I went to break fast alone. Everything was dulled after the ball last night. The princes and princesses likely sleeping off the alcohol consumed. I was not complaining after Lynn's harsh words to me the day before. I was sitting in the hall when Peter walked in, his steps long and sure. The only thing that was different was the Tobias was beside him. Peter smiled at me like nothing had happened the night before and took a seat beside me. Tobias' eyes flicked from mine to Peter's ring around my neck and emotions passed his eyes. He sat down across from us. "My dear, how did you sleep?" My prince asked with his ever sweet voice. I replied well and asked him and Tobias similar pleasantries. Tobias left the table to go to the bathroom and Peter turned to me. "I asked about the bruises," He commented lowly and I looked at him waiting to hear what he said. "I saw them before the ball, when he was changing, it was bad," He spoke sitting back with a sigh.
"What did he say?" I breathed out cautiously, I had never seen Peter looked this perplexed. It was clear he genuinely cared about what happened to Tobias.
"He said they were from training," Peter commented and I frowned slightly at that.
"And you do not believe him?" Peter shook his head. I sighed at that answer.
"Do you truly think the Prince that spent years as a bandit needs to do more combat training?" Peter questioned me and I shook my head, we both agreed that something was going on here. "He was not stolen from Whiteturn my lady, he was running," I could not ask why he thought that, why I thought that but Tobias entered the room again, his gait off and uneven. He gave us both a look and I smiled back covering up what we were just saying.
"Are you staying for Caleb's coronation?" I asked him then and he nodded, that also meant his father was staying as well. My brother's coronation would be taking place tomorrow to crown him as the King of Rockton. It was a monumental event in my cities history but many of the other princes and princesses would return home after the wedding. We spoke for a short while before Peter announced that he had some business to attend to with my brother.
"You should go to the garden, my dear, have some tea the weather is lovely," He spoke and I cocked my head at him, this was a plan of some sort. We all stood and Peter kissed me on the cheek lightly. "Go with her Prince, the gardens were planted by the late Queen and are beautiful," We both knew that he had been to the gardens before but this was Peter's plan to get me to talk to Tobias. My prince was much more sneaky than I expected. Tobias thanked him as Peter exited the room. I turned to exit the side door, seeing Robert leave his post at the guard tower to come to me trailing behind Tobias and I. We walked to the small secluded woods where there were benches surrounding the cove. I sat down pulling my dress around me and Tobias sat next to me silently.
"I remember him from my childhood, he is just as kind now as he was then," I knew he was speaking of Peter and I smiled softly. I twirled the ring on my finger with the large diamond, I now held both rings.
"That he is," I replied simply and Tobias frowned slightly.
"You seem closer now," I nodded at that observation, what was he getting at? "The ring around your neck—"
"It is his," I replied, this was not what I wanted to talk about. "It means we are not getting married until I want, and then I give the ring back," I knew he would ask anyway so I might as well tell him. I could see Robert standing across from us in concave, not quite watching us but he met my eyes when I looked at him.
"Will you — give the ring back?" Tobias asked cautiously and I turned away from Robert's blue to meet Tobias' blue. He was oddly curious about Peter's and I's relations and it made me uncomfortable. I shifted in my seat clasping my hands together tightly.
"I enjoy Peter's presence, he is…nothing short of considerate," I counter my words simply and I was sure that did not curb Tobias' interest.
"That did not answer the question," He spoke quietly and I nodded. His thigh moved closer, we were touching now, and I did not move away.
"No, it did not," I replied harshly and he seemed to let it go. It was my turn to speak now, if he could ask questions then I could as well. I pulled my hand out and took his in my hand. He looked at me with an odd expression as I held his hand. I did not look at him as I pulled his sleeve up as quickly as I could. He pulled his hand away rapidly and stood up. The tension in his body was immense but despite his speed to get away from me I still saw the bruise, the large bruise of a hand wrapped around his wrist.
"What do you think you are doing?" He growled lowly and Robert took slow steps towards us. I waved him off and he stopped moving. I could see Tobias glancing back at him with a rigid stance.
"It is alright Robert," I spoke and Robert looked from me to the other prince before heeding my order and walked back to his earlier position.
