::Jealousy is Thicker than Blood::

[Ashland De'Courte]

Saintclair sighed as he found himself staring down the general of Ghaiel with his own small force standing guard behind him. A carriage pulled onto the scene with its own small force of elite cavalry. A noblemen exited the vehicle. Not soon after the King made his entrance.

"I'm glad you've made it safely."

The king of Ghaiel announced as he motioned Saintclair and his associate to follow behind. Inside the castle they took refuge in the banquet hall where a feast had been awaiting them. "My daughter will be down momentarily. She should be just about done packing her things." The King announced as servants pulled back chairs for his guest. Saintclair looked around as he accepted freshly poured wine from a maid.

"My Liege..." The noblemen breathed before he took a seat. "My King has informed me that we will be able to move our forces out on this day. In accordance with our treaty, the marriage of both parties will promote a permanent cease party on both sides. Peace will be restored to both our kingdoms and we will proceed to phase two."

"Yes..." the king added with a smile. "We will produce new and improved trading routes and you will reduce the taxes on weapons and food."

"Haven't these things already been mapped out? I'm going to go and assemble my men. We are all anxious to go home. I will meet you and the Princess outside for our departure. Please sign whatever you need to and do it quickly." With a bow Prince Saintclair excused himself from the room. He'd never been one for politics. He'd been bred for war and at the moment he wasn't sure what he was sick of the most. He just wanted to go home. The tension was driving him absolutely insane.

---------2 days later--------​

"Father you can't be serious."

"If you forfeit this marriage Erin you're handing over your position of power to your brother."

"I never cared about the throne anyway. He's the first born I don't understand why in the hell you would want me."

"We raised Saintclair to be the warrior... We raised you to be king."

"Two halves of the same coin--I guess..."

His father was being unreasonable. His brother...even more so difficult. If he was supposedly the warrior in the family shouldn't he be anxious to shed a little blood? Shit, it'd been more than a couple of years since the last civil war. Now an impending war between their kingdom and another was struggling to break out and somehow the warrior of all people had the nerve to want peace with a place far less intelligent. If he wasn't already head over heels for the woman he was currently dealing with, he would marry the wench just to burn their kingdom to the ground.

No matter how Erin felt about anything, his Father had already sent for the Princess and she would be there any minute. From what his Father had told him, Saintclair was escorting her back.

"Do you really have to do this babe?"

Erin couldn't help a smile as his woman in red threw herself onto him dramatically. He smiled as he swept her tiny frame up off the ground and into his strong arms. His brother wasn't the only one strong enough to protect their kingdom. Carrying her over to his large bed he threw her onto it. "No. Don't you worry your pretty little head my darling. . . I'm going to bang your brains out and when that little whore of a Princess arrives, I'll tell her straight to her face I want nothing to do with her or our kingdoms' plan for peace." If it all went to hell he had a plan for that as well. But, he wouldn't think about that until after he finished with the woman beneath him.

---An hour later---
​

A grand celebration was going on when Saintclair arrived home. His Father had planned to wed Erin and the Princess that day. His Mother was obviously the one he'd gotten his patience from. He understood his Father's angle however, Erin was a loose cannon and always had been. For the longest he'd wondered why their parents chose to give his younger sibling the position he deserved--the position that was his right from birth. Alas, he no longer had to worry about it all. Once his kin was married off to the woman beside him he would be free to finally rest.

 

[Safi]

Selena had been told by her father, she was to wed he betrothed her off to a prince. At first, she didn't want to accept it and pouted and even sulked in her room. But nothing changed her father's mind, she accepted the match with good grace. Now she was going to another kingdom and meet the king of Gael and his sons. One was to be her husband and the other.. well she hoped he would not be forced into a marriage, but it was not the way some things went. She finished her packing and then turned and headed to her room door opened it and saw one of her father's guards "Please take my pack things down" the man bowed and she hurried down to say goodbye to her father.

Once downstairs, her father was alone, he had then pulled her into a tight hug "You ready to go sweetheart? Prince Saintclair is here to escort you there I will be there as well, there afterward don't worry though, I'll be there a day before the wedding" She nodded and hugged her father back "Yes, I am ready father" He then took her arm and led her outside to the carriage. Once beside it, he introduced her to Prince Saint Clair "Prince Saint Clair meet my daughter, Princess Selena" After the introduction, he helped her into the carriage and set her off with her maid.

