station grants me benefits.”, I shrug my shoulders as I snuff the light from my lamp and try to stand when he placed his hands on either side of my shoulders, preventing me from escaping.

“And have you used it?”, he questioned, his gaze on me through the dark, his eyes shining like crystals. I look away, the faint light hid the color in my cheeks.

“Tell me, where is this harem you deem you have?”, he began to pull away the pins in my hair, setting those unruly waves free to fall however they wish.

“I’m not obliged to answer your questions.”, I say curtly.

“Are you obliged to anyone?”, he retorted quickly and I had no answer.

“That doesn’t matter.”, I lied but he could sense it.

“So?”, he said quietly, my head feeling lighter as I began to resemble the way I once was, as my hair became a mess

“Where are they? These men you lay with at night”, he tilted my chin up to see his eyes as an attempt to pull away the beads around my face but all I could now bring myself to see where his solid features.

“Ha”, I huffed now feeling comfortable in his hold that I was almost close to wanting him to stay.

“Do they treat you right?”, he whispered, as he set the shorted bits of my hair loose.

“Oh they treat me well.”, I lied again, I was used to it having been in court rooms for long.

“I see.”, he hummed as his fingers mused my bangs.

“Pray tell why are you doing this?”, his eyes landed on mine and my smile wavered.

“Doing what?”, I asked.

“Lying.”, he leaned forward, his lips hovering over mine.

“I am merely telling you my daily activities.”, I rambled. I never ramble.

“Do they kiss you like I do?”, he whispered and it brought me back to the moment and in a sudden reaction I pushed away from him. His lips pursed together in the full light and the magic was lost.

“Stop. Obi wan.”, I said gently and somehow all the reluctance fell into place.

“I accepted the offer of marriage.”, I couldn’t even look at him and it broke my heart to hear his silence.

“My duty is to my people and I cannot leave my kingdom vulnerable.”, I elaborated but it only felt futile.

“It is what I have to do.”, I said but his eyes never found mine. I crumbled within.

“I see.”, he murmured.

“Who is the man?”, he finally asked, his hands slipping away from my waist and my skin yearned for his touch again.

“The ruler of the nightbrothers.”, I had barely finished when he seethed.

“A warlord?”, he cut me off.

“And the worst one by reputation.”, he rubbed his forehead as though he could not remain on his feet any longer.

“You do not need to worry. The marriage is only one of convinience.”, I told him and that brought his attention back to me.

“Being connected with his persona means no one will want to trifle with us. While the stability of my kingdom might make him seem approachable, there by helping his kingdom with trade.”, I explained parts of what was in the letter.

“The man is rich beyond measure.”, he argued and I began to lose to my patience.

“Then it is only beneficial to me.”, I stood my ground, rising to my full height to meet him eye to eye. I was no more that girl who was unsure. I knew what I needed now and he needed to be reminded of where he was.

“I am your queen, knight.”, I felt the anger.

“I do not like to be chided.”, I tilted my chin, balancing my invisible crown and his gaze switched to that of knowing his place.

“Forgive me, your majesty.”, he spit out the title like it was poison as he dipped his head. The gap between us, widened.

“Tomorrow, you fight for the honor of our nation. To display the strength of our people.”, I clasped my hands together.

“and as a symbol of hope.”, he saw me, his eyes full of love, love that I was unworthy to accept. He didn’t argue, he dipped his head as a form of acceptance and with it, turned away, his boots resonating softly against the marble.

He left the same way he entered, slipping away through my fingers.

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