Royal Entanglement

me painfully clear to him. There was no way out. He either had to reach a treaty with Lady Sophia, or marry her. If he did not give in, she would win in more ways than one.

”Of course, ” he said, his voice low, his mind occupied.

Lady Sophia smiled a little as Paul walked into her chamber, then gave a small bow.

”He is still scarce? ”

”Yes, my lady. It has been six days now, and each one, Charlotte waits for him, but he has never graced her presence. What are you going to do? ”

”I am getting impatient. How about a little bait to help me hasten his decision a little? ”

Pauls brows furrowed in a bit of confusion. ”What do you mean, my lady? ”

She smiled. ”I have a little…errand for you. ”

Prince Xander took out another arrow, his eyes flashing the reflections of the large torches that lit up the palace training grounds. He mostly practiced his archery to clear his mind, and today, starved of Charlotte and still no solution in sight, he needed harsh training.

What worsened things for him was that Charlotte was the one attending to him tonight, and he could not even bring himself to look her in the eye.

He took a deep breath and pulled the bow, then promptly released it. It swished sharply through the air, then hit bulls eye.

”Congratulations, Your Highness. ”

Prince Xander said nothing, as he drew yet another arrow.

”Pardon me, my lady. ”

Prince Xander turned, only to see a servant handing Charlotte a small folded paper. His brows furrowed as she smiled and took it, then promptly pushed it into her dress, as if waiting for the right time.

He took a deep breath, his emotions spiralling out of control.

”Leave me alone. I would like to stargaze alone. ”

”Yes, Your Highness, ” Everyone left the large training grounds, and Charlotte started to make her way out of it before she felt a hand clasp around her arm, causing her to immediately stop and turn back.

She turned with a small yelp to face Prince Xanders furious eyes.

”You are receiving letters, already? ”

”Your highness, I do not… ”

”Yet you smiled so happily and accepted it? ”

Charlotte blinked slowly, then straightened. ”What about you, Your Highness? You promised to see me. I can not remember the last time I saw you, or even got to perceive you. You have kept yourself so far away from me like I am a plague. Do you not care for how I feel? ”

Prince Xander bit down on his lips, before pulling her into his arms, wrapping them around her small frame. Her face buried in the folds of silk, and she got to perceive him again, his arms around her.

”I apologize, Charlotte. I am a horrible lover. ”

She shook her head but said nothing, simply choosing to enjoy the serenity that being alone with him availed to her.

But they were not completely alone, as Lady Sophia herself sat on a small broken fence that led straight to the palace kitchens, yet offered a clear view of the training grounds.

”You got what you wanted, my lady. ” Paul said, watching as Charlotte brought her small hands to wrap around Prince Xander too, and Lady Sophia smiled.

”Of course. We will be back by sunrise. ”