Spoiled Little Princes

[La_Reina]

(Closed for Prince_Truhan)

Natalia stared at her father trying to hold back the tears. Her father was being relentless with this marriage thing. She was only 23 and he was demanding she either marry before 24th birthday which was in 2 weeks or be cut off, completely. She didn't believe he would, but here was the legal papers he had drafted and signed that were effective on her birthday if she did not marry. He was serious! And he had already picked out the perfect husband for her. Natalia didn't even glance at the folder her father held out to her or even acknowledge he had spoken the man's name. Her mind was too full of mush and rage. How could he?!

"You're to be married in one week."

Natalia turned around her long black hair flying about her. She stopped so abruptly her hair smacked her in the face before settling around her. She put her hands on her narrow waist, her B cup breasts rising and falling with every breath. Natalia was princess to the Azule Nation. She was to be queen. Her father was to step down and she was to rule, but not married?! In her nation she would be second to her husband the King. She didn't want that. Yes, she was spoiled? Yes, she was petulant? And Yes, she had this hunkering to start a few wars by expanding her territory? She was young, aggressive, and wanted some action? Not pop out babies!

"Natalia..." her father cautioned her.

Natalia spun around with a sweet look on her face. "Daddy. Let's say I give ..." Natalia trailed off. She had totally forgotten his name. "Him a try. 1 week. I'll give it all I got to make us work, but let's say he does not fit the bill than you'll stop this whole cutting me off thing and let me be."

"You can't opt out for something silly. I don't care if he pees sitting down. It must be for something we both can agree will not make a marriage work," her father countered.

"Yes, like if he doesn't like me."

"Agreed," her father replied.

"Agreed." Natalia repeated with a much darker tone. She turned and strode to the door only to hear her father's smiling voice, one that told her he had something up his sleep. "Ahhhh Natalia your fiance' is here."

Natalia stopped short. The man her father implied she had assumed was just another servant. Her eyes bulged. She hadn't had time to form a plan. She wasn't ready yet. She turned her head and glared at her father who knew her better than she knew herself. He planned this!

 

[Prince_Truhan]

The prince stepped forward making his way to the princess, she was indeed beautiful, and in the brief moment he had to watch her without being known he had seen she seemed every bit as spoiled as he had been warned. She was to be his wife, so he would be sure that she learned her proper place.


As he walked he took off the cape that covered his regal clothes, it made him look like a commoner or a servant, but it aided in his travels. He wasn't fond of sitting in a castle and live richly, he thrived for the action of the battlefield as well, and he already had plans of conquest in his mind.

Still his plans started here, Azule, where he would be able to add this kingdom to the one his father would soon give him.

"Princess Natalia, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Prince Stephen" he kissed her hand enjoying her soft skin for the first time.

"I trust that you and I can make this "arrangement" work very well"

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia stared at the man. Her caramel skin flickering in the soft light of the sun. She studied him like a hunter with prey and instantly disliked this man. That of course wasn't a good reason not to get married. She would have to get him to not like her. Easy!

"I'm sure the pleasure is all yours," Natalia turned from Stephen and to her father. "I must get ready for the midday meal. I'm sure you both have something to discuss or at the very least make sure He," Natalia meant her fiance, "gets cleaned up. Smelling like the outdoors isn't a good first impression."

It wasn't true. Prince Stephen didn't smell, but it was one comment she could make. She was being nasty nice and knew she could at least get away with this. She also knew that she should have shown him to his room, but did not. Another insult stacked in her favor. And sehd did not return his words or kindness. Another insult. This was too much fun and easy.

Natalia hastened to her room. She knew just the outfit to send his royal ass packing. Natalia quickly undressed and redressed. She didn't put on all the under frills. No, she was going as risqué as possible without getting into trouble. Natalia stared at herself and smiled in the mirror. This was great. She hastened to the steps and waited as everyone sat down. She was going to make a grand entrance.

Natalia took the first step and immediately the servants stopped and stared; the men looking at the little girl who was now a woman with eager eyes and only a few turned away. Natalia had on a tight dress that hung onto every nook and cranny on her body before pooling at her feet. She wore a corset that lifted and pushed out her bosom making it seem like she had more than she did. Her hair was down and trailed down her back which was the only thing she had covering it as the dress dipped low in back to stop just at the top globes of her bum.

