The Last Princess of Lorrea Ch. 09

"I only said it because I was upset, I didn't mean anything by it," he said softly as he too got to his feet.

"What do you mean you didn't mean anything by it? You were on your knees! You asked three times!" she shouted, her voice carrying across the grass, causing the guards to hasten over.

Henry waved the guards away, comprehension dawning on his face. "You misunderstood Princess," he said, chuckling a little.

"I understood perfectly," she hissed angrily, before turning on her heel and stalking away from him towards the entrance to the castle.

"No, wait!" he shouted after her, hurrying to catch up.

Elena ignored him, lengthening her stride.

Henry finally caught up with her and grabbed her wrist to slow her down.

"Let go of me!" she snarled.

"Not until you hear what I have to say," he said, digging in his heels.

"Do you think that I - I don't CARE what you have to say!" she roared, trying to pull her wrist free.

"Stop being so unbelievably stubborn and just listen!" he said, raising his voice, trying to drown hers out. "I was apologizing for calling you a liar, when we talked about my father - nothing else!" he shouted.

Elena stopped struggling abruptly. "So you weren't taking back your proposal?" she asked, her face turning red in embarrassment.

"Heavens no! Why would I do that?" he asked, pulling her closer as she no longer fought to free her wrist from his grasp.

"I thought that... maybe your father's passing had caused you to change your mind," she said lamely, avoiding eye contact.

"On the contrary my dear Princess" he said, lifting her chin so he could see her brilliant blue eyes. "My father would have opposed it, but that's not really an issue anymore," he said softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Now that I think about it," Henry continued, scratching his head, "You didn't give me an answer," he said, putting one hand on her hip and pulling her closer.

Oh the answer, she thought. It was cruel that such a simple answer - yes or no, could have such far-reaching consequences.

Elena had received many proposals over the years and the answer she had given to those ambitious young men, Caspian included, was that love was a crucial factor. That had been her belief many years ago and until Caspian, it had served her well. However, times had changed and it was time she grew up and thought of others and not only her own happiness. She couldn't afford the luxury of marrying for love any more.

Sure, she reasoned, there were moments when she found Henry to be quite endearing and likeable, but love? She only hoped, as he had said earlier, that she may learn to love him.

"My answer," she said slowly, "is Yes - but under a few conditions," she said looking up at Henry with a deadly serious expression.

"What conditions?" Henry asked warily.

"Two conditions," she said simply. "The first," she counted, raising one finger, "is that I remain the ruler of Lorrea."

Henry frowned and rubbed his chin. "I can agree to that- to a certain extent that is. I am king of Kravaolia, therefore the ultimate ruler of any of my citizens- no wait!" he said, pressing a finger to Elena's soft lips as she started to protest. "What I can do, is name you as the sovereign of Lorrea which grants you complete authority over the area, even though in name I am still their ruler."

Elena frowned, trying to think of a better way but came up empty handed. "And you will give me free hand in Lorrea?" she asked, looking closely at his face.

"Total control - unless of course, Lorrea is planning on waging a war against Kravaolia, I cannot allow that - as I'm sure you understand," he said, placing his other hand on her hip. "What is the second condition?" he asked, pulling her closer against him.

Elena's gaze did not lift from his dark eyes. "You will acknowledge that I am not going to be the average queen. You know me by now, I am not the sort of royal who sits in a corner and knits as her husband acts as supreme ruler. I am to be privy to all military and civil meetings and decisions and I am to rank higher than any of your generals."

"Yes, I quite agree - as you are not the average princess, obviously the queen you'll be will echo that and I expect that on occasion you'll stray from common customs," He said, his eyes sweeping over her body. "I agree to your second condition," he said simply, pulling her tightly against him.

Elena ignored her inner voice that cautioned her against entering into a marriage which started out with conditions, that it echoed of the way one would enter a contract and not a merging of two souls.

"I've decided to add another condition," Elena said, placing her hands on Henry's and gently peeling his fingers from her hips.

Henry groaned. "What now?"

"I know that you have somewhat restrained yourself from... from taking me by force- but I can't pretend that you behaved in a way befitting a gentleman either."

