Royal Prisoner

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

•E/C: Eye Color
•Y/N: Your Name

_________________________________
Your POV:
_________________________________

_________________________________

My lashes flutter gently against my skin as I release a moan of discomfort, my head pulsating like a heartbeat. I hiss at the pain and rub my tired eyes, the E/C optics burning for some reason. I have to squint to see as I look around, my vision slightly blurred, which thankfully, only lasted a few moments as the effects of sleep steadily wore off. I find myself not in the dormitories, like I was used to, but in my new room, which is quiet and calm. I can see the dark sky through the window, informing me that it is night. I heave a heavy sigh of relief as I lie back with a hand upon my head.

'It was only a nightmare. Thank goodness! I must've just fallen asleep,' I excuse, actually believing it until something cold and hard pressed against my face. I could feel my heart drop as I sit up again and turn on the nearest lamp to see. My breath caught in my throat the instant I laid eyes on that damn ring forcibly given to me by the King and cover my mouth, eyes watering as I shake my head in disbelief. "N- No... No it can't be real," I croak as I squeeze my eyes shut and grip my head. "They can't be dead. They just can't." My bottom lip quivers as my cheeks drown under the rivers of tears I shed. "I was supposed to save you. How could this happen?" I blamed myself, but not entirely. If it weren't for the damn king, I wouldn't even be in this mess.

'Why must he be so cruel? I thought I was doing so well.' My breathing turns ragged as I rip off the plush covers, feeling hot from my panic, and turn as red as fire upon seeing my attire. It is a nightgown, but not one I own, which certainly was not what I was wearing earlier.

It is a simple, but soft, cotton material draped in sheer fabric with long, white sleeves and a neck that shows off my collarbone. Regardless of its comfiness, I'd like to know who exactly it was that dressed me while I was unconscious. I shudder at the thought of it possibly being his majesty's doing, but I highly doubt he'd bother himself with such a task even after what he pulled. The man doesn't even dress himself. More than likely, it was a female servant who did the job, but he still could've insisted on being in the room for it, which made my stomach feel sick. Filled with fury, I plant my feet on the floor and march towards the door with heated cheeks.

'He is mistaken if he thinks I'm just going to sit by and accept this. I have to get out of this place before anything else happens.' I firmly twist the knob and become more frantic with it when I find it's stuck. Locked. I shout in frustration and grip it with both hands to jiggle it harder and more desperately than before until my hands tremble at the realization that I cannot get out the easy way.

"Damn it all!" I scream, slamming my fist at the door in anger while sobbing heavily before pressing my head against the wood. "This isn't fair. I didn't do anything wrong." I whimper as I slide down the floor, hyperventilating. I quickly shake my head to snap out of it, anger returning tenfold.

'No, I can't break down now! I need to find a way out!' Determined, I get to my feet and walk over to the nearest window while wiping my cheeks. I felt my heart sink to my stomach upon seeing the large drop I would have to take even if I could open one of the windows, which appears impossible with their design. The side of the castle here appears to be flat too, so there'd be nothing to hold onto. It was a one way ticket to death if I took this route, and though I am not pleased with the idea, it was tempting with my current state of mind.

Again, I shake my head. It'll be better to seek a safer option that would not take my life, but if I see no other way, this may be how I end it. It is a plan, at least. I recall being handed the key to my room when I was shown it and gasp at the realization. Surely, it must be in here somewhere! Oh, how I prayed for such a careless misstep in the King's plan to imprison me in my own room, but alas, I tore that place apart top to bottom in my frenzy, ripping off bedding and sifting through every piece of clothing in the armoire, checking every fold of fabric I could find, every nook and cranny in that room. There was no key to be found.

I begin crying again, feeling absolutely helpless and so overwhelmed by stress and emotions, both hate and sadness. I draw in a deep, unsteady breath as I sit upon the barren bed and gaze up at the ceiling. I repeat this several times, deciding to take it easy before I burst. I am in no right state of mind to conjure up a proper escape plan. I need to calm down first. I look around at the mess I made and sigh as I get up to put the covers back on the bed.

'Perhaps I should try a bath? The hot water should settle my nerves, or at least, ease this tension.' I groan and rub the back of my neck, which began to ache as a result of my headache. Happy with the idea, I hurry to put everything back as it was, though perhaps a bit more sloppily than before, and take the nightgown I've grown accustomed to — along with some fresh undergarments — with me into the attached bathroom. I pause to admire its beautiful design, but it isn't so grand when compared to the King's. It's nicer than any place I have bathed, and certainly better than the rusty shower head I had to use in the dorms. White vases are placed just about everywhere, filled with white and pale pink roses accented by baby's breath, filling the room with a lovely fragrance that distracted me for just a moment.

I set my clothes on the sandy, sink countertop and stop to glare at the elaborate ring on my finger. I grit my teeth and tug on it roughly, only to regret it when it just pulls on my finger.

'Of course it's stuck! What next?' I throw back my head with a groan of frustration while slamming my hands on the counter. I, then, lean forward, shoulders trembling as I take in a shaky breath and cover my eyes in the crease of my elbow. When I bring it down, I'm met with my reflection, instantly repulsed by what looks back. E/C, bloodshot eyes glazed with tears and lined with dark circles to go with my sickly face.

I look away immediately, wiping my eyes ferociously while walking to the tub and filling it with hot water. As I wait, I check the cabinets for soap and am surprised by the wide variety presented to me. I was used to bars of soap, not these fancy, glass bottles of shampoos, conditioners, body scrubs and oils. I was almost overwhelmed looking through them to find the most calming scents, ending up with herbal shampoo and conditioner and a bar of lavender-mint soap full of actual lavender petals. In my search, I found more than just that, though.

