Continued….

Chapter 3

"Because I am the one who called for you. You are the one who saved me from death," the cat said as it took off into the forest and disappeared.

...

I stared at the forest for what seemed like hours before I went back inside. I walked into my resting quarters still thinking about the encounter within the forest. I didn't notice when Duncan walked in.

He whispered in my ear. "What are you thinking about princess?" he started to kiss my neck and I shot up from the bed.

I turned around to look at him and he had a confused look on his face. I held in my laugh. He looked like a child. "Nothing important. It's not important." I lied.

He stretched out on my bedding and motioned for me to accompany him. I complied and sat on the other side. He stretched his arms out and pulled my waist to lie with him. He took off his shirt and wrapped me in his hold. I froze. Those perfectly chiseled abs were making me feel things I shouldn't.

He looked at me knowingly. "Relax," was the only thing he said before he closed his eyes.

I looked at him closely before I realized he was asleep. I smiled and inched a bit closed in his arms. "Good night." Maybe he isn't as bad as I thought...

...DxC...

I awoke at dawn as usual. Yesterday was a usual exhausting day. Courtney ran me a bath as instructed and I let her be. Most certainly, she would be in the garden tending to the flowers, especially the yellow rose.

After bathing, I advanced towards my bed chambers to reside for the night, but as I rounded the corner, I noticed princess deep in thought. I decided to check in on her for the night.

I walked in and she continued contemplating something. I decided to use that to my advantage and exploit some of my needs. She of course responded by getting up.

I hadn't realized how tired I was as I stretched out on her bedding. I yawned and motioned for her to join me which she obeyed. She sat near me, but the distance was unnerving. I dragged her hips and wrapped my arms around her. I had a compelling need to be close to her tonight. She made me feel emotions that were foreign. I removed my shirt and felt her eyes gazing at my chest. I gave her a knowing look and she blushed slightly that she had been caught. That blush intensified my lust, but I was to exhausted to act on it. I settled on falling asleep in her arms. This girl was making me act strange indeed.

I slipped out of her bedroom chambers as soon as the sun started to peek above the horizon. It was impulse to wake this early.

I headed to my quarters and changed into my usual royal attire and armor underneath. I made quick haste to my study to get started on my duties as a Lord. There were still many documents I haven't went over considering the distraction that my princess has caused since she's been here.

Gerald burst through the doors in a sweat. This was normal considering he runs around the castle day and night tending to business matters. His loyalty was outstanding. "We have a letter from the North sire. It appears they want to take up your offer on an arranged agreement." Gerald struggled to get the sealed letter open. "It reads:

Dear Lord Duncan of the Western Lands,

Your letter offering peace has brought to my attention the long feuding tension between our lands. Fate has brought me to believe that all peace can prevent war. Is it too hard to think of our differences as a way to unite our lands? Sealed within this letter are four invitations for you, your personal servant Gerald, and both of your companions of your choice to join the East, South, and myself at a banquet. Duncan, we will be expecting to see you there.

-Ido, Lord of the Northern Lands"

Surprisingly, princess had been right about uniting the lands on a common agreement. "Leave the letter on my desk." Gerald placed the letter on my desk and scurried off to attend to his other duties in the castle, closing the door with a silent click.

An invitation for a guest and I? Of course the only lady on my mind at the moment was her, princess. I made my way to her bedroom where I knew she would likely be getting dressed in her usual servant attire for her duties. I walked in unannounced and she turned her head immediately as she was in the midst of putting on the over worn fabric. My mind blanked and before I could realize what I was doing, I was on top of her. She struggled to pull me off of her, but I didn't respond to her efforts. She was mine forever and I could do as I please with her.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she moved to close her thighs from my wandering hands.
I, however, was not letting that happen. I pried them back open and proceeded to snake my fingers to her very core. She squirmed under my hands with her eyes shut. "I order you to stop," I demanded harshly. If she would obey like the rest, this would be so much easier for both of us, but perhaps that's what made her different...

"I don't want this Duncan. Not now." She kicked her foot and it landed right in any man's weak spot. I clenched my pants with my hands and rolled over.

"Why you..." I raised my hand at her and as she prepared for what was coming, I realized why I was there in the first place. I handed her the envelope within my pocket. "Here. The maids will service you to make sure your attire is within standards of the banquet. Make haste and do not disappoint princess." With that, I walked out of her room and into my own.

I opened my door slightly to speak to the nearby guard. "Guard, usher three of our best servants into Courtney's room so they may assist her with her attire."

"Yes sir."