Henry's eyebrows arched upwards in surprise but Elena continued before he could interrupt. "What I mean is," Elena said, her tone flustered, "that you left me relatively untouched, my virginity intact," Elena said, blushing furiously.

Henry's devilishly handsome grin spread across his face. He always loved it when she squirmed in embarrassment that stemmed from her chaste upbringing.

"I ask you now to show that restraint a little bit longer- until we are married," she said, a smile of her own playing around her lips, as Henry's disappeared.

"Ohhh Princess," Henry groaned. "I don't know about that. We've practically been living as husband and wife for the past few weeks anyway," he said, his hands sliding over her hips to cup her firm buttocks.

"So what's a few more days wait?" Elena asked slyly, wriggling free of his hands. "Trust me, it will be worth it," she said, as she pressed her lips against his, trying to bring forth emotions that she was not feeling.

Henry moaned audibly. "Alright," he muttered dejectedly.

"Good," said Elena. "You agree to all three terms?" she asked him, threading her fingers between his.

Henry squeezed her hands. "Yes."

"Then I accept your proposal, Henry, King of Kravaolia," she said, matter of factly.

Henry kissed her full on the mouth, stunning Elena temporarily, before she kissed him back.

Henry broke their kiss, holding Elena's pink face in his hands. "Come now Elena, there is no need to be so demure... you can kiss me as a lover does. Let me show you," he said before pulling her lips to his again, this time, parting them with the tip of his tongue which darted forth to press against her own, causing a pleasurable tingling sensation.

"Henry!" she gasped, pushing him away, her face even pinker. "The guards..." she said, looking behind him to see their grinning faces.

"So proper," he chuckled, as he wrapped a strong arm around her slender waist. He bent closer to her ear and whispered "Don't worry Princess, as I know for a fact that you are not well versed in the customs of the marital bed, I shall teach you," he said, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

"I am not totally ignorant," Elena snapped, trying to recover a little dignity.

"Oh my blushing Princess, I'm really going to enjoy proving you wrong- and you'll enjoy it too!" he laughed as he escorted her across the courtyard.

"When do you propose we get married?" Elena asked, changing the uncomfortable subject. If it were up to her, they would wed that evening before she lost her nerve.

"At least a week from today," he replied, taking in her look of surprise. "I know, sooner would be preferable, but I need to ride north to some neighbouring countries that Kravaolia controls, to make sure there is no question of succession and that the generals there fall in line," he said as they crossed the threshold to the entrance hall. "I don't expect any problems, so as soon as I return we can get married. In the meantime, you can begin the preparations for the wedding, I trust you completely in this matter" he said as they crossed the flagstone floor, heading for the kitchen.

"When do you leave?" Elena asked, the kitchen staff bowing as they entered, before quickly turning back to their cooking.

"As soon as possible- later this afternoon perhaps," he said, dipping a wooden ladle into a cauldron of soup and lifting the steaming ladle before Elena's lips. "Careful, it's hot."

Elena pursed her lips and blew on the ladle, before tasting the soup. "Mmmm," Elena commented, licking her lips, "That's really good! What is it?"

"It's a family recipe," Henry said, before tasting the soup himself, smacking his lips. "It needs more salt!" he called to the head cook, who nodded and immediately bustled about adding salt.

Elena walked around the bustling kitchen, warmed by the good nature of the kitchen staff, as they kept up a continuous stream of inquiries as to her taste in food, so that they may prepare something more to her liking.

"King Henry," she called, causing him to beam back at her from the other side of the cauldron where he was talking animatedly with the cook. Calling Henry by his title felt forced and awkward, but she knew the etiquette of the royal court, that only in private could she call him Henry.

"I was just informing Sebastian, the head cook, on our coming nuptials. He'll need as much time as he can get to create the most extravagant feast," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist again.

"Really, that isn't necessary," Elena said quietly to Henry. "In Lorrea we try to keep these sort of affairs small, as the public is the one who pays the taxes which finance the royal celebration," she said, trying to keep her tone informative rather than haughty.

"That may be the custom of Lorrea, but Kravaolian's do things in grand style!" he said happily.

Elena once again swallowed her retort. She reminded herself that once she was queen she wouldn't back down on such matters, she would bring humility and austerity to the royal court.

