The prince's whim causes a change in the status of two plebs. Lord and Lady...

Prince Gellian, despite the surprised looks of his noble advisers, went with a detachment of elite bodyguards to the local prison.

He ordered the release of these two plebs from punishment.

Moreover...

The prince, as if enjoying his power and the unpredictability of his will, simply shocked his courtiers when he announced his verdict regarding the further fate of these two plebs.

This event was forever imprinted in the memory of all present...

The prince stood majestically before two kneeling plebs, who had recently been doomed to a sad fate...

Prince Gellian's eyes narrowed as he studied the two figures kneeling before him, a cruel smile playing across his lips. Mara, her head bowed, trembling slightly, hands clutched tightly in her lap. And Thomas, the young man who had proven his worth through loyal service, though perhaps too ambitious, too greedy.

"By the power inherent in me as Prince regent," Prince Gellian declared with a flourish of his hand, "I hereby declare Thomas the potter son, is now the Thomas the baron of Ravenswood. And furthermore Mara the maids daughter, is to be wed on this very day to Thomas. May your union be blessed and long-lasting, for it pleases me."

Thomas rose, placing a possessive hand on Mara's shoulder as he bowed deeply before the Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness. Your generosity knows no bounds, milord..."

Prince Gellian's gaze flicked to Mara's midsection, wondering if his seed had taken root there.

The probability that she will give birth to a bastard is not so small...

She already served the lust of Gellian last night - and perhaps in the future this beautiful girl will again become an obedient "toy" in the prince's bed.

But now, she was to be the baron's bride.

As if summoned, a maidservant entered, curtsying deeply, eyes downcast. "Your Highness, my Lords, I bring a light repast to fortify you on this happy occasion."

Gellian waved a hand. "Set it over there. Now leave us." His eyes followed Mara as she rose, the fabric of her gauzy dress clinging to her curves. She moved with a new sway, he was sure of it... she carried a babe, though he did not yet know whose.

Thomas guided her towards the tent flap, eager to claim his new bride. Mara went willingly, but her mind was a turmoil. She had served the prince's lusts for years and now he had discarded her so easily.

As the door closed behind them in their new quarters, Thomas pulled her close, his hands roaming her body roughly. "Wife," he growled against her skin as he tore at her clothes, "I'll make you forget any other man's touch."

But Mara could only think of the Prince, her body betraying her as Thomas took her hard against the wall. Her cries echoed into the night as he spilled his seed deep inside her, marking her as his. And although she had always loved Thomas, the wicked threesome she had with Thomas and the Prince would bare fruit within a years time. Would it be the offspring of a potter's son… or would she give birth to a more noble scion? The prince's bastard?