Chapter Ten:

The Chosen Side

Hampton Court, Surrey

Blair batted her eyes open, feeling a slight pain between her legs. She adjusted them, noting that Serena had told her it would be sore after she lost her maidenhead. All thoughts vanished though when she felt Chuck's arms around her. He had his face in the crook of her neck as he held her quite close to his body. She couldn't help, but smile softly that he had not left her or beckoned her to leave in the middle of the night. There was a warm feeling in her belly, a flutter.

"You're awake," Chuck whispered in her ear. He adjusted his arms around her. Then he kissed the skin of her neck softly with his lips.

"As are you," Blair responded. She hadn't known he was when she woke. He had been lying so peacefully.

He lifted his head from her neck and turned her so that he stared down at her, his body half over hers. "I have been awake for hours earlier. I was thinking," he disclosed.

She gazed up at him, doe brown eyes still full of innocence despite what had happened the night before. She did note that he was being much gentler than though. It felt nice. "What were you thinking about?" she asked freely.

Chuck stared down at her, wondering if he was ready to admit it. He had decided something after last night. It was a strange experience for him. It almost felt like an awakening of some sort.

Blair saw in his eyes that he was contemplating something in that moment. She reached her hand up, caressing his cheek. "You can tell me," she assured him. She found herself feeling anxious about what it could be.

He nodded after a few moments, lowering himself so that he lied beside her once more. He took her hands, bringing them up to his lips, and kissing them softly. "I decided something. I decided that I want you, only you," Chuck revealed.

She knew her eyes widened as her heart clenched. Instantly every part of her felt excited by his confession. Could he really mean it? She couldn't help, but smile. "Do you really?" she asked.

"Yes. I want your body and your mind. I want it all to belong to me entirely," he furthered. He couldn't imagine sharing her. He didn't think she wanted to be shared either by her reaction. This was good. It was a fast decision, but one that seemed to be working out quite nicely.

She laughed, breathlessly, and nodded her head. "You can have me then, your Highness." She had not expected it to be so easy. He didn't seem to be the type to fall like that, hand the title of future Queen over to her. But she would accept it.

Chuck grinned, "So you shall be my only Mistress, Sweetheart?" He always figured he would take one, but after his father had made him get married. He figured it would be at the time he got bored with his wife and he would have several, but with Blair he somehow only wanted her.

Blair froze and her face fell. She felt her heart sink to the pit of her stomach. "Wh—what?" she stuttered. Her voice scratched at her throat. It was suddenly so dry.

He chuckled and leaned in, kissing her neck. "I know it is soon to make such an offer, but you shall have all that you want. I am sure you know that a Prince and then a King's Mistress is given the most lavish of lifestyles—"

"No," Blair protested, pushing on his chest. She shook her head, trying to force him off of her. "Jamais!" Her voice was much louder now.

Chuck rose off of her. His brow furrowed and he found himself confounded. "What do you mean never? The Prince of England just promised you that you could be his sole mistress and you gave me your maidenhead, what else could you possible have wanted?" he questioned.

"Not this," she retorted. Then she rose and got out of the bed swiftly, pulling on her discarded nightgown from the floor. It was ripped, but it would make due, at least until she got to her room. She felt the bile rise in her throat and kept her back to him. "This will be the last time you see me like this. I only ask that you keep this to yourself—"

"No!" Chuck screamed, feeling his temper unleash. He got off the bed in haste and walked around it, smacking a vase off a table by the end of the bed. "I will not give you to him, not after this!"

"I am not yours to give!" Blair yelled back, turning around to look at him. It was the first time she screamed back at him. Usually she tried to calm him, but not now, not when she was borderline hysterical.

He put his hands to his chest, laughing cynically. "Not—not mine to give?" Chuck walked towards her. "If I say you're mine, then you're mine and I just offered you the world. You should try being more grateful, Lady Blair," he spat sarcastically.

She shook her head, taking a few steps back from him. "Well it appeared as hell to me. Now if you'll excuse me, I shall be going." She started to turn and leave, but felt him grab onto her.

Chuck felt himself shaking with anger as he grabbed hold of her. His voice was practically a growl, "How dare you—"

"How dare you!" Blair countered, spinning around to hit him in the chest. Her eyes watered with tears, though she refused to let them fall. Still, her voice shook as she spoke. "I—I just gave you the one thing a woman has to give and you…you treat me this way."

"Treat you this way? I thought I just gave you what you wanted!" Chuck yelled in frustration, shaking his head. He looked into her eyes, trying to understand what was going on with her.

