Romilly Sanhart's Story

Romilly had been at the castle for some time before the prince got back. She wasn't supposed to meet him for another week, but a maid told her that they saw the carriage come down from the ramps that connected the islands to the kingdom. She wasn't from this land and had hoped Marcus would bring her up to them, but right now she was more worried about meeting a man she didn't know and didn't love.

She stood there in her pink dress next to the king's throne. Her hands fumbled with the hem of her dress when the king laughed and told her that everything would be okay and that she looked gorgeous. Romilly thanked him and did a little bow before turning back to face the door. It took a moment before Marcus opened the door and close it behind him. He hadn't seen her yet.

"Father, to send an old man and a damn kid to protect me... that is like a slap in the damn face!" He began walking closer when he finally notice her. "I am sorry, didn't know there was a lady in the room." He bowed apologetically.

She looked nervous at him then his father. His father groaned, "I sent them as protection. I will talk to you later about what is going on with that, as of for right now. Meet Princess Romilly your soon to be wife." Marcus glared at him, not even looking at her. Romilly began to blush. She knew this was going to happen. She herself argued with her parents about it till the day she left.

"And why would I need a wife, I have been doing well on my own. No offense, Princess Romilly, I am sure you are a great woman, just... Father... I can't marry her." She didn't know why her heart sunk when he said that. It isn't like she liked the man, or men.

"And why is that? Do you have a woman who you planned on marrying and not tell us?" His father ask. Marcus just stared at him. She could tell that he was pissed, but it softened when he looked at her. He walked up to her, took her hand, and bowed.

"I am sorry if I have offended you. I will indeed marry you and until then maybe we can get to know each other. Hopefully I can become the husband you have dreamed of and a great father to our future children." He then looked up at her, his golden eyes shining.

Romilly blushed from head to toe, "You aren't even who I want to be with. Ugh, I know you don't want this," she smiled though and said softly. "Please, stand up. I am not offended at all. I know this is sudden. I was also caught off guard when my parents told me. I am looking forward to getting to know you and hope that I can be a great wife and mother to our... future children." She wanted to cringe, but she kept her smile on. Marcus excused himself, saying he had business to attend to and walked out. His father apologized for his son and said she was free to walk around the castle and explore. She bowed and walked out to indeed explore.

Romilly had been in the garden. She heard it was a sight to see and that it was a calming place. She had been in there for some time when she heard Marcus' voice boom telling all the servants to leave. She turned around to see all of them walk out. He walked up to her and she bowed, "Hello, Prince Marcus."

"Please, no bowing and just call me Marcus." He said softly.

She nodded, "What can I do for you... Marcus." She felt funny dropping off the prince in his name.

Marcus chuckled, "I wanted to talk to you about a truce... in a way. I can tell you have someone you are in love with and I know it isn't me." She was starting to panic. She was about to say something, but he raised a hand, "It is okay, I am not angry. It is totally understandable. I want to know about this person who has your heart. Maybe I can have them come here. We can work something out that can bring you some kind of peace here."

She teared up. Romilly didn't know a prince to be this kind to her. "I... I am in love with a lady named Harper. She is a farmer in a village back at home. I love her so much, but my family would never allow it." He got up and held her. She stiffened at first, but soon leaned into him. "I am so sorry... I will do whatever it is you need me to do. I will marry you. I will have your children." She held his hand, but he didn't move it away.

"It is quite alright, I am in love with a man who... well... it is a bit complicated. So we get married and after we will work on getting her here... is that okay with you?" He asked her.

Romilly nodded happily, "Very much, thank you! Wait... we... we still have to have..." She blushed. Marcus laughed and patted her hand.

color=#B8860B]"We will get to that after we settle everything, okay? I have to go, but I will have a servant tell my father that we agree to marry for the kingdom and that you would feel a bit more comfortable if you had your friend Harper here. He is a very understanding man. You continue your time here, Romilly."[/color] He kissed her hand before taking his leave and she sat there happily.

