The Forbidden Bride

“Come on” A happy squeal came from behind a tall bush. If one went round the side, the colourful bush would reveal a fiery red head whose mischievous tendencies were fast, making her shoes muddy and her silver silk flower gown dirty to the dismay of her maid, Mira.

“Miss, you can’t do that. We need to head back,” Mira insisted, not liking her mistress's version of playing. Shaon sighed.

She hated to have to go back to her father’s house so soon. She enjoyed the freedom being in the forest brought. Shaon, a twenty-year-old curvy female, had plump cheeks, which further added to her delightful form. She was the daughter of the former Minister of Strategic Defense, a solid pillar that the king once relied heavily upon. Shaon had no idea what made her father suddenly resign from the king's employ and become a recluse in the hidden village of Burg. She hated Burg — No parties, no friends; she was indoors all day. And she could barely go anywhere without a guard. She felt stifled all the time. But recently, her mother had gotten sick and had needed expert treatment that could only be obtained in the capital. Hence, they had returned quietly. Shaon knew this was her one opportunity to be free, and she was determined to utilize it fully. No guard nor maid was going to stop her.

After leaving the house under the pretense of going to the medicine store, she had ordered the carriage to take her to the puppet show she had heard the servants whispering about. The carriage ride had gotten too dull for her and she had alighted and was soon lost in the splendour of a flower bed nearby.

“Miss Shaon… Minister Gap will be terribly upset should he discover we did not go to the medicine store. We need to hurry back,” Mira whined, the displeasure in her voice evident.

Shaon shrugged, plucking as many flowers as possible, she was going to make a flower crown. It would be nice for her embroidery. She had barely finished that thought when the horses gave a loud shriek. Shaon leaped to her feet and looked back.

She gasped loudly, holding dearly to Mira, who clung just as tightly to her. Assassins were emerging from the woods. The sounds of swords clashing made the girls shriek and whimper. They couldn't run; they hugged each other tightly, tears flowing from their eyes. It had all happened so soon. Their guards lay dead by their side, and one of the assassins moved closer to them Shaon’s hand was roughly held and dragged to the floor. She screamed, fear blinding her. She thought of her ailing mother and her proud father. The cold metal never touched her cheeks. The loud sound of hoofs made the assassins turn their attention to the new arrivals. Shaon lifted her head a little.

Surprise coating her features. The emblem flag of the king of Ketura.

Seated on the magnificent horse with an outstretched bow and arrow in his hand was the great and lofty king, Stephen. His eyes were cold, and his handsome face set grimly on the assassin close to her.

“ I thought you beasts were clear from my kingdom. It would seem some of my ministers still make use of you. I shall catch you and make your masters into scapegoats,” he declared.

He alighted from the horse in a frenzy and dashed forward. This time, one of the king's guards ran for her, and she was safely drawn into the safety of a large tree. Mira ran over to her.

The king dropped bodies as he went. The fight was bloody, the assassins made no sound as they dropped. Some attempted to run but were held up and arrested. The king's guards surrounded them. It was then that the king turned to look at her. His long strides came towards where they were.

Both girls curtsied promptly, shivering and trying their best not to look at the dead men on the floor. “I am sorry, your majesty. I was unable to protect my mistress. I deserve to be punished,” Mira recounted hurriedly.

The king smiled despite their situation. Shaon was awed; she stared wide-eyed at him as he came forward. His hand was placed on his sword. He rotated it as he placed it in its scabbard, blood and all.

Shaon averted her eyes. “You do not have to be afraid. You were not the one being targeted. I should be the one to apologize. The assassins were after me. “ Shaon’s eyes widened. The king was apologizing to them. Was he truly a king? She had never heard of a king apologizing. Her heart warmed instantly. Even her father had never apologized to anyone. He didn't have friends at all, which automatically resulted in her lack of friends too.

Shaon’s heart skipped a bit; she coughed slightly. It was then that the king turned his gaze upon her, his kingly robe swishing ever so slightly. The king’s eyes rested on her longer than necessary; she curtsied, knowing he recognized her. But he asked no questions, and she wondered why.

“We should leave,” he said abruptly. His guards all saluted and hurriedly moved to their horses. The living assassins were dragged forward and tied together. The guards were divided into two groups. Two guards remained with the king, while the others went with the king, towards the palace, Shaon guessed. Shaon and Mira stepped aside.

