Disclaimer: I do not own Jane and the Dragon, they belong to their respective owners.

Chapter Seven

Cause and Effect

Betrothed.

Betrothed.

Betrothed.

Jane's mind reeled, her thoughts ricocheted against one another so fast she could not keep up.

Betrothed. The only word that Jane could grasp at, and it did not sit well with her. It unsettled her how such a small word could turn everything upside down and make things go so fast, it made her dizzy. One moment she was staring Gunther down in front of the whole court and then the next minute she was ushered into a small room where Gunther and the Merchant shouted at one another until they were both blue in the face. But she could not hear what they were arguing about, all she was aware of was the ringing in her ears, the fast beating of her heart and the fact that her mouth was dry.

She could not care less what her fellow Knight was telling his father, she just could not believe her parents did not even confer with her, it was her life they were playing with. She did not want to get married and settle down, she wanted to see the world and relish in the valour of knights! She detested the idea to be just like her peers and be married off at an early age, she wanted to be independent and be able to have the choice to marry or not. She did not want to be a simpering obedient wife who sat in the corner embroidering her short life away! She thought she made the matter of marriage clear to them when she refused the Captain's proposal but how could they go behind her back and arrange a marriage between her and Gunther.

Arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic, temperamental Gunther!

"You said you would rather marry Lady Jane and her dragon than Lady Matilda, did you not?" Magnus retorted calmly, throwing what Gunther had told him in his face.

"I did not mean it quite literally!" Gunther hissed angrily, his narrowed eyes bore holes in his father.

"I only did what you said you wanted, my son." Magnus shrugged his shoulders, further taunting Gunther into such rage that never had he wanted to punch the sneer off his father's mocking face so fast before but he managed to control himself and grasp at the last of his temper and curled his fists tighter until they turned white.

"When did you ever do something I wanted?" Gunther scoffed coldly at his father.

"I did it for you, son." Magnus said so smoothly that if Gunther did not know his father and his scheming mind any better than most he probably would have believed him but alas, Gunther knew that everything Magnus does there was always a payment for it somewhere along the line. Gunther could see through his father, and whatever he was planning Gunther was not going to allow Jane be pulled into it.

"You wanted a dowry to fund whatever you are planning." Gunther retaliated back before glancing briefly at the silent Jane in the corner who seemed occupied with her own thoughts "I do not want to marry, father."

"Nor do I." Jane seemed to pique to Gunther's refusal, whatever she was thinking about forgotten and the familiar stubborn determination set into her pretty face. It pleased Gunther to know that it seemed Jane was not going to let this go without a fight. At least it seemed she felt the same about this matter.

"Nonsense child, you need a husband." Adeline insisted sternly and Magnus nodded his head in agreement.

"Mother! For the last time, I do not want to get married. Knights do not get married, and certainly not to each other!" Jane shook her head stubbornly. She could not imagine herself married to Gunther, it was not like she hated her fellow Knight, far from it, after all, they were friends in the loosest of terms. Yes, they had come to a truce and can tolerate each other's company, but to be in such a delicate position of permanence? They would drive each other insane, that is if they did not kill one another first! This was a disaster waiting to happen and she cursed both their parents for such a hare-brained idea. Who's ingenious idea was it anyway to suggest such a thing?

"But there had never been a Lady Knight before you, Lady Jane." Magnus pointed out as if it was the most obvious of things. Yes, it was definitely the Merchant who suggested the absurd idea.

"That is beside the point, father." Gunther retorted.

"Jane, you need a husband, and Sir Gunther would be the best for you." The Chamberlain put forward softly, trying to appease his fire-headed daughter.

"That was what you said about the Captain!" Jane accused, her voice hitching towards hysterical.

"The pair of you are knights of this kingdom and you both understand better than anyone else each other's commitment to your duties, surely that counts for something? Jane, you wanted someone who did not think it was silly of you to be carrying a sword and Sir Gunther your father had said you wanted someone who cared not for silks and velvet." Milton reasoned and both Jane and Gunther looked at one other in silent defeat. Jane's father was certainly right about that and they both could not deny it, all of Jane's suitors laughed at the idea of her being a knight and Gunther wanted someone who's head was not filled with jewellery and dresses.

