Esmee wasn't one to throw temper tantrums, shout, or do any other silly disobedient things that many girls resorted to when they didn't get their way. But she couldn't seem to control herself from standing up abruptly and backing away from her parents, yelling "No." once at them, louder than she had since she was toddler aged.

Both of her parents were taken aback by this, not expecting the reaction in any of the scenarios they played in their head when deciding when/how to tell her the news. Both of them had figured she might be a bit apprehensive about leaving home and taking on a role as large as queen, but would dutifully agree, as they had raised her to.

But her reaction was that of horrified, as if they had told her she'd be sent to her execution in a fortnight, not to her future husband. She could certainly do worse than the king, her mother thought bitterly, not at all amused by her daughter's sudden change in behavior during something so crucial.

Lady Catalina was even less impressed by the next words out of her daughter's mouth, "I refuse."

"I beg your pardon?" Her father replied, voice calm but cold. Esmee was reminded of snake briefly, slow and still before it lashes out to snatch its prey.

Esmee lifted her chin higher, sucking in a deep breath to give her the strength to continue and to still the tears that were beginning to form in the corners of her eyes, "I refuse to marry him."

"You refuse? You refuse to marry the king?" Lady Catalina replied, standing up herself, appalled and wondering what happened to the daughter she knew.

She was shocked by her daughter and suddenly quite annoyed as well. Most girls would jump for joy with this opportunity. She had not expected as much from her daughter, such a quiet girl that she was, she assumed she'd be frightened by the prospect. But never did she think her daughter would be standing there seemingly angry at the suggestion, as if marrying the king was beneath her.

Catalina could see her daughter shaking; her fists clenched, and noticed the tears at the corners of her eyes. She felt some of her annoyance slipping away then and felt a pang of pity for her youngest child, though only for a minute. This was what was best for Esmee and their family. She'd be made to see that one day.

Lord Ronen didn't have time for silly things like a second or two of pity or compassion. This alliance would give their family power in Thidon politics. Life had been very unstable with King Adan under rule, where no one knew what would be taken away from them next. Their land? Their money? Their freedom? Their lives? With his land bordering Esterdell and most of his trading with them, he had wanted to secede to the country that had a government he could trust.

The new King was offering him the stability he wanted desperately for his people in a way that would not cause war. Ronen had been greatly relieved by this and though he loved his children, if his daughter refused he would be more than willing to drag her to the alter himself to ensure they did not pay the consequences of her actions.

"You will marry his majesty, Esmee, make no doubt about that." He said severely, leaving no room for argument.

"Why?" she pleaded, her voice breaking despite herself, "Why would you force me to marry someone I never met?"

Ronen wouldn't let himself be swayed underneath his daughter's crushed face, though he did not like witnessing it, "You know why, Esmee. This is the only way for peace."

"You could just choose to stop your plans to secede and become part of Esterdell!" she shouted, furiously wiping the tears that marked her face openly now.

Ronen slapped his hands against his desk, startling her. She jumped and stepped back further from her parents, "It's not that simple, Esmee!" he shouted right back, "I can't simply trust the son of Adan after his father's reign. We need security with the royal family. You're that security!"

"So what?" Esmee answered bitterly, "I get sold off like a…whore for security?"

"That's enough!" Catalina stepped in between the large space that separated father and daughter, she turned her eyes onto Esmee, her normally reserved facade slipped away momentarily, "I will not have my daughter use such language."

Esmee raised her eyebrows, "You will not have me use the term whore, yet you sell me like one?"

"You are to become queen, Esmee." Catalina answered, slowly calming her voice down, though it was still firm, "You should be grateful for such a privilege."

"It's not a privilege I want!" Esmee yelled, though it lacked ferocity with the way her voice cracked and the way her eyes hooded in deep pain.