---------2 days later--------​

Selena sat in the carriage it had been a long journey two whole days of spending time mostly in the carriage. Now they had arrived she was standing in a room full of people next to Prince Saint Clair. She timidly greeted every one "If you excuse me, I want to unpack my things in the room I was given, " she looked at Prince Saint Clair "Would you be so kind and lead me that way Prince Saint Clair?" little did she know may have told tail of the fact they thought her too skinny and ugly the rumors spread through the castle. All she wanted was to get things settled, she was nervous and scared and still quite young. The king of Ghaiel had greeted her warmly she smiled tentatively she was shy still and had no clue what to do. Why had the prince she was to wed not come to see her yet? Maybe it was due to nerves, maybe he had been as nervous as she was? Selena had no clue, but she started to head to the room she was given for her stay till she was married. But the wedding was to be not for another day or two after her father arrived, but surprisingly he arrived just a moment later than her.

 

[Ashland De'Courte]

Saintclair smiled warmly at the young girl's request. As a Prince he could have sent anyone in his place to take her to her room but... Somehow he felt obliged to do so. It wasn't easy entering into a new kingdom all by yourself. He had an entire army backing him when he had and well, he could understand her anxiousness to retire.

Motioning her to follow behind he led her away from the eyes staring her down. Rumours had spread through the palace of her arrival. Many of the rumours were sick. He would never be able to understand the need to talk about one, especially a child. Whispers could be heard until they reached a corridor that was only filled with paintings and statues of past rulers. Grabbing her arm softly he turned the girl to face him.

"Do not listen to them." he managed a smile. Placing a gentle hand on her chin he raised her head so that he could see her eyes. "It'll be hard here at first... But, I'm sure once you are wed they will no better than to bad mouth you." Patting her gently on the head Saintclair moved to lead her up a grand staircase.

It was of no surprise to Saintclair that his brother hadn't come to see Selena yet. His guess was that he was shacked up with the town harlot. The girl he fancied was about the same age as Selena but, she had gathered quite the reputation among the village before Erin had dragged her back to the castle claiming her as his personal maid.

It wasn't long before they reached the top of the stairs. A few feet further and they came to a stop at a pair of doors with two angels carved intricately into the wood. Pushing the doors open he turned her attention to the doors a couple steps away. "That is Prince Erin's bedroom. My room is at the end of this hallway. If you should need anything please don't hesitate to knock. As future Queen I will be assigned as your personal guard." A prince a guard... It was a perposterous though. But, his family did things differently. It had been that way for hundreds of years. The first born was always cursed to be within the shadow of their younger sibling, whether it be a boy or a girl. "From the looks of it...You might be wed tonight. Father is always quite impatient when it comes to Erin. He thinks that if he could act faster than the boy could blink, Erin would actually listen." Saintclair spoke as he began down the hall to his room. "When you are ready to rejoin the festivities come get me." with that said he continued down the hall ready to ditch his armor and relax.

 

[Safi]

The warm smile looking down at her had her heart warm. Saintclair was much taller than she was and much older. The motion for her to follow had her beaming up a grateful smile at him. It was nice of him to show her to her room, he could have someone take her and she could have asked another but she was too shy to do that.

Selena started to walk behind him following every step he made so she didn't get lost as if that was possible. Hearing whispers as she walked was upsetting one whisper was heard "I hear her breasts are so small some thought her to be a boy if not for her hair" another came cruel as the first. It was devastating people were even starting to bet the Prince would hate her.

A little moment past as no more whispers were heard she was alone with Saintclair in a corridor that was only filled with paintings and statues. She felt him turn her toward him, his warm hand, taking her chin and lift it. She looked up at him with sad eyes clearly hurt as her eyes met his."Alright, I..I am sure you are right" A tap was falling on her head before she was led further along.

Now they were on the top stairs after much walking. Sinclair started to show her what room was who's by pointing. Her betrothed's bedroom was only a couple of steps from her room! "What? Knock on your door your.. you're going to be my Guard?" she was shocked, to say the least, "I.. I don't alright if I need anything, I will ask thank you for showing me to my room" the fact she may wed this night had her heart hammering "oh" she murmured she nodded a moment later taking all the information in. She gave Saintclair a small wave as he walked down the hall to his room. "Alright, " she responded easily, but she wanted to get a glimpse of her future intended was he in his room? After Sinclair had vanished from her sight she took a few steps closer to her intended's room, she put her right hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly after that she pulled the door open just a little to see inside.