He nodded, letting Erorn go and get his things. While that was taking place he walked to Romilly's room. There she was sitting on the small futon reading a book. She looked up at him and smiled. "Hello, Marcus. How may I help you?" Marcus smiled gently and took a seat at her feet. "I just wanted to let you know that when Harper is here... she will have to court someone who works in the castle in order to live here... and that is what we want. So I have someone who I know and trust to court and marry Harper. He isn't interested in her... he is just a toy or prop in all of this so that you can be with her. The hall I am in, and you will be in when we marry, is a private hall. It is only for me, you, and whoever I choose. Right now Erorn, my personal guard, is staying in the room next to me. He will be the one to marry Harper."

She frowned, but nodded in agreement. "I understand what needs to be done. I just hope she will want to. Thank you again for doing this... it means a lot." He smiled and patted her head. She blushed and looked down.

"I want us to be as happy as we can in this situation. I will let you get back to your book. If you need send a servant and I will come as soon as possible." They said their goodbyes and Marcus walked out. He knew Erorn was mad at him, but the kid was just way too damn... excited. Marcus tried to think of a way to make it up to him as he walked back to his hall and into Erorn's room, laying down in his bed and drifting off to sleep.

Marcus' eyes got dark, his jaw tensing up. He balled his fist and walked passed him, out of his room, before slamming the door shut. He walked into his own room and slammed his door. Things could be heard crashing. Romilly had been passing the hall when she saw Marcus, angry, walking into a room and slamming the door. Seconds later she could hear him throwing things. She knocked on the door and walked in, "Marcus? Are you okay?" She walked in, the rooms was somewhat trashed. Marcus was sitting on his bed, his hands shaking.

Marcus looked up and his faced softened, "You shouldn't be here, Romilly." He said softly. She walked passed the broken chairs and glass, sitting next to him. "It happens. Want to talk about it?"

His body tensed, "I just... I get very cold towards people... men... just men. Someone just made a low blow and instead of hitting them I came in my room and destroyed everything." He laughed. She didn't say anything and grabbed his hand, holding it, and patted it gently. He rested his head on her head and she smiled. They sat there in silence.

Marcus decided to give Romilly a tour since she would be ruling the kingdom with him one day. She held on to his arm as they walked. He didn't mind her company, she seemed to calm him down. "So do you only like men?" She asked lowly so that no one else would hear.

He stiffened some, she patted his arm gently and looked up at him with a smile. "Hmm, well I never even thought about it. I kind of had an eye only for one man... for most of my life, but that seems to have ended for good. I wouldn't mind marrying one, but her heart is taken." He smiled and she laughed. "Oh you make this woman swoon." He chuckled and they walked around until it was time to eat lunch. He brought her back to the castle where they ate in the garden. Marcus learned a lot about her land and Harper. She learned about his land and some of his past. He told her about Elwin and Erorn. She patted his knee and told him everything will fall together in due time.

Marcus escorted her to her room and kissed her cheek, her hand gently pressed against his chest. She blushed and looked like she wanted to say something, but she just smiled and walked into her room. Marcus didn't understand what he was feeling, but he just ended up back into his room and took a nap.

Marcus hurried to his room. Closing the door and pressing his hands against them. His body was shaking... the images of Erorn flooding his head. "No... no no..." He whispered to himself. He could hear Erorn screaming in his room. Erorn didn't understand the dangers of it all. He thought it was some rough play, but it wasn't even close. He turned around, pressing his back to the door and slid down it, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Marcus waited till Erorn's screams went silent. "You are supposed to be just friends with him... you are going to get the kid killed." He whispered to himself.

Once he was calm Marcus made his way over to where Romilly was and spent the rest of the day with her. They talked about plans and the wedding. He laughed and she did too, the Erorn problem still hanging in the back of his mind. When it was time to leave Romilly he grabbed a coupled of blankets and a pillow and headed up to the roof.

Marcus' jaw clenched and nodded. "Yeah, see you Erorn." He wanted to stop him and tell him what he said was a mistake, but he couldn't. He needed to make sure Erorn was safe. He waited till Erorn walked out before leaning on his knees and and taking deep breathes. He hated doing this. It took him a bit before collecting himself and walking to Nasir's room.
He met up with him and showed him to the library and records room. He helped him find the books he needed before leaving him to his own devices and headed towards Romilly's room. He asked her if she would like to go on another walk, this time they would go to the countryside. She happily said yes, being bored out of her wits end waiting on Harper to come.