"Don't," she refused, "You never cared for what I wanted. You got what you wanted and now be done with it. Just let me leave," she refused. She turned away from him, only wanting to go before she broke down. She knew it could be karma, considering she set out to use him, but that didn't make her feel any better.

Chuck stared at her back and then walked up to her, speaking close to her ear. "I had no intention. Please do not go, not until I understand," he pleaded, though he would never admit that he was.

Blair was about to dismiss him and hurry from the room when her eye caught hold of her reflection. She gasped, reaching down to fist a bloodstain on her nightgown. Was she supposed to have bled that much? "Ch—Chuck?" she quivered.

He didn't understand her sudden change in mood until he caught what she was staring at. "Shhh. Don't cry. You only bled more than expected. Don't get upset," Chuck told her in a soothing voice. He brought his hand over the bloodstain on her nightgown, covering it from her view.

Tears ran down Blair's cheeks and she inhaled a sharp breath. She turned to look at him, despite their argument. "Will—will it always hurt so much?" she asked, stuttering at first.

His facial expression changed greatly, becoming much softer. He shook his head, wiping at her tears. "No. You are just sore. You should not be out of bed. Come here." He put one arm along her back and bent down, taking the other under her legs. Her frail frame was lifted with ease and he carried her back to the bed.

Blair held onto him, not quite understanding what he was doing. When he put her back down on the bed, she looked up to him with alert brown eyes. "What are you going to do?" she implored.

"Nothing. I only want you to rest, Sweetheart. Sleep and I shall have what you need brought to you when you wake," Chuck explained. He ran the back of his hand down her cheek, curving it under her chin.

She nodded and turned her body away from him, facing the wall instead. She felt comforted by his actions, but not by his words. It felt as if she had made a grave mistake. Now that he had offered her title of mistress, she questioned what he would do next.

XOXOXOXOXO

Chuck had made sure Blair had all she needed when she awoke. He did not want to leave her, but had been called upon by his father. They had royal business to attend to, meetings held in the throne room. Of course he hurried back to his chambers as soon as he could, but Blair was gone when he finally got there. He tried calling on her, sending guards to bring her, but only received reports of her not feeling well or her absence. He would have gone to her room himself, but he felt himself being watched. Perhaps his father was catching on or it was just over suspicion, but he didn't want to risk it, especially for her sake. It was something he could recover from, but Blair most definitely could not. He was alone, or felt like it, for days. Nathaniel and his other mates came around, but he barely noticed them. All he could think of was Blair, the hurt in her eyes when he offered her the title of Mistress. It was not what she wanted, but he was scared to think about what she did want. And when he thought about what he wanted—well that was simple, he wanted her. He wasn't ready for their affair to end; especially when it had just began. He was thinking all of this over when he wondered into the grand hall that morning and saw her. She stood next to Thomas and a few older men, looking as beautiful as ever. She didn't see him though so he stayed in the shadows, edging closer to their conversation.

"She is most lovely, your Lordship. However, you two are so close in age. In my opinion someone should always find a much younger wife," the Duke of Cambridge remarked. He was a man who believed in tradition, about late forties in age.

Chuck saw that his glare matched Blair's. He knew she was angry and with great right. They were speaking about her as if she was not there, as if she could not hear them. She didn't like it and neither did he.

"I—I think Blair and I shall do fine, your Grace," Thomas replied nervously. He spared a smile at Blair, attempting to comfort her in the awkward situation.

Chuck rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. The imbecile couldn't even properly defend her. He should have ordered the men to silence themselves. He had right after all; it was his fiancée…as much as Chuck hated that fact.

The Duke chuckled with the other men. He then patted Thomas on the shoulder. "Do not be so quick in judgment, my boy. You do have options."

Thomas shook his head, frowning, "You do not understand, Sir. Lady Blair is my fiancée. She was gifted to me."

The elder man grinned as if he found all of it oh so amusing. "Yes, and given to you. However you can now give her to someone else if that was what you decided to do," he informed him.

Chuck felt his fists clench at his sides. He was starting to understand what the Duke's means of conversation were now and they angered him even more than before.

"Why would I want to do that?" Thomas questioned. He was still as dumbfounded as ever, poor fool.

The Duke smirked, "I have a daughter, very young and beautiful. She is only fifteen and would make a fine, young wife for someone of your age. I however do not have a wife. Perhaps…we could make a trade?" He reached a hand up to touch Blair.

She backed away from him though, her face indicating she felt sick to her stomach. It was all he needed to intervene.

"Thomas will never accept such an offer," Chuck cut in, walking out of the shadows and up to the group. He felt Blair's eyes on him instantly, but he kept a stern and powerful stare with the Duke of Cambridge.