"That's too bad, because you do not have a choice in the matter." Ronen put in with chilling finality, "The king comes in a fortnight to take you to the castle. Feel free to throw all the tantrums you'd like over the matter until then. But once he arrives you will revert back to the obedient girl we know and will show him what a good wife you will be." He stepped around his desk, and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest, "You will do this to prevent a war and because I did not raise a selfish daughter."

Esmee's blue-green eyes met his across the room, attempting defiance. She held her stare for several heartbeats, not a sound was made in the small parlor as she stared down the fierce lord. Realizing she was defeated, she turned quickly on her heel and ran out of the room to her chambers.

She ran quickly through the hallways of the stone manor they lived in. Servant's hustled out of the way or flattened themselves against walls to stay out of her path. All were shocked by the typically quiet and sweet natured girl flying through the house in a fit.

Once she opened the heavy, dark, wood door to her chambers she dashed in; closing the door and bolting it quickly. As soon as it was closed though she pressed her hand over her mouth, letting the sobs come as she slid down the door.

Her loyal pet-an all-black wolf named Pyre that she rescued six years prior-whined, feeling his master's pain, as he walked towards her; and laid a gentle kiss upon her cheek. Esmee couldn't even muster up a smile for her dearest friend though, and just wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into the fur of his neck as the tears rolled.

She could not marry the man she loves' brother. Blake was the only boy who had ever captured her attention and losing him by a forced marriage was heartbreaking enough. But a marriage to his brother? That would kill her. And what about Blake? She knew from brief mentions on the subject of King Jared, that Blake was quite jealous of his eldest brother. He would be heartbroken if he found out that the woman he loved was to marry him. Esmee couldn't imagine putting him through something like that.

At the same time how could she not if it meant stopping a war that seemed inevitable up until now? She knew she couldn't live with herself if her refusal cost thousands of lives. But how could her family sacrifice her for their cause? Why couldn't they find another way?

Esmee sobbed harder, pulling Pyre closer. The dog dutifully sat there, whining alongside her. After she was dried out Esmee lifted her aching head, and scratched Pyre between his ears. He kissed her in return, pleased with her affection and wishing to seize the tears he didn't understand.

Esmee wished nothing more than to drag her drained body into bed and sleep off her misery, but at the same time she knew that would solve nothing. So with as much willpower as she had left, she lifted herself off the floor and walked over to the desk, where she began to write a letter to Blake, explaining what was going on, begging for his help. Once the letter was in the hands of a servant, with orders to bring it directly to their family's messenger, Esmee allowed her sorrow to overtake her once again and fell onto her bed.

000

The ride to Kenon was not long, only a day's journey on horseback, a day and a half via carriage. Jared had opted for the horseback, too anxious for a quiet ride the carriage would offer. But had ordered one to tag behind so he and his bride would be able to ride back in it together, as he assumed she would not be comfortable riding the distance.

The capital of Thidon-where the castle was-rested on the north end of the country. Kenon was on the northwest side in the midst of wide forest land, that only the locals seemed to be able to navigate. Looking around at the thick expanse of trees that lined the road, Jared was glad he wouldn't be fighting here. With Esterdell's help and Kenon's knowledge of the land, they would have had quite the advantage.

The closer Jared got to his destination the more his anxiety increased. Now he had really wished he'd made an effort to find out one or two things about his wife. The truth was he knew already so little about the Lord and Lady of the manor, as they hadn't visited court in at least ten years. All he had known was the slow escalade of ties they created to Esterdell each year until it could no longer be ignored.

The only member of the family he had any acquaintance with was the son and heir of the manor, Nolan, who had had come to the castle of Thidon for warrior training a few years prior. He had only met the boy a handful of times, and probably would have never even known his name if he hadn't become a friend of Blake's. Jared had been forced to help both the boys out of a few messes with the master-of-arms in charge of training at the barracks, but he had liked Nolan well enough despite the few childish pranks he had been a part of. It helped that Jared was certain his brother was the instigator in most cases.

