A/N: Thank you so, so, so much to everyone who is reading and taking the time to review! The feedback is AMAZING and it's always wonderful to know you have readers, and even more of a bonus to hear from them. I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
XOXOXOXOXO
Chapter Seventeen:
Blood & Banishment
London, England
"Your highness! Your highness, stop! Your highness, I beseech you, please!"
Chuck ignored his shouting friend and continued forward with a sort of animalistic determination. To put it mildly he had some anger to work out, and no time to stop in between. He felt someone grab onto the back of his shoulder and groaned as he was pulled backwards.
"Nathaniel!" he spat, clearly aggravated. He turned to see a worried looking Nate who had clearly been running for a while to catch up with him. "What is it? What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Nate rasped, sounding out of breath. "I've wanted you to stop for the past hour just about. Do you have any idea how long I've been calling to you?"
Chuck rolled his eyes, turning on his heel and beginning to walk again. He heard his friend struggling to keep up, but he was still within talking and hearing distance. "I'm a prince. I don't stop for anyone."
"I find that not entirely true, your highness. Perhaps I should fetch Lady Blair, and you could then stop for a moment to give me a listen," Nate returned. He likely wasn't serious, but it still caused Chuck to stop immediately and turn around. Nate ran straight into his chest. He instantly jumped back, bowing his head.
"I did not realize you were stopping. Please forgive—"
"Your apology is unnecessary, but you will not speak further on Lady Blair, nor shall you bring her where I intend to go," Chuck ordered, giving him a stern look. Nathaniel was his best friend, but hopefully even he knew better than to question him on this. Chuck did not want Blair to have any idea where he was going, or anyway to find him.
Nate frowned, his expression displaying how truly perplexed he was. "I was merely joking with his highness. I would not be smart to assume bringing Lady Blair in on any occasion would grant me more of your attention. But where is it you're going she cannot?"
Chuck sighed, turning again, and motioning for Nate to keep up him. He shook his head. "It's not that she couldn't go here, but that I won't have it. I don't want her in a place like it, ever. And if ever I am absent know that I entrust you to see this remains carried out."
"Forgive me, your highness, but I'm having trouble keeping up. You're being sort of cryptic—"
"The tower, Nathaniel! I am going to the tower!" Chuck quickly lowered his voice, looking around and seeing thankfully no one had heard.
"You're going to see Carter," Nate said, the situation now dawning on him. He quickened his pace so that he now walked almost beside Chuck, just enough behind him so that the prince still led them.
Chuck nodded, "Yes. I want to see this personally carried out, the way I want it done."
Nate sighed, now speaking in hushed tones. "Are you sure you don't mean that you want to personally do it, as in personally beat and berate him?"
"Does it matter?" Chuck returned. He felt his friend turn to look at him, so he did the same, giving Nathaniel a smirk.
Nate shook his head, smiling back at him. "Of course not. You know I always stand with you. Just tell me if we are to arrive by traitor's gate or take the tunnel?"
Chuck turned forward again, pleased to have Nate onboard. "The tunnel since we're being discreet. Besides, your father always suggests it."
"That's because the captain, like myself, are for the crown and its safety at all times."
"Trust me, Nathaniel. I both know of and appreciate you and your family's loyalty. It is something I will never forget," Chuck promised, sparing his friend another glance. Nate merely nodded at him, then going quiet for most of the rest of their commute. It was only when they neared the tower's entrance that his friend stopped, causing him to heed as well. Chuck looked back at him, wondering what it was now.
"May I speak candidly, as your friend, your highness?" Nate asked. His blue eyes were solemn, his stance completely serious. It wasn't typical behavior for him, and it did give Chuck some reason to pause. The prince nodded slowly, agreeing to it. Nate cleared his throat and then spoke.
"You know that once you go in there, and do this for her, well it will mean something. Once it is done it will really mean something and there will be no turning back." When he finished Nate stared at him, looking some fearful for his reaction. Strangely enough, it didn't cause Chuck to feel any anger. It wasn't as if his friend was berating him, as he usually did concerning Blair, but instead merely bringing up a rather valid point.
