Bethrothed (Closed for Craneman8686)

[MzSeductress]

Sophia gave Winston one last glance before she returned to her carriage safely and Finral took her home. She thought of their night together, her feelings for him and their intentions for each other and smiled softly knowing Winston was perfect for her , they complimented each other well, but getting their parents to agree would be a challenge.

Two weeks had passed and the two continued their secret meetings a few times and communication through letters,bsometimes surprising each other with small gifts and getting to know each other more.

Winter was arriving which she was greatful for because it meant James kingdom would be hard to travel drink and she could do some convincing with her parents, she woukd have to talk to her mother first.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston and Bernard had ridden back to the Mowbury estate in silence. Lost in his thoughts wondering about the ramifications of their decision.

Over the next couple of weeks, Winston was pleased that Sophia was keeping in contact with him and they had managed to meet up a few more times.

One evening, his mother came by his ned chamber and he looked up from Sophia's latest letter.

"Mother, we need to have a word." He stated as his mother took a chair with a concerned look on her face. Winston sighed and met his mother's eye. "I am no longer willing to move forward with the marriage to the Princess of Cadsbury."

His mother's face paled but she touched his hand. "Your father will not be pleased with this decision." She told him. "What is the reasoning behind this?"

Winston swallowed hard at having to admit the answer with the turmoil between the two families. "I choose to wed Princess Croswell instead." He told his mother. "To end this fued between our families."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia smiled holding the small colorful stone Winston had given her from their time at the beach and placed it privately in her jewelry chest before making her way down to meet her parents for tea.

The past few weeks had been beautiful, their private meetings and beautiful moments together, their loving letters to one another, the whole thing had Sophia in quite better mood but she was afraid of the possibility of he father saying no.

She saw her mother had been down first and Sophia sat as close as possible to the queen wanting to speak it into her thoughts first.

Her mother smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek complimenting her on her beauty and hownradiant and happy she had looked.

She smiled at that " It does feel good to be happy mother... I'd like to be like this all the time" she said softly " Mother..I don't know how to cut around and say this but... ive decided not to marry Prince Berkshire" she paused and looked at her mother who coughed a second but was silent.

Her father had come in behind them she heard and she also heard the chamber door close leaving the three of them alone but she continued anyway ready for the backlash.

"James... he's is not the man I wish to wed, he is a fine prince and any woman can have him.. which is what I'm afraid of.. I do not want a man accessible to everyone and I do not feel anything for him... I- I wish to wed Prince Mowsbury..Winston"

She saw the shocked look on her mother's face and then saw the pissed off expression on her father's and knew this talk would be long and dramatic.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston's mother's eyes grew wide at his honest revelation. She shook her head both as an immediate answer and trying to clear the sudden thoughts that filled her mind of how angry her husband would be when he heard this news. But there was no way of hiding it from him.

She rose quickly and hurriedly left Winston's room to relay the message. Winston knew that their whole mansion would be in uproar now and it didn't take long before his chamber door was flung open with force.

He could see his father's face red and the intense look in look in his eyes as he stepped into Winston's room with a purpose. "What is wrong with you, boy? What do you mean you choose to marry from the Croswell's? That will not be allowed." His father growled.

Winston had pushed up from his chair and backed away from the table. Not often afraid of his father but the look he saw made him believe that his father could actually tear him limb from limb with his bare hands. Winston steadied himself and swallowed hard.

"That's right, Father. I will not marry the Cadsbury princess. Even if it means trouble between our clans. They are weak and bring nothing to us. I choose to set aside the fued and be with the Croswell daughter. To truly strengthen our kingdom." He admitted, trying to appeal to his father's sensibilities as their King.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia had never felt such anger from her father and if looks could kill she was certain she would be deceased.

"Sophia where is this coming from? Have you been threatened? HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Her father said angrily fists clenching. She knew he would never strike her but she had a feeling he wanted to kill the Mowsbury's at this moment.

Sophia quieted for a moment letting him get his anger out " I am far better suited for him father, there is nothing James kingdom can offer us but livestock, we have plenty here, the Mowsbury family can offer us silver, expand out lands together and unite our kingdoms father, I've thought hard about this please.. just hear me out... I know James is prideful... He will not be happy.. but with him, I will not be happy.. Winston can offer me that... happiness.."

" So the prince has gotten into your head? That one is just as slick as his father! The answer is NO... No I will not allow this! I will not allow you to be fooled Sophia! Use your senses! He was most likely put up to this by his father! They will pay for this!" Her father stood angrily and yanked her arm " We will sort this out now" he said pulling her along and shouting for the workers to prepared the carriages.

She glanced back at her mother who seemed worried but followed behind them and she was relieved knowing she was the only one who could calm her father when he had gotten like this.