But what of the other child of Lord and Lady Ronen and Catalina? Honestly, he had never heard anything about her until the proposal was brought up. His mother was actually the first to suggest it, but she didn't seem to know much about the girl either, other than she was of marriageable years and even that information she couldn't give him a clear answer on. Somewhere between sixteen and nineteen, his mother thought. So he knew that and her name: Esmee.

He was marrying a woman he knew two things about, and one of them not fully. Jared almost burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation; but he kept his face firm, mindful of the guards following him on horseback.

Jared could only pray at this point that she was at least tolerable. He wanted to pray as well that she wasn't as spoiled or rude as most of the women of court were that he had met. But he felt that would be asking too much of the Gods and he wasn't hoping for miracles. Most noble women were cut of the same cloth, with the same personality. He doubted this one could be much different.

000

Esmee had her head buried into a pillow, sobbing hysterically for the first time in two weeks. She realized with a dread finality that the king would in fact be coming to fetch her today and there was no one to save her from her future.

Blake had not written her back, nor had he come to visit her. A message had been delivered yesterday though, confirming the king would be here tonight, in time for dinner. Esmee felt sick to her stomach, wondering why Blake hadn't come for her when had claimed so passionately to have loved her. Had he not meant it? Or was he scared of the consequences just as she was? Maybe he was letting her go for the good of the country, but it still hurt that he hadn't even written her back.

Gentle hands soothed her back as the sobs kept coming, and a muzzle peaked over the bed to lick the hands clenched on either side of her head.

"I know it doesn't seem like it now but things will feel better in time, my dear." The soft voice of Hally, Kenon manor's head of housekeeping penetrated Esmee's sobs and quieted her down long enough to brush some tears away and speak.

"I love him!" Esmee answered passionately, though not in anger. She tried anger, it clearly hadn't worked for her.

Hally brushed Esmee's knotted hair out of her face and wiped the tears off with her thumb, "I know, dear, I know. But it wasn't meant to be."

Esmee shook her head at that, "I refuse to believe that."

"You're just refusing all sorts of things lately, aren't you?" Hally answered in a teasing voice, attempting to break the somber mood that littered the house since the news of Esmee's betrothal. Her being in here, trying to coax the poor girl to get ready was proof enough of that, since it was not normally her job to ready Esmee. But the maid assigned to her hadn't known what to do with the sobbing girl and fetched her in a haste. Hally loved the young lady like her own, so she put on hold the duties she needed to perform to get the manor ready for the king's visit to comfort the girl. Then hopefully she'd get her into a bath and dressed before the king showed or else Lady Catalina might start an all-out war on the poor child.

"I suppose you were you saving up all your arguments for something good, huh?" Esmee did laugh a bit at this, though it was halfhearted and quiet. It was something though and Hally was glad for any progress.

Esmee was glad for Hally's company, as she had been the only person she had told about Blake and didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable with her reaction to the news of her impending marriage.

Esmee turned her tear stained face towards the window and looked at the lowering position of the sun. She knew what she had to do and it didn't involve drenching her pillow with her sorrow. But she felt weak from all the crying and her head pounded. The thought of getting up sounded quite tiring. But she didn't have a choice. She couldn't very well insult the king when they were already walking a thin line between war and peace, by not showing up to greet him. Her betrayal did not matter at the moment, her people did.

"I'll get ready now." Esmee stated simply, and Hally's heart broke for her.

000

The household staff of Kenon were lined up neatly in the manor's courtyard behind Lord Ronen and Lady Catalina, as Jared rode up. All but one or two, Jared thought curiously as he noticed not only was Nolan not there next to his parents, but also there was no girl next to them either. He scanned the courtyard again quickly after he dismounted, but unless she was dressed as a servant she was not there to greet him. This made Jared even more nervous, knowing he'd have to wait even longer at a glance of his soon-to-be-bride.

He didn't allow his displeasure to show though as he walked right up to the Lord and Lady, as he heard his men dismount behind him. The entire household either bowed or curtsied lowly and he directed a brief nod towards Lord Ronen and Lady Catalina in response, then gestured with his hand for them to rise. Quickly grooms came for his and his men's horses and began to lead them away towards the stables.