He held out his arm and walked with her. They talked about themselves, just trying to get to know each other. They both liked Autumn and hated their parents treated them, except for their mothers. They laughed and when he got to a good spot he asked her to dance. She agreed and they began to dance. Erorn was in the back of his mind, he wondered if he danced with Erorn if they would look stupid. He twirled her and she blushed when she came back in and slipped, falling against him. He chuckled and told her she was a very clumsy girl, he pushed a strand of her hair out of her face. She looked up at him like Erorn used to, he went to lean in to kiss her but stopped. He apologized, "I'm sorry." He said softly.

Erorn was there in the bed when a he was suddenly overcome by a weird painful sensation. He was suddenly seeing things as though he were somewhere else, he saw a field he recognized from when they were in the carriage on the long drive to the castle. He saw Marcus and the Princess dancing and Marcus almost kiss her. Then he saw the two of them in and awkward moment of apologies and silence. They started talking again and that was when he saw it. Behind Marcus and the princess, hiding in the bushes, was a street bandit who silently sneaked up behind Marcus, pulled out a knife and slit his throat before stabbing the princess in the gut. The vision faded and he was hit with a skull-splitting amount of pain in his head and he fell to the floor. "Nooooo, not again!" He screamed and forced himself to his feet, nearly blinded by pain. He got his sword and ran out of the castle not caring who saw him. He stole the first horse he saw in the courtyard and went off in the direction of the field as fast as the horse could go. The whole time he was trying not to pass out from the amount of pain his head was in. "No, I can do something about this time, this fucking curse won't win this time." he told himself as he got off the horse at the field. "Marcus move!" he shouted at him and the two ran toward the horse. He saw the street bandit try to run away, but Erorn pulled out his sword and threw it like a javelin piercing the bandit's neck and he fell to the ground. Erorn walked up to him and pulled the sword out before decapitating the body in anger. The pain in his head was suddenly gone.
"Are you two okay?" He asked them, though he was really only concerned with Marcus. "I'm sorry to interrupt your date. I can go back to the castle if you're okay now, I think he was the only one."

Marcus turned around just in time to see the man. He swung around, grabbing Romilly and they ran towards the horse. Romilly clung to Marcus, her hand over her mouth as she watched Erorn go nuts. Marcus was shook his head, "How did you know? I... thank you..." He gave a slight bow. "Romilly this is Erorn, the one who will be courting Harper... Erorn this is Princess Romilly."

She looked up at him, a bit scared. "T-Thank you... Harper will be happy to know you are so brave." She said softly. Marcus stared at Erorn he wanted to reward him. He decided he was going to ask what he wanted when they were alone.

Erorn saw the look of panic still in Romilly's eyes. He sheathed his sword to see he was covered in the bandit's blood and he was wearing normal clothes not his armor, so it wouldn't come out easily. He bowed to the princess. "I'm so sorry to frighten you." He tried to smile at her without looking too creepy. "I should really get out of here, your people will take care of that right?" He asked Marcus pointing to the body. "I look forward to meeting her, your Highness. If she has won your favor she must be quite the woman." He told Romilly. "I'll see you back at the castle." He said as he got back on the horse and rode back to the castle.

Marcus got his people to do the cleaning and escorted Romilly back to her room. She was shaken up by everything and he felt like shit. If it wasn't for Erorn coming at a weird time he and the princess would have been dead. He kissed Romilly's forehead before taking his leave and found Erorn in his room. He was cleaned and sitting on his bed. "Hey kid, you okay... just wanted to say thank you. Also to ask what you would like as a reward... and how the hell did you know he was going to be there?" He asked softly.

Marcus heard that moan and tried hard not to smirk. "You are a big boy now, hm?" He walked over to Erorn, turning him around, and pressing against him. Marcus leaned in and whispered, "I can show yo-" He heard the door open and shot away from him. Romilly stood there with her hand over her mouth trying hard not to laugh. "Don't stop just because I am here." He was blushing, but she was also laughing.

