Days have passed since the King’s ultimatum, and I have yet to see my husband since. I have been told he is out of traveling, but no one is willing to divulge any other information. This time without the Prince will allow me to refocus, and prepare for his return. However, with him gone there leaves a lot of time in the day to do as I please. Thankfully the garden has been keeping me very busy to pass the time. I have learned a lot about Mira since we have been working so closely. For example; her favorite fruit is apples, she likes to dance, and she likes to sing in her spare time. She tells me that she is not much of a talent, but with such a sweet voice, I doubt that is true. I hope that I get to hear her sing one day.

Going stir crazy in my bed-chamber, I decided to explore the palace. It is large enough that I think I could spend an entire afternoon and not get to see every room. Closing the door behind me, I head west. Through the narrow halls, I walked, peaking in each unoccupied area as I went. My interest peeked when I came to a dark corner of the palace with a few rooms that all seemed to be locked. No one locks a room unless they have something to hide. Looking through one of the keyholes I narrow my vision, hoping for a glimpse of something exciting.

“What are you doing?” a low masculine voice startles me. I jump around to find Sir Esteve lurking behind me.

“How?- I didn’t even hear your armor thrashing…”

The dark Knight lets out a short flat laugh. “It is a new enchantment we are working on. It silences heavy armor. I am glad to see it works.”

My brows furrow at his newfound stealth. As if he wasn’t frightening enough already, now I won’t be able to hear him coming. “Would you like to go in?” he asks

“Oh no, I was just leaving.” Just before I leave, Sir Esteve takes a key from his pocket and opens the door.

“Come in. I know you want too.” I can’t lie, I do want to see inside. I am bored out of my mind. There is only so much gardening a girl can do in one day.

Holding the door, Sir Esteve invites me in. “After you Princess,” he says politely.

“Thank you.” The words felt sour in my mouth, but he was being nice… for now. I still don’t understand whose side he is on. I know he has the ability for kindness, but it is rare. He seems to only show that for good reason. Perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye?

To my astonishment, I walk into a room full of plants and flowers. Almost every inch of the wall was covered in greenery. Toward my left was a large shelf filled with jars of spices and minerals. On the middle shelf was a stone and crystal mortar for crushing and mixing herbs. Taking in a deep long breath, the room smelled incredible; like a cinnamon and cardamom dream.

“This is the Alchemy room.” The Knight says. Moving to the other side, Sir Esteve opens a cabinet filled with colorful vials.

“Ah, for your potions!” The Knight sighs at my joyful tone. I don’t think he likes the fact that I know this about him. I find it kind of humorous.

“Yes… that…” He replies, taking a red vial from the shelf he closes the doors. “What does that do?” I can’t help my curiosity, I know absolutely nothing about potions and clearly, Sir Esteve is somewhat of an expert.

“If your Highness permits, I would prefer not to say.” I raise my brow suspiciously, now I want to know what it is even more. “Why can’t you tell me, Sir Esteve?”

I can see the Knight clam up under his many iron layers. “I have taken an oath of secrecy, my Lady. I do not wish to break my promise.”

Now my mind is racing with curiosity. What on Earth could that potion be for? And more importantly, what does it do? But I do respect that Sir Esteve wishes to keep his word.

“Very well… On a different topic, have you heard anything from his Majesty, Prince Galleren?”

The dark Knight shakes his head. “I have yet to hear word from him, but I expect he should return any day now.”

Nerve well up in my throat. He will be back any day, and I don’t know what I am going to do! Clearing my throat of worry I ask, “Sir Esteve… is there a potion here that could… strengthen the bond between the Prince and I?”

“What do you mean?” he asks blankly.

I can feel my cheek run hot with embarrassment. How do I put this delicately… “What I am wondering… is if there is a potion that could mutually benefit us to become more comfortable and familiar with each other…”

Opening the cabinet back up he turns to me saying, “Princess Ariella, are you asking for a love potion?”