"Hello everyone," Natalia sat down and it was obvious the dress had two thigh high slits. The dress hung between her slender legs. She smiled and waited, he was sure to call her a harlot or something, throw down his napkin, and march out of the dining hall.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

As soon as she left her father started to apologize, Stephen just had a wicked smile and watched her walk away.

"Apologies arent necessary, you did warn me about her behaviour issues, I must insist on spending time alone with her soon."

It wasn't easy but eventually her father agreed to let them be alone for a while after dinner, he wasn't sure how much of that resistance was for fear of his daughter being attacked and how much from fearing Stephen would get attacked.

He was shown his quarters, they were nice, and after very little questioning the servant provided him with the location of where the princess stayed.

When dinner started she came down wearing a dress, but what she wasn't wearing was the important part, it made him stare, just like the rest. He was surprised her father didn't admonish her, he seemed more in shock than anything.

He just smiled "it's nice yo see you again, even though I didn't expect to see so much more of you so soon"

He kept smiling, there were people there, pretenses had to be kept at least for now. Much to the princess disgust, she was to sit next to him, after the dinner started and as she was talking his hand went down, and he caressed her exposed leg, slowly but not softly, it was the touch of ownership even if she wasn't his yet.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia's smile slipped as he commented about seeing so much of her. Her eyes widen in anger before instantly going smooth and cool. Her father just stared at her with a frown. She chatted on and on about nothing. Truly, she hadn't spoken this long about absolutely nothing in all her adult years. She wanted him to think her silly and stupid as she went on and on about her friend, Alexandria, and her new white pony and clothes and make up.

She stuttered when she felt a hand on her leg. She blinked and her father took that pause to ask Stephen some question about his kingdom and if he had any plans of war. Her father was about peace and war was not in his future, or his little girl, or his grandchildren.

Natalia could only sit there and endure his caresses. She wasn't sure what to do and as he spoke to her father all calm she started to get angrier and angrier. How dare he seem so calm when he was touching her? And ... and how dare he touch her? She did not allow this? Standing up, her chair scraped against the floor. She held her head regally as she floundered for a bit.

"I insist upon a walk instead of this boring talk of HIS country. It'll be my country he'll live in. Come let's go Stephen." Natalia had already started striding from the room going into the patio that connected to her expansive garden.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

Stephen purposefully avoided the talk of peace, treading carefully in order to not dissapoint the king, it was his duty for now, to appear good to him, and to control the princess.

When she stormed off he smiled again, he had won something, she had lost her composture at dinner, when she was trying to play that game with him through her clothes and silly talk, and he had won with just his hand.

He excused himself and followed her, as soon as they were alone he adressed her knowing nobody could hear them, no pleasantries were necessary, specially not for her.

"You are going to try to put me in place now? Or will you keep trying to scare me away?"

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia was enjoying the walk. She had always love the outdoors at night. As a kid she used to climb out of bed, sneak out the house, and sleep in her gardens. Something about the night making her feel alive. She had almost forgotten the man beside her and all this silly talk of marriage. That was until he spoke.

She glared at him. "This is my kingdom. Not yours. You will address me as Princess Natalia at all times." She looked down her nose at him and decided his question was worth acknowledging. "At any time you find me too much to deal with you can leave. No one is stopping you from calling this ... shenanigan off and going home. Where you and your kind belongs!"

Natalia huffed and tried to push her way past him. This discussion was over and she wanted to enjoy her night time walk before someone made her act proper. She did NOT have time for him.

(sorry so short. )

 

[Prince_Truhan]

As she tried to push past him he forcefully grabbed her by the wrists holding in place.

"This will be my kingdom, and you will be mine, and not just in title I'll make sure you learn that your true place is at my side... and below me"

As he finished the sentence he started to apply strenght to her wrist forcing her down.

"Have you ever kneeled before someone "princess"?" he said mockingly.

"I'm not a fool that your father picked outm I decided to be here, so you better get used to it."