Chuck looked at the ground, cracking his knuckles at his sides. He spoke in a low tone, but his words were clear. "I know that, Nathaniel. But there are no other options."
Nate walked up to him, touching his shoulder. "You're the prince of England. If anyone it is you who will always have options—"
"No," Chuck interrupted, shaking his head. "No, you misunderstand. There are no other options because this is the only one I am capable of. I'm not going in there because I feel some duty to some maiden's honor that I'm bedding; it's more than that. I'm going in there because I want to. I want nothing more than to take Carter and put him in immeasurable amounts of pain. I want him to physically feel the mistake he made by speaking of her in such a way. Hell, I want to fucking kill him, but I wont."
"Why not? If you want it that badly?" Nate asked.
"Because if I killed him then there'd be no one to go back to all those fucking busy bodies at court and let them know the consequences for these ridiculous stories they make up. So you see, I want to kill him, but I have to keep him alive to teach the rest a lesson." When he finished he stepped back away from his friend, needing some breathing room. Nate didn't seem to mind it; he seemed to still be processing all Chuck had said. The prince wondered if it would be too much for the golden boy. Sure, Nate fooled around like any single young man at court, but his moral compass still greatly surpassed Chuck's. They stood there for a moment and then Chuck sighed, growing impatient.
"I will understand if you want to turn around and go back to your chambers. You don't have to do this with me," Chuck offered, giving him an out. He wondered if his oldest and most trusted friend would take it. Could Chuck blame him if he did?
Nate's voice silenced his thoughts.
"Yes. Yes, I do. Let's go." Nate nodded at him, and then held out his hand, motioning for Chuck to lead the way. Chuck gave him a small smile, a rare expression for him, as he preferred to sport a smirk instead.
"Can you get your father to get us any time alone with him?" Chuck asked as they began to walk again.
Nate chuckled, "Well considering you're the prince of England I'd say there's a good chance the captain does just about whatever the hell you want."
"Good point, Nathaniel. I'm starting to remember why I've kept you around all these years," Chuck jested.
"It's about time," Nate returned.
XOXOXOXOXO
Blair's Chambers
Whitehall Palace, London
A strong knock sounded at the door.
Blair jumped some as a second, louder, and more forceful knock sounded at the door. Her heart skipped a beat as she got up from the bed and walked towards it. Once there she realized she must have subconsciously locked it when she'd returned for the evening. She had been pretty upset, but still it wasn't like her to do it. The door rattled again and she screamed a little as it surprised and scared her.
"Blair? Are you alright? Open the door! Get the door open for me!" She heard Chuck shouting from behind it, likely at the guards he had perched out front. Once her breathing had normalized she snapped back to reality and quickly reached for it, undoing the latch. The moment she removed it the door flew open, almost smacking into her. Chuck pushed his way through, grabbing hold of her as he stormed into the room. He looked around cautiously, pulling her close to his chest.
"Is something wrong? Is someone in here?" he asked, turning back to her. He brought a hand to her cheek, feeling her temperature with the back of his hand; or perhaps he was checking her pulse? She wasn't quite sure.
She shook her head. "No—nothing is wrong. I must have locked it when I returned. I didn't even realize it. I wasn't myself when I got back from dinner. I just felt off is all," she explained.
His expression calmed some, his eyes less wild than before. He then nodded to the guards to close the door again before resuming their conversation in private.
"I could tell you were upset earlier, but you needn't be. Words from someone along the likes of Lord Carter Baizen mean nothing. He's hardly even a lord," he assured her, scoffing at the notion.
Blair ignored the insult, it not mattering much to her in this scenario. It didn't matter who he was other than a member of court, and someone contributing to the awful whispers about her. She pushed away from him, walking over to the bed as she crossed her arms.
"If you knew I was upset then why take so long to come and check on me? Not to mention you were clearly concerned someone may be in here, wanting to harm me," she accused. She wasn't sure why she was picking a fight; Chuck had clearly reprimanded Carter earlier. But he also had not come to her. Honestly, where had he been all night? The banquet surely had ended hours ago, even for the late night partiers. He didn't even smell of wine. In fact his scent was fresh, as if he'd bathed and changed. She turned, looking at him more skeptically than before.