Lady Catalina spoke first. She was a petite woman with blonde curls and sharp blue eyes, which made Jared think there was a fierce woman inside that small frame. A smile was plastered on her face, though Jared noticed it didn't look quite genuine, "Your majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope your trip was fair?"

"It was fine." Jared responded tensely. Normally he could do small talk, but the curiosity to see his betrothed now that he was here and so close to the moment was overwhelming. He wanted to quicken things up so he could be awarded with an explanation as to why she was not here. Shouldn't meeting her future husband be on the girl's priority list?

Lord Ronen was a man with fading strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, and average height. But the way he held himself gave the impression that he was no pushover. He seemed to understand the king's thoughts, though Jared was a master at concealing them, and gestured with his hands to the steps leading up to the two large wooden doors that opened to the foyer of the manor, "Come on in , your majesty. I'm sure you are tired from your travels. Let's have a cup of ale and sit. Then you can get washed up before dinner."

Jared gave a brief nod as he was led into the home and then directly into a small parlor by Lady Catalina. He looked around the room; there was a sitting area in front of a large hearth and then in a small corner directly in front of two long windows sat a desk with several built in bookshelves to its right. It was a homey room and he instantly felt comfortable within its walls.

"Please sit, your majesty." Lady Catalina said, the fake smile still on her face, as if it was carved of stone. Jared wondered how many people fell for it, when it seemed so transparent to him. He supposed many though. He probably only noticed because he was so used to appeasing people he didn't particularly like or trust as well.

"Thank you, my lady." Jared answered politely, choosing the large, wing backed chair, closest to the hearth.

Lady Catalina ordered the maid hovering at the door to fetch some ale for the room as Lord Ronen sat down across from the king. Just as Ronen was about to speak though the doors opened again by an older servant, with gray hair tied tightly into a bun at the nape of her neck. She curtsied briefly to the lord and lady, then lower and more exaggerated for the King.

Jared gestured for her to rise, and then his eyes flew behind her, as a girl walked out of the shadows and into the light of the room. The girl walked right up to him and gave a deep curtsey, with her head downcast. The curtsey was done with a fluid grace that a princess would give to a prince. Her light strawberry blonde hair tumbled over her face slightly, just enough to block out his ability to see it.

Finally she rose and he was pleasantly surprised that she was beautiful and he sent a silent prayer that this was in fact Lady Esmee, because whoever this girl was it took her only half a heartbeat to make him want to know her. That had certainly never happened to him before.

"Your majesty," she began to speak in a soft voice that sounded almost musical, "I am Lady Esmee. I am sorry that I was not here to greet you. It took me longer to ready myself that I had thought it would."

Lady Catalina narrowed her eyes at her daughter and the inappropriate excuse she had made. It was not like a lady to ever let a man know about her readying habits or that it actually took effort to look impeccably. Those were secrets women kept to themselves and her daughter should be well enough to know it.

Jared on the other hand doubted the excuse instantly. Though she was most definitely beautiful-with her pale skin; strawberry blonde hair that had soft, bouncing curls at the end; full lips, and a small narrow nose; along with a petite body that he was sure he'd tower over if he was standing-it was obvious she hadn't put much effort into meeting her betrothed. Her hair was down with no decoration, clearly she had put no makeup (which he was grateful for so he could see her flawless skin), and her dress was simple.

He supposed he should be annoyed that she hadn't thought to put the effort in for him, but it took only one look into those blue-green eyes that reminded him of the ocean in the south, and he realized she had been crying for a good long time before their meeting. There was a red ring on her waterline and her eyes were still glossy. He wondered what had caused her to cry and was surprised to find that he was hoping it wasn't over their marriage.

Jared stood up to greet her, bowing to her and taking her hand in his-noting how small it was-and brought it to his lips, "It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Lady Esmee."

