Bethrothed (Closed for Craneman8686)

[Craneman8686]

A few days went by with not much interaction between Winston a Ind his father. They seemed to avoid each other throughout the entire estate. There was a slight fog of uneasiness throughout the entire mansion since word of the events transpiring at the gala had gotten around and even with the attempts of his mother, Winston and his father both chose to ignore each other.

One evening, there was a light knock on his chamber door and Winston pulled the door open to find Bernard standing in the hallway. He bowed to the prince, "I have news for you m'lord. I have been in contact with another gaurd named Fin. He is tasked with keeping Princess Croswell safe." Winston's eyes lit up even though he tried to hide it.

"Secret plans have been arranged. I am to have you at the far end of the orchard, near the cobblestone bridge crossing the river tomorrow night. Fin will try to do the same with Princess Croswell."

A smile grew across Winston's face, a bit surprised that Bernard has taken the liberty of setting up a meeting rather than simply finding out where she would be. "Thank you Bernard. You are a true friend." Bernard bowed to the prince again. "Thank you m'lord. And you." He spun on the heels of his boots and walked away. Winston closed his door and latched it for the night. Wondering if the princess would indeed choose to follow Fin for their arranged secret meeting.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia had been on punishment orders of her father and not allowed to leave castle grounds and participate in any leisure the next few days for her "bold insubordination" at the party.

Her father was a stubborn fool sometimes but after a few days of her punishment and his anger toward her he eventually apologized for his behavior and she had no doubt it was her mother the queens doing that he'd even done so.

She sat having tea alone in the garden when Finral gave her the news he had arranged a secret meeting for her and Winston through his guard and she looked up shocked but pleased.

She knew her face couldn't hide her pleasure and her older guard smiled. He was sort of like family to her in a way though her parents hadn't seen her servants as nothing more than help, Sophia had a kind gentle heart and despite being raised by them she was different from her family in that way and always humble.

" Thank you Fin, this will make my soiled week quite bright again" she said knowing no matter what he was always there for her and although he seemed tough on the outside she knew the man had a big heart and extreme loyalty to her.

" I will tell the king we are headed to visit a shop, he will think nothing of it , perhaps we pick up mead and treats on the way back to dispel suspicions as well, in all else things will be ok, and I will be doing my duty discreetly and correctly."

Sophia nodded as she finished her tea and then made her way back to her room her heart fluttering slightly at the thought of seeing him again.

 

[Craneman8686]

After lying awake with his thoughts for a while, Winston eventually fell into a restful sleep. The next morning, he was awakened by the shaking of his door as someone was trying to get into his room. He climbed from the bed and unlatched the door and swung it open quickly, wondering who would be disturbing him this early.

Seeing one of the new and young chamber maids standing in the hallway. Her face blushed as he was standing without a shirt on, which was uncommon for anyone around the estate to see him in any form of undress. "I am here to change your bed, m'lord." She said softly. Rather than scold her, he stepped to the side and let her enter to complete her duties. He needed to be out anyway.

Once she finished, he got dressed and moved around the estate, checking on daily chores of stablehands and grounds keepers just to waste time but the day dragged on none the less.

The evening arrived and everyone began settling. Winston donned a cloaked robe instead of his royal wear and quietly made his way out to meet with Bernard. Finding that the gaurd had secured two horses rather than taking a car. Winston climbed up on one with ease and they rode together out of the gates and into the darkness.

Bernard led him to the designated spot but kept him just inside the trees of the orchard to wait and see if Finral held up his side of the arrangement and didn't stage a trap just in case. Knowing how much a captured prince would be worth.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia spent the day painting, wandering the grounds, having her fittings and relaxing. It was late afternoon, the castle was quiet and most had finished thoer duties.

She was dressed in a simple royal purple dress, less grand then she normally wore but simple nonetheless. She had her hair pinned up in a soft bun and she wore a comfortable shoe.

Finral managed to get her out of the castle discreetly through the servants quarters and was escorted to a small carriage that was made comfortable for her ride and a single horse in front and Finral atop steering.

" We will be there soon Princess" he said before closing her in and them pulling off.

She was nervous seeing him and wondered if his father had mentioned her interruption. She had surprisingly received gifts for her upset rather than shame thanking her for the interruption however her father had been upset from her doing it , most were just James trying to win her over once she saw them though.