All of the men instantly bowed. "Your Highness," they said in union.

"Thomas would never give Blair up for some common little English girl. He does not want a child, but a woman. And he does not want just any woman either. Never would he trade her like livestock, though he does like to think he owns her," Chuck's gaze drifted to Blair as he spoke, "I—he wants to."

Thomas looked perplexed, but Blair's eyes were watering. She touched her heart and then turned away from them, leaving without even excusing herself.

Chuck left as the men muttered apologies, hurrying after her, even if it was some obvious. He followed her into an empty room, closing the door. "Blair?" he called out, looking around for her.

She came at him from the side, grabbing and kissing him passionately. He smirked, kissing her back and bringing her close. She nuzzled his cheek. "For a moment, I thought Thomas may trade me," she breathed. She had not forgotten what had happened with them, but in that moment had been overcome with some…feeling for him. She could not control herself.

He shook his head. "Over my dead body. I shall never see you with another man, especially one almost three times your age," Chuck assured her.

Blair nodded, but her eyes fell from his. "They made me feel like an old mare, someone needs to put down—"

"No, Darling," Chuck dismissed. He brought up his hand, caressing her cheek. "But let us not talk about them anymore. Let us talk about how I thought you had left me." He wanted to address it, before she ran off again. He couldn't take such separation a second time.

She looked up cautiously. "I-I won't change my mind about your offer of Mistress, your Highness—"

"The offer no longer stands. I do not understand everything, but I know it's not what you want. Can you forgive me for it?" Chuck returned instantly.

Blair paused for a moment, not sure how to respond at first. Then she pulled away from him, leaning back against the wall. "Then—then what are we, Chuck? Now that I have—that I have—" She shook her head, not being able to say it. "What am I to you?" Her eyes stared deep into his.

Chuck proceeded towards her carefully, putting one hand on the wall above her head and the other captured her cheek. He kissed her on the lips lightly. "You're my Sweetheart," he whispered.

"What does that mean?" she furthered. She was scared about what the answer could be, but she made herself say it.

He sighed, tucking a curl behind her ear. "That I'm doing everything I can to hold onto you, that I can't let this end now, that I don't want it to ever end," he admitted.

Blair paused, considering what he had said. It wasn't a proposal or promise of one, but she had never expected that yet. It was however, him admitting he didn't want their affair to end, their time together. It was a risk for her to take, but so was everything she had done so far. She decided she would go for it and…well a part of her wanted to regardless. She didn't want their time to end either. She wasn't ready to let go of him, to give up.

His other hand came down and he intertwined their fingers. "I will give you whatever you desire if you only be with me, in secret…for now at least." His voice sounded as if he was begging and he hated it, but he couldn't help it.

She smiled softly and reached up, hugging around his neck. Soon his arms wrapped around her waist. The hold felt amazing. She kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear. "I'm yours."

Chuck closed his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief. Then he chuckled and picked her up, twirling her around. He slowed, stopping, and dipping her body. Then he leaned down, kissing her strongly on the lips.

XOXOXOXOXO

Chuck smiled to himself, petting the main of his dark stallion. He had been hunting earlier that day, dogs and all. Nathanial had not been able to attend so he asked only William instead. He liked the peace and quiet William brought. There was a serenity that surrounded him that Chuck never quite understood. Now the day was over though and they were back at the barn, finishing up.

"The servants could surely tend to your horse, your Highness," William acknowledged, nodding towards the animal. He wasn't quite sure what had happened to the Prince, but there was something different about him.

"I enjoy calming him down after a ride. And I put him through quite the task today. The game seemed faster than usual," Chuck returned. He walked to the front of the animal, stroking down the sides of its head.

"As did you," his friend added. He chuckled when Chuck met his eyes, shaking his head. "It's like you've been reborn. I've never seen you with so much energy, so much life."

Chuck laughed, "What am I, an old man? Surely, you don't mean to insult me, William. You're smarter than Nathaniel on that account." It was a joke he wouldn't typically make on his best friend's behalf, but for some reason it had slipped out and he hadn't thought about it.

William shook his head, "Of course not, your Highness. Perhaps I meant you seem…happier than you were." He chose his words carefully, but the possible reaction still made him nervous. That fact was evident in his tone and expression too.

"Well I've recently had some frustration relieved. Is that what you mean?" Chuck asked, looking to him. He of course meant the fact that Blair had finally surrendered her maidenhead, but he wasn't going to tell anyone that, not even a close friend.

"No, not exactly. You were rather…unpleasant these past few weeks, but that is not what I meant. I said what I meant. You seem happier, with life," his friend corrected. He spoke both seriously and sincerely.