 

[Ashland De'Courte]

Erin smiled contently as he rolled onto his back. The young teen in his arms moved to cuddle closer as he caressed her shoulder. "So...what now?" she asked as she looked up at him. "Well, we could either fall asleep or go for another round." he said with a laugh. "I mean about your betrothed stupid." the girl snapped. "Well I suppose I could always push her off the balcony...at least everything would go back to normal faster." she frowned punching him in the arm as she hastily sat up.

"You ass... You probably plan to marry her don't you...?"

"Don't be stupid Anna... You know you own my heart and soul."

She looked away from him and as she did she caught sight of his door nudging open. "Babe someone's watching!" she shrieked as she pulled the covers over her head in embarrassment. Erin slipped out of the bed in disbelief. No one was stupid enough to spy on him and yet the eyes peering through the crack of his bedroom doors said otherwise. He yanked the sheet out from under Anna and wrapped it around his waist as he rushed over to the doors. Yanking it open he found a young girl dressed in clothes far to elegant for that of a maid.

"How opportune. You must be the wench Princess Father planned to wed me to." he spoke, his voice filled with a venom you could touch. "Just as I told my father... You and your kingdom can go to hell!" Grabbing her by the front of her dress he pulled her close. "You can tell your lowly king to send you back to the whorehouse you came from." Pushing her back he yelled for her to leave his sight before slamming the door in her face. He was the Crown Prince and he would be damned if he was going to marry a toy that didn't look as good as his own. What he did would anger his Father however... Quickly he began putting on clothes and gathering his most expensive items. "Get your stuff together Anna we're leaving. Father won't stand for this and I won't marry her."

The commotion caught Saintclair's attention as he was leaving his room. He'd thought it was about time his brother started to act like the spoiled brat he was...

 

[Safi]

Selena froze when she looked at a woman was with her intended voices were heard. The woman was cuddled closer to her intended asking what they were going to do. After a moment Selena couldn't breathe the girl and her intended were speaking about her! She stood quietly as they spoke, she couldn't help but be rooted to the spot listening in. The fact was the prince had said he might push her off a balcony, then he said he had no plans to marry her. Her hand slipped on the door nob and the door slipped open more than she intended.

Everything went blank as she breathed, she then heard a shriek and then footsteps coming closer. The door flew open and her eyes widened as her head came up to look seeing the prince standing over her the one she was to wed. His words had caused her to wince he had called her a wench and his words were cold filled with hate. A hand grabbed her dress ripping part of it as she was pulled forward. He then told her she and her kingdom could go to hell the words were like a knife stabbing her it hurt worse when he told her she could tell her father to send her to a whorehouse where she came from when she had not. Suddenly she was pushed back a door slammed as she stumbled and fell on her ass.


Warm, wet tears streaked down her face as her body shook from not just shock. She quickly stood up and ran to tell her father what had happened, how she was treated and there was no way she wanted to wed a man so hateful. Selena didn't even see Saintclair she just ran the way back to the hall where the celebration was held. She didn't stop and could barely see where she was going pain was felt deep in her heart. There was no way her father would force her now. She kept running and running, ignoring the looks and shouts. Downstairs, through hallways, past lots of people, tell she flew to her father. "Father..." she cried. "Please! I beg you don't.. don't make me marry that.. that monster!.. He.. he said such horrible things to me" at this point the hall that had been filled with laughter grew quiet.

 

[Ashland De'Courte]

Dammit... Why did he have to be so right about his brother. He wanted so desperately for everything just to go smoothly for once. But, like his life when anything depended on his brother it often ended as nothing more than a tradegy.

He didn't bother to go check on his brother. Why bother? He would just whine about how wretched his life was and how everyone around him was out to get him. Instead Saintclair started after the girl. Rather quick on her feet she quickly disappeared out of his sight and down the grand staircase. Still he ran after, catching up to her only when silence erupted around them as she cried pitifully in her father's arms about the treatment his brat of a brother had shown to her.