"Those weren't your clothes from earlier. Why did you bother to change so late instead of just dressing for bed? Where have you been, Chuck? What did you do?" It really sounded like she was accusing him of something now, and by his expression she could tell he wasn't going to take kindly to it.
He scoffed, "I do not owe you any explanation. You will not demand one of me. And if you are to imply to accuse me of something then say it, Waldorf." It was evident she had insulted him.
"You're not drunk," she carried on.
"No, I didn't need to be where I went. Now, stop making useless statements. As I said before if you mean to imply something then say it outright, Blair. I won't ask again," Chuck growled. He stepped towards her, standing so close that their foreheads were practically pressed against one another. His breathing was harsh. What had him so worked up? Well, obviously her, but not this much. Clearly something else got his adrenaline pumping before he came to her.
She glared at him, and then shoved her hands at his chest. "Tell me where you were or I have nothing more to say to you!" she threatened.
Chuck grabbed hold of her arms, pushing her back up against a chest in her room. "Do not threaten me. And I'll have you know I don't need you to always speak in order to entertain me."
"Ugh! Let go of me! I should like to slap you!" Blair screamed, feeling her blood boil. He knew just how to get under her skin when they argued.
Chuck laughed outright, though it still sounded mad. "Oh you're going to hit the prince? You do realize that's an offense that could result in one's death, do you not?" He wasn't being serious, but mocking her with his power.
Blair screamed in aggravation again, and then huffed. She looked down at her free legs, and then back at him smirking. She raised her knee, and Chuck shook his head.
"Blair, do not make me punish you tonight. I'm not in the right mindset after where I've been," he warned.
Blair only became more aggravated once reminded he'd been somewhere he would still not disclose. So she raised her leg higher and then went to kick it out at his…royal jewels. However, Chuck caught her leg and grabbed hold of her again, moving her body, and throwing her down onto the bed. He quickly crawled over her, straddling her, and pinning her down. His breathing was heavy as he positioned a hand on each side of her. His eyes were dark.
"I asked you to stop! I am not in the mood for it tonight!" he yelled.
Blair struggled beneath him and turned her cheek, refusing to look at him. She was about to say something passive when her eye caught hold of something on his wrist. She frowned, squinting her eyes at it. He had something red on his wrist, something that looked like…blood. Yet there was no cut, and all of his injuries in that region had healed about a week ago. So whose blood was it?
"Bloody hell, I thought I got all of it," Chuck cursed, getting up off her, and hurrying over to her wash bin in the room. Blair sat up on the bed, all anger from before now gone She watched as he scrubbed the small bit of blood that had been left behind off of his wrist.
"I did not wish to bring that here," he furthered, shaking his head.
Blair's eyes fell in shame. "I suppose now I know it was not another woman who kept you." She felt him sit down on the bed beside her, and watched as his now clean hands came into her view, taking hold of hers.
"Is that where you thought I was, pretty? Is that why you were being so difficult?" he asked, voice much softer than before. His demeanor had completely changed. Part of her still wanted to ask about the blood and where he'd been, but another part was scared to. Plus it was late, and there was only so much pushing he could take per evening. She felt he had probably reached his limits for the night.
When she didn't respond Chuck cupped her chin with his hand, titling it up so that their eyes met. He shook his head.
"I promised you I would not lie with another so long as though I am welcome in your bed, Blair," he reminded her of his promise.
Her eyes fell from his again. "I know. I remember, but you are a prince… you are the prince, and I'm—"
"Who I want to be with," Chuck finished.
Blair's eyes averted to his instantly and she felt her heart skip a beat. She realized it was likely just coincidence how he had phrased it, but what he said still stirred up the butterflies in her stomach.
He chuckled, attempting to recover from the phrase. "I am here now, after all, and look at the hour."
"Yes, it is late. Isn't it?" Blair agreed. "Will you stay all night with me? I know that we may not get to as much as the royal wedding draws nearer. I dread the notion, even if it's just till the wedding is done… well and before the other approaches—"
"I don't want to speak of that right now, Blair. Please, let's not mention anymore of it tonight. It's not what I need right now."