"I need to speak with you - in private," she said, emphasizing the last two words.

Henry looked puzzled. "Alright, come with me," he said, sweeping her from the kitchen.

They climbed the main staircase in silence, Elena using the time to arrange her thoughts and formulate what she was going to say, as the subject matter was very delicate.

Henry pushed open the heavy doors to his study, snapped his fingers at the boy adding logs to the fire, causing him to drop them in fright before making a hasty exit. Elena made a mental note to work on the way he treated his subordinates too.

As the door closed behind the boy, Elena turned towards the fire, drawing strength from its warmth.

"I've been meaning to tell you something, but I don't know where to begin," she said, wringing her hands as she paced in front of the fire.

Henry sat down in one of the chairs near the fireplace, indicating to Elena that she should sit in the chair nearest him. She shook her head and kept pacing.

"What is it my dear, that has caused you to be so unsettled?" he asked, his eyebrows arching in surprise.

Elena needed to tell Henry about Caspian, what he was capable of, what he did to her- but she didn't know how. "I'm not sure where to begin."

"How about from the beginning?" Henry said, his curiosity growing.

"That will take too long," Elena said, dismissing the suggestion with a wave of her hand.

She turned to face Henry, her heart threatening to leap from her chest at the rate it was beating. "If you leave here tonight, I will be in danger," she said, trying to keep her emotions under control. Elena cursed silently, wishing she had chosen different wording, as it sounded to her to be melodramatic in the extreme.

"What do you mean Princess? I am planning on leaving my best guards behind to protect you - not to mention that the whole castle is full of people sworn by an oath to protect me and by extension, you," he said, rising quickly from his chair.

"That won't matter to him," she said, tears welling in her eyes even as she fought to stop them.

Henry wrapped his arms around Elena, trying to dispel her fear. "Shhh," he whispered in her ear, "Who do you think would try and harm you?" he said, stroking her golden hair.

Elena took a deep breath, glad that Henry couldn't see her face. "Lord Caspian," she said, her voice muffled by his chest.

Elena felt Henry stiffen. "I'm sorry Princess, but I don't think I heard you correctly, it sounded like you said Lord Caspian," he said, pulling her gently away so he could see her face.

Elena bit her lip and nodded, silent tears streaming down her cheeks now.

"What? I don't understand... I know he wanted you in the past, but he knows better, now that I have you," he said in a perplexed tone.

Ignoring his remark about 'having her', she swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to explain. "It's not in the past for him. He hates me Henry, I mean he REALLY hates me- all because I turned down his proposal of marriage years ago- you don't understand, even then he tried to retaliate with violence," Elena recalled, shivering slightly. "Remember when you asked me about all those scratches on my back?" she asked delicately.

"Yes," he said, his brow contracting as he started putting two and two together. "Are you telling me, that it was Caspian that caused that?" he asked, anger bristling in every syllable, the colour rising in Henry's face, his grip on her arm becoming quite painful.

"Yes," she gasped, "Henry, please, you're hurting me," she said, trying to prize his vice-like grip from her arm.

Henry snapped out of it. "Sorry.." he muttered, releasing her and walking towards the fire, gazing into it's depths.

Minutes went by, however they both stood frozen as though time wasn't moving. "Henry?" Elena asked timidly, touching his shoulder.

"You'll have to stay here Elena." Henry turned away from the fire and gazed at her frightened face. "It would be more dangerous if you were to accompany me on the road tonight. And besides," he said, hitching a reassuring smile back on his face, "I am Caspian's King now, he wouldn't dare touch you - the whole castle knows about us now, the cook is quite the gossiper- so i'm sure he has heard the happy news by now," he laughed, trying to convey to Elena that her fears were unfounded.

"Come now," he said, hugging her again, as she looked back at him in serious doubt. "You are the future queen, do not worry about my cousin. Look, if you're still worried- I'll speak to him before I leave and straighten this whole mess out, alright? I won't leave until i'm convinced of your safety," he said, kissing her on top of her head and giving her a reassuring hug.

"You promise you'll speak with him?" Elena asked, clutching his hand.

"YES," he said emphatically.

"Alright, but may I suggest that you wear your broadsword? He's got a terrible temper, your cousin," she said seriously, though Henry only chuckled in response.