If I had a mirror, I am sure that I would see my entire face was as red as a ripe tomato. It sounds so ridiculously desperate to say out loud… but desperate is where I am. I have to make the Prince-like me enough to want to consummate our marriage.

“Why would you want a love potion, your Grace?” Sir Esteve inquires.

“Prince Galleren and I have yet to…” Heaven and Earth! I can’t say it out loud. I think I might die of embarrassment.

Filling in the silence, The Knight asks “You have yet to consummate your Marriage. I am well aware, but a love potion will do you no good.”

I am almost relieved that he knows. Now there is no need for me to go into detail. “Then what do you suggest? The King threatened a punishment worse than death if I can’t convince him to bed with me.”

Shuffling through the potions cabinet, Sir Esteve pulls out a small green vial and examines it. “The Prince wanting to lie with you is not the problem. He finds your beauty exquisite, and your heart honorable… he has told me so.”

I am shocked to hear Sir Esteve’s words. How can that be true? Although it must be true. Sir Esteve is many things, but a liar is not one of them.

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“If that is true… then why has he refused me? Why does he have relations with other women? Please Sir Esteve… help me to understand.”

Placing the green vial in my hand, Sir Esteve looks to me and says. “He has seen no other woman but you since the wedding day, that you can be certain. Prince Galleren, carries many burdens, he is guarded, and at times calculating. The more people he grows closer too, the more are at risk.”

“At risk for what?” Leaving the green potion in my hand, the Knight walks toward where we entered.

“It is best you hear it all from him. Have him drink a few drops of that, and he will feel compelled to tell you everything.”

Looking down at the small bottle, I examine the green drink closely. To the naked eye, this looks like just murky swamp water, but in reality, it is a truth serum.

Before I could thank the Knight for his help, I looked up and see that he is gone.

🜃

The Prince is to arrive today, and I am anxious to see him. I have so many questions I want answered. Sir Esteve asurres me that he has been with no other women but me, however the three ladies I met at the wedding feast tell me a different story. I don’t know who to believe at this point. My head is spinning with all the possible outcomes.

Every minute that passes waiting for the Prince to arrive, my stomach grows tighter with worry. So much is riding on our relationship. I cannot fail.

When a carriage comes into sight I straighten my back. With poise and elegance I walk down the palace steps to meet the carriage, and greet the Prince properly.

When the carriage comes to a halt I smile, hoping that he is happy to see me. As Prince Galleren steps out I see him wearing a maroon tunic, with loose brown pants. Seeing him in such everyday clothes was surprisingly alluring. I bite my lip to quench my womanly wiles.

“Prince Galleren, welcome home.” my soft mature voice soars with elegance. As his green eyes meet mine, I feel my heart thud as the memory of our last kiss comes to mind.

“It’s a pleasure to see you Princess. What brings you here?” his voice calm and well demenard.

“I was hoping your Highness would honor me with a meal. I am sure you are starved after your travels.” As the Prince takes one of his bags off the carriage he shows a small smile. Pushing the hair from his face he responds, “That would be lovely. Lead the way.”

As we walked to the meal I have set, I think of the vial that Sir Esteve gave me. I instructed Mira to pour the potion in his glass when she serves our wine. Hopefully then, I will get the truth once and for all.

The table was dressed just as I had hoped. Every meat, cheese, and fruit available was at our disposal. Mira followed my instructions to the tee. I smile widely as we pass my excellent handmaid, and take my seat.

“This looks spectacular.” The Prince boasts.

“I am happy it pleases you my Lord. may we start with a toast?” I motion to Mira to pour us each a goblet of wine. My inner mischief smiles widely knowing everything is going according to plan.

Once each of us have a glass in hand, I raise my goblet high. “To the Prince’s safe return” As we both drink I watch the Prince closely as he inhales his wine. At first glance it doesn’t seem like he has changed at all, but maybe that is not how the potion works.

“So Prince Galleren, where did you travel too?” I figured this would be a good starter question.