Blair silenced, looking him over, and seeing how tired he looked. She had to remind herself he was still healing from his injuries, even if he had come a long way. It was hard to think a prince fragile, but he was still human after all. She moved over, touching a hand to his cheek, and running another through his hair.
"Well, I could think of something you do need… right now," she insinuated with a smile, whispering in his ear. Her eyes flickered down to his lap, and back again. Chuck's eyes rolled back into his head and he groaned.
"I'm quite tired, Waldorf. I feel teased," he rasped.
Blair giggled, pushing on his chest with her hands, and watching as he fell back onto the pillows. He opened his eyes to look at her curiously.
"I do not need your help tonight. I am quite capable on my own, thank you," she responded. She then got up from the bed, pulling off his trousers, and kneeling beside it. Before she could do anything else though, he sat up suddenly, looking down at her position on the floor.
"What are you doing?" Chuck asked.
Blair sort of laughed, shrugging her shoulders at him. "I'm sorry, but I thought it obvious—"
"You've never done that before. We haven't done that, not in that way. Why now?" he questioned.
Blair stared back at him, still taken aback by his reaction. She spoke slowly. "Because it's what you need…"
"Have you ever done it before?" Chuck interrupted. He was staring at her quite intensely now. She realized he was trying to read her.
She shook her head. "You just established yourself that we haven't—"
"That's not what I asked. I know we haven't. I'm asking if you have… with someone else," he asserted.
Blair scoffed, suddenly feeling insulted. Her eyes fell to the floor and her cheeks blushed. "You're not insinuating that what Lord Baizen said was true…"
"No," Chuck clarified. "I know that wasn't true. But I'm also not naïve enough to think I'm the first man to seek out your affection. So I'm asking now if you ever did what you plan to do tonight with me with anyone else?"
She closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I was a virgin before you, Chuck. I confirmed that—"
"Lots of girls save their maidenhead by performing in other ways, what we speak of now being one of them. So I'll ask a final time, Blair. Have you ever done this with another man, perhaps one in back in France?"
"No!" Blair made eye contact with him, and lowered her voice. "No, I haven't. You will be the first, and I am sure it will be obvious." She felt relief wash over her as that particular comment made him smile.
He chuckled, "I can help guide you along. You needn't worry." He then sat back again, closing his eyes, and sighing happily. "And your answer has pleased me greatly. I am not sure I could bare the idea of another man's—well, you know." He was trying his best not to be crude and she was thankful for it, as that was definitely all for her.
She smiled, "Can the prince not bare to say the word even?" She was teasing him now.
Chuck's eyes opened, and he looked into hers. She sent him a look, further challenging him. And then came his classic smirk. Uh oh.
"Fine, Waldorf. You want to be treated like a big girl? I'll say it." His eyes were lit up with mischief as his lips formed the words.
"I'm pleased to know that the only cock you'll have ever had in your mouth will be my royal one? Is that better?"
Blair laughed aloud, staring at him in disbelief. It took all she had not to slap him; after all… it would be a royal offense.
XOXOXOXOXO
The Royal Chapel
Whitehall Palace, London
Chuck stared at his father, the King of England, as he stood at the altar. It was a sight he'd really never imagined he'd see. He had always assumed his father would only ever be married to his mother, and the older he got the less likely he thought that would change. Yet here he stood now at his father's wedding to Catherine. The priest was about halfway through the ceremony vows, but Chuck had tuned him out long ago. Now all he heard was a low murmur of voices, belonging to his father and Catherine. The older woman seemed to stare up at his father with admiration, but not love. Then again what did Chuck know about love?
His eyes drifted to Blair, and he told himself it was coincidental and not subconsciously. She wasn't looking at him, but faithfully watching the ceremony. However, it was evident she was bored. He smirked a little at the thought of their conversation about it all later; the snarky comments they'd make in regards to tacky dressed members of court.
Blair's eyes unexpectedly locked with his, and she sent him a small smile. He decided he'd rather look at her than the travesty that was his father's second and purely political marriage. Even in the gown Catherine had picked out for her, Blair looked stunning. Her attire was a tad more formal than usual, less catching of a color, but it only reinforced she didn't need all that décolletage. Her natural beauty was something of wonderment to him. He'd never been so drawn in by someone physically, and for him that was saying something.
