The Viridian Princess

Jace and Ellie walked for a little longer, before Ellie glanced at him.

“Are you prepared to deal with Princess Rachel?” Ellie inquired.

“No.” Jace said truthfully, “She’s apparently meant to be my wife, and I have no idea how to speak to royalty either, I don’t want to offend her or anything.”

“Well, that’s simple enough. The tradition here in Amaranthine is to call royalty by ‘Your Majesty’, but being a powerful lord and a heir to the throne, you shouldn’t be quite so submissive. After all, from a certain viewpoint you are the prince of Amaranthine.” Ellie said.

“Oh, I meant to ask about that. What happened to Sam? And how is it I’m next in line and not Skylar?” Jace asked.

“Amaranthine cannot pass to a female child of the king. It has never been the Queen who holds power, only the King. To change that tradition now would undo too much. Not even Sadie Kaster ever held the throne of Amaranthine, despite cries for her to do just that. And as for Prince Samuel, no one is quite sure what happened to him. There was a lot of screaming and shouting at the Spire Gap that day, and the general consensus is that he fell off the bridge or jumped off the bridge, but either way, no one has ever seen him since or found proof of his death at the bottom of the Gap.” Ellie explained.

“What’s the Spire Gap?” Jace asked.

“It’s a huge ravine that defends one side of the Amaranthine Palace, and there is only a single crossing into the palace.” Ellie answered, “And then as for why you are the heir to the throne, House Holland has always been a very powerful house, and you are the Lord Vassalship, yet another reason that if King Jonathan was to topple over now, you would be crowned King of Amaranthine.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility for me.” Jace sighed.

“It’s a lot for anyone.” Ellie said, and touched Jace’s arm, “Yet, I believe that you have the important traits that you would need to do the job. Kindness, fairness, thoughtfulness. That is what makes a king, Jace.”

Jace looked at Ellie, touched.

“Thanks, Ellie.” he smiled, “I’m really glad that you’re my bodyguard or whatever the technical term is here.”

“Sworn shield maiden.” Ellie said amusedly, and she nodded, “And I’m glad to be here too.”

Jace and Ellie made a turn, and Jace could suddenly see Holland Castle looming up at them.

“We draw close to home. Are you still worried about your meeting with Princess Rachel?” Ellie asked softly.

“Uh, yeah.” Jace nodded.

“The two of you are of comparable status, though yours might even be a bit greater considering you are the direct heir to a throne.” Ellie said, “Just treat her with kindness and respect and you should do fine. Don’t try to get rid of the honorifics in this first meeting, let her call you Lord Jace Holland, or perhaps High Lord, as some Viridians refer to the Lord Vassalship in that way. Ensure you call her Princess Rachel. And try to make a good first impression. She’s never met the old you, so there’s no reason for you to pretend around her.”

Jace blew out a breath. The whole never meeting your future wife thing sounded strange, but he figured that was a common enough practice in medieval times.

Jace and Ellie crossed the drawbridge and entered Holland Castle, where a gorgeous woman in her late thirties or early forties was waiting for him. She wore a tight red dress that bared a mouthwatering amount of cleavage, and hugged her every sensational curve. Her blond hair flowed down her shoulders in elegant waves, and a heavy silver ring sat on her finger, with a purple gemstone set in it.

“There you are, my son.” Danielle Holland gasped in relief, and she moved forwards swiftly to embrace Jace, and Jace’s arms slipped around his mom’s waist, hugging her tightly.

“Where have you been? Princess Rachel’s delegation arrived nearly an hour ago.” Danielle fretted.

“We went for a walk, my Lady.” Ellie bowed, “My Lord was adamant about some time out of the castle so I accompanied him on a walk of the Upper City.”

“Thank you, shield maiden, for having the good sense to guard my son from himself.” Danielle said wryly to Ellie, who bowed deeply.

Danielle tenderly cupped Jace’s cheek, and with the love swirling in her blue-green eyes, Jace found himself worried that medieval him had been sleeping with his mother too.

“I know that marrying cannot be easy for you, not when you have so many cherished women. My daughter amongst them.” Danielle said the last part in a lowered tone, but Jace nodded.

“I am a bit worried about the whole thing.” Jace confessed, “But I can’t run from it forever.”

Danielle smiled and kissed his cheek, far too close to his lips for comfort though.

