Several hours later, the morning's golden light shone from the high windows into Prince Caspian's private study.
He stared at his quill and official documents, but his mind was in a tangled loop, replaying last night's events.
The press of her soft body against his, her taste of ripe peach and how she kissed him back with such unrestrained passion.
His fingers moved, remembering the feel of her soft, dark, dark curls.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Your Highness, the council members–"
"Reschedule it," he snapped.
Seconds later, Elias, his personal secretary, interrupted.
"A letter, sire."
Elias was a thin, serious man who never affected emotion.
"Respond and say–
"It's from the Ravensdale house, marked as urgent."
He paused, head snapping up.
"Ravensdale? Give me that letter."
Never had Elias seen Caspian tear open a sealed letter with such urgency.
Caspian picked it up, examining it before reading the letter.
Inside: a formal receipt for Ravensdale debts paid off, stamped by the Royal Exchequer.
He shook the envelope open. A dull, bronze coin fell out of the letter, clattering on the table.
"Hmmph…"
"My Prince?"
Elias came close, wondering if he was unwell.
Caspian let his head fall to the table, hands clutched to his sides. let
Elias stared. He couldn't fathom what was so funny about a bronze coin, but he bowed out of the Prince's Private study as Caspian's chuckle transformed into full-blown laughter.
*************************************************
Attendants bowed, keeping their eyes down, whenever he strode through the palace.
The council chamber meant a dreary day ahead.
The great doors swung open, and the representatives and advisors bowed low.
"Your Highness," Lord Harlan intoned, voice hoarse, "The eastern garrisons are undersupplied, and Duke Voss has sent a proposal for a modest eight percent increase."
He scanned through the documents with a grunt, picking up his quill pen.
"And the farmers? I recall a severe complaint of how hefty the taxes have become since the dry season."
Harlan only shrugged, noncommittal
"We all make necessary sacrifices, my Prince."
Draped in jewelry and expensive wear, Caspian wondered what sacrifice the overfed Harlan made.
He signed the document wordlessly.
"And now…for our grain shortage problems…"
As Caspian dreaded, the meeting dragged on for hours, from paranoia of bubbling rebellion, the enemies at the gate, and incoming grain shortages made worse by pests.
These gatherings were too bureaucratic to make practical policies, but they were the law.
"So we agree to reroute the grain supplies to southern Eldoria, but secure the services of the immigrant workers in exchange."
Caspian banged his gavel, getting up with a tired sigh.
"Then it is concluded. This meeting is over."
Before anyone could corner him with more dreary talk, he got up and out, his robes uniform trailing behind.
Servants in the passageway bowed as he passed, some with reverent smiles, others with respect.
"My Prince!"
As if on cue, Elias had found him, rushing to catch up with Caspian, slightly out of breath.
" I must take you to one of my morning training sessions."
"No, thank you, my lord."
Caspian nearly smiled at Elias, suppressing a shudder. He was unaffected by most things except the thoughts of moving his body more than he deemed necessary.
" What is it, Elias?"
He adjusted his collar and cleared his throat.
"She's…here. Remember the meeting you promised her?"
His face involuntarily tightened.
"Her" as in Seraphina Voss.
" My lord, I don't want to remind you how complicated this could turn out for you."
"It is not your job to lecture me." Caspian's voice was cold.
"Inform her I will be with her shortly."
Elias bowed, retreating from his side.
Seraphina.
That name struck him with growing irritation.
A few days ago, she had insisted on having tea at the public sweets shop. To inspire public opinion in their favour.
And why not? Seraphina Voss had always been the most practical choice for queen.
She was tactical, sharp and conniving.
Seraphina was also a childhood love with whom he'd shared a few secret nights before he ever knew of the Duchess's existence. He had a flawless plan to get the dull duchess of Ravensdale to end things with him, but she had jumped the gun.
Now….
He squeezed his right fist, leather glove crinkling–as if it would channel his frustrations away.
"Dammit…" Caspian muttered.
Standing at the entrance of the east garden, the scent of flowers wafted towards him.
Even from here, he could hear the obnoxious laughter of Seraphina.
Her suggestion to show the people the prince was thriving after the lowly duchess ended their betrothal was starting to backfire.
"Yes, he only drinks chamomile tea. Thank you."
