Caught Between Two Princes

Families had come in all their grandeur and splendour. They offered the royal family gifts and flattered them to the best of their ability. They would then go back and find other friends and acquaintances to pay similar respects to. A good many of them looked ready to leave by the end of the first half hour. But stay they did, as stay they must.

How far removed the Arden and Condor family trees were from each other was debatable. Lengthy discussions about the matter could span hours.

Sometime after the coronation, Duke Arden attempted to dethrone King Henry. The house of Condor's claim to the throne was called into question. This did not take, but the two men had been at each other's throats ever since. Until at last, they came up with a compromise.

King Henry dismissed all others as the House of Arden approached the royal table. This greeting would take a good deal of time.

"My Lord," was all Duke Arden offered.

King Henry smiled.

"How are you, dear cousin?"

"I am not here to make small talk, Henry. I'm here, at your request, to settle the matter," said Duke Arden.

Duke Arden was short with King Henry, which brought the latter more displeasure than he liked.

But it was seen for only a moment. A small change in the face only evident to those paying attention. Queen Mary hadn't been or at least pretended she hadn't been, as she expressed displeasure of her own.

"How untoward. Is this to be how you would form such an alliance? We have not even had the opportunity to say hello," said Queen Mary.

With these words, Queen Mary gave a meaningful look to Zoey, whose knees promptly buckled.

Zoey was not a woman easily unnerved, but something was afoot here and she felt she had something to do with it. And although she knew not what, she could not stop the bad feeling from settling in the pit of her stomach. She might have fainted under the queen’s scrutiny, had it not been for her brother's hand on her arm. He gave her a tight squeeze. Her eyes darted to his face, and she glared.

With an eyebrow raised, Bart said, "Your Majesty, allow me to introduce Lady Zoey from the House of Arden."

Queen Mary looked Zoey over as King Henry and Duke Arden continued a silent conversation. The men were locked in a competitive glare as though to stare each other to death.

"I suppose she must do, being that you have no legitimate daughter, born and bred as noble," Queen Mary said, after observing Zoey for several moments.

At this, Duchess Arden started. It was in her nature to see red, but Queen Mary had offended the duchess enough that she might be ash any moment. How dare Mary insult the House of Arden? How dare she mock her for not knowing of the existence of George's love child? Mary, who had herself—

"Then it is done," said King Henry, interrupting Duchess Arden's thoughts.

"Not quite. What about your side? She is my only daughter. I should hope you would pay me the courtesy of presenting to me the man whom you would have me wed her to. Preferably prior to such an engagement," said Duke Arden.

The duke said this equally, without emotion. It was perhaps for this reason that it took Zoey a moment to understand. And when her brain did once again function, she spat out the word engagement like every syllable was a hot coal.

Not too far away, lurking in the shadows, Prince Aaron beheld Zoey. The shadows were not a place he was accustomed to, but this morning it suited his purposes. He watched her go from excited, to hushed, then pale. This amused him. The whole thing did really. He, married to this commoner, who could barely keep herself upright before Queen Mary? His father truly must be in fear for his throne, perhaps even for his life.

"Insolent child!" Duchess Arden exclaimed.

"Forgive my sister, Your Majesty. She is not accustomed to noble society," said Bart.

Bart's apology was swift and elegant, as though practised.

"It's true, Lady Zoey only came to us yesterday," Duke Arden added.

Zoey's head spun. Did this man who deemed it appropriate to call himself her father, just apologise for her?

But wait, that wasn't what was important. They had said engagement, had they not? Should she ask? Who was it that had said the words?

King Henry gave a nervous chuckle and said, "Think nothing of it."

"One might hardly expect anything less," Her Majesty quipped. "If nothing else, she is at least pretty and pretty is all she needs to be."

Wait, wait, wait! Stop! Everyone, slow down a bit. Why had she been brought here? Why were they speaking of her, but not to her? Why would the words they were saying, though crystal clear, not make any sense?