His smirk turned to a frown as he watched Thomas take Blair by the hand. Chuck snapped out of his daydream realizing that the vows had finished, and his father was married... and that woman... was queen. He glared from Catherine to her son, and back. It was then Chuck decided that if there were any persons he could remove from court, it would be the now queen and second-rate prince of England. Chuck sped up to walk beside Blair, and Thomas as they followed Bart and Catherine out. It took all he had in him not to reach out and grab her arm, stake a claim in front of everyone. He eyed the couple from the side, and gritted his teeth at the sight of Thomas's other hand on Blair's back. That was Chuck's back, and he didn't care for anyone else touching it. Honestly who did this woman and her stupid son think they were? Coming into his court and taking crowns they didn't deserve, claiming Blair who they should never have.
His nostrils flared and he emitted a sort of frustrated huff. Evidently, it was more noticeable than he'd realized.
"Your highness, are you alright?" Blair's soft voice drifted to his ears. He turned, not caring that Thomas was also looking at him now too. He locked eyes with her, only glancing away to Thomas's touching of her, and back.
She didn't respond, but he could tell by her expression that she understood. She gave him a sort of pitied looking pout and he felt his stomach turn at the sight of it.
"That's a good question, Lady Blair," he responded, in a tone he knew she would recognize. Then he looked forward again, but felt her eyes remain on him.
"There's nothing like a Royal Wedding," Blair murmured. Her voice was low, but Chuck still heard it. He nodded slowly, still looking forward. He knew what she was thinking about, but it was the last thing he wanted to imagine right now.
"You are certainly right about that, dear. And to think our own will be next," Thomas intruded, sounding as clueless as ever. Well, so much for that.
Chuck felt his stomach drop again, and his legs almost went with it. He balled his fists as his sides, and clenched his jaw. Blair's eyes burned into the side of his face, but he couldn't make eye contact with her—not now, not while she walked with Thomas, and definitely not after he said that.
"We shouldn't talk about such things today. It is the King and Queen's day, not ours," Blair rejected. Chuck knew she did it for him, but it wasn't good enough. It didn't make him feel any better.
"Of course, dear," Thomas agreed. He was nothing, but a sheep. Chuck wished he could just slaughter him, and be done with it. That's what sheep were made for, what they deserved. What a sheep didn't deserve was a marvel like Blair. It felt like there was a bright redness forming all around him, like the violence he felt inside wanted to physically manifest in the room.
"Don't call her dear." It had passed his lips before his mind had registered it.
"Ex-excuse me, your highness?" Thomas stuttered, sounding nervous but also quizzical.
Chuck turned, black eyes staring the other man down. "I said, don't call her dear. Do not address Lady Blair so informally, especially in my presence. It insults her, and it insults me. Do you understand?"
"Ye-yes, your highness. Forgive me," Thomas nodded. "It must be the wedding that has me so excited, it made me forget my need for formal address. I only can not wait until Lady Blair and I—"
"That is enough. All I need to know is that you understood me, and will not do it again. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to find a good drink to start off the festivities with. Blair." He nodded briefly at her and then turned on his heel walking off. He hoped the next time he saw her she wouldn't have that imbecile holding onto her.
XOXOXOXOXO
Blair had slipped away from the celebration in the grand hall as soon as she could even though it felt like she'd been trapped there for hours. With everyone at court present, including the king and now new queen, she had to keep up with the charade of courtly respect and being engaged to the also new prince. She had barely been able to make eye contact with Chuck, let alone speak to him. He was drinking particularly hard that night, even for him, and it made her all the more nervous to get too close to him in such a state. While she was getting better at hiding their affair, he was either getting sloppy about it or purposely testing its limits more and more.
She sighed, lifting her dress, as she picked up her pace down the hallway. The further she got from the party, the darker and more quiet the corridor became. Once less people began to pass her, she slowed her pace, and began to relax. She was rounding the corner to pass what she assumed was an empty throne room when something caught her attention. She heard someone yell and the sound of an object hitting and bouncing off the stone floors. Carefully and quietly she peered round the corner, into the room. She saw the object she heard was some kind of cane or staff; it rolled towards her, stopping when it hit her shoe. She frowned down at it in confusion. She was about to pick it up, when a panicked sounding voice rang out.