Esmee's breath caught in her throat as he looked directly into his eyes. She willed herself not to move, to hold the gaze, as it would be rude to turn away. Her heart clenched as she involuntarily compared him to his brother. Jared's eyes were a dark brown, while Blake's had been blue. They both had the same dark auburn hair, though Jared's cut was shorter. Though they both had similar facial features, Jared's seemed to be harder, much less boyish like Blake's. Esmee was shocked to find that she actually thought Jared was more handsome than Blake. She hadn't thought that would be possible.

"Hally, is his majesty's rooms ready?" Lady Catalina spoke and Esmee dropped Jared's hand abruptly, turning her head towards her shoulder, seeming to listen to the conversation, but her eyes were downcast and Jared could tell her mind was elsewhere.

"Yes, my lady." Hally answered.

"Have you ordered for hot water to be brought to his bath yet?" Lady Catalina asked, ticking off the things needed to be done in her head, knowing nothing could go wrong during his short stay.

"Yes, my lady." Hally answered again.

"And dinner will be done in an hour?" Hally answered again confirming all was prepared.

Jared couldn't keep his eyes off of the woman in front of him though. He hadn't expected much out of his wife, she had been solely a means to an end of a long running problem, but now that he was here in front of her he couldn't help to be intrigued. The few words she spoke to him were soft, quiet, but her mind clearly woolgathering as it was at this moment showed she was not a simpleton.

"Hm?" Jared asked, realizing he had missed something while contemplating Esmee and he turned his head to look at Lady Catalina.

Catalina smiled at this, a real smile that was not lost on Jared. He wondered what all of the sudden had put her in a good mood, "Your majesty, I was just wondering if you'd like to take your ale in your room instead? A bath is being prepared for you. We can meet for dinner afterwards."

"That sounds good." Jared answered her, but quickly turned his attentions back to the girl in front of him. He bowed again to her and she curtsied in return, "Until then, my lady." And he strolled out while he still could. Honestly, he hadn't wanted to leave just yet to ready. Three minutes with Lady Esmee and he was already desperate to learn more about her.

000

"You've really picked your time to go through a defiant phase!" Catalina practically growled in front of her daughter, who sat on the trunk at the end of her bed, head down to avoid her mother's stare.

"I wasn't being defiant, mother…I just needed some time to pull myself together." Esmee felt no need to lie to her mother, though she wasn't willing to tell her the whole truth. She didn't want to imagine her mother's reaction if she found that Esmee had been running off in the forest to steal kisses with any boy, let alone her betrothed's younger brother. She may have a heart attack right on her bedchamber's floor.

Catalina rubbed her fingers over her forehead, trying to hold onto her patience. She had always taken great pride in her ability to keep her emotions in check, but leave it to her children to be born with the power to test that strength of hers. Or at least it had become children recently; it used to be just one child that drove her to that point. To say she missed her levelheaded daughter would be the understatement of the year.

"I am trying to be understanding here, Esmee." Catalina began once she got her emotions in check, "I know that this has all moved fast and I will admit my fault in not telling you sooner." Esmee held her tongue-in-cheek at that statement, because she agreed wholeheartedly. She should have been told much sooner, "But your father and I wanted you to enjoy a few more months of childhood before we laid the news upon you. Clearly we were wrong in that."

Esmee continued with her silence, like she did during all of her mother's lectures. But she couldn't help feeling the fury slightly rise in her during this one, making it much more difficult to keep her thoughts to herself. Esmee felt trapped in her life, a feeling she had never experienced before. But a life with Blake was the first thing she truly wanted with every beat of her heart that she couldn't have. It made her angry at them that they'd take away-even unknowing-the life she wanted so intensely when she had rarely asked for anything before. Then it made her mad at herself, because she felt like a spoiled brat. Her emotions were creating a riot within her, but no one knew but herself.