— POV CHANGE —
"Can you leave us, Robert? Wait for us by the castle, I thank you," She spoke with a clear ordering voice. Her guard with his all-seeing blue eyes looked straight at me and I saw the warning leave his eyes. Just like her father, he warned me that if I dare touched her they would hang me. I trusted the guard, while he was overprotected he served Beatrice loyally. I was taking a deep breath staring daggers at the princess. She sat gracefully, her legs crossed at the ankle covered by her navy dress. She was not looking at my dark and angry eyes. It was not anger towards her, only partially. I was truly afraid and that was the truth. She could not know of the bruises and the scars. "Where are they from?" She asked about the discolouration around my wrist. Just like her fiancé, there was no judgment, only concern laced in their words. When Peter had approached me this morning I was afraid he would find out my secret, know what was happening. He had seen the scars and bruises when I changed for the wedding, he admitted to me. He hoped I was alright and that if I needed anything to ask him. The prince of Greenleaf, I was sure, had a suspicion on what was going on. I was unsure if he shared that suspicion with his fiancée. He had been the closest thing I had to a childhood friend, and still years later he did not pester me with questions nor command me to tell him. Peter was the embodiment of what a prince, what I could not be.
"Training," I told her the same lie I told Peter. She sighed softly and I knew she knew it was a lie. Beatrice was smart, too bad smart was not what was going to help in this situation. She tapped the bench next to her, wanting me to sit back down. I did as she bid, sitting slightly on edge.
"The other day, Susan came to ask me if I was alright. Saying that my brother, Peter, her, they were all worried about me because I was too quiet. I do not do what they want and my father yells at me, I do what they want and they think I am ill," She laughed to herself and I frowned slightly, why was she telling me this? She turned to me then, her brown eyes searching my face. I looked at her soft features, her pale skin, and dark hair. She was undeniably beautiful, I admitted to myself. "I never wanted to be a princess, nor did I ever want to be a Queen," I stared back at her truthfulness. She was looking back before she broke the eye contact and sighed. I deeply understood the sentiment, I never wanted to be King or a Prince. "Peter is everything a princess could ever want. He is the manifestation of a perfect prince — well until he met me. He is the most warm-hearted and forgiving person that has graced the earth. He adores me… no, he loves me," She admitted to me correcting herself with her words. I felt the words in my core, Peter loved her. She was promised to him.
"And yet you do not want to marry him," She took a breath in and nodded. I remember how she looked when I first met her. Her eyes were terrifyingly wide as Eric's arms were wrapped around her. She was dirty and her dress in tatters but when Eric threatened her life my blood boil. It was clear she was innocent and ever so afraid of him. In those days travelling, I saw the way she looked warily at us, the way she flinched away from her. I did not want her to feel that kind of fear. I brought her home, not knowing she was a princess but I should have, it was obvious. When I found out the Peter, she told us she married, and the Peter I knew as a child was one in the same the coincidence was undeniable. I wanted to hate him, that he forced her into marriage but the longer I stayed the more I realized that was not at all his intent. I could see the adoration in his eyes, the way he looked at her. It made me so jealous, she was beautiful and extraordinary. However, it was impossible to hate the prince, if anyone deserved such an incredible woman it was him. He had never, and never would lay a cruel hand on anyone. He was kind and patient and every graceful and put together. He was everything I failed at, being a prince, being obedient. I could never be the prince my parents wanted, the perfect prince.
"No I do not," She spoke back to me. I think that was the first time she said that aloud since she got back. She lied to all of them, saying that it was alright and she wanted to marry but Peter and I knew that was not true. She put her head in her hands, rubbing her face. There was no way for me to help her, everything that could be done was already being done by Peter. "Why did you run Tobias? Eight years ago what made you leave?" She sprung the question on me. She was smart, she had shared something with me she likely told no one else and now she was asking me to tell her something in return. I thought about the scars, the violence I saw. The violence I faced outside of the cities walls were horrific, Edward, the Raging Wolves brotherhood. But those acts of violence were within my control, maybe not so Edward, but I never feared for myself. Everyone took care of themselves outside of the walls, inside, however, you had to rely on others. I could not do that, be vulnerable and rely on others. That was what truly made me afraid, being at the mercy of others. She, Beatrice, knew what that was like not only with Eric but every day of her life. She was at the mercy of her father, brother, and future husband. Yet, she was strong, in her own way. So I took a breath.