Chuck stared at him for a few moments, but didn't say anything. He tied up his stallion and nodded his head. "I shall see you later, William. Thank you for a good hunt." With that he turned and started to leave.

"Is it her?" William called after him.

Chuck froze on spot, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath before slowly turning around to look back at his friend. "I am sure I do not know what you mean, William," he lied.

William smiled, shaking his head. "Of course you don't, your Highness. Well, good day then." He bowed his head and returned to brushing his horse's hair, but chuckled under his breath.

"Yes. Good day," Chuck returned. He then turned to leave once more, but did not miss the final words his friend called out before he had gone.

"Do tell Lady Blair I said hello!"

Chuck couldn't help, but smile.

XOXOXOXOXO

Blair trailed her hands along the bookshelves of the great library. She wasn't sure what she was doing, perhaps just biding her time until Chuck returned. For at the moment she didn't see the sense of embarking on a book. She never had the time to read anymore.

All thoughts stopped when she heard someone shuffle around the corner. She smiled, feeling somebody watching her and knowing whom that person must be. "Chuck?" she called out.

"Calling a prince by his Christian name, Lady Blair? Could be considered quite scandalous," Nate remarked, coming around the corner. He had been watching her since she entered the library. He knew Chuck was off hunting.

Blair's face fell and her voice became dull. "Oh it's you," she sighed. She turned away from him, walking down another row.

He came out in front of her though, eyes narrowed. "That is not how you greet a Duke," Nate retorted. He was sick of her undermining him. Perhaps in front of Chuck he had to take it, but not when they were alone. She would not get away with it then.

Her expression remained unfazed. In fact, she merely smirked in amusement. "A title you only have thanks to his Royal Highness, I suspect," she mocked. She put her hand on a book, pretending to select it and purposely ignore him.

Nate put his hand on hers, causing her to look at him in surprise. "Thanks to his Grace, my father, actually," he corrected with a tense tone of voice.

Blair was taken off guard when he touched her. Carefully she retracted her hand and nodded. "Well alright," she dismissed. She turned to walk away from him, wanting to be done with the conversation.

"He will tire of you, you know?" Nate called after her.

She stopped, but still kept her back to him. After a few moments, she responded. "I don't think he will," she maintained.

Nate emitted a ridiculing chuckle. "Why?" He smiled in a sort of sneering way as he stopped, close behind her. "Did you charm him into your bed?"

Blair felt her shoulders clench and fisted her hands at her sides. Had Chuck told him? She thought he was going to keep her giving her maidenhead a secret between them. She thought with how he had acted the other day, she was special to him.

He knew with her silence. "I am not surprised. He didn't tell me though, I only guessed accurately. I suppose it's in your nature."

She turned around, speaking defensively. "You know nothing, nor have your pathetic guesses been correct," Blair spat.

Nate only grinned in response, letting her know he didn't believe a single word that came from her lips. "Even with that," he continued, "He will grow bored of this charade. You are something new right now. You are French, you look it, but his loyalty with always be with England. And he will return to that soon, including it's multiple women."

"Are you suggesting I dress like an English woman then, make myself into one?" Blair rejoined. She was doing her best to recuperate, despite her mishap earlier. Never was she one to back down.

Nate chuckled, shaking his head. "You wouldn't even know how to."

Her eyebrows rose and ruby lips pursed. "Really?" She smirked, shrugging her shoulders. "I suspect it would be easy. I 'd only need to pull my hair back tight, wear a suffocating dress with a ridiculous collar, put a hat that looks like a book atop my head, and gain about fifty pounds."

His brow furrowed at the insults she hurled towards the women he typically fraternized with. He took a step towards her. "Chuck likes a healthy looking woman. You're the first starved one I've ever seen him with," he remarked, motioning her up and down.

"I don't starve myself," Blair retorted. She couldn't help it. It wasn't the first time she had to defend her weight. People had questioned her about it before, when she was going through bad times.

"And now the explanation for why you're such a bitch baffles me!" Nate exclaimed. He threw his hands up, going to great dramatic lengths to make fun of her.

"What do you want, Nate?" Blair asked seriously, cutting to the chase. She was tired of this back and forth banter. It had gone on far too long for her liking and breached subjects she hadn't wanted to.

His expression fell to a solemn one. "Fine," he said with thinned lips. "I'll tell you. I want my friend back, my old way of life to return with it."

She shook her head, starting to walk past him. "Then talk to him about it—"

Nate put up his arm, blocking her. "I can't, not since you came along," he furthered. He looked sideways to her, waiting for her response.