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia stared at his hand that grabbed her wrist. She pulled back sharply trying to get him to let go. Her eyes widen when she heard his words. She spat at his feet. "No. This is MY kingdom. These are MY citizens. I will never be by your side. Even at this moment I'm looking for a man who could be my lover."

Natalia gasped at the force on her wrists. Wincing her knees started to buckle, but at his words she strengthen them. "Unhand me you fool or I'll scream and have the guards come running. I'm sure you have bruised my delicate skin and I believe the wedding would be off. Beating of a wife is surely how a marriage cannot work. Yes, squeeze harder. Mar my skin. Give me evidence!" Natalia laughed evilly.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

He let go of her hand, but he wouldn't let her revel in her small triumph, he grabbed her by the neck, sharply and hard, slightly pulling from her hair just enough to cause pain.

"You are right... I shouldn't mark your skin... not now, not untill we are wed. It won't be and it's not your kingdom, right now it's your father's the man who has enough power to become much more powerful but wishes for peace, soon it will be mine, for I can't share it with the likes of you.

As you didn't wish for me I didn't wish for you" His force still tried to make her kneel "what I wish in a wife is someone clever and strong, someone that would be wise in the arts of war or willing to learn, someone who would help me further my plans while knowing her true place as my queen. Instead I get you."

He spit in front of her two times "You spat once I do it twofold, because what I get isn't a woman, I get a spoiled brat whose greatest act of rebellion is to go to dinner without her undergarments and talk about ponies. You are nothing but a silly girl, and while I cannot impart you with virtues that you don't posses such as intelligence, I will make sure that you at least behave in a way that won't hamper me."

He stopped the pressure and pulled her against him, placing her face in front of hers and digging his eyes into hers. "You say you want a lover, I don't think you even know what you want since you always get anything you request in a silver platter, but don't worry you will have a lover in me, I'll use your body in ways that you haven't imagined, and drain you out of energy, for if that is what you need to break you, like a horse that needs its energy spent you will get that. But that is for after the wedding otherwise you would cry for the guards and spoil the fun."

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia wince as the pain increased, but now she was pulling on her neck. She struggled, but she knew it was a losing battle. For the first time ever in her life she was truly scared about her future. Truly scared about her life. She glared at the man as he talked ill about her father. Her father was a great man and yes there were opportunities to be held that he didn't wish to captivate on, but he was still a great man. How dare this .. arse talk about him?

She was stunned that Stephen didn't want her. She had never come across a man who hadn't. She was known for her beauty and if he said it to shock her he did well. She wasn't vain. Okay she was a bit vain, but to actually hear that a man who should be all over her didn't want her was ... unbelievable. Her knees buckled again but she refused to give in.

She hated to hear him say what the traits he wanted in a queen which described her. She was clever, witty, aggressive, wanted war but also had her flaws of being bratty and vain. Everyone had flaws. This man didn't even know her. She was happy her plan worked and saddened at the same time.

"A spoiled brat is honorable. A rapist is not sir!" She used the word sir more as an insult than in actually addressing him respectfully. A snide insult to his station. "I may not know the touch of a lover, but I know the unwanted touch of a brute. Your words are crude and better suited to the whores that you've fucked." She spat the word at him obviously flustered at using that word herself. "I repeat you will not have my kingdom. You will not!"

"Princess ... Prince?" A servant appeared and looked at them with worry in her eyes. "I was sent to make sure you are alright and to see you to your room." The servant spoke to Natalia with a slight tilt.

Natalia pulled out of Stephen's grasp. She walked past the servant, but stopped when they were shoulder to shoulder. "Please see the Prince to his room. He may require a woman's touch ... one that he has proven I am not capable of." She all but called him a rapist. The servants eyes widen as Natalia marched off.

The servant walked up to the Prince with a sad smile. "She really is a great woman. She just doesn't like to be forced. Be nicer and she'll love you eventually. Ask her about the 'Battle of Two Doves'. It's her favorite." The servant's eyes twinkled with knowledge and the thought that she was helping two wayward lovers.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

Stephen stood silent for a minute, her response just now didn't come from someone that appeared to be weak in the mind, and to that he had to add what the servant just gave him as advice, the "Battle of the Two Doves" wasn't a children's story, or a sappy romance novel, it was more or less a treaty in tactical matters in war, more specially in a war a kingdom like this could get involved in.

