Page 19 of Mated to the Crown
My father and I never were close. He was often with the rest of the family in meetings. He conducted many war rooms and strategic planning. When I did see him he either was drinking his sorrows away or trying to go find a concubine. My brother also was very active in the war rooms, happily following my father’s footsteps. That left me alone with my Mother a lot, hence why she attached to me and wanted me to take over. It all made me sick. My childhood was taken away. Everything that I could have done as a kid was replaced with schooling, training, working out, learning how to fit into my set role. A role I never asked for.
I storm into my room, slamming the door behind me as I strip off my clothes and step into the bathroom, only to slam into someone.
“What the fuck!” I yell, whipping around to see Celeste standing there. “Oh, Princess. I didn’t… I’m so sorry, are you okay?” My voice drops and she gives me a small smile.
“I just brought lunch up. Are you okay?” She looks hesitant, her hands wringing together as her eyes meet mine. I step toward her, pressing my forehead against hers. She doesn’t pull away and her sweet scent fills my nose.
“I am much better now. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” I pull back, turning her around to see if I had hurt her. She laughs and spins around.
“I’m fine.” She chides.
“Good. We are going on a trip.” I head into the closet, shower forgotten. All I wanted to do was get away. I needed to give my brain a break.
“A trip?” She asks, her voice raising at the end of the question. “Where are we going?”
“We are going to my grandmother's cottage. It is not too far from here but we will be there for a few days. Do you have anything you need to pack? Or should I get some things brought up?” I poke my head out from the closet, seeing her standing there.
She had changed her dress and now wore a pale yellow dress. It tied around her waist, accenting her luscious curves. Her hair was pulled into two braids, nestled behind her shoulders. Her cheeks are still pink from earlier, a permanent thing the last few times I have seen her and I don’t mind it one bit.
She doesn’t say anything so I move back into the closet, maybe she was thinking. I pull on a shirt and grab some other clothes, stuffing them into a bag. There was some clothes at the cottage but not much. I hadn’t been in years so I wasn’t even sure if they were still there. I sling the bag over my shoulder and step back out, taking in the sight of her once more.
“What’s wrong Princess?” I hold my hand out, hoping she will take mine.
“Are you sure we aren’t rushing things?” She responds quietly.
“Rushing things? What do you mean? Me taking you away so we can grieve my Grandmother in peace?” I step forward, gently taking her hand in mine. “I know you meant a lot to her. She told me numerous times, I just didn’t realize it wasyou.” I give her a soft smile and she looks down at her feet. “Please trust me?”
“I do, and that scares me.” She looks up at me and I let out a soft breath.
The beast inside roars at me to take her, consummate our mate bond. I shove him down, still trying not to scare her off.
At the Cottage, relax.
“Please don’t be scared. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Others maybe.” I chuckle.
“I don’t have much clothes, let alone extras, but I can go pack.”
“Perfect. Meet me at the stables in 15 minutes?” I nod, bringing her hand to my lips to kiss her knuckles.
She smiles and pulls away from me. Her loss of touch is instant and it makes my chest hurt. I watch as she leaves and then pack up the rest of my things, making sure to grab some extra clothes, secretly hoping that I won’t be back to the palace.
I exit my room and look for Morgan but I can’t find him. Instead I bump into Jeffries and let him know I will be taking Celeste for an extended liaison trip. He gives me a look but writes it down in his notebook before bustling off to handle other tasks. With that taken care of I sling the bag onto my shoulder and head down to the stables.
It was a crisp morning, the birds singing throughout the trees as I walk. I glance back at the palace, the place that used to be my home. As I walk I realize that I wouldn’t be upset if I left. I wouldn’t be upset if I didn’t see my family again. I would feel relieved, a lightness in my chest to not have to worry about being up to everyone's standards. I wouldn’t have to play pretend anymore, I could just be me.
The stables come into view in front of me. It is my second favorite place, the first being the training grounds in the back of the castle. The stables are huge, branching off to make a big Y shape. The main area has a second floor used for hay storage. The other two sides house the horses. Currently we owned 16 horses but some came and went. They weren’t used for transportation anymore, moreso for riding and training.
Wrangler was my horse, a beautiful black stallion with a fiery attitude. He didn’t like many people but had taken to me immediately when I started training with him. I would misshim. Maybe we could come back and take him, but that would be another mouth to feed and stress to find where to keep him. He had a black sheen to his coat and white at the end of his legs above his hooves. He had one white stripe in his mane just behind his left ear.
I make my way into the stables and see a young man cleaning out the stables. I stop and make an effort to drop my bag harder than it needed to be. I watch as the man jumps and turns around. His eyes widen as he sees me and he stands straighter.
“Your Highness. I did not see you there. Is there anything you need?” He asks. He has straw blonde hair, plastered to the side of his face with sweat. A leather apron covers most of him but he has tan pants and a dark blue shirt under it. He has a young face, the concern evident that he didn’t notice me.
“I am just waiting for someone, thank you.” As I look at him I wonder if he is the one who started the rumors. I look around the stables and don’t see anyone else. Anger starts to rise under my skin as I watch him turn and scurry off down to the other wing. I take a step but the crunch of gravel makes me turn around to see Celeste walking. She has a small backpack on her shoulders and she has changed into pants and a t-shirt. Her look is so different from her dresses but I appreciate it more. It accents her in all the right places.
“Hey.” She says quietly, playing with one of the braids. She looks nervous but also excited. She tries to hide her smile but I snatch her hand away from her braids before pulling her close to me.
“Ready to go?” I smirk.
