Defending a lady's honor

[Royal Castle]

It was an Absolutely stellar afternoon, the Sun was up directing its heat below and there Was a gentle breeze that offset the heat creating a cool afternoon atmosphere, a perfect weather for garden viewing, both Arthur and Renner sat beneath a large umbrella that provided them with shade, Renner had her own tea set with two maids tending to her and Arthur had a glass whiskey that he requested from the maids, he wasn't much of a drink in his past life but he did so when he could.

"and because the giant was quickly finishing building the wall of Asgard, Loki, who essentially came up with the idea, was placed in charge of making sure he didn't finish his work."

Renner listened, as Arturo recounted the story that led to the birth of Sleipnir Odin's eight legged steed. The princess was amused as he had previously told her about another equally hilarious story of Thor having to cross-dress.

"guess what he did?"

"I imagine he concocted a plan to stop this Giant"

"No, He didn't not do that. If he didn't, Sleipnir wouldn't have been born"

"Oh! Oh my!"

She said at the realisation of what this God named Loki did to ensure that the master builder could not finish building the wall. A melodious giggle escaped her mouth as she realised the hilarity of the story. The small giggle turned into a small laugh before she quickly collected herself, a lady must never laugh loudly.

"I have both Those stories Have changed My perspective on the definition of a God, truly I could not Imagine."

she said Still with an amused smile on her face, the Two of them were at the garden, the place where Arthur had landed, the crater was still there and but new flowers were planted around it and it looked like someone waa trying to build something inside the crater, Arthur imagine it would be a type of patio or something similar.

"If you think that's bad, wait till you hear about the story of the Sky God Zeus."

He responded, he was telling her about these Stories mainly to pass the time as they were waiting for Lakyus in order to discuss further about what to do with the captured six arms members and the information they received from them. The meeting was being held outside because Renner thought it best to have some maids hear bits and pieces and create rumours, which boost Arthur's favour among the nobles increasing his value and make things easier for when Azmith begins recruiting for her faction.

"I'm doubtful. Sleeping with a horse is worse than anything I can imagine. You can even make it into a new torture method."

"you'll see"

As the two were speaking, Lakyus made her appearance as she exited the castle and made her way towards the two. She was followed by two people, two nobles, to be exact. Margrave Urovana and the young Marquis Pespea.

Seeing the two Marquis could not help but roll her eyes in annoyance, it seems her father is trying to overwhelm her with insistence and persistence.

"Prim Renner, these two gentlemen wish to speak with you"

Lakyus announced as she arrived before Renner, She decided to let her seat be free, allowing one of the two to be able to have a seat.

"good afternoon princess, hope this fine day is treating you well"

Margrave Urovana greeted and the both of them Bowed their head, there was not need for introductions at least not to the princess but the Margrave saw it it unnecessary to properly introduce himself to Arthur, however the young Marquis Pespea decided it was necessary so he spoke.

"a pleasure to see you today, princess, and it's a pleasure to meet you, sir Arthur"

The Marquis extended his hand for a shake, and Arthur obliged and gave the man a firm hand shake with clear eye contact.

"like wise, good sir"

"The name's Alden Aldric Walden Pespea, please Refer to me as Marquis Pespea, I'd prefer you Refer to me as Sir Alden but I am no knights so Marquis Pespea will do"

The young Marquis smiled as he smiled, conveying his good will, and Arthur gave him a silent nod.

"Yes, now that introductions are over, Princess, would you be willing to converse with us privately?"

Margrave Urovana asked, while covertly implying that Arthur and Lakyus should leave.

"I see no reason why we can not discuss whatever you need to say right now"

Renner sipped her tea after having said as much, she already knew what they were going to say and she did not plan to make the conversation too long.

Urovana looked at the people present before taking a seat, deciding that both Lakyus and Arthur would eventually hear about the matter regardless however he did give Arthur the side eye expecting him to give his seat to the Marquis but unfortunately that did not happen"

"what is it that you wished to discuss Marquis?"

"it's the matter of the marriage that I believe the King spoke to you about, we came here to ask you to reconsider"

Arthur could not help but look Renner straight in the eyes once he heard the word 'Marriage' and raised his brow silently questioning her as she did not mention anything regarding that to him.

"Reconsider? I believe I made myself clear. My father should have told you that"

"Princess please understand, This marriage is imperative not only to the relationship the nobles have with the Royal family but to the balance of power within the noble court, currently Prince Barbro is married to the daughter of Marquis Bulloupe, and Prince Zanac also has yet to decide on a fiancee, so your marriage to the nobles faction will balance the status quo"

"So essentially, this is about your own self-interest rather than actually about me?"

Of course, Renner knew that marriage was purely about the noble faction obtaining Arthur under them and stripping her of any political influence or power

"So you let Prince Zanac remain undecided on a fiancee, yet you are pushing the princess to get married. That seems a bit unfair, does it not?"

Arthur questioned, pointing out the unfairness of the situation. It seemed pretty clear that Renner had something that Zanac did not have, which was clear that it was Himself.

"the situation is different and cannot be compared"

Urovana defended of course the situations were not that different or the same, the only difference was that unlike a prince, the princess had less room to decide on this, which was why Renner wanted to choose her partner long ago because she understood that when the time came she would have not much of a choice.

"regardless the I will not be marrying anyone and this matter is no longer negotiable, if my father has decided to ignore the reward he had Decided to give me for saving the country from a drought then I have no obligation to follow his demands"

"princess please reco–"

The young Marquis could not finish his sentence as Arthur stood up and loomed over him menacingly.

"I do believe the lady has spoken, not unless you wish to force her to do something she does not want, if that's the case then you'll have me as your enemy"

Silence descended in the area, Arthur's words forced Marquis Pespea to step back in a bit of fear. This was the first time someone had threatened him so blatantly.

"You dare threaten a Noble?!! a mere knight presumes to think he can threaten us?!

Margrave Urovana stood up in righteous fury, he was a tolerant man and who usually ignored the common status of others if they were useful, however he was still a noble and to be disrespected by a commoner was unacceptable.

"My knight has every right to defend my honour, Margrave. Any threats toward him are threats towards me, so choose your words carefully"

Renner warned, and the garden was once again thrown into silence, and the wind blew, providing the only noise in the area.

"apologies your Highness, please reconsider the marriage and will speak to you again in the near future"

Margrave collected himself as he spoke, despite his face showing a calm expression he hid beneath it an anger that seemed to refuse to calm down but at the same time Arthur was the very prize they wished to acquire so he had to swallow his anger.

"Good day to you Princess"

Bidding farewell, the two nobles left, and for some reason, Renner couldn't help but smile as she watched their retreating figures. This was the first instance where she did not have to bow to the power of the nobles and they didn't have the power to control her, she was elated, it finally felt like she had control over her life.

....

A/N: thoughts On the chapter? I wanted to write something completely different, but things just sorta wrote themselves, but I think it turned out well.