Taking a red grape from the table, the Prince pops it in his mouth. “I traveled north with some of my advisors in search of more fertile lands. There was not much to find.”

“Why did you go in search of that?” Of course I knew the answers to that, but I want to keep him talking.

“Well, our food supply has reached an all time low, and local traders are refusing business with us. I was hoping to discover good soil near the Kingdom so that we could grow our own crops…. I should have known it would have been a waste of time. But, speaking of terrible soil how is that garden coming? See any flowers yet?” Prince Galleren chuckles, mocking my attempt to garden on Xosta soil.

“It is coming along quite nicely actually. I expect to see growth in the next few weeks.” I swallow my ego down with more wine.

“If I may, your Grace. I wish to speak with you about another matter.” The Prince’s face gleamed with curiosity. “Yes?” he says.

Taking in a deep breath, followed by more wine, I summon all the courage I can muster. “The King has informed me that the alliance between Theora and Xosta is not completed until our marriage has been consummated.”

Prince Galleren’s face falls flat. He is not pleased. “Why do you not wish to lie with me?” The awkwardness of this topic fills the room like a thick fog. I am practically choking on the tension in the air.

Taking a bite of mutton, the Prince answers, “I told you before. I don’t sleep with the enemy.”

“Your Majesty I assure you, I am not your enemy. What have I done to make you think so ill of me?”

The Prince sighs in annoyance. “It is not you, but the fact that my Father arranged this… situation.” Before he continues he sends Mira out of the room giving us complete privacy. “My Father is a tyrant. Everything he stands for, every action he takes I despise with my entire being. The only thing my Father and I have in common is our blood. This ‘consummating the marriage’ business is just another way he gets to twist the knife. I personally don’t find any honor in forcing myself unto women, especially ones I have only just met.”

Hearing him say this feels like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. But there is one part of his story that still nags at me…

“What about the Lady Hawyse and her two sisters?” In the back of my mind I know that Sir Esteve told me he had been faithful, but I want to hear it from the horse's mouth. Without hearing the truth from him, I will always wonder.

“You mean my Father’s whores? Please don't mistake them as ladies, for they are far from it. They do as the King says blindly, anything out of their mouth are lies and deceit. Sir Esteve did inform me of their comments towards you. Most likely they were ordered by the King to say those things to make you uncomfortable. Rest assured, I have never been, and never will sleep with them. You have my word.”

Standing from his seat, the Prince walks to me and kneels at my side. Taking my hand he looks into my eyes with genuine intent. “Ariella… I desire no one else but you.”

“Truly? Is that how you feel?” I was shocked by the Prince’s confession. The potion Sir Esteve gave worked remarkably quickly. I have never seen his eyes more sincere.

“Ha! Please. Don’t be naive. I barely know you.I simply wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine… or should I say potion?” Prince Galleren smirked, his eyes glaring upon me.

My cheeks are hot with embarrassment. I sip some wine from my glass and contemplate my wrong doing. I was caught red handed. There is no use in denying it. “Was it that obvious?”

Taking his goblet, the Prince poured out the tampered liquid into one of the potted plants. “Your handmaid is not exactly trained in the art of stealth. I also regonzed the scent when I reached for my glass. Sir Esteve is not the only one well versed in potions you know.”

I guess it would have been too easy for this plan to work perfectly; but maybe I can still change the outcome to my favor.

“Your Highness, I apologize for my deception. I was feeling desperate, and acted foolishly. I only desire peace between us and our people. This was not how I wanted to start our companionship.”

The Prince's nostrils flared “No. You wanted to start with taking the truth out of me unwillingly. Perhaps extract some information to hold over me, but I digress. Let me speak plainly Princess. I don’t know why my father agreed to this marriage. He could give a damn about Theora and we both know that…" Taking in a deep breath, he grabs a green apple on the table examining it carefully.  "However, this alliance has presented us with an opportunity.”

“An opportunity for what? My Lord?”

A devilish smile creeped across Galleren’s face. “To dethrone my Father King Thybaut.”