"Esmee, we need you to do this for Kenon." Catalina pleaded, which made Esmee's head shoot up quickly at the vulnerability in her mother's tone, "I know that it isn't fair, but it's the simple truth. We cannot guarantee peace any other way." Catalina gave her daughter a slight smile before continuing, "Besides, you get to become queen and with the way the king looked at you upon your meeting he is already quite infatuated with you."

Esmee gaped at her mother, not believing for one minute the devastatingly handsome ruler could be infatuated with little-ole-her, "I think you're imagining things, mother."

"Oh no I'm not, dear." She answered, her smile broadening in remembrance, "He nearly lost that regal composure of his the second his eyes landed upon you. That's no mean feat, if what I've heard about him is true."

Esmee shook her head, "He could have any woman he wants. I'm just the woman that can bring an easy peace between our families."

"Don't sell yourself short, daughter. You have many fine qualities both in appearance and more importantly in personality. He's the lucky one to have grabbed you up in marriage." Esmee gave her mother a smile at the complete change of tune she was singing. She appreciated these words after hearing repeatedly that she should be feel lucky to become queen, when that was never a job Esmee had ever considered wanting let alone actually having.

"Come." Catalina demanded, holding her hand out to her daughter, who took it and stood, "Let's put your hair up and change your dress. I'll imagine he'll trip over himself over that." Esmee laughed and decided to indulge her mother. She did feel slightly better after all.

000

Esmee peaked over the banister, down towards lower level of the foyer. Jared hadn't noticed her, as he seemed quite focused on the painting of a beautiful blonde siren laying next a shipwreck. There were many paintings that lined the foyer-as her family seemed to have passed on their love for art with each generation-but of course this painting was the one that caught his eye. Esmee rolled her eyes, thinking all men are the same. Every male guest the Kenon's ever had seemed to need to deeply contemplate that painting; and though innocent, Esmee wasn't quite naive enough not to notice.

Esmee's feet were as soft as her voice, making it easy for her to glide across the floor and down the long, wide stairs without him noticing. She walked right up behind him and though he hadn't heard her he sensed the presence behind him and he slowly turned around.

Esmee gracefully folded her body into a low curtsey again, as Jared's eyes raked over her bowed head. Her hair had been pulled back, and then small sections braided and twisted around into an elegant coif that was held by a tight, jeweled net.

He asked her to rise with a tight voice and he wondered briefly what was wrong with him. It's not as if he had never seen a beautiful woman before. Then her face turned up towards him and he seized existing for a minute again. With the signs of tears gone and her hair pulled back to show off her full face, she was even more beautiful than before.

Along with her hair she had changed her dress. This one was dark blue silk; cut deeper than the last to show off cleavage, though not too risqué like most of the women of the court, where they were near falling out of their dress. While Jared had enjoyed those dresses immensely since he hit puberty, something about this girl's modesty captivated him even more.

So she is beautiful, he thought, that's a bonus I wasn't particularly expecting.

Jared offered his arm to her as he asked, "May I escort you to dinner?"

Esmee was reluctant at first to touch him, feeling she was betraying Blake even though he hadn't responded to her plea for help. But she wrapped her hand around the crook of his arm anyway, knowing it would be insulting if she was to deny him. Besides he was to be her husband after all.

Jared noticed her hesitation and wondered why she seemed so cautious around him. Was she like this with everyone? Or was it just him that made her nervous?

She walked silently next to him as they made their way to the great hall and when he glanced down at her he could almost see the thoughts tumbling around in her head, though he couldn't even fathom a guess as to what they were about.

Not knowing anything about his betrothed, his mind had come up with many assumptions as to what awaited him on his way to Kenon. But he hadn't been prepared to be as interested in Lady Esmee once he came face to face with her. Yet, here he was becoming more and more curious with her by the minute. He wanted to know what secrets she kept behind that seemingly quiet mouth of hers.

