Love and Marriage

After watching the trio leave, Ultrian cleared his throat.

"Is everything alright, Your Highness?"

Rose flushed slightly and pulled her eyes from the door. "Of course," she took the man's arm.

"I am honored that you would select me for such an auspicious task." Ultrian walked beside the woman as they took a different exit from the others. They were almost too quick for the two guards who had become Rose's shadows to catch up before they were gone.

"Keep you distance please," she ordered the soldiers. "I assure you that I am quite safe."

"I won't let anything happen to you, ever," Ultrian promised sincerely. "I am quite proficient with a sword as you know."

"I do know," Rose had seen the knight in tournaments. He had won more than a few. "I am afraid I have to apologize for my words earlier. I should not have used the words that are your hallmark. It sounded like I was making fun when that was not my intention."

"They are just words, Your Highness. Anyone is free to use them." Ultrian slowed his pace slightly, "But I think there maybe something else on your mind…"

"There is. Since you are leaving to care for your mother, I do want you to be able to give her your full attention. Therefore it is only fair we really discuss the way things stand between us." Rose steeled herself for the conversation.

Ultrian sighed. "I take it this is not to be a pleasant talk?" There was no change in his face, but the hint of disappointment in Ultiran's made Rose nearly back off the subject entirely. She did not want to hurt the man. Unlike most of the others, his attentions for her seemed to be genuine.

Which is what made being honest so hard and yet so necessary.

"I am afraid not. Please know that I hold you in very high regard. I have ever since I awarded you your prize at your first tournament, but my affection is purely friendly in nature." Rose wanted to soften the blow, but she was afraid of being misunderstood and prolonging their agony. "What I mean is that...I would not consider marrying you."

"Then...is our courtship officially ended?" Ultrian asked with his usual blank look.

Rose nearly choked a second time. She was very glad that there was no food in her mouth to block her airway. 'Courtship? Is he serious? We have been out together many times, but only on horseback...'

The princess realized that the man was her preferred riding partner because he was the only one who let her push the boundaries of her confinement and never asked questions. He also tended not to speak unless spoken to, so she had never really found his presence a burden like other courtiers. It probably did look like they were courting, and Rose had not even noticed!

"It is," she answered at last. "You are free to court any woman you please."

"I see." Ultrian was quiet for a moment. "I do not want you to think me fickle, but I do have one request if I may..."

"You can ask me anything." Rose was happy that the worst seemed to be over.

"What do you think of Lady Theodora?" Ultrian's words could not have surprised Rose more if he had actually slapped her.

'That gossip?! She tried to publicly humiliate me just today! I will tell you what I think...'

"Why do you ask?" the princess asked calmly, hiding her inner thoughts.

"I do find her a quite adequate dinner companion and a most proficient dancer, not unlike myself. She expressed some interest in getting to know me better, but I informed her that our courtship would keep me from being at liberty to do so..." Ultrian paused. "I would never be disloyal."

Suddenly Theodora's actions earlier made far more sense. She had gotten word from Ultrian that he was to marry the princess and seemed to be under the impression that the princess would also be marrying a prince. Rose must look like quite the man-eater!

Theodora had acted out of jealousy not for Rose's position, but for the attention she was getting from Ultrian.

"You are so honorable. It does not matter what I think about Lady Theodora. I think you should find out for yourself what you think and feel. I wish you all the best. I do think Theodora would be most blessed to have you by her side." Rose was graced with a second radiant smile from the stunning man next to her. She squinted just to keep looking at him.

"Thank you for your words. I find your solution most adequate."

The tension between the two left, leaving behind a companionable silence as they finished their journey. Reaching the door of the king's chambers, Ultrian took the princess's hand and kissed it.

"Be well, Your Highness." The handsome knight bowed.

"Give your mother my warmest wishes for health." Rose squeezed the man's hand. "I will look forward to hearing news of her recovery."

"Thank you. I hope you do not have trouble finding an adequate substitute in my absence," Ultrian nodded seriously.

"I shall not even try. Your friendship is too valuable." Rose curtsied.

They two parted ways. Rose waited until he was gone, a sad smile on her face. "Poor Ultrian. Theodora does not deserve him."

"I take it you finally gave him the news." Rabert asked when she finally came to the door.

"I did. He finally listened." Rose could see the relief on Rabert's face. He really did worry about her often, it seemed.

The Captain opened the door. "His Majesty awaits."

Rose pulled at her narrow skirt so she could take larger steps. There was little need to be formal with only Captain Rabert and the other guards around. She took a deep breath as soon as the door shut behind her.

But her relief was short-lived. Rhodri stood from the couch and motioned for her to take a seat.

"I am sorry I took longer than expected, Father. I had to have an honest conversation with Sir Ultrian before he left." Rose used his formal title to make her intentions clear.

"I see," Rhodri furrowed his brow and sank back onto the couch. His mind was clearly elsewhere. Soon enough, he expressed his thoughts. "You wanted to see me earlier, but we never had the chance to speak. And then... you made a comment tonight."

Rose could see where this was going. "You mean the one about being force to marry a prince? It was rather unkind of me to say such a thing in front of company. Only I heard a rumor about Prince Callan..."

"That a marriage contract exists between you and the prince of Lakyle?" Rhodri's face was very grim.

"That was the gist of it, yes," Rose's senses tingled. Her father had been very quick on supplying that information. "How did you know?"

"I had hoped to be the one to tell you..." The king swallowed. And was she imagining it or was the sweat on the king's brow?

"Tell me what?" A pit formed in Rose's stomach which threatened to swallow her whole.

Rhodri stood, pulled out a paper from his desk and handed it to the princess. "The marriage contract. It exists. I received it while you were away."