She was anxious seeing him again, she hadn't expected to get so upset seeing his father strike him and she knew he was ok after that but her feelings for him certainly had somewhat threatened to show her upset.

She assumed they were early as they arrived, no-one was there. She saw Fin look around at first making sure things were safe before he opened her carriage door and she stepped out seeing the prince atop a beautiful horse when she emerged.

She glanced at Fin thanking him and the guard escorted her over giving a nod before stepping away and leaving the two royals to talk.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston waited with Bernard. His thoughts making him doubt that she was actually going to show. Or maybe her gaurd had reported the arranged meeting to Lord Croswell. He kept glancing over at Bernard periodically and noticed how stoic he remained as he kept watch on the road leading to the bridge.

Winston was about to recommend that they just return to the estate when Bernard perked up on his horseback and a single carriage topped the hill. "Stay here, prince." Bernard stated as he slowly walked his horse from the shadows and up to the carriage as it stopped on the road.

Winston watched as a few words were exchanged and the gaurd climbed down from the seat and swung the carriage door open. A light smile crossed his face when he watched Sophia step down and glance around before looking in his direction.

He walked his horse out of the shadows then and climbed down. Pushing his hood off of his head as Bernard stayed at the road and her gaurd escorted her to him before returning to the carriage without a word spoken.

Winston looked at Sophia as she stood in front of him. "Princess." He bowed to her. "I wasn't sure you would come."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia curtisied and gave a friendly smile as he greeted her saying he wasn't sure if she would come " I was hesitant at first, I'm just getting freedom to leave the castle" she said softly knowing that if either of them were caught by their parents they would be furious.

She noticed the robe, he see he had thought far more in advance than her, perhaps from his trainings? She looked him over slowly before putting her hand on his cheek that was stricken gently holding it for a second " Have you been well?" she asked gently hoping her statement to her father and his hadnt caused anymore problems and that additional tempers hadn't flared.

We was worried while she was on punishment she knew both her father and his were irrational at times but that was no excuse for the act at the gala. She pulled her hand back and blushed hoping she hadn't overstepped.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston leaned his face into her hand as she cupped his cheek. It was nice to feel a calming touch other than his mother's when she would come to him to try and calm a situation after he and his father had gotten into a disagreement about something.

Sophia pulled her hand away and he nodded at her question. "I have been well. My father and I have avoided each other since his strike at the gala. And you? Have you been well, Princess?" He asked her softly as they stood close together in the shadows from the moonlight.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia nodded hearing he was ok and smiled softly as he asked if she was as well. "Aside from minor inconveniences I have been well, I umm could not help but voice my concerns at the display at the gala, it caused quite the scene and I'm sorry that happened" she said and looked a him a second then to the beautiful full moon.

" King Croswell was cross with me a few days.. but once his temper calmed he smoothed things over" she said and sighed enjoying her time with him.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston looked at her as she told him of how she had spoken up at the gala regarding theor fathers' argument. He shook his head and smiled as she apologized. "The price of being merely a prince and stepping into Lords' affairs. And there is no need for you to apologize. You did nothing wrong."

He reached down and took her by the hand. Leading her through the orchard and down by the slow rolling river. "It pleases me greatly that you chose to come meet with me tonight, Sophia." Calling her by her name, instead of her title for the first time. "I have enjoyed the few moments we have been able to spend together before now."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia held his strong hand following him though the orchard and down to the sand and slow river. The area was beautiful from The soft wind of the night, the way the moonlight shined on the water and their skin, and the smell of the fresh water, fruit trees, and sand surrounding them.

She smiled hearing her name on his lips as he told her it pleased him that she joined him " It pleases me that you have joined me as well Winston" she said softly " I have enjoyed them as well... it's quite peaceful being like this ... being true with you" she said softly and blushed looking at him

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston stopped them as they stepped closer to the water's edge. The sounds of the river and the night surrounding them. A slight chill in the air.