"You worry too much Princess," he said, squeezing her hand gently. "Now, I need to prepare for my journey north, if you don't mind."

Henry rounded his desk and sat down in his heavy leather chair, implying that she should leave.

Elena was still not convinced that Henry grasped the seriousness of the Caspian situation, however she decided to wait for their little meeting before bringing it up again. She wiped away her tears and walked around the study, looking at the many volumes of golden embossed books lining the walls. Elena remembered the last time she was in this room, naked and terrified as Henry first discovered her royal lineage. Such a difference a few weeks make, she pondered, as she walked quietly around the room. Elena felt calmer now, as she studied the numerous volumes, something about the smell of the old tomes brought forth a sense of calmness.

Henry was obviously a learned man despite his occasional rough mannerisms, Elena thought, judging by the titles and quantity of the books. That notion warmed her a little, dispelling some of the cobwebs of doubt about his character that had been on her mind ever since he had asked for her hand in marriage.

Elena rounded the desk, standing to Henry's right watching him pour over an ancient looking document. "You remember that you agreed to grant me access to such things?" she said, placing her hands on her hips.

Henry turned his chair to her, and pulled her across his lap, chuckling as she yelped in surprise. His hand snaked it's way under her dress, Elena's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist through the fabric just as his fingers tickled her feminine folds.

"I remember," he whispered, as his fingers continued to graze her hidden lips. "I distinctly remember the agreement being that I grant you access to things only AFTER you become my queen, Princess," he said, as Elena unsuccessfully tried to pull his wrist away.

"Now," he continued, "If you agree to withdraw that clause, then in extension you also agree to the withdraw the third one- allowing me access... to you," he said, before pressing his warm lips to her long neck.

Elena squirmed against Henry and gasped. "Please Henry, no- not now! Forget I asked!" she said breathlessly, pushing herself off Henry's lap.

Henry groaned audibly as she got off him. He loved the way she said his name, especially when she was all flustered and breathless.

"I'll let you get back to your preparations," Elena mumbled, her face pink with embarrassment as she straightened her dress before exiting the room quickly without turning back. She didn't need to look behind her - she felt Henry's lustful eyes following her backside all the way out of the room.

***

Henry was sitting at his desk, his chin resting on his two index fingers, his hands clasped together as he gazed steadily into the fire. A knock on the door broke his concentration. "Yes?" Henry answered.

The young boy, Ethan, entered the room timidly. "Good evening Prince Henry- Sorry my Lord!" he squeaked, "I meant King, King Henry! Lord Caspian is here at your request, sir."

Henry tore his gaze from the dancing flames and nodded. Ethan bowed and showed Caspian into the room before closing the large doors behind him

"You called?" Caspian asked in a low voice, with just the slightest discernable bow of the head.

"Yes Cousin," Henry said, gesturing that Caspian sit opposite him, in one of the hard wooden chairs opposite his large desk.

"How may I be of service to you this evening?" he asked somewhat stiffly. Henry noted his strained tone, confirming his previous suspicions that Caspian was still struggling with the idea of Henry as his king.

"I wish to speak to you about something of great importance cousin," Henry said slowly, twisting his large golden ring, which gleamed on his long finger in the flickering light of the flames.

"Yes?" queried Caspian, eyeing Henry's royal medallion that was pinned to his chest.

"Princess Elena, as I'm sure you've heard, has consented to my proposal of marriage," he said with a small smile, watching Caspian's jaw muscles clench in response.

"Yes, I heard," he said curtly.

"Good. Now, she tells me that you and her had a rather heated - er, discussion, last week," he said, fixing Caspian with an unblinking stare.

Caspian didn't respond, but stared back unblinkingly at Henry.

"The princess," he continued, fighting to keep his anger at bay, "said that you treated her in a way unbecoming of your title or her own," he said, watching Caspian's fists clench on the arms of the chair.

Henry pressed on, as Caspian gave no sign of interrupting. "Explain yourself, Lord Caspian!" Henry ordered, his anger rising steadily at his cousin's lack of response.

Caspian looked back at his cousin for a moment, before shifting slightly in his chair. "That was a misunderstanding," he answered slowly.