The guard took off down the hall and I took my leave to my study. Today, instead of Courtney, another concubine of mine made their way into my study quarters. "Is there any way I may service you Lord Duncan?"

"Quite." I studied her movements towards me and as she sat on my lap, I grabbed her thighs as she ground her hips against me.

Suddenly, a high pitched scream assaulted my ears. It sounded a lot like my Princess in fact. Without warning, I shoved her off and went to examine the noise.

"What is the issue?" I asked walking into Courtney's bed chambers, but was quickly ushered out by the maids.

"My Lord, there was a minor issue with the fabric that caused your mistress distress," one of them spoke.

"But we request that you not see the mistress until we are properly finished with our work tomorrow evening," the seamstress interjected.

I turned away and proceeded in the opposite direction, dismissing the servants from my sight. "Just what the hell was I to do without Courtney?" I muttered to myself.

…...DxC…

"Mistress what color would you like your dress to be?" The seamstress laid out several colors.

There were so many beautiful colors laid before me but Duncan's words were echoing within my head, 'Do not disappoint princess.' "Do you know what color the lord is wearing?" I asked the seamstress.

"Red is one of our royal colors on our seal. So I believe it will be red mixed with small pieces of gold and blue," the seamstress answered honestly. I gave her a nod of my head and she seemed to understand. "Give me until tomorrow mistress and my team of servants and I shall have your dress finished to utmost perfection." She bowed her head and scurried out of the door.

"I shall find the best jewels for you mistress," another maid said before bowing and rushing out of the room. It was already late and I felt lonely as I wandered throughout the halls avoiding every guard. I wasn't permitted to have contact with Duncan until the late evening. I wandered up and down many stairs and got lost somewhere in between. I circled around several corridors until I realized where I was. This is my chamber when I first got here. I touched the steel door. It's so cold and dead. Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps and metal armor. I hid around the corner and peeked slightly at the scene before me.

"Our lord requires your service this night," the guard said in a bored tone.

"Of course." The woman batted her eyelashes and proceeded to walk with the guard gracefully.

That pig. I needed some fresh air away from this madness. I walked outside and stared into the forest. Last time I was out here I seen "Me?" I heard from behind me.

I turned around and seen that cat from a few days ago. "What are you?" I backed away frightened a bit.

"My name is Ren and I am no ordinary cat as I have said before. I hold special abilities unknown to this world." He crawled into my arms and lay down. "It appears you love that human man that dictates these lands."

"No. Not at all Ren. You have it all wrong." I sat down and let Ren lay in my lap. He appeared comfortable and even curled into a little ball and started to purr. I stroked his fur between his head. "Just sometimes, I wish he wasn't such an ogre," I said sadly.

He responded by burying his head even deeper into my lap, comforting me. Suddenly, he perked his head up and swished his two tails back and forth. "A guard is coming this way. Reside in your chambers and you will see me tomorrow." He took off into the forest as before.

I didn't linger as I hurriedly went to my room. I lay down in my bed and attempted to forget the stressful events of the day and fell asleep.

….

It was morning and as I was getting my servant attire ready, the seamstress burst into my chambers unannounced. "Mistress, we have finished your dress earlier than expected and wish for you're opinion on it." Three other maids walked in with what seemed to be the dress wrapped in a cloth. "My team and I worked all night on it and we hope you give a positive opinion." The seamstress bowed her head as the maids unwrapped the dress and my eyes must have been the size of saucers.

The dress was unbelievably perfect. The top of it was strapless and form fitting while the bottom of the dress had several layers carefully sewn together flowing freely. On the ends of the red dress were carefully crafted gold rhinestones with small hints of silver surrounding it. To say it was beautiful would be an understatement. "This dress is amazing. Thank you so much." I hugged all of the maids and they seemed to be stunned at such affection but eventually returned the gesture.

"Mistress…"

"Courtney," I corrected her.

"Courtney, it is time for your hair and makeup." They all ushered me into another room before sitting me down into a chair.

The time seemed to pass by quickly as I enjoyed my time conversing with the maids. Once they were finished, I was spun around in the chair to face the mirror. I was amazed at who I seen. Memories flickered slightly, but I brushed them aside. My hair was curled into a nice bun with small curly strands stray. The makeup looked almost natural as no flaw was present on my face. "Miss Courtney, it is late, we should get you ready for the banquet," one of them said.

I slipped into the dress with ease as the seamstress tightened it in all the right places. I slipped on the shimmering silver heels and made my way to Duncan's chambers. Before i left, I bowed to all the maids. "Thank you," I said before rushing as fast as I could to Duncan's door.