He smiled at Sophia as she commented on how peaceful it was during the few moments they had been around each other. He raised a brow at her being true comment. "Oh? And you are unable to be your true self other times?" He asked her lightly as they stood together and he noticed the blush on her cheeks even in the faint light.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia chuckled and said " Only to myself and now with you.. I don't think like most royals do, my views on certain things are quite different, I suppose we are similar in that way Winston" she smirked

She ran her hand through her soft thick wavy hair and looked at him " I have a certain role to play as a princess, I often pretend to enjoy those things when I rather not be there" she chuckled

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston nodded and returned her smile. "Yes, it would seem that we are more similar than we believed. Our thoughts, our reactions....our unwelcome arrangements." He admitted to her, referencing their planned weddings.

" As we both do, Princess. Alas, we have to keep up appearances for the sakes of our parents' kingdoms. But...as I said before, I would let all of that go." He reached up and brushed back a few strands of her wavy hair that had fallen into her face. Looking in her eyes. Without another word, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a light, gentle kiss.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia listened as he mentioned again he would let his position in the kingdom go for her as he brushed back her hair. Her hazel eyes met his before he leaned in kissing her gently and she returned it softly as well.

" I would forfeit my place as well Prince, I simply do not wish to be queen if it would be unhappy" she said gently. She held his hand and bought him to sit on top of a large boulder she spotted so they could watch the sky.

 

[Craneman8686]

Their light kiss broke apart and Winston listened to her gentle statement. Letting her lead him over and taking a seat next to her on the flat boulder. The weight of their statements rolling through his head. No doubt both of their decisions would toss each of their kingdoms into complete turmoil.

Winston finally broke the comfortable silence after staring up into the twinkling stars for a while. "I will have to be honest with my father. An ultimatum even if it means my death." He said lightly as his eyes played over the sky.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia looked at the sky knowing the severity of the situation. Not only would their kingdoms be in an uproar, but their arrangements possibly would as well, and the fact that their fathers despised each other.

She didn't like the idea of death for him but the conversation needed to be had with both kings " I shall do the same with my parents, it will not be pleasant but it must be done, I cannot be forced to wed James, I would soon escape my kingdom before that" she said

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston silently nodded in agreemenf that the conversations with his parents would not be pleasant.

He turned his head and looked at Sophia in the moonlight. "And if they should send you away instead?"

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia was silent for a moment not considering them sending her away “If it comes to that... we shall wed in secret.. once It is documented it is final..” she said turning to look at him wondering if she sounded mad bringing up the idea.

She reached over brushing her hand across the top of his head gently.

 

[Craneman8686]

"It may be difficult to find you." I say with a slightly concerned tone. "But hopefully it doesn't come to that."

Winston looked at her as she slid her hand over his head. Pushing his hood back. Leaning in and kissing her soft lips again.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia returned the kiss and leaned her forehead agaisnt his and sighed a bit frustrated with their situations wishing things coukd be simpler. "Yes hopefully it doesnt" she said giving him a small peck then pulling back smiling softly.

"And what if you father should send you off? He may lose his head if he knows in am the one you wish to wed and not Alice.." She trailed off.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston smiled and shook his head at her question. "He may be the King but my mother would never stand for me to be banished from the kingdom."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia smiled at that she had met his motherin passing a few times and could tell the woman had loved her son fiercely and that his father though stern sometimes adored his mother.

She nodded and leaned against him comfortably " I am happy it won't come to that I'm your case then as well" she said held his hand enjoying her the privacy and quality time with him.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston slipped his arm around Sophia as she leaned into him. Enjoying the comfortable silence shared between each other as his other hand slipped into hers.

Their quiet moment was broken as footsteps approached from behind then. Sophia's gaurd, Finral, walking up. "Princess, I do suggest that we return before it is noticed that you are missing." He said calmly.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia turned and nodded hearing Finral approach knowing he was right. She reluctantly moved from his arms and stood flattening her dress. " Yes I suppose it is time.." She said softly

" We can do this again another time Prince Croswell" she said and smiled and did a small curtsy returning to formalities now that they were not alone as she saw Bernard approachin as well both guard ready to escort them back.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston pushed up from the rock they were sitting on as well, as Finral approached. He bowed in return to Sophia. "Yes princess, we will see each other again soon."

Looking past Finral at Bernard walking up as well. He nodded in his direction as Bernard suggested that they should be returning as well.

Winston cast a lingering look at Sophia before leaving her in her gaurd's hands and returning to his grazing horse.