He went to his room, while he knew where the princess was a visit that night would seem like too much for one day, not to mention that the princess might try to call rape and make a huge unnecessary scene .

Besides he needed to think, could he had been wrong about Natalia? could she actually be the kind of woman he wanted... it seemed impossible but he had a glimpse of hope, he would not only make her submit then, he would test her virtues as well, after all it would be foolish to let the possibility of letting her smarts if existant go to waste.

With this kind of thoughts in mind, he drifted to sleep.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia couldn't sleep. She paced and paced in her room. It was early morning and the sun was streaming through her window and still she had not slept. That man was a villian and it was going to take a lot to get him to leave. She thought being dumb and sappy would do it, but she underestimated him. Okay, phase 2. He wanted smart. He'll get smart. She'll do what she had done to many suitors, out smart them and make them feel intimidated by her knowledge. Her father didn't teach her the art of war so she could squander her kingdom away.

This time Natalia got dressed in something more suitable. It was still a flattering gown, but it wasn't as clingy and the dress was beautiful enhanced by her own beauty and not the dress making her sexy like last night. She went to the table and wasn't surprise no one else had arrived yet. The servants quickly put a cup of coffee in front of her and some toast before making her usual breakfast meal of fruits and waffles. She rarely deviated from that choice of morning meal.

She watched her father come in and smiled at him. "I'm sorry papa for my behavior yesterday." She used her favorite name for him when she was a girl. "I will be better. I promise." Her father looked stunned and a bit suspicious. "I heard tales of the Cheik army growing in numbers to our south. I don't know what they plan, but I think sending a scout or two would be wise. Maybe strengthen our own defenses, papa?"

 

[Prince_Truhan]

"I heard tales of the Cheik army growing in numbers to our south. I don't know what they plan, but I think sending a scout or two would be wise. Maybe strengthen our own defenses, papa?"

This was the first Stephen heard as he was walking into the room, the princess was the first thing she saw, she certainly looked beautiful, also the "papa" rang in her mind, maybe it was a way of appear sweeter to him and getting what she wanted... it was odd that what she wanted was to protect the kingdom, and efficiently for all that mattered.

"If I may king, those aren't tales" he purposefully avoided telling her that she was right, even if she knew it he wouldn't freely praise her.

"They Cheik have been restless lately, I'm awaiting news from my own scouts, we should be hearing from them soon. I do think that reinforcing the defenses would be a smart thing to do, before they set sights on an easy objective." he paused briefly as he remembered to whom he was talking too, the man that wanted peace.

"It would surely dissuade them and that way innecessary battle could be avoided."

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia wasn't expecting to the Prince to come so quickly. She surely thought it would be another moment or two for her and her father to discuss things. She hated how he interrupted her conversation and she barely hid the anger in her eyes. Yes, she had planned to be smarted than him, but not with tales of war especially with her kingdom.

She noticed her father did nod at Stephen and even seemed to consider his words more than when she had said it moments before. She stared at her father incredulous that he would take Stephen's words over hers more seriously. She knew she had her flaws and that her father often thought of her as his baby, but to take this imposter's words over his own daughter. She had proven herself a great tactician.

She sighed and excused herself from the table. "I will be in the gardens." She walked with dignity and grace she had been bred with. She went into the gardens and whistled 3 times. She heard an answering whistle and after a few moments she moved to the far corner in the gardens. She looked around before a hand appeared at the wall, then an arm, then a head. Finally a man came over the wall.

"Jorge," Natalia hugged him and whispered into his ear. "Go find out what the cheiks want. Be quiet and don't let them see you." She pulled back, he nodded, she kissed his cheek and he was gone. She turned smiling knowing she would get the intel she needed.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

The king apreciated his advice, even if it was more or less the same that his daughter had presented, that explained why she was notably upset. When she excused herself for the garden he let her go, he couldn't be following her around wherever her whim pleased, and besides she would be forced to spend more time with him soon.

So for now he was content with discussing defesnse strategies with the king, even if Stephen would much rather strike at the Chiek and have their menace be done, it wouldn't take a single strike to eliminate them but it would severely weaken any attempt to attack Azule.