"Pl—Please, your highness. They kept me in the tower for days, questioning, and beating me. They practically broke my knees! It's why I have the cane! I assure you I am well aware of my crimes and have paid dearly for them. I shall never repeat them. I swear it, your highness! Please!"
Blair looked up to see the begging voice belonged to... Lord Carter Baizen. He was on his back, holding up a hand as if to try and block a physical blow. There was a person standing over him, threatening him with said blow, after having obviously pushed him down. She was about to turn on her heel and get out of there before they took their wrath out on her next, when it dawned on her. Carter had said your highness, and that most certainly wasn't Thomas.
"I should have had them break them! Perhaps then you wouldn't have crawled back to court so soon! Do you really think she wants to see you; or that I would want her to have to see what I had to have done to you for punishment? You dare show your face for the first time again at my father, the King's wedding? I should have your head on a bloody block, Baizen!" Chuck yelled, grabbing Carter by the shirt to yank him up some.
Blair couldn't move. She was literally frozen there, unable to look away. Chuck was talking about her. He had done damaging things to Carter for her. And he was still threatening to do worse. He was even insinuating that he could... execute him. Would Chuck really have someone killed for her? She felt a chill go down her spine, and a fiery feeling in her toes and cheeks. All together it was a strange sensation, as if something could both be feared and desired.
"Please, your highness. I will leave court if you wish it. Please," Carter begged, putting his hands together as if to pray.
Chuck scoffed at this, releasing his hold on Carter's shirt, and pushing him back down to the ground. "The day you spoke of her should have been your last. You're pathetic, Baizen; you always have been."
Blair couldn't help, but feel oddly flattered by his threat. She was almost curious just how far the prince wound go for her. Would he actually execute someone for her? Blair took a deep breath and bent down, picking up the cane. She then slowly stepped out of the shadows, approaching the scene as confidently as she could.
"Chuck," she called.
She watched as his back stiffened at the sound of her voice. He spun around, standing in front of Carter as if to try and hide him from her. He was drunk, and his eyes were still doing that thing they did when he was angry; they went black. Yet, his demeanor to her had softened, if possible, and he was suddenly nervous. She could tell he hadn't planned on her seeing any of this, and he wasn't prepared for it. For once she had caught the prince off guard, an act she'd previously found basically impossible.
She gave him a small, peculiar sort of smile as she presented herself before him. Carefully she reached her hands out, tenderly touching his arm and hand with hers. The stench of a weird mix of ale and wine instantly engulfed her, but she made sure not to show she minded in her expression.
Chuck looked down at her hands on him, and then back to her eyes; he gazed into them for a while, as if searching for the words to speak. Then he shook his head, voice firm. "You shouldn't be here, Blair. I don't want you to see this. You don't need to be troubled with it."
Blair quirked her brow, and cocked her head to get a better view of Carter. The man would not look her in the eye, but instead seemed to further cower at her presence. It was the first time any man in her entire life both trembled and shrank before her. She felt an insane rush of adrenaline go through her, as if she could physically feel the power she was holding coursing through her. She looked from Carter to Chuck, wondering if how she felt read on her face.
She smiled coyly at him. "But I already saw it, Chuck, and heard it. Tell me, do I look troubled by it?"
Chuck continued to stare at her for a moment, clearly somewhat baffled by her reaction to it all. Then he took his arm, hooking it around her, as if to guard her from Carter. He pressed his front to her back, and rested his shin on her shoulder. She stared down at Carter again, who would still not look at her, and she felt Chuck's eyes remain on her.
"This doesn't scare you, Waldorf?" he rasped into her ear, wrapping his arms fully around her, holding her tightly.
She shook her head, refusing to look away from the man at her feet.
"Should I be scared, Chuck?"
He chuckled darkly, "No, you have nothing to fear here. Him on the other hand—"
"Please! Please, your highness! Allow me to apologize, here, now to the Lady for my crimes against her!" Carter cried out, a real sense of panic now in his voice.