Erorn turned and shot a glare at her. It was playful, but he still wished they hadn't been interrupted. He decided to have a little fun with him, since she was in on the whole thing. "You heard the Princess. DON'T stop." He growled playfully and pulled him back again. The look on Marcus' face was priceless. Then he felt him tense up a little bit. "I'm just kidding. Stay calm." He reassured him.

Marcus had just sighed when Erorn pulled him back and tensed. He gripped Erorn's hip a little hard before moving away from him. He cleared his throat, "Can I help you, Princess?" He asked.

"I was just walking around when I smelled the food. I usually talk to the servants. They are really sweet. Uhm, since you are here... I wanted to talk about what happened, or almost happened on our walk. That almost kiss... I am sorry." She said softly.

Marcus looked at Erorn. He didn't know if Erorn would be mad or not. "It isn't your fault, I am the one who leaned in."

"But I didn't really give you the body language saying not to. Either way... Harper should be here today and... can we just keep that between us? I really... she is already upset that I even have to marry you, but once I tell her how kind you are to let me have her... I just hope she can accept Erorn as easily as I have accepted you, Marcus."

"I kinda saw the almost kiss. It's fine, I mean look at that face, I can't blame you." Erorn chuckled. "It doesn't matter who did what, you guys didn't kiss and we weren't really ... official at the time." He smiled at the princess. "We were just about to celebrate the mind wrenching vision that saved you guys." He chuckled. "We were actually going to invite you, but you're already here, so would you care to join us? Marcus helped make it." He patted him on the shoulder.

Romilly nodded and accepted the invitation. Marcus tensed and moved away, making everyone a bowl and set them down on the table. He sat away from Erorn and instead by his future wife. He had to control himself. He took a bit of the chowder "This is amazing. I mean... all I did was wash and cut the veggies." He watched everyone eat. Romilly took a bite and giggled. She said she loved it and it reminded her of her mother's. She then talked about how she was starting to miss home, but over here was beautiful. Then she went on about Harper and how she might not be the friendliest when she got here.

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Nasir had been in the library all day. He wasn't going to rest till he found out everything about these men. Maids had come and gone, bringing him drinks and food without even requesting it. He believed the just wanted to see the giant man in the library. He wasn't bothered by their stares. Nasir was used to it by now. It had taken a while for him to even find one of their names,
which he expected. There were so many people in kingdom and that wasn't even counting those on the islands. When Nasir thought it was hopeless he found the first name, Harrison Teslin.

Harrison Teslin was the first to move. He started working as a host at a restaurant later he went to opening his own which just so happened to be near the castle. He lives just a couple blocks from his work. Nasir wrote this down and went to looking for the next one.

The next one he found was James Carson. He moved just a couple days after Harrison. He started going to school and eventually became a teacher for the age range of thirteen to sixteen. James is currently living in the middle of town and has a wife with one kid.

The same day James moved so did Abram J.Payne. He started working as a busboy in the same restaurant as Harrison, but was fired after a couple weeks for stealing money. He then moved on to work for a carpenter, but was fired after month for getting in a fight with his boss. The list went on of him going from job to job and getting in trouble with the law. Nasir shook his head when he finally got to the end of the list. Abram was now an escort and living in an apartment by the docks.

The next day Virgil Snider moved and started work at cafe. He worked there for a few years before moving up to working for blacksmith who ended up giving him the business after him and his daughter moved back to the islands. Nasir skimmed and nearly dropped his cup when he read that he worked for his friend Daryl. It made his stomach turn, but he kept writing. He was living down the street from the castle. Virgil was married with two kids.

Nasir dropped his pencil and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe that some of these guys actually got married and had kids. They were sick bastards who didn't deserve to have off springs or even a bit of happiness. He shook his head, from the corner of his eye he could see a maid staring at him. He smiled and she hurriedly moved out of sight and Nasir went back to his work. Finding the leader of it all was a bit harder.