"Fear," Was what I replied and she looked at me with narrowed eyes. What she did next was more surprising than anything else. Her eyes searched mine and her perplexed expression dropped, I could see acceptance pass her dark eyes.
"Thank you," And I realized that she would take that as an answer, she was not going to ask any more questions. I let out a breath I was holding, the fear I felt. Ironically if I stayed it would have been courageous and had I left would have been cowardice. And yet, running into the lives of bandits would not have been seen as an act of a person who valued as cowardice. When I found Zeke and Uriah, their house burnt down, their tear-stricken faces, I was that scared little boy. We were all children but we took an oath, a blood oath, to protect each other and ourselves. That was what I saw in Beatrice, back when she was Tris. The terror, the eyes bruised by what they had seen and body battered by what had been done. She was me as a boy, terrified that someone would hurt them. I did not want anyone to feel that way, especially not anyone that could not protect themselves. When I could not defend myself no one helped me and I would not allow that to happen again. Beatrice glanced away from me and I saw the tall form of Peter enter the woods. He was always so poised, elegant, and graceful. Everything I was not. The princess smiled at him, I did not see what I saw in his gold eyes when he looked at her but I saw something more than there was before. She pushed her legs under her and stood walking short steps towards him. He spoke pleasantries, I assumed, into her ear as they embraced. I could see her blush slightly, a beautiful colour that spread along her milky skin. I could hear her giggle as I struggled to stand. The large bruise on my thigh gave me a slight limp and uncomfortable pain, I was not sure if anyone had noticed. The two pulled apart but Peter's arm remained around her thin body. He pulled his eyes away from her, which I could tell was difficult, and looked at me. He gave me a slight nod and a tilting of the head. A question. Silently asking if I was alright and I knew he had set Beatrice up to the questions. I realised with a slight tension that meant that he likely knew I was fond of her, just as I observed him he likely did the same. He must see the way I look at her like she was the sky so full of mystery and beauty. I nodded at him slightly, almost embarrassed. His gold eyes soften as my gesture and unraveled his arm from Beatrice's torso. The prince gave me a small smile. Peter had moved away because he knew the contact made me uncomfortable. He had no want nor need to make me jealous, his heart was pure.
"My dear, Prince Tobias, may we talk a walk around the front?" He addressed Beatrice, then me. When she nodded as did I. Beatrice stuck close to him as I walked beside Peter. I saw her wrapped her fingers in his and held his lower arm. It only served to highlight the difference between the two of them, her small body tucked into his. He was towering over her but he was not broad, he did not dwarf her. They looked perfect together, the prince and princess. He began speaking about the preparations for Caleb's coronation. I hardly knew the prince of Rockton but I got the impression he did not like me. "I have something to show you," He spoke to Beatrice and she smiled slightly in curiosity, her smile innocent and tilted.
"A gift?" She asked then and he nodded with a soft look. I knew it would be something good, something she truly would want. I remembered then, sharply, the voice of a younger Peter saying similar words to a much younger me. I looked at his gold eyes and I knew he remembered as well. I remember the feeling of the gift in my hands, the cold metal, and stiff leather. I still had it, I always had it, it was in my room here in Rockton. Beatrice did not seem to notice the passing look between me and him. Peter knew all along, I was sure of it. He knew everything but had no way of helping me. We continued walking as Beatrice asked desperately for him to tell her what it was. Words about how she did not like surprises.
"You will just have to wait, we are almost there," He promised and she groaned internally. We were nearing the royal stables and I looked at Peter, equally curious to what this gift was. He stopped walking and got her to look at him. "Now, he is of excellent lines. He needs to be taken care of otherwise he will grow weak," I knew instantly what 'he' was. Beatrice seemed to know as well and her eyes went wide. Peter nodded over to the field and we both followed his gaze. She gasped with delight and I smiled at the small colt that was running on spindled legs around the field. His hair was snow white he appeared like silk, his mane, and tail short as he was only young. He was a smaller version of Dove, Beatrice's white mare. I could tell he was different though, not as slight as a colt of that same breeding would be. He was a white variation of the warhorses that men rode, without the black gene.