One thing to catch my eye is a bag of fresh, flower petals the same color as the lotus on my finger. Though I was not pleased to be reminded of the engagement ring, they do smell nice, so I scent the water with them. With the bath ready, I strip and go into the tub, releasing a sigh that caused tension to flee with it as I sink into the hot water. I rest the back of my head against the rim and shut my eyes, thinking.

'There must be some way out of this.' I lift my hand to glare at the ring in pure hate and attempt twisting it off again— more gently this time.

'He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he's king. That shouldn't give him the right to treat me this way. It isn't right.' My breath hitches and my eyes water as I whimper at the pain in my finger. It's no use; the ring's too small. I splash the water by dropping my hand back in.

'He took everything from me. How can he ask me to marry him after that? I don't care what riches it'll bring, nothing is worth being married to that... that devil!' I sob while bringing my knees to my chest.

'Who am I kidding? Even if I do somehow manage to escape, he'll just send a search party after me and it'll all go to Hell! I need some kind of plan, something foolproof.' I take a deep breath before dunking my head underwater, and when I surface, I reach for the shampoo to lather it into my hair.

'Perhaps I can find a place to hide out of his reach? If I can make it to the next country over, that might do the trick.' Now, that's definitely a difficult task, especially since the palace in placed in the center of the kingdom. It'll be a long journey, and I can just imagine his majesty placing a bounty on my head, which would make the trip treacherous. I rinse out my hair before massaging in the conditioner.

'I do have friends around the kingdom. I might be able to hide out if things start to get rough.' I immediately shake the thought from my head.

'Absolutely not! I am not risking getting them killed. If any of them were to be found harboring me, he'd...' I gulp and bring a hand to my throat. "Damnit, why must running away be so hard?" I wash out the soap before using the lavender-mint bar to rub it over my body. When I'm done, I get out and wrap myself in one of the fluffy, white towels that were in one of the cabinets.

I fish out the floating petals and toss them in the bin before draining the bath. Once I'm dried off, I dress and pick up the clothes on the floor to throw them in the hamper before running a brush through my hair and squeezing out the remaining water. Now finished, I collapse on the bed and entangle myself in the blankets, surrounding myself with a sense of safety and warmth... much like the hugs Alton had given to me. I gasp and shut my eyes, whimpering and whining as I bury my face in a pillow. It's soaked within seconds because of my tears and damp hair. I jump, hearing a small click and look over towards the door in fear. I grip the covers tightly, my body stiff as I wait for the person to enter.

'Please, not him. Please, don't let it be him!' I beg, too afraid to face the King, as the door slowly creaks open. Relief washes over me when a giant, white head pokes in before a massive mane and lithe body follows. "Weston?"

I sit up, confused, as the beast walks over. I give him a watery smile and pat the bed for him to join me. "Come, Weston. Come on," I call, and the lion jumps up before lying at my feet. I hear the bed creak under his weight, but don't worry about it because I'm too distracted by him turning onto his side, exposing his belly. "Are you sure you're a lion?"

I ask him while petting the side of his face, causing him to raise his lip a little before scratching under his chin, which he seems to enjoy. I sniffle, smiling a bit bigger because of the giant feline. I wasn't going to question why he was brought here; I'm just glad I'm not alone. My eyelids grow heavy as I lie down beside the beast, the hand I was using to scratch behind his ear slowing as I fall asleep.

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Weston."

________________________________
King Noah's POV:
________________________________

I send a light nod to the guards watching over my fiancée's door as a silent order for them to step aside. The two bow their heads and part, allowing Weston and I to come forward. The animal yawns before brushing against me as I take out a key and place it in the lock.

"Weston," I call lowly, looking down at the beast. "If you eat her, I'll skin you," I threaten, regardless of whether or not he would comprehend the words. I've learned he listens to particular depths of my voice more than commands, and I'm sure he caught the threatening tone, since he lowers his head. I take that as a mark of obedience and slowly open the door wide enough to let him in. He slips past, and I close it just enough for me to still peek in and spy on the woman inside. She sits up in bed, a look of confusion on her tearstained face, as the lion saunters over. I'm glad to see she's awake now. She has been out for quite some time. A smile graces my lips as I watch her usher him onto the bed to pet his face and scratch his chin, emitting a wistful sigh as I daydream of her giving me such affection.

'Such lovely hands,' I recall while rubbing my right cheek, which heats at that thought of her fingers being laced in my hair, tracing my skin and cupping my face. I could practically feel her hands upon me, touching me with care, like she would in the mornings to wake me. Oh, how I've begun to crave that feeling ever since coming to terms with my feelings. Her affections remind me so much of mother's comfort, which I have so dearly missed. I thought I'd never experience that again.

Nearly, I was tempted to barge in there and join the maid but refrain. It's too soon for that. She's still comprehending the day's events, so it'll be best to wait at least a bit before pursuing my desires. I smile upon recalling that delightful reaction I dug out of her. That fire in her eyes was exhilarating to see, and to be the one able to snuff it out filled me with so much power, but I've had enough shouting for one day. I still have a headache from her screaming. I will allow her rest with Weston for tonight, but when the morning comes, she'll be all mine. Satisfied with my viewing, I shut and lock the door before making a motion with my hand that signals the men at Y/N's door to block it. Once they're back in position, I go to my room and tuck the key away into my breast pocket.

Tonight, I have a feeling my dreams will be sweet for once.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net