Against his will Stephen found himself gazing towards the garden every now and then, curious as if the princess would return, when he caught himself doing that he shook his head hard.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia stayed out in the garden. She walked over to her favorite birch tree and sat underneath it while enjoying the sounds of the life around her. The sounds of the birds chirping and bugs milling about was something she enjoyed. That and she could come out here and think. Usually she would think about what she would do with her kingdom, how to make it prosper, or if they were really annoying; which tactic to make a guy decide she wasn't the one for him.

Of course thinking like that led her to think of Stephen. None of her tactics were working and though last night she had planned to use her intimidating brain she found she was hiding from him instead. She remembered his words as if they were seared into her brain and she couldn't help the heat that spread through her body. She shook herself of the horrid thoughts and sighed deeply.

She turned at the sound of steps to see her Maid Mariann approaching. She was more like a mother having raised her than a servant. "You are a silly little girl. That man in there is fine and has to be either stubborn to put up with what you did last night. If I was there I would have boxed your ears. You're a lady. You will start acting right or so help me I will swat your behind. Now give that man a chance." Having spoken her piece Mariann turned on her heels and left Natalia alone.

"But I don't like him. He's rude and mean and wants to rule my home without me. He wants my inheritance not me." Natalia spoke out loud to no one. Her objections falling on absent ears. She sighed again not wanting to admit defeat. She had 6 days left to make this man hate her and that meant 6 days of planning and scheming. She wasn't giving up hope yet.

Natalia returned to her home shocked to find her father and Stephen still talking. She listened for a bit finding some things she wanted to say, but biting her tongue. Her father noticed her first and waited for her to interject with her own thoughts. When she stayed quiet he frowned. Natalia just shook her head and headed towards her room.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

Stephen was slightly amused at her silence, he wondered why she kept quiet, he was starting to suspect it wasn't because she didn't want to, maybe she just didn't want to participate in a conversation he was a part of.

He wasn't going to let her have her way, at least not so easily

"Princess" he interrupted her as she was starting to leave "if you don't mind, could you share your opinion on how to deal with the conflict in the north?... the two countries that just recently declared war at one another. I'm sure you will have some interesting insight your father and me might have passed up"

He didn't know if that was enough to break her silence so he added.

"My brother even said it could start an issue similar to the "Battle of Two Doves", I don't think he is right though"

That had to be enough, he wanted to hear more of her thoughts, he was willing to concede he could possibly be wrong at insulting her intelligence, but only if she proved it to him. So with a smile, he awaited her answer.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia sighed when she heard his voice. She rolled her eyes up to the heavens and prayed he wouldn't say something that would make her lose her cool in front of her father. Natalia slowly turned to the two men and arched an eyebrow questioning. At first she wasn't sure if he was joking with her. Did he really want her input? Didn't he say last night that he thought she was what everyone saw on the outside?

Natalia pressed her lips together forming a tight line as she pondered all the possibilities. Maybe it was a trap. Maybe he was pretending to care. Or maybe he was proving that she really didn't know the diplomatic ways. As she thought on what she was truly going to do he had to mentioned her favorite history battle of all time.

"Similar maybe. I would visit with the country myself. I would sit down with their King and discuss the sightings without any games or falsehood. I would also let the King know that my country is just as willing to make peace as war." Natalia went to the table as she talked, her eyes alight with what she would truly do. "I would bring the symbol of peace: the doves with me to show I mean my words. But if the King is unwilling or hesitate, because he has already made decisions to dethrone me I would," Natalia blushed knowing this is where the Battle of Two doves and her own motives differed.

"Kill the doves. Me, myself. Not my guards, but me. Get my hands bloody. I would look the King in the eye and tell them they have 72 hours to come to my homeland with talks of peace. That gives him exactly 24 hours to make a final decision before following me back to my Kingdom. If he's not there I would strengthen my defenses and start making plans of attacking." Natalia stopped and waiting for the men to start digging into her argument of etiquette or critique her thoughts.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

Stephen listened intently, she hadn't just blurted out something, she had pondered and answered with something well thought out, not only that, she was even waiting for a response to build upon her idea... it seemed that he was wrong in thinking that she was just a spoiled brat, there was a mind inside her pretty head.