"But father..." Jane whined childishly.

"You need to settle down, dear, you have evaded all the suitors we have arranged for you. Sir Gunther offers what you want; balance and the understanding of your duties." Adeline sighed.

"The king himself was very please at your betrothal, and as a wedding gift, he has arranged for you to have your own private residence here at the Castle. Up at the small tower on the Nobles' Wing." Magnus said referring to the part of the castle were the Nobility, both guests and those who lives permanently at the Castle, resides. Jane used to reside there with her parents before she moved into her small tower and Jane knew of a small turret at the end of the Nobles' Wing but as far as she knew it was always closed off. Certainly, she was never allowed up into it, her parents forbidding her to explore the tower when she was younger. She always swore to herself that one day she will go up that small tower but alas her duties had occupied her and she had completely forgotten about it until now.

"The King is having the tower restored for you, it will be ready for you by the time you are properly married." Milton offered when he saw Jane frown in thought.

"Is there nothing we can say that will change your mind?" Gunther pondered out loud even though he had an inkling as to what the answer will be.

"No." Their parents shook their heads in unison and both Knights could not do anything but sigh in defeat.

"What am I to do, Dragon?" Jane curled herself into Dragon's warm side that evening as they laid on her roof staring up at the night's sky and Jane told Dragon everything that had happened that day. After a long discussion between her, her parents, Gunther and Magnus it was decided that there is absolutely nothing the knights could do and they are set to be married by the end of the summer. Which happened to be only less than two months away!

Less than two months and she would be married to Gunther. Gunther! She did not know what to think, and less than two months is nowhere enough time for her to warm up to the idea. She did not think she would ever warm up to the idea. Gunther was, well, Gunther! He was as temperamental as the wind, and despite knowing him for most of her life it was not until recently she began to understand him and his little quirks. But that did not mean she finally managed to scratch the surface, no, she still has a far way to go. She has only glimpsed into the complication and the difficulty that is Gunther Breech.

They were somewhat friends, yes, but to be married to him? Well, that is a completely different swordplay. She did not think they would ever survive this if it does go on, they would drive each other insane!

Jane cursed Gunther internally, because of him she cannot use her constant excuse that none of her suitors understood her duty to the realm just like her Father had pointed out for Gunther himself was a Knight. Yes, it was Gunther's fault for telling his father that he did not want someone who's head is full of nothing but silks and velvet. She always thought that was what Gunther liked, being as vain as he was! How can someone be so complicated, Jane mused.

Her father was right though, Gunther perfectly understood her commitment to the realm and that definitely counted for something, but why him? And Jane could not even fault him as hard as she tried, yes he was arrogant and obnoxious but no more the Captain was or some of her other suitors were as a matter of fact. He was handsome, Jane blushed at that thought, and grew into a man who knew what was morally right and wrong. He has managed to finally separate himself from his Father's reputation and had proved to everybody that he was not like Magnus. But it confused Jane why Gunther was reluctant to defy his father's wishes?

"I could turn the pair of them into charcoal," Dragon offered "accidentally of course."

"Tempting, but no." Jane shook her head.

"Drop a boulder on them whilst they are walking? They will never know what hit them." Dragon chuckled in mirth.

"Dragon." Jane warned.

"How about I set some cows on them? You know how destructive they can be when they are angered."

"Cows will not solve my problem, Dragon." Jane sighed, shaking her head at Dragon in amusement. Even now, after years of knowing Dragon she still could not understand his fascination with cows.

"I do not understand you short-lives and your need for marriage. If you do not love one another then why marry?" Dragon questioned.

"Mother thinks I need the stability that only a husband can provide." Jane crinkled her nose in frustration.

"And they think that Gunther could provide you with this?"

"It appears to be."

"Well if you ever need to escape, you can have my cave, Jane."

"Thank you, Dragon."

Edited: 13.04.17

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I know, I know! It is a short one again, my shortest I believe but I was on a roll and I just had to update. I had a few hours spare and so instead of procrastinating (which I am very good at, I assure you) I decided to write this chapter up. Hope you all forgive me for such a short chapter so send me some love and review, pretty please! I shall update soon x