But he found him. Vincent had moved a few days after everyone, which didn't make sense, but he didn't question it. He ended up becoming a financial advisor. He didn't do much, he lead a pretty boring life. When he got to the part of where he lived Nasir froze. He wasn't in the kingdom anymore... he had moved back to the islands. Nasir grabbed his notes and ran out of the library and pounded on Marcus' door. No one answered. A maid said she saw him head to the kitchen. He thanked her and rushed to the kitchen.

He saw him, Erorn, and Romilly sitting and eating.


"Uh, sorry about the interruption, but we have to speed up the process of this... project. Vincent moved back to the islands. So... when you finish can we head over to that place and get set up? He asked. He didn't want to say anything in front of the woman.

"We can go now... sorry guys. I will be back later... maybe tomorrow." He kissed Romilly's head before getting up and walking out with Nasir. They grabbed their stuff and headed to the vacation home.

Erorn thought it was cute that he had that kind of power over Marcus. To get him tensed and worked up just being near him. As they ate it melted Erorn's heart when Romilly told him it reminded her of her mother's. It also warmed his heart when Marcus complimented it, he could tell he wasn't just blowing smoke. He was a little disappointed when Marcus had to leave and that he might not be back until the next day, but he knew he had to be here for Harper. "Be safe, I don't want to have to come running to save you again in the middle of the night." he said only half joking.

After they had left Erorn felt a little awkward sitting there with Romilly. "So what was your kingdom like?" he asked her, trying his best to break the ice. He really did want to like her as well as Harper, so that everyone involved in this could be happy.

Romilly turned to see the tall blond man standing in the kitchen. Her heart stopped for a moment. He was beautiful and handsome at the same time. She was snapped out of her hypnosis when Marcus kissed her head. She blushed and mumbled her goodbye. Romilly wished he hadn't done that in front of Erorn. It was hard enough as is.

She was going to eat in silence, but then Erorn asked her a question about her kingdom. "My kingdom is much like this one, though we have a lot more land spacing everyone out. The nearest shot is probably an hour away from the castle. It is beautiful. We are surrounded by mountains and rivers..." She got silent for a bit. "So tell me about yourself... I would love to get to know the man who has my future husband's heart." She smiled.

Erorn blushed a little at the question. "Well it really wasn't planned, but then it seems that yours and Marcus' parents are the only ones that seem to think that love can be planned." He chuckled. "My parents died when I was ten, I was forced into the army when I was sixteen, from there I worked my through the ranks and became a royal guard." He felt like he had told this story a lot the last couple of days. "I have a bad temper, but it's under control for the most part. I was thrown into guarding the prince. At first I thought he was just a spoiled, selfish royal pain in my ass. But after a few days I know he is." He laughed. "But he's also capable of being kind, gentle and loving. I don't think I can change him, I realized I love him just the way he is." He smiled thinking about how sweet Marcus had been to him.

Romilly laughed softly. She liked people who had a sense of humor. He seemed like a nice enough man, but Harper wouldn't be so supportive. She liked to have it her way or no way. So when she accepted the invitation to live in the castle Romilly was shocked. She had really thought she would deny it and write to her saying she was selfish.

Romilly looked down at her empty bowl, there was a moment of awkward silence, "I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you find Marcus... loving. He is a real sweet man, but it seems like he has some issues. Did he settle things? I know the other night he was very stressed and depressed. I can admit I never held a man like that." She said and regretted saying that last bit. She wish she had more of a filter.

"I'm working with him on his issues. I think the biggest problem was that he cares too much." He tried to explain, he tilted his head to the side as he was looking for the right way to explain it. "He thought that I needed protection, a common misconception, and that if he kept me at a distance I would be safer, like he did with his ex. I'm not like his ex, and I wasn't letting him keep me away. I think it took me killing for him to force him to realize that I can take care of myself and that even if I am in danger by being with him, it's my risk to take. I'm also trying to work with him on his problem with being touched, well at least by me." He smiled at her last comment. "He's so warm isn't he? Like you just want to cuddle him all night. It's so hard to resist hugging him."

Romilly smiled, "He is... and he smells really nice." She said softly. Her heart raced a little when she thought about him, but not as much as