The guard stepped inside to alert Duncan that I was outside his door. Duncan stepped out momentarily with a lazy look in his eyes. He must have been asleep waiting for me. He rubbed his eyes and his eyes widened a fracture as he took in my attire, but they quickly averted to normal. "Come. I have something for you." He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside of his chambers. He opened a small drawer and pulled out a beautiful necklace. He placed it around my neck carefully. "Don't take it off," is all he said as he led me to the horse-drawn carriage waiting out front. Duncan opened the door for me and settled himself in on the other side. The carriage took off in a matter of seconds.

Occasionally, I would sneak glances his way. He looked extravagant tonight in his royal attire that represented his lands. He seemed almost peaceful as he stared blankly out the window.

As we continued riding through the forest, a small creature blurred by the window. "What was that?" I asked but Duncan gave no response. I wonder what his problem is?

We finally got to the banquet hall and it was huge. There were people seated and conversing with one another, while others were dancing around the ballroom floor. It was amazing.

"Come with me." Duncan led us to the long table where all of the other lords were eating and discussing territory issues with one another.

"Lord Duncan, I didn't believe you would accept my invitation." This must have been the Lord of the Northern Lands. "And what a beauty your guest is." He looked at me with a sly smile. "Forgive me my dear for not introducing myself sooner." He kissed my hand. "I am Lord Ido of the Northern Lands."

The others stood and began introducing themselves one by one to me.

"I am Lord Herran of the Southern Lands."

"I am Lord Hiten of the Eastern Lands," he spoke while lifting his glass. He appeared only slightly older than Duncan.

"Shall we begin our discussion Duncan?" Lord Ido looked at Duncan with such contempt.

"Yes but I would rather send my lady off to dance as to not intervene." Duncan smirked and I shot him a glare. How dare he talk about me that way in front of such noble people.

"May I have this dance?" asked the aged Lord Herran of the Southern Lands.

"I'd be delighted." I answered as I took the wise old man's hand. I really hope Duncan can handle himself against that mysterious lord. Who knew what he was plotting…

…...DxC…...

"Lord Duncan, please take a seat." I carefully took my seat across from Lord Ido, mindful of his schemes. "I know that our lands have tensions raging between them and the previous incident did nothing but add fuel to the fire," he started but I halted him from further speaking.

"You mean when you sent your soldiers to attack and kill me." I raised an eyebrow waiting for his answer.

"All in the past. That's why I've arranged a common ground to agree on." He smiled, but I was unconvinced. "Yura, my lovely daughter, come here," he called from across the floor. "She is our common agreement."

"What are you planning Ido?" I looked at him and then Yura. She was beautiful but I wouldn't let that deter me from investigating Ido's scheme.

"I give you my daughter. I wish for you to take my sweet Yura in a marriage agreement. In this way, you will not worry about me attacking your lands and you will refrain from attacking mine," he explained.

"And how will this benefit you?" I asked as I looked towards Yura and she gave me a smile and a wink.

"My dear Yura shall indeed have a suitable husband while I shall gain an ally." Yura took a seat near me. "If you decide to accept my offer, you may take Yura back with you tonight and my men will send over a marraige document signed between the two of you," Ido said.

"Dance with me Yura." It was a statement, not a question. She complied as I led the way to the floor. We talked while dancing to a slow, elegant song. "Tell me Yura, do you really agree with your father's wishes?"

Her plump red lips made a small curve of a smile. "Who wouldn't want to be married to such a handsome man as yourself Lord Duncan? You are everything I would want in a suitor and becoming Lady of the Western Lands would be very beneficial to my father." she leaned in closer. She had amazing curves in the right place and I wasn't resistant to her suddle advances.

But princess, how would she react? I know she is still upset from earlier when I barely spoke to her, but I only did it because she looked so beautiful tonight. I wanted to ravange her body in the carraige but I could not. It was an internal battle to fight my urges. "Is something on your mind my lord?"

"No matters to concern yourself with," I boldly answered. "What is it you said earlier?"

"I said that I hope that you accept my father's offer as I would love to spend more personal time with you." She winked and spun around on her heel before coming close again. This time I could feel the warmth of her body.

As the song came to an end, Yura made a bold decision and pressed her lips against mine. I was caught off guard, but I returned the kiss with force.

We walked back arm and arm to the banquet table where her father waited. I gave him my answer as I looked at Yura. "I accept."

Updated: Monday, May 16, 2016