Page 11 of The Princess and The Warrior

“They’re asking me to select art as if I have any notion about these things,” I muttered. “Apparently, having less than three tapestries hanging in the house would be embarrassing, somehow.”

“They’re just trying to be helpful,” she said sweetly. “If you really don’t like any of them, we can leave them behind. Or you can simply choose whatever you like.”

“Can’t we choose what you like?” I asked.

“As the man of the house, it’s supposed to be your decision,” she whispered.

The two men at the far end of the room, who I assumed were the curators of all of the artwork throughout the castle, were politely pretending not to observe us.

“Althea,” I whispered. “With you in the house, there is no chance I will be admiring the art on the walls, anyway.”

I was surprised by how much Althea’s eyes glowed as she stared at me. Was there actually a chance that this exquisite Princess was developing feelings for a rough, coarse warrior?”

“I like the nature scenes,” she breathed, taking my hand to lead me to the end of the room to four large landscapes.

“I like anything that makes you smile so sweetly,” I said. As I leaned down to brush my lips across the top of her hair, I couldn’t tell whether I was playing my role as her husband, or relaxing enough to display my genuine affection for my adorable wife.

“Gentlemen,” I said, turning to address the curators. “We’ll take the four nature scenes, please.”

Althea gave me a slight elbow to the ribs. “Royals don’t say please.”

She had inadvertently poked me right in a deep bruise, but I held my tongue. Giving the man a smile and nod, I led her out to the hallway. “I appreciate you training me how to behave like a royal,” I said. “But there is no way I can stop saying please and thank you. I just can’t.”

“I struggle with that, too,” she laughed. “I was just pointing it out. Don’t worry, they’ll forgive us.”

Out of nowhere, a handful of servants appeared to usher us to a lavish early luncheon with Althea’s sister Maggera, her husband Arnon, and some of their aunts and uncles.

It was pleasant watching my new wife chatting merrily with her family, as she included me as much as possible. The sweet sparkle in her eyes warmed my heart, even though there was a pang of grief that my parents weren’t alive to meet her.

I kept my hand open on my lap as much as possible, so that she could take it whenever she wanted. Being a source of comfort for her was something that made me feel useful. I’d always needed to keep busy, so taking on every possible task for her would be my mission.

Before I knew it, we were packed into a caravan of three large vehicles, and on our way to Seaside. The first two were huge carts, with four horses each, that charged off into the afternoon sun. Our comfortable little carriage only had just two horses. We set off at a leisurely pace, with the driver whistling softly as he drove his team.

Althea must have read the confusion on my face.

“The cart with the furniture already left this morning,” she explained. “Those two are full of our belongings, and several week’s worth of food, which will be unpacked and arranged before we arrive.”

“What are we supposed to do when we get there if the work is already done for us?” I asked.

“Just relax,” she smiled. “I’ve never understood why rich people seem so delicate, but we’re supposed to rest after sitting in this carriage for three hours.”

“Can the driver hear us?” I asked.

“No. His attention is on the horses, and they’re loud.”

“Good.” I felt I needed to speak my mind before we arrived. “Your highness, I must tell you – now that I’ve been so familiar with you, touching you, it will be hard to stop. But once we’re away from the castle and prying eyes, I will force myself to stop if you wish.”

“Oh,” she frowned, turning to face me. “I’m sorry. I thought that your sweet words were true.”

“They were,” I said quickly, reaching out to take her hand. “I mean, they are. I think you’re the loveliest woman in the kingdom, by far. This is why I feel guilty that you ended up with a brute like me. Certainly, I know I wouldn’t have been your choice for a husband.” Forcing a smile, I added, “You did faint dead away.”

“That was mainly because it was so sudden, and I’d not even met you,” she said softly. “My sister wasn’t betrothed until she was twenty-one, so I thought I had a few years before that would happen. I hadn’t thought very much about marriage yet.”

“That’s what I mean,” I said sadly, “It’s absolutely unfair to you that your life was simply handed over to another.”

“I’m extremely grateful that it wasn’t handed to the warrior who was standing beside you,” she said, forcing a smile. “I didn’t appreciate the lecherous looks he was giving me. I’m absolutely certain he would have taken me roughly in front of the elders, and every hour since.”

My mouth opened to speak, but I clamped it shut again. She didn’t need any more stress on a day where we were moving house.

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