"CAPTAIN!" Gould snaps, kicking his bedroll to wake his friend.
Ben groans, slowly sitting upright. "What, can't a soldier get some piece?"
"After you've said goodbye to Walter" Gould laughs, throwing a shoe off of Ben before walking out of his tent.
Ben throws it back, but too slow.
He sighs, getting to his feet whilst rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Today's the day Walter Beck and the Princess leave the fort. Of course, it's the day the Captain was dreading. They've not spoken since he accused her of sleeping with his Major.
When the fort sat by the camp fire to eat, she used to sit aside Ben, laughing at his jokes, or sometimes both of them would stay silent, giving each other wonton looks. Now, instead, she'd sit beside Toby, listening to his stories. Once in awhile, their eyes would lock, but they'd both look away, Ben, a regretful, shameful look, and Evelyn, a painful look.
"I'm coming" He grumbles, to Gould still shouting for him. "What's your problem."
"Majors feeling a bit off, I think" Gould shrugs, handing Ben his rifle as they walk over to the gate.
"Ah! Here he is. You'll be happy to know the princess will be upholding her promise, contract signed." Major says, pleased.
"Don't forget the pay rise," Ben jokes.
"Shut up, Ben" Walter sighs, elbowing the soldier in his ribs, "I'm proud of you, for what you have achieved this week, Evelyn, you've done me proud" He adds, looking at the princess.
"I too," Swift smiles, rubbing her arm.
Ben looks to the floor. The contact? They have to had slept together…No…He shakes off the thought, knowing she wouldn't lie about this.
"Thank you, Major" she replies politely, looking at the floor.
"Ah, Swift," Walter says, slapping his head, "I've forgotten the papers,"
"Oh, yes, old friend. Come with me"
Together, the old soldiers walk back to Swifts tent.
Silent's fill the air between the Princess and Captain. I have to fucking say something, goodbye at least!
"Do you have a place to stay in Albion?" He asks, breaking the brutal silence.
"Major Swift has dealt with that for me." She replies, not looking up at him.
"Where are you staying?"
She shrugs. Ben steps closer, putting his hand on her shoulder, "Princess, talk to me, please… I'm sorry."
She steps back, and opens her mouth to say something, but they're both interrupted by Major and Walter strolling back over.
"Are you ready?" Walter laughs, probably at a joke Swift had told him.
"Yes, Walter, are we going to the market first?"
"We're off to find the resistance head quarters, and your free to roam about" The old Knight replies, flashing both Ben and Swift a goodbye as he trots out of the fort.
Evelyn follows, looking over her shoulder at Swift, but catching Bens eyes.
Major Swift lets out a sigh of relief, as the gates close. "I do hope she'll be alright out there."
"Sir, I think I've upset her-"
"She told me, boy." he shakes his head, disappointed by his Captain, "If you wanted the truth, why didn't you just come to me?"
"I-I-..-" What was he supposed to say?
"Here," Swift puffs his pipe, handing Ben a worn, brown box. "The truth is in here."
'My dear Rose,
I'm sorry to tell you this, but it seems the king has once again sent me on, one of his wild goose chases. But I am forever loyal to this army, and I shall do as I am ordered.
The thought of him sending me away, because he has found out about us is chilling. I do know the consequences of you and I being together, but my darling- that isn't enough to stop me loving you. My thoughts whilst in battle are on you. I fear I wont ever see you again.
In answer to your last, precious letter, I do like the name Evelyn, and it is in fact perfect for our unborn. To see her would be a dream. I will try my hardest to come to you before hand.
And yes. I'd drop the army without question for you, the cottage is still ours.
Hopefully one day, it will be yours, mine, and Evelyn's. Thank you for our portrait, I can finally look into your eyes whenever I wish.
Yours forever, Swift.'
Ben sighs. So this is the truth. This was the thing they were hiding.
Major Swift is Evelyn's father. They both had an affair, behind the hero kings back.
In the previous letters, Major had said he feels bad for doing this to Old Sparrow. He was a true gentlemen, a lovely and loyal man.
But hiding it made him feel like an enemy.
After The old king Sparrow found out, to everyone's surprise, he let them get on with it, but to keep it to themselves for his royal status.
Sparrow had told Evelyn the truth, but still she thought of Sparrow of her father. They were close, very close. She knew much about Swift growing up, and after her father(Sparrow) passed, Swift would take her out, bonding.
Though, biological father, she'd never call him Father, just 'major. And he was absolutely fine with that.
Ben picks up two portrait's of Rose, and Swift, sitting, perfectly posed next to each other. And the other of those two again, plus a 2yr old Princess.
He picks up another, small written letter and scans through it;
'Swift, oh how I miss you. At night, I sleep alone. He knows now, and will not talk to me. Being away from you is slowly killing me, to the point where I am actually sick.
I wish on everything I have to see you soon… And I want you to know, if anything does happen to me, I love you. I always have, and always will.
You are everything and anything I am. Being with out you, I'd rather be perished.
Evelyn smiled for the for the first time today, whilst I was reading her one of your letters.
Though she does not understand, I think she has an idea.
We both miss you, and I cannot wait to be in your arms once more.
Love forever, Rose.
"Soppy gits" Ben chuckles, placing the things back in the box.
Avo's, how was he ever to make it up to the princess? Her forever disliking him pained the captain, a lot. It was a mistake, a true and honest mistake. And he'd do anything to make it up to her.
The thought of falling in love with the Majors daughter made him chuckle again slightly, but stop…
"Falling in love…" He breathes, agreeing with himself. He has.
Since the day he seen her, as a young girl, he'd dream about her.
And when she returned, years later, obviously a new woman. It all became clear. With the kiss, the flirting… The way he needed to touch her. The fact he wanted no men hurting.
It was his princess. Just his.
"You've read them?" Swiftie enters the Captains tent, startling him.
"I did… Why didn't you ever tell me, Major? I would've kept it a secret, you know I would have"
"I know, my boy." Swift sighs, playing with the end of his tash, "Myself and Rose hid it, for her own protection. She knows. The poor girl had to be told she wasn't royal blood. But, still, she does not know about Toby."
Toby… Swifts son. The woman he got with, Daisy, Ben reminds himself. "Are you going to tell her?"
"When the time is right, indeed. But Toby will be back in a week. He is fully aware his sister is the princess. And we agreed it'd be best for her not to know right now."
"Swift." Ben starts, "Where is she? Where is she staying?"
He raises a brow at the Captain. "My home in Industrial."