Caspian approached the cozy sitting area where Seraphina was eagerly seated, waiting.
"My Prince!"
Her blue eyes lit up. She scurried, bowing low.
"Seraphina." He said tightly, signalling the serving maid to leave.
Caspian took a seat opposite her.
"I appreciate you taking your time, my Prince," she added enthusiastically.
The ceramics clattered as a delighted Seraphina took a sip of her tea, eyes keenly fixed on her handsome prince.
Caspian regarded her critically
As usual, overdressed in purple silk embroidered in gold. Her necklace was a teardrop purple, and the air choked with her cloying perfume.
" May I?" Seraphina grabbed the delicate pot, pouring steaming golden chamomile tea steeped with honey.
Handing the cup, her laced fingers brushed his, but Caspian's hand shot back involuntarily.
She blinked in surprise but kept her smile.
"You seem…distracted today. Is it the council meeting?"
Duke Harlan, her father, must have informed her.
They did their best to cozy up to him in hopes that he would marry her.
"Yes. The council meetings," he responded, absentminded.
Sipping his tea, gazed unfocused as his memories travelled again to his patrols yesterday from last night. His shock of spotting Aria dressed like a man, him cornering her. The grey hood spilling out her hair.
Looking down, he examined the fingers that brushed her soft mane, those fiery green eyes that challenged him. His fingers pulsed with warmth and that damnable smell of peach that clung to her skin–
"Now that we are undoubtedly closer, my Prince. Perhaps I could ease your mind."
Seraphina's sultry tone pulled him back as it slid beneath the table to his knee.
He stopped her, prying off her fingers.
"I am not in the state of mind for this," his tone was a cold warning.
She withdrew, eyes sharpening in suspicion.
Caspian was one who never let emotions rule his decisions. She knew that before she started to go after him.
It had given her immeasurable joy for that dour disgrace of Ravensdale to end things publicly. Caspian had even secretly let her into his palace wing that night but he had a look of distraction on his face–like now.
Seraphina got up, slamming the table,
"It's her, isn't it? You are thinking of that unworthy wretch, aren't you?"
She laughed bitterly, humiliation burning through her pride.
Caspian's jaw ticked, but he said nothing.
He'd truly despised Aria, yes. Betrothed against his will to the daughter of a crumbling house by a medieval law.
She was a chain on his ankle, weak-willed and timid to the point of tears.
Seraphina was different, smart yet submissive, with status as cousin of Baron and Duke's daughter of the great four.
Her family's influence would place the nobles squarely on his side.
But that was as much of her as he could tolerate.
'Do I have to compete for your affections with a shrew who humiliated you??!'
"I will warn you to mind your tongue."
He rose to full height, forbidding and towering over her. Seraphina flinched–this side the public hardly saw.
"Mind your place." The venom in his voice was a threat.
Seraphina threw her head back and laughed, desperate and bitter.
"Fine! I am the best choice you have, the sooner you come to terms with it, the better for us both."
She stormed out of the garden, leaving him alone.
"Regret?"
He had no regrets except one.
The one that kept him up at night, wondering if he was good enough to one day rule Eldoria.
He pulled out the bronze coin he'd held close to him all day, examining it in the light.
Caspian was never meant to be a candidate for the throne.
It was Klaus, his eldest brother. The familiar dull stab of pain flooded his heart.
The perfect son and brother who died saving his incompetent younger brother who dove after his wooden toy and nearly drowned.
Klaus has gone after him and has gotten stuck. Help arrived too late.
As the guards pulled out 15-year-old Klaus' stiff body from the lake, his father asked the shivering and crying 7-year-old Caspian to follow him into the throne room.
"You are now the heir apparent. You have no room for weaknesses."
Memories of his father's hidden grief and sternness caused him to despise his frail younger self.
Nobody ever blamed him out loud, including his father, but the guilt of causing his brother's death changed something in him forever.
The sounds of footsteps caused him to look back.
" Elias."
" I see the lady left in a hurry."
"I gather," he said dryly.
He tossed the coin to Elias, who caught it quite easily.
"Plant a few spies in Rav
ensdale house. Be discreet. They report every detail of Lady Aria's…. activities."
Elias bowed. "At once, sire."
He watched Elias leave before sinking back into his chair.
He had no idea if he was digging a hole for himself or climbing out of one.