"Peter, why is he white?" She asked with awe as he looked warily over at us and slowly made his way over. Peter pulled something out of his pocket and held it out for the colt. He was timid and slow but soon was chewing whatever Peter gave him. The prince pet the horse with a soft hand as it snorted in his hand.
"He is a bred warhorse, a man's horse, but he was failed due to his colour. It was either I brought him here or he was to be killed," Peter admitted. Men's horses, of royal status, were always black. The two my father brought here were similar, pure black with thick legs and long manes.
"He is beautiful," The princess remarked as the colt looked at her with curious eyes and nuzzled her outstretched hand for food which she did not have. He then went down the fence to me, giving a similar look of curiosity. I smiled as I put my hand out and he let me pet him, his hair as soft as it appeared. I could see Peter and Beatrice watching me pet the colt before he wandered off, bored by us. "This is a wonderful gift. Thank you," She breathed to her prince before embracing him tightly. He smiled widely, likely glad she enjoyed the colt before placing a kiss on her forehead. I looked away from the couple, letting them share their intimate moment together. I watched the colt lean down to nibble some grass, his teeth tearing parts off of the blades. Someone leaned on the fence next to me and I turned to see the prince instead of Beatrice, who was seen walking over to the stables. His gold eyes were trained on the colt, a peaceful look on his face.
"It is a thoughtful gift," I commented, eyes back on the colt who was pawing the ground. I saw Peter glance at me in my peripheries, his posture straight but relaxed.
"It still will not be enough to buy her love," I was surprised at his dejected tone. His eyes were now trained on her walking away, sadness in the gold. I had no idea what to say. I thought about what she said, that he was wonderful and perfect. But still she did not love him, she knew it and so did he. He sighed as she disappeared into the royal stables. "I do love her, but I do not make her happy,"
"I am sure —" I begun but he interrupted me.
"You know it is true. She does not know what to do, I do not want to put her through such despair," He was so selfless if I had a girl like her I would not be so willing to give her up. Peter had a duty to his parents, just as Beatrice did as well, as did I. Duty was the death of love.
"I still have it," I spoke looking at the colt but thinking of a different gift. I was not sure he would remember what I was referencing.
"What —. The dagger?" He asked then remembering the expertly carved knife that he had given me when we were seven years old. All the Princes were trained in warfare, I was never very good. Not until I left my city. Young, gold-eyed, Peter of Greenleaf gave me a dagger. It was weeks before I left home, it was like he knew, maybe he did. That knife came in immense use during the years outside of the walls. "I hope it served you well,"
"It was the knife that killed Eric," The irony was inevitable. The dagger he had given me years ago ended up protecting his own fiancée years later. Peter's lips upturned slightly in pleasure. "How did you know?" I asked finally, he must have known that I was going to run, why else would he give me that. He was always observant, a trait becoming of a King.
"You had no choice," He whispered barely above the wind. His eyes were troubled as he turned to me. "Please, tell someone," He begged me softly then and I could see it deeply bothered him. I rubbed my wrist where the bruise was and he noticed.
I took a breath, this was the closest I had ever been to telling someone. "Who would believe me?" Peter looked me over, worry in his gaze.
"I would, I do. You have to Tobias you cannot stay there," I shook my head, wanting him to stop talking now. This was too much.
"You might. What about your parents? King Andrew? They would not believe me," He was looking at me with absolute determination.
"I owe you Tobias. Please," He begged me softly but I shook my head. I was not going to do something. He took a large breath realising I was not going to give in. I trusted him, he would not do anything unless I gave him permission to. Beatrice was walking back towards us and I looked to him with wide eyes. "She does not know," He assured me and I let out a breath. The princess could not know, she would do something rash or stupid. I had to deal with it in my own time. She joined back up with Peter, smiles on her lips still happy from the gift. I excused myself from them, giving them time alone and to get away from Peter. His gold eyes gave me a reassuring look before I walked back towards the castle.