 

[Craneman8686]

"THE ANSWER IS NO!!!!" Winston's father shouted in response, even after his reasoning. His heavy fist slamming down onto the table for emphasis. "The Croswells are not to be trusted. The arrangement with the Cadbury clan is final." His father stated as he glared at Winston. "You are not to leave this estate without permission. You may be my son but you will be shackled if you disobey my command."

Hia father turned and walked out of the room. Placing two gaurds outside of his chamber door as he stormed away. Winston's mother gave him a sorrowful look as she hurriedly spun and followed behind the King.

Winston was furious and threw his half full goblet against the wall in anger. Spraying the emblemed flag of his father's kingdom with red wine.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia hurried alongside her father as he nearly dragged her toward the castle exit with her mother two steps behind trying to talk reason into him. They finally stopped for a moment, tears and worry in Sophia eyes and concern in her mother's.

"Sophia...." her father said softly " WHAT THE HELL HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?! HAVE YOU GONE MAD? " Her father yelled at her for the first time and she winced surprised.

She made to say something and he said " You are on punishment when we return until I state otherwise you will not be allowed outside of that room , I refuse to have my daughter seduced and used as a pawn... Let's go!" He said as he pulled her to the carriage making her get in and the queen following trying to level his head before the pulled off for the Mowsbury Castle.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston stayed locked in his gaurded chambers for the day. The door only opening when food was brought to him because regardless of being angry, his father couldnt let the future king starve.

Winston worried how long he would be locked away and be unable to see or get any messages to Sophia.

The only good part about his chamber in the mansion was that he was high up in one of the mounted corner keeps, with which his windows offered an expansive view of their estate and out of the gates.

He was sitting on the sill, quietly looking out, thinking about Sophia when he saw a carriage top the crest on the road and roll up to the closed gates.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia sighed as her father complained the entire ride there working himself up again and she knew when the two kings met it wouldnot be pretty. She tuned out the argument and wondered how she could resolve this situation once all parents were in the roo.

She glanced at the tower wondering Winston had told his parents? Otherwise this visit would be seen as an ambush on the property.

She fwlt her eye well with tears embarrassed " Father please...Can you hear us out?.. Calm a bit before we get inside?" She nearly begged

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston watched as the gates slowly opened and the carriage rolled through. It wasn't until the carriage was pulling up to front of their home that he could see the Croswell emblem on the side of the carriage.

His heart hammered and rose up into his chest as he wondered what this unexpected visit was about. Did Sarah speak with her parents about them? Was her father here alone to try and wage war? Was she in the carriage? All he could do was wait.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia was nervous as they pulled up in the carriage and once they got there her father wasted no time lifiting her out quickly and pulling her behind him into the castle two guards behind them as well as her mother and demanded to see the "incubus prince" as he had called him on the way over.

" This is blasphemous Mowsbury! You dare send your son to corrupt and seduce my daughter!" He yelled furious at the King and demanded to see the prince.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston's father stormed through the house to meet Lord Croswell as the door was opened for him. Lord Mowbury's shouts just as loud as Croswell's.

"Blasphemy is correct, Croswell, but I did not send my son for any purpose. I was unaware of him leaving the estate. It could be said that your daughter planned to seduce my son."

Winston's father turned to the gaurds. "Gather the prince from his chambers and bring him here directly."

Two gaurds hurried off up the stairs and after a few minutes, they were returning with Winston in tow. "Father? You called." He answered trying not to lool at Lord Croswell and hiding a slight smile at the corners of his mouth when spotting Sophia behind her father.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia was anxious standing behind her father in case he got any crazy ideas and knew perhaps the two wouldn't result to their behavior at that gala with the queens beside them.

She was shocked hearing him say she seduced Winston and held in a chuckle they had both seduced each other in some ways through charm and words. She watched as the guards went off the fetch Winston and returned with him following shortly after and she hid the slight smile that threatened to go on her face but could not hide the small blush.

She felt his father's eyes glare at her slightly and she curtisied to both him and the queen politely sure both of his parents might not be too pleased with her or Winston at the moment.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston stepped up closer to his father as the two Lords stood across from each other. His father shot a hard glare in his direction.

"Come closer, boy. Tell Lord Croswell that I did not send you calling on his daughter. That unexcused mess was of your own accord."

Winston stepped to the side and bowed to Sophia's father. "That is correct, Lord Croswell. My father had no knowledge of my actions. I secretly sent a letter to the Princess asking her to meet with me. She is the one I wish to wed."

His father grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "That's enough." He growled.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia nodded in agreement adding to Winstons statement " It is true Kings the prince and I sought each other out, no-one was setup.. I wish to wed Winston, and He wishes the same for me"

"Quiet Sophia..This is nonsense.. How long have the two of you been plotting this? Is this a jest?" King Croswell stated annoyed.

