Kristen's Betrothal - Chapter Fifteen

The Kingdom of Winchester's court continued to grow more and more each day, with new ladies and gentlemen coming to court.

Kristen's temper had settled down for such a long time that many people started to not fear her as they once did.

They all enjoy dancing and celebrating with balls and celebrations. Everyone, including Kristen, seemed happy.

A good friend of Kristen's pays her a surprise visit. "It's been a while since I last saw you," Lara tells Kristen. "I, too, have missed talking to you. I hope you decide to stay here in court for a while. I would love to catch up," Kristen tells Lara.

"I think that would be great! I think I will stay for a bit," Lara tells her. 

On an evening stroll, Margret was looking for Robert. He never told her much about his job at court, which made her more curious about Robert. She figured he was a stable hand like most men at court. While out, she spotted Kristen's henchman cleaning up after the execution of some guilty men. Margret was unaware that Robert was the henchman of Kristen's. This took her off guard. Most people didn't know the identity of the henchman because of the hood he wore. He was always careful to keep his identity hidden. "Sorry to intrude, but have you seen Robert?" Margret spoke in a shaky voice. No one spoke to him. He was always perceived as a cold man without a heart. "You should not be here," the man spoke in a low tone. "Robert, is that you?" Margret spoke as she approached him fast. The man turned quickly, but Margret pulled his hood off to reveal Robert. "Oh, I didn't know," Margret told him. 

Robert changed into his regular clothes and met Margret in the kitchen. "I hope this doesn't affect our relationship. I would still love to see you," Robert told Margret. "I do not judge you for what you do. You have a role in court like all of us. He gave her a big hug."I have never been this happy before. I thought no one would accept me for who I was," Robert told Margret.

"It's a job that not many would like, but it changes nothing between us," Margret replied. "Can you keep this secret between us?" Robert asked. "I will keep this secret," Margret replied.

Margret ran into Kristen and Lara, chatting in the corridor."Hello, Margret. How are you and that handsome young fellow of yours?" Kristen asked Margret."We are getting along fine. I really do like him!" Margret replied."I think you two were meant together. You have my blessings to marry," Kristen told Margret. 

Screams filled the room, echoing down the hall. Everyone took off running when the kitchen caught fire. "We need to put this out before the whole castle burns!" Screamed one of the queen's ladies. Many of the court's occupants pitched in to get the fire out. 

Paul ran into a past crush of his when he was a teen. "Oh, I have not seen you in years," Paul said to Nancy. 

Margret headed to the kitchen to get something to eat and noticed Paul and a lady named Nancy being really friendly with each other. They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't even notice Margret in the room.

"Please don't be mad at me, Kristen. It is going around the court that Paul, and this lady named Nancy, could be in a relationship," Lara told Kristen.

"How do I put this?! I was in the kitchen this morning and ran into Paul." Margret began to tell Kristen. "And?" Kristen asked. "Well, he was with a lady, and they appeared to be more than friends. It seemed careless," Margret told her.

"You don't think I know what goes on in my court?! Let me tell you, I have a few rules everyone knows. One of those rules is that no one is allowed to mess with my things, and no one is to cross me!" Kristen screamed at Nancy.

"You treat him like a piece of meat. He's not even allowed love while you rule here!" Nancy huffed at Kristen."I will deal with you later!" Kristen yells.  

Then Kristen turns to face Paul. She balls her fists up in such anger that she's about to explode but chokes a lot of it down to keep control. "So, this is what I get from you, I give you favor and anything you desire, and you go and flirt with her! You thought I wouldn't find out about this?" Kristen screamed at Paul. "Please calm down, Kristen. I didn't realize you would be this upset. We haven't been together for a while. You and William have been spending so much time together that I figured you didn't care for me anymore." Paul pleads.

"Well, you figured wrong. I trusted you and defended you when the others would mess with you. Now I think you are the one that started all this. So you don't love me anymore!" Kristen shouts at Paul.

"Well, that's just fine, Paul! You leave my sight before I do something I will regret later! I will deal with you after I calm down. You better not leave if you know what's good for you!" Kristen yells.

 To leave all the drama and too cool down, Kristen goes to her chambers, and her ladies help her undress.

A hot bath will help me relax. I will talk to William about this matter. Maybe he can help me decide what to do.

After her bath, she asks William to come to her chambers. "I can't believe Paul would do that to me," Kristen tells William. "Well, I don't like having to share you with him. I want you all to myself." William tells Kristen.

William tries to cuddle with Kristen when she pulls away. "What's wrong, Kristen?" William asks her. "I don't see why you are not on my side. You are my first and true love, William. I just thought you would agree with me." Kristen huffs.

"Why would I want to share with him? I can't stand the thought of him with you in that way. What if you were to get pregnant with his child? That would crush me, don't you realize that!?" William tells her.

"William, I can't have kids. I don't want to risk the chance of them being cursed with this awful thing. I don't think I can even have children," Kristen explains to him.

William scoops Kristen up and hugs her. "Oh William, I'm sorry for ever doing this to you. I will have only you as my love and will let Paul be free to love whomever he chooses," Kristen tells him. "So you will not punish him?" William asks Kristen. "No, I will let him be. I think I have scared him and Nancy bad enough. I will tell them later what I decided," Kristen tells him.

William throws Kristen on the bed and embraces her. "Let this be a new start for us," William whispers to Kristen.

The next day William suddenly drops down to one knee."William, are you ok?" Kristen asks William in alarm. William let out a small chuckle. 

Then he pulled out a beautiful ring. "Kristen, will you marry me?" William asks Kristen. "Oh, William! Yes, I will marry you!" Kristen squeals. Kristen wraps her arms around William and kisses him. 

"This will be a new beginning. I can't wait to plan our wedding!" Kristen exclaims.