He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was about to say. The princess watched him intently, her eyes filled with a mischievous glimmer.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Your Highness," he said, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of amusement. "While I appreciate your beauty, I am simply not interested in women."
The princess raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh, Marcus, you do know how to flatter a lady," she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "But I can sense the heat in your gaze, the way your eyes linger on me."
He chuckled softly, keeping his gaze fixed on the table. "You have a keen sense, Your Highness," he replied, a hint of mischief in his voice. "But I assure you, my gaze is not one of romantic interest. It's merely an appreciation of your grace and elegance."
The princess leaned forward, her hand slowly tracing a delicate pattern on the table. "Hmm, Marcus, you can't fool me that easily," she countered, her voice low and seductive. "I've seen the way you steal glances when you think no one is looking. Your eyes betray you."
He sighed, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Your Highness, I must insist that you're mistaken," he protested, trying to maintain his composure. "I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowledge and the service of the kingdom. Romance and affairs of the heart are simply not on my agenda."
The princess chuckled, her laughter like music in the air. "Oh, Marcus, you may be a man of intellect and duty, but even the most dedicated minds can't resist the call of desire," she teased, leaning back in her chair. "Perhaps one day, you'll find yourself intrigued by a woman who captures your heart."
He met her gaze, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and defiance. "Perhaps, Your Highness," he conceded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But for now, I am content with the company of books and the pursuit of knowledge. Love can wait."
The princess laughed softly, her voice filled with a hint of admiration. "Very well, Marcus," she said, her tone gentle. "But remember, love has a way of finding us when we least expect it. Until then, I shall continue to enjoy teasing you, just to keep you on your toes."
He chuckled, a warmth spreading through his chest. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Your Highness," he replied, his eyes meeting hers with a playful glint. "Consider me forever on guard."
Then both of them paused for a moment, seemingly thinking about the future they will have in a few days' time.
"You sure about it?" Marcus broke the silence. "If anyone finds out we will be hanged on the gallows." His tone had a hint of seriousness, but still kept the same playful smile.
"It's not like we'll have kids, and besides, we're not doing anything that will harm anyone. This, indeed, is for the future of our kingdom." She replied. "Father can't rule anymore. He might have been an eccentric ruler in his prime but you know how much he has degraded himself. He acts on impulses and emotions, plotting against other kingdoms when he even doesn't have a foolproof plan."
"On that, I can agree. But..." His voice trailed off as his eyes gazed at the woman beside him. Her red hair was dishevelled with torn clothing not because she was degrading herself but an act to save her kingdom. Even though he couldn't ask he still wanted to know. "What is power to you?"
She took a moment to contemplate his question, her gaze turning inward as she searched for the words to convey her thoughts. "Power, to me, is not about dominance or control," she began, her voice steady and resolute. "It is about the ability to protect and guide, to shape the destiny of our people for the better. It is the responsibility to make tough decisions and sacrifices, even if it means risking everything for the greater good."
Her words resonated within him, stirring a sense of purpose and understanding. "So, our actions, as perilous as they may be, are driven by the desire to bring stability and prosperity back to our kingdom."
"Yes."
"Then, if you were only ever desired of the stability of the kingdom why didn't you give your brother a chance to rule?" he asked knowing very well he could be beheaded any time but he pressed on. He wanted to hear the truth. "You disregarded him along with the King and Queen. You always said after the king it will be you who rules. And why is that, princess? Isn't he the legitimate heir to the throne? He's bright and talented, isn't he?"
The princess's gaze flickered with a mixture of emotions—surprise, guilt, and a touch of defensiveness. She knew this question would arise sooner or later, and now she had to confront the truth.
"You speak the truth, Marcus," she admitted, her voice laced with regret. "My brother is the legitimate heir to the throne, and he possesses the intelligence and capability to rule. But..." She hesitated, struggling to find the right words.
"But what?" Marcus pressed, his eyes fixed on her, waiting for an explanation.
She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "It's complicated," she began slowly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "While my brother is undoubtedly qualified, he lacks the strength of character and the resilience required to lead in these turbulent times. He is easily swayed by others and lacks the decisive nature needed to make tough decisions. I believed that I could guide and support him from behind the scenes, but circumstances have forced me to take a more direct role."
Marcus furrowed his brow, trying to comprehend her reasoning. "So, you chose to take on the responsibility of ruling to ensure stability, even if it meant disregarding the rightful heir?" he asked, his tone careful.
"Yes," she replied, her voice filled with a mix of determination and sorrow. "I made a difficult choice, one that weighs heavily on my conscience. I knew it would cause discord within our family and raise questions of legitimacy, but I believed it was necessary for the sake of our kingdom's future."
Marcus understood the realm always comes second for the princess and the power always remains the truth for her.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