Sophia was just glad he hadn't lost his temper at Winston stating he wished to Marry her like he had hearing her say it earlier.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston steps back up, despite his father.

"No, Lord Croswell. This is no jest. As I told my father, I choose to denounce my arrangement to Princess Cadsbury and instead, take the hand of your daughter. This fued between our kingdoms has gone for far too long and we should put it behind us."

He looked at his fuming father and then back at Lord Croswell. "I will be King one day and merging our two kingdoms will make us untouchable. Trade. War with our foes. The two greatest armies ever assembled as one. Both mine and your daughter's current arrangements will do nothing to benefit either of our kingdoms. They will only strengthen the kingdoms of our bethrothed when they rely on our individual armies."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia felt the anger rolling off of the Kings but they did seem to be considering somewhat as they heard Winston speak.

Queen Mowsbury suggested they move to the conference room and they all agreed it would provide more privacy. She felt her self in between the two queens and Winstons mother didn't seem as upset as she had thought probably just concern for the King and prince.

The room was set up and the families sat, her and Winston in between their parents and across from one another. She offered a small smile to him after not seeing him a week and she continued where he left off.

"Prince Mowsbury and I have discussed this well, it would be best we come together, both of our kingdoms are strong, armies well trained, citizens content with the ruling, lands well nourished, why weaken our ranks for silver, livestock and business when we can strengthen it among each other.." She said and got a look from both kings

She cleared her throat a second and said softly " I believe I can love the prince just as much as your royal highnesses love us... should that not be a factor in our arrangements?"

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston walked with his parents to the conference room at his mother's suggestion and took his place between them on one side of the table.

As Sophia and her parents sat, he caught her slight smile and returned it before she began speaking. Picking up right where he left off and reiterating the points that he had tried to make.

Winston's father began speaking with a laugh. "Love? You two know nothing..." But his words were cut short by his wife. "Yes, Princess Sophia, that should be a factor. Both Lord Mowsbury and myself will take into consideration yours and our son's arguments. Just as I'm sure your parents will."

She looked around the table at everyone. "Now if you and the Prince will excuse us for a few moments, I believe we, and your parents, have a few things to discuss."

Gaurds walked over to escort both Winston and Sophia from the conference room and into a side hall, with the door closing behind them.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia was stunned Queen Mowsbury decided to interject and say something and also relieved before tempers started flaring.

She followed the guards with the prince to a side hall and then the guards stood by the hall giving the two a little distance.

They were alone somewhat and she couldnt help but smile again. " It is nice seeing you outside of moonlight prince" she said gently and softly brushed some of his hair back as a familiar gesture.

"At least they speaking.. hopefully they will come to some agreement" she said and glanced toward the from their parents were in.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston steps into the hallway with Sophia as they are led out. Looking back as the door closes and noticing the gaurds step away to give them some privacy.

"Its nice seeing you as well, Sophia." Winston replied as he lowered his head against her hand.

He nodded slightly at her hopeful statement. "I'm sure they will. My mother has proven to be very convincing with my father. I'm sure she will be the same with your parents."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia nodded as well agreeing knowing the effect her mother had on her father as well she was certain the queens would keep egos leveled and words neutral.

She smiled softly at his small acceptance of her touching his hair, it had always felt nice against her fingers when they held each other and got lost in their own little world together. She blushed pulling away as she saw a guard approaching and stood beside him comfortably a slight concern as the sky darkened.

"I believe father did not think of the weather post haste to get me here" she chuckled soflty " We may be staying till it clears that particular horse is not fond of this weather" she said slightly amused her father had chosen a carriage when a car might been much more convenient but she supposed his anger hadn't thought that out.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston looked out of the window and saw the dark sky just as a long roll of thunder boomed across the sky.

"Well we do have plenty of rooms. I'm sure my parents will be very accomodating if you and your family need to stay."

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia was surprised he offered rooms should the storm get rough and her thoughts were clear as a loud thunder roared in the sky. "Thank you Winston I'm sure the rooms will be lovely" she said

Her mind wandered a bit to sleeping beside him and she blushed a bit turning away and sighed as the guards came to get them stating that the royal highnesses summoned them.

 

[Craneman8686]

Winston nodded as Sophia thanked him and mentioned the rooms being lovely. He was about to respond when one of the gaurds approached them and stated that they are being summoned back into the conference hall.

"Very well." Winston replied and walked with Sophia back towards the door as the gaurds led the way.

 

[MzSeductress]

Sophia nodded and followed the guards with the prince and they arrived back in the room she was surprised to see both royal parties engaged in conversation.

She glanced at Winston who seemed surprised as well and Sophia curtisied greeting them again. "Your hughnesses... You summoned us?" She said glancing between them all