Shaon saw the king’s lips twitch. He bent to her height, his face close to hers. Shaon shifted back a little, her eyes widening. “I am not leaving here without you two,” he said.

“Well, help the maid up.” He commanded his personal guard. With a firm hand on her wrist, Shaon was dragged forward by the king. Puzzled, she couldn't ride a horse. Her objections began pouring when he made an attempt to lift her up on his own horse.

“Your Majesty…” The query died in her throat. Surely he knew this was inappropriate; he was the king, he knew that… Frantic, Shaon cast a shy glance at him.

His warm hand slid through her waist, Shaon shivered. “Your life is more important to me than the moral dictates of our situation, Shaon. You ride with me,” he stated firmly, and in one swoop, she was hurled onto the horse.

She sat sidesaddle, and he was seated behind her in seconds. He kicked the horse with his stirrups, and they were off. Shaon sat frozen; she was aware of him in so many places. His breath on her neck, his warm chest, and his arms enclosing her. She could not even breathe. She only hoped the Queen would not mind that she rode with her husband. But knowing Rhodesa, she would laugh at any rumours.

She knew the King loved her a lot. And she considered Shaon a friend even though Rhodesa was older. The ride seemed to stretch forever. People in the town watched them as they drove in. Everybody bowed as they passed. Shaon covered her eyes, but it was useless. He stopped right in front of the cottage her father had rented. He helped her to the ground without alighting himself. Shaken and confused, the girls bowed.

The gate to the cottage swung open, and her father and a few guards rushed outside. Her father bowed instantly. The king didn't spare him a glance and set his horse into motion once more as he sped off from the environment with his guards Shaon turned slowly to her father, whose eyes were burning with fury at her disobedience. She sighed; she had just escaped assassins, and now she was to face a scary father.

Mira squeezed her hand hard. No doubt she feared a beating. They made their way into the compound fearfully. Soon they were standing before the panel, her father and her ailing mother, who looked too unfit for the session.

“Pa, assassins came at us in the woods. The king saved us.” She hastingly explained. Her father’s grim face did not relax at all.

“I warned you not to go out at all.” “I am sorry pa,” She said quickly.

“Now, I have to go and see the king. But I do not want you out of this house at all. And let that be the last time you are in the king’s company. Do you hear me? And where is my carriage?” he bellowed.

Shaon's mouth went dry; she hadn't even cared about that. Her father's guards had fled when they saw they could not save the assassins. Most likely the carriage was still there. Her father glared at her before storming out. Shaon nodded. Surely her father had heard her mention assassins; he had not even checked her well-being.

Shaon sat discontented with her mother, who placed a weak hand on her head, patting her hair gently. Shao was very upset. The king meant her no harm. He might have ridden with her, but it was only because of the situation. The king had a queen he was very loyal to. Everyone knew of their love story; he never even took a concubine. She wondered what her father was afraid of. The king was a model husband. It was not like she was a potential bride for the king. She was twenty and unwed; surely she ought to be shamed. But no suitors came for her at all. The ones that did were sons of small lords that her father rejected without even thinking.

The only other proposal open for her was from the house of Wellington and Shaon would rather die than marry into that family. She would be happy to have someone like the king for a husband. Loyal and faithful. A man who would defy everyone just to be with her. He had shut down all criticisms to take on a concubine. He even built the queen her own palace and her own enterprise, since she was a talented embroiderer.

She closed her eyes dreamingly; surely she would have such a man some day soon if her mother survived her ailment.

King Stephen fumed furiously, seeing Minister Gap in the capital brought some pain swelling in his heart. Minister Gap had turned his back on him when he needed him the most. He had tried not to cast blame over the years and had allowed him to leave without broaching the subject once again. But seeing the family in the capital again was making his blood boil. Minister Gap thought he could make fun of him, right? He had exiled himself to Burg, yet here he was.

Pain swelled in the heart of King Stephen as he thought hard of his beloved queen. She had wanted him to find a new mother for her children. One who would love them and care for them like her own. Many women were hunting for that position. The political factions in the palace were tearing each other’s throats because of it. The Queen Dowager was insistent on choosing someone who would be loyal to her. All of which he had no say in knowing if the lady would actually love his kids.

He had seen Shaon’s childlike natu