The Lord and Lady of the manor were already in the hall when the couple walked in. They both rose to greet them and bowed to him. He waved off the gesture, pulling a chair back to help his betrothed into her seat, then ignoring the head of the table, chose the seat directly next to Esmee. Ronen raised his brows towards his wife at Jared's gesture, making sure neither the king nor his daughter noticed. Catalina smirked knowingly as she took her seat.

Plates were brought out and everyone but Esmee dug into the delicious masterpieces, made specifically for the arrival of the king. Esmee couldn't stomach the thought of food though, sitting so close to the king that she'd be marrying in just a little more than a month. The king who's brother held her heart and she longed to be sharing this meal with. Esmee was disgusted with herself and felt as if she was betraying everyone in the situation. She was sure if she took a single bite her heartache and shame would make her become sick all over the table, which her mother probably wouldn't appreciate.

"May I ask where Lord Nolan is?" Jared asked abruptly, taking everyone by surprise. No members of the Kenon family thought he would notice the absence of the heir, let alone his name.

"He has gone to acquaint himself with the masters of the smaller villages for the summer to prepare himself to become lord." Ronen answered easily.

Esmee choked back a laugh at that glorified version of what her brother was doing. He had left a month prior in a huff after his thousandth lecture on his responsibility as heir, saying if he was to become lord soon he was going to have some fun first and brazenly admitted his plans for a summer of drinking and cavorting around the country; turning their father a surprising shade of purple.

"That's unfortunate." Jared said, "I was looking forward to seeing him again."

"You know Nolan?" Esmee asked, turning to Jared.

Jared turned to her, happy to hear her voice. She had been completely silent the entire dinner so far. "Yes, I had met him a few times while he was in warrior training. He actually became quite good friends with my brother, Blake at the time."

Esmee felt as if someone had hit her in the stomach when he spoke that name. Hearing it out loud was even more painful for her, especially out of her soon-to-be-husband's mouth. The way he said it made it sound so familiar to him, which of course it was since Blake was his younger brother. But hearing that connection, having it confirmed, brought back the agony of what she was giving up to the front of her mind again.

She didn't know how she would be able to move on from Blake and be the dutiful wife to Jared that Kenon needed her to be, when she'd be so close to him; living in the same home, but never being able to acknowledge her love for him. It would be even more miserable than what she's been experiencing the past two weeks and that was something she wasn't prepared for.

Jared must have read something on her face, because he turned fully to her and asked sincerely, "Are you alright, my lady?"

She couldn't look at him, not with the family resemblance, so she looked down the table at her mother, who seemed genuinely concerned. Though if she was concerned for her daughter's welfare or that she'd mess up the betrothal, Esmee wasn't sure.

Esmee took a deep breath, that she was sure was lost on no one, but risked it anyways knowing she wouldn't be able to speak without a catch in her voice if she didn't find the composure it brought and turned to Jared finally, "I'm fine, your majesty. I'm afraid I've just been dealing with a headache all day and it's becoming quite worse." Esmee cringed inwardly at the lie. She had never been a liar before and she had had to several times today. She didn't like the person she was turning into in this difficult situation.

"Would you like me to escort you back to your chambers so you can lie down?" Jared asked, realizing what he said the moment after it came out of his mouth. Betrothed or not it was entirely improper for him to ask such a thing in front of her parents. He wasn't one to normally blurt anything out and always kept a level head. Clearly his nerves were getting the better of him.

Great, he thought, now they probably thinking I want to ravish their daughter. It didn't help him that once the thought ran through his head he began picturing doing just that to her, making him feel like a pig. He was in front of the girl's parents for Godssake and she was clearly quite upset over something (though he highly doubted it was a headache) and he was thinking of ravishing her now. Jared wasn't impressed with himself at the moment, he could fully understand if Esmee and her parents weren't either.

"That won't be necessary, your majesty." Esmee answered, saving him from the embarrassment of a response from her parents, "I think I'll be fine." She gave a small smile, turning back to her uneaten food with faux interest.

Jared was certainly intrigued.

Let me know what you think so far! =)