She stopped, seeing he was not going to let her go anywhere. "Well I don't see why. I have never even mentioned your name in his presence, didn't see it worth my time," Blair remarked.

"You don't have to. You have made sure you are all he thinks about and I know you don't really care for him," Nate spat. He had never taken such verbal abuse from a woman and it was truly starting to do more than aggravate him.

"You're wrong," Blair denied.

"Then do you care for him?" Nate pressured. He turned his body, pushing her up against the bookshelf. "Well?"

"Leave me alone," she rejected. She felt cornered and she was, literally. She tried to push past him, but there was no denying he was much stronger than her. And no matter what happened she was not about to scream and cause a scene.

"Answer the question," he ordered. He took hold of her wrists. "Do it now."

"I said leave me alone!" Blair's voice rose, not quite to a yell, but to a level where she sounded desperate.

"Nathaniel?"

Nate and Blair both stilled, slowly turning to see Chuck standing there. He came closer to them, focusing more on his friend's hands, holding Blair's wrists. "What are you doing?" he questioned.

Nate let go of Blair immediately, taking a step back. He shook his head, trying to play the situation off. "We were speaking. The conversation got heated," he explained. It wasn't a complete lie and for that reason it came from his lips rather easy.

Chuck's eyes narrowed. He tried to decipher if his friend was telling the truth or not. When he couldn't, he looked to Blair instead. He walked closer to her. "Blair?" he asked.

Blair looked up at him, nodding her head a tad too eagerly. "He's telling the truth. You know how it is, an Englishman against a French woman. It was only a silly argument," she lied. She knew better than to tell the truth. One, it could lead to her having to answer Nate's question later, but to Chuck. And two, well she wasn't about to ask Chuck to take her side against his best friend. She suspected he wouldn't take that well, even if he went with it at first.

"Are you sure?" Chuck looked from her to Nate. He shook his head. "He hasn't said anything to upset you?" He noted that Nathaniel wouldn't look at him. Something told him neither was telling the truth, but that only led to more questions.

"Chuck—" Nate sighed.

"Silence, Nathaniel," he interrupted instantly. He touched Blair's back, looking down at her. "I want you to tell me if he did. Forget who he is and—"

"He hasn't. I promise," Blair denied. She touched his chest, faking a smile. "I am only worn out from a long day without you. May I go and rest?" Her wellbeing was a good way to distract him so she went with it, hoping to change the subject and the object of his concern.

Chuck stared at her for a very long time, glancing at Nate once more. Then he sighed, nodding, and kissing her forehead. "Wait for me outside."

"Of course," she breathed. Then she let go of his hands and quickly left the room.

He watched her go, waiting until the door had closed. Then he turned back to Nate, shaking his head with a powerful stare. "I will not see you handle her that way again," Chuck declared. It was evident in his voice that now was not the time to test him.

Nate was confused at first. He was getting used to Chuck sticking up for Blair, but not being so protective of her. It seemed as if Chuck was actually angry that Nate might have hurt her. He couldn't help, but scoff at the fact. "Forgive me. I was only making sure she wasn't a witch."

"Don't throw that word around, especially when it comes to her. You know what it could do," Chuck seethed, storming up to him.

"Forgive me, your Highness. I only thought you seemed bewitched—"

"I said enough!" Chuck screamed. His voice echoed off the high ceilings of the great library. His chest heaved up and down and he realized he had backed Nathaniel into a wall. He wasn't sure what had taken over him. He let go of his hold on Nate and turned away from him.

Nate touched where Chuck had grabbed him, swallowing a lump in his throat. He nodded, "Fine. Forgive me, your Highness."

"I don't know that I feel like it," Chuck retorted. He may have not liked that he lost control, but he still wasn't happy with how he found Nate holding Blair.

"You surely will let me apologize," Nate beckoned from behind him.

Chuck shook his head, refusing to turn around and look at him. "Later, Nathaniel." He then started to walk away, towards the door, and to Blair.

"Please," Nate called after him.

Chuck didn't respond, but kept walking and went out the door, letting it slam behind him. He didn't realize it, but to Nate it was clear. Chuck had chosen a side and it wasn't his.

XOXOXOXOXO

A/N: I would just like to point out that I'm not forcing anyone to read this story. If you do not like it, you do not have to read. I have also stated it is NOT La Belle et La Bête and why would it be? I don't want to write the same story twice. That is no fun for me. This is a different take on CB, but an accurate one, especially for the time and circumstances in my opinion. If you do not agree, it will not hurt my feelings for you to go and find another story. However, if you have chosen to stay I hope you enjoy the rest as well as this chapter. Thanks – Shelby