Chuck immediately let go of Blair, pushing her back some to put himself between her and Carter. He scowled down at him, raising his voice again. "You know what I did to you for speaking about her, what do you think I'd do for you speaking to her?" he sneered. She could feel how fast and loud his heart was beating in that moment; it was admittedly somewhat enthralling to her. She grabbed hold of his arm, stepping forward once more.
"Wait! No, I want to hear it. I want him to beg my forgiveness… at my feet," she clarified. She tried her best not to sound unsure at all, but as strong willed as he, just in a calmer form.
Chuck turned his cheek from Carter, and she realized it was to hide his reaction. He was sort of… smirking. After a few moments he regained his composure and his stern, more threatening scowl. He motioned to the man on the floor.
"Well, you heard her."
Carter looked at Chuck with uncertainty and hesitated before finally looking up at Blair. Their eyes locked for a moment and she saw what was truly in them; it was terror. He was terrified.
"That doesn't require fucking looking at her," Chuck barked, moving towards him again as if to strike him. Blair reached out her hand, stopping him. She then slowly let go and took a cautious step forward, so that she stood directly above Carter.
"Go on," she commanded. It felt amazing. She could feel Chuck's eyes on her back, but she kept her posture straight and her stance proud; there was even somewhat of a smug smile on her lips.
Carter held up his hands as if he was submitting some kind of surrender to her. He propped himself up on his knees, though wincing and groaning as he did so. Then making sure to keep his eyes at her feet, he managed to get the words out, albeit broken up and slow in pace.
"La—Lady, Blair, please, please know that I am deeply, and profoundly regretful and remorseful—no, repentant about repeating terrible untruths regarding her nobleness! Please find it in your merciful heart to forgive a wretch such as myself, though I deserve no excuses or pardons. I swear it on my life that words regarding the lady will never again pass my lips so long as I do live." Carter took a deep breath at the end of it, gasping as if he'd forgotten he needed oxygen up until that point. Then he fell forward, his hands and cheek pressed to the ground near Blair's shoes.
Her immediate reaction would have been to jump back, but she stood firm, and was glad for it when she realized what he was doing. He was bowing. She narrowed her eyes at Carter, and cocked her head. She was still fully aware that Chuck was watching her every move.
"Do not get up yet, not until I say so, or until you answer my question," she instructed.
"Que—question, my lady? What could you ask me? What answer could I have for you?" Carter stuttered, still trembling from the ground.
"You said that you were repentant about repeating terrible untruths regarding myself. To repeat something would mean that you first heard it from another, so who said it to you?" Blair asked, placing a hand on her hip.
Carter closed his eyes, whispering something under his breath.
"What was that?" Blair snapped. She had to keep control of the situation, and the dialogue under her direction or Chuck would surely cut in.
Carter finally relinquished. "I said that it was Lady Penelope. It was she who said it to me, my Lady. And I am ever to regretful that I listened and repeated—"
"Yes, yes you already apologized," Blair cut in, rolling her eyes at him. It was satisfying the first time, but each time repeated now just more annoying. She stepped away from Carter, turning back around to face Chuck.
"Well, that wasn't very lady like of Lady Penelope now, was it?" she asked assertively. It wasn't really a question, after all.
He cocked his left brow at her, nostrils flaring some.
Blair placed her hands on his waist, getting close enough so that he could feel her body heat and breath. "It would seem as if Lady Penelope is not acting worthy of her title; would you not agree, your highness?" She spoke her words clearer, hoping he would identify their meaning.
Chuck suddenly smirked at her, and she knew he had.
"Yes, Waldorf. I would agree." He took hold of her hands and brought them up to his lips, kissing them. "And one without title does not belong at court."
Blair couldn't help, but grin from ear to ear. She had done it. She had gotten the prince of England to do something for her, multiple things for her. Chuck had served and defended her with blood, and now banishment.
She felt like a queen.
XOXOXOXOXO
A/N: And that's it for this chapter! The reason I didn't go too elaborate or into details on Bart and Catherine's Royal Wedding is cause well it's a CB story and who knows… I may have another wedding to describe in the future. Anyway, please review if you're reading and let me know if you're enjoying the story and what you're thinking. I will try my best to carry on with the quick updates in return.