“No matter which woman you wed or bed, I will forever remain your Lady Holland, my son.” Danielle murmured, and her fingers stroked lightly along his jaw, “Come. I will escort you personally to Princess Rachel.”

“Could I have just a moment with Ellie first? I need to ask her a private question.” Jace said. Danielle laughed musically, and she nodded.

“Of course, just please try to keep it concise.” she said, and Jace moved hastily backwards to grab Ellie by the arm and tug her out of Danielle’s earshot.

“You don’t have to manhandle me, Jace. I do what you tell me.” Ellie looked up at him with her pretty eyes and a wry, almost flirty grin on her face.

“Was the other me fucking his mom, too?” Jace hissed.

“Oh! That I do not know, I’m afraid. Your mother is much more private and reserved than your younger sister, and I have never stepped foot in either one of your bedrooms whilst they are occupied, I guard only your door.” Ellie said.

“Burning hell.” Jace swore, and Ellie giggled.

“I just don’t know if I should be acting shocked by her or not.” Jace muttered.

“I’d settle with shocked, and if she is surprised, use the excuse of your impending marriage.” Ellie suggested.

“That’s brilliant. Thank you, Ellie.” Jace said, and rejoined Danielle, offering her his arm. She took it, and moved it directly into the valley between her very large breasts, her hand slipping into his as they went.

Jace was surprised by that, but despite how wrong and twisted it was, he couldn’t deny that having her melons wrapped around his arm felt heavenly.

Jace and Danielle, with Ellie trailing several feet behind, approached two heavy oak doors inlaid with silver swirling designs, which Danielle gestured for Jace to knock on with his free hand. He did so, and then took a step back so he was not hit when the door swung open.

The door did crack open after a few moments, and a pretty girl with dark skin emerged. She had long straight dark brown hair, brown eyes, and some lovely medium sized breasts, maybe equivalent to a C cup back home. She wore a plain dress, and bowed deeply when she saw Jace and Danielle.

“High Lord and High Lady. I am Kailyn, handmaiden to Princess Rachel. Am I to presume you are here to see her?” the girl asked. Maybe girl was the wrong word, she did look to be about 25 or so.

“Yes, we are.” Jace nodded. Kailyn bowed again.

“I will see if she is ready to receive you.” Kailyn said, and though her eyes flicked to Jace’s arm held between Danielle’s bosom, she didn’t comment or look judgmental.

Kailyn returned moments later and greeted them with yet another bow, which irritated Jace to no end.

“The Princess Rachel is ready for guests.” Kailyn said, and opened the door for them, “She does request that your shield maiden waits outside, though, High Lord.”

Jace glanced back at Ellie, who gave him a minute nod.

“That’s fine. Would Princess Rachel permit my shield maiden to station herself at the door?” Jace asked, trying for fancy words.

“Of course.” Kailyn inclined her head.

Ellie took a post at the door, and Jace and Danielle followed Kailyn inside to a living room area, where a gorgeous woman was sitting in an armchair. She wore a green dress and a slim golden crown that sparkled with emeralds. She was 25 or so, like Kailyn, and had long, wavy blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. Her green dress had a U-shaped neckline which teased cleavage created by her large and heavy looking breasts, maybe like a D cup or something back home.

“High Lord Jace, High Lady Danielle.” Princess Rachel of Viridian smiled though there was not much real warmth in it.

“Princess Rachel.” Danielle removed Jace’s arm from between her tits and performed an elegant curtsy. Jace gave the princess a polite bow, trying not to look too deferential, as Ellie had suggested.

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you.” Jace said, yet again trying to emulate medieval speak, “You are even more beautiful than the stories suggest.”

Rachel’s lips curved into a wry smile.

“Thank you, High Lord.” Rachel murmured, and she gestured for Jace and Danielle to sit on a couch-like thing. Jace did, and was surprised when his mother sat down so close to him that if she had been any closer, she’d be considered to be sitting in his lap.

Rachel took that in with watchful eyes and a faint nod.

“This castle is very nice, and I appreciate how warm and pleasant the weather is here. Viridian has some parts of it that are downright miserable.” Rachel said idly.

“Yes, Amaranthine does have lovely weather this time of year.” Danielle replied.

“How was the journey here?” Jace asked after a beat of silence.