Her idea appealed to him, it would allow them some insight in how the other kingdom was prepared and ran. Alot could be told of a place just by visiting, even if it was from a not so friendly kingdom.

"I like the idea, but I think defenses should always be prepared. Peace can only be kept through vigilance, wouldn't you agree king?"

Even if he adressed the king, his eyes were still on Natalia, trying to understand her thought process, as well as her opinion.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia waited and stared at her father who tilted his head weighing her words considerably. He knew she had touches of this genius, but he seen her throw too many temper tantrums not to trust she wouldn't do it as Queen. Even with that information what she had just said appealed to him.

Natalia turned to Stephen and slowly nodded. "Yes, but we wouldn't want the other Kingdom to think that we are preparing for war while saying we want peace. On the other hands we could slowly move a few soldiers nearby just in case. Not at our borders, but nearby so if the scouts from up North reported that everything is the same on our land, but soldiers are within calling distance it wouldn't seem like we are already back stabbing them or whatever the slang word is."

Natalia hadn't realized she had cut off her father from answering the question as she went back and forth with Stephen.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

"Also having soldiers on the move helps to keep them alert, while they need training their perception abilities decrease if they stay in one place for too long"

Then he realized what neither of them had, not only had the king been cut off, for the first time they were having a conversation without being at each other throat. He hesitated briefly, but rather than giving the word to the king, he risked things even further.

"In fact, if the princess was to go instead of the king talks of peace would seem even more appropiate, and with her fiance with the excuse of keeping her safe it would at least be two sets of eyes to look around."

Then he quieted himself, wondering which of the two would be the first to call the idea insane. He thought it was a decent idea, but one with many cons as well, so he had mostly said it to see their reaction.

 

[La_Reina]

"No," Natalia said at the same time her father said, "Yes." Natalia stared at her father and narrowed her eyes before slowly turning to Stephen. She hadn't forgotten what he said and still had plans of making this man decide he die not want her.

"What about the wedding. I only have 6 more days to plan. It's takes 3 days to get there before the deadline. I have a wedding to plan." Natalia looked at both men before her father started laughing. He laughed so hard tears came to his eyes and he began pounding on the table much to Natalia's anger.

"Daughter mine the wedding is already planned along with your dress." Natalia made to open her mouth, "It's your mother's dress." Natalia closed her eyes. She would be honored to wear her mother's dress. "So that gives you 3 days to get there and either spend the night there or a few hours before you return home to have you wedding. It's perfect for the two of you to already start acting like the montriach of this country."

Natalia growled and pushed her chair roughly from the table. "FINE!" She stormed up the stairs talking loudly about men always ordering her about and she don't get to do nothing on her own. She slammed her door and looked at her wardrobe before she opened her door and screamed for Mariann who ran to help her Highness pack.

 

[Prince_Truhan]

He certainly hadn't expected the king to say yes, but it was a good way to solidify his position, and to really see what Natalia was about, she wouldn't play games when the kingdom was at stake.

Once she left the room, Stephen and the king arranged the movements of the troops within the country. After all Stephen had just showed up the night before, her was more than ready to travel again, much unlike the princess.

Some orders were also issued to get their transport, a carriage that would look non-threatening, and as well would give the couple some privacy was produced.

The king gave Stephen some warnings about the princess, and soon enough everything was ready for them, and as soon as Natalia came out of the castle, they would depart towards the north.

 

[La_Reina]

Natalia packed everything she could think of. She announced she was ready and 6 men each carrying a bag in their hands descended the stairs after her. The carriage was big enough to accommodate most of her bags and the others had to be strapped down on top. She expected another carriage that would be housing her maid and some other chaperones.

"Good Lord, Daughter mine, do you need so many bags?"

"Father, it is a 3 day trip. Plus I can't go dress in soiled rags. I would have to look the part of Queen; which is why you are sending me up there are you not?"

Her father nodded conceding to his little girl. She turned when she saw Stephen and rolled her eyes in anger. "Father, where is the other carriage? The carriage that would house my maids and others that are to come with us?" Natalia glanced at Stephen not wanting to be alone with just him and the driver. It would be silly to think Stephen wouldn't just kidnap her or worse kill her.