"Saintclair...is it true?" his father questioned him with an accusatory glare as if he was the one who'd hurt the poor girl's feelings. "Yes, M'liege." turning to face Selena's father he took a knee as he lowered his gaze. "Please don't take this to heart. We all knew what we weren't getting into the moment we decided Prince Erin was to wed her." Shamefully his father shook his head. It was true. He should have never hung the balance of peace between their countries upon the shoulders of his spoiled son. But, he would never admit that.

"I won't stand for this." Selena's father spoke as he stroked the crying girl's head tenderly. Before much else could be said Erin's royal guard came rushing in. He informed them that the young Prince was gone when he went to retrieve him as his King had requested. With his second born gone, peace went out the door with him. That was what the king thought before his gaze landed on his son whom remained on one knee. "Stand my son." his father ordered. "As my apology to you. My son Saintclair shall wed your Princess." her Father took only a moment to think about it before he looked down at his daughter; declaring, "Then it shall be." Saintclair humbly bowed. "I will not dissapoint." was all he said. What else was there to say? No? No... Unlike his brother he would do anything within his power to make their kingdom a safe place.

On that night, Saintclair and Selena had been bound to each other by marriage. Upon the agreement of both parties she was to return home until of age while Saintclair had been steadily bred for his asencion to the throne.

Three years had come and gone and Saintclair found himself being dressed in extravagant garbs. Today was the day that his wife would return to him a woman. On that day he was to be crowned king with his wife at his side. His mind and body had been worked to death as he did his all to learn everything his brother Erin knew while maintaining his prowess on the battfield. A crown of solid gold had been placed upon his head and his father looked upon the 24 year old with great pride. Oh, how Saintclair dreamed of the day where his father would gleam with pride at his accomplishments.. To think it would take the fall of his father's respect for his brother for him to be more than just a warlord.

Other than his father's admiration, he'd hoped the most that his wife would approve of him after three years. Saintclair wondered how she would look as walked down an aisle of servants and nobles all gathered to watch him ascend the throne. With his father by his side they walked with that heads held high. Down to the throne room where four large thrones sat overlooking a large balcony where the townsfolk cheered. Saintclair sat in the second largest throne chair and his father sat in the large middle one. The others were empty, there for Selena and Erin. Erin still hadn't come back though, so his chair would be removed in a little bit. She would be there soon and Saintclair was feeling anxious. He didn't know whether it was from the sheer anticipation of her arrival or the fact that he was finally getting what he deserved as the older brother.

 

[Safi]

Once in her father's arms, she put her head against his chest. The warm, comforting arm took her in a hold as she cried against him. The voice of her father had come she could feel the rumble as he asked if what she said was true as if she would lie about such an awful thing. A hand had stroked her head in tenderness it was her father's hand, she could tell since he had often done that when she was upset. She had to listen shaking in her father's arms. Was her father going to do? Would he yell and demand satisfaction? Would there be a war? Her father spoke of the fact he would not stand for such mistreatment of her.

Her head went up still streaming with tears and then it turned not sure if she heard the next words the other king spoke. Sinclair was being given to her father for her to wed! It was it had to be something she misheard, but know her father said he agreed quickly enough. Could she say no to this betrothal? No, she had no say so in the matter at least Saintclair was kind to her and she had grown to like him in the short time traveling to this kingdom. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, maybe she had a chance for at least a kind relationship with her new betrothed. That night she was properly gowned for a wedding and wed to Saintclair but she was not to stay with him till she turned eighteen, that's when she was to come back and live as his wife.

---------3 Years Later--------​

Now at the age of eighteen, Selena was going back it been a two day trip like it was the last time this time, though.... it was different a lot of things changed for her, she was not a so skinny she filled out and was a beauty many men often fawned over her. What would her husband think of her? Would he be surprised on how well she looked now than she did back three years ago? Well, she was about to find out anticipation had her on the edge of her seat in the carriage as it stopped.

Earlier two days ago her father gave her a long goodbye hug promising to visit when he could tear were shed as she departed.

The carriage door opened a hand reached in to gather hers. Her small hand, then took the hand given stood up and walked down from the carriage. Today was a big day for her, she was richly dressed in a fine red dress. The guard that had accompanied her had then led her in the castle. Her hair was pulled up some of it fell down framing her face. Once in the room doors opened to the throne room. Selena's light blue eyes landed on her husband first he was dashing, handsome, tall, so much taller than her petite form a smile had come easily to her face. She walked gracefully down the carpet toward him, her heart raced to wonder as she reached the seat beside him "Good evening husband"