“Oh, it was fine. A little boring, but there were no issues.” Rachel said.

Jace blew out a breath. Well, this was fucking awkward, or, uh, this was burning awkward. Was that how one used ‘burning’?

“I was quite pleased with all of the plants in this kingdom. Viridian doesn’t tend to have too much plant life, especially not in Winterhollow.” Rachel said.

“Oh, yes, Holland Castle has extensive gardens. Perhaps my son can take you on a tour of them some day soon.” Danielle suggested.

“I would enjoy that.” Rachel said rather flatly.

The trio fell into silence for several moments, until Rachel cleared her throat.

“High Lady Danielle, may I ask for some time alone with my betrothed?” Rachel asked politely.

“Oh! Yes, of course.” Danielle exclaimed, and she rose to her feet, curtsied to Rachel again, and left swiftly.

Once the door closed behind her, Rachel changed from an idle, seemingly careless girl into a sharp, focused woman who Jace could definitely see as being a princess.

“Would you be bothered if we were to drop honorifics between us?” Rachel asked.

“Oh, not at all. I hate everyone always trying to put a fancy title in front of my name. Why can’t I just ever be Jace?” Jace nodded. Rachel looked surprised at that reaction, but she smiled, the most genuine smile he’d seen from her.

“It’s nice to know the stories of you having an ego the size of the moon are exaggerated.” Rachel said, rising to her feet. She moved over to the window, and Jace looked at her curiously as she peered out of it.

“Do you know, all of my life, I have wanted to be Queen, yet at every opportunity, I have been told that only my brother may sit upon the throne, and he has gone from it. I am my father’s last remaining heir, and I am denied my title. The only way, it seems, I can become Queen, is to marry you, and become Queen of Amaranthine.” Rachel said firmly, “I am not against marrying you. You are certainly handsome, and I expect you will be an excellent lover, if half the stories I’ve heard about you are true. I do not expect you to stay faithful to me. I have no need of your love or your loyalty, just your crown and your heirs. I want to be your queen, Jace, and I don’t care what I have to do to get it.”

“You just want the crown then? You have no interest in trying to make it work?” Jace tilted his head.

“If I grow to love you, Jace, then I grow to love you. But my only designs are to become your queen and bear your children. So long as nothing you do inhibits my goal, I don’t expect I will have any issues with you. Viridian and Amaranthine need this alliance, so I care even more about this marriage now than I would have without it, and I hope you also care about the importance of this marriage. You may continue to have every freedom you wish, I am not the kind of woman to become a ball and chain. I do not even care if you continue to wick your mother and your sister.” Rachel said. Jace coughed and spluttered.

“How did you…” Jace trailed off.

“There are countless rumors about you and the Lady Dana, and I saw how you and your mother acted right here in this room. It’s not exactly to my taste, but I really just don’t care. Do as you please, so long as I am crowned Queen of Amaranthine.” Rachel said.

Jace frowned, having expected more warmth than this cold, almost businesslike proposal. He didn’t know why, this was a betrothal created to make an alliance between the two kingdoms, after all.

Rachel walked towards him, and he was shocked when she hiked up her green dress and sat in his lap.

“I am not a cold woman, Jace.” Rachel said, and true, warmth was emanating from her, or was that heat of lust?

“I am not going to be lifeless and boring in bed, no no. I fully intend to enjoy myself with you, and from what I’ve heard, I’m sure you will enjoy yourself with me as well. The reasons for this marriage may be political, but our relationship should not be. We are to be husband and wife, a team. I want us to have a close bond, a degree of closeness you have with no other woman. Like I said, I am not concerned by your faithfulness, but I expect you to wick me whenever I want it.” Rachel said hotly.

Jace looked up at his sexy, sexy bride to be, and he nodded.

“I won’t have any problems with that, I assure you.” Jace said, and she kissed him heatedly.

Kissing a woman he barely knew was bizarre, but Rachel was so sexy he didn’t even mind.

Jace kissed back, and he wrapped his arms tightly around his future queen.

“It’s plough.” Jace managed when they broke apart.

“What?” Rachel panted, her cheeks flushed from the frenzied kiss.

“We don’t use wick here, we use plough.” Jace said with his most charming grin. Rachel laughed.

“Oh, I may have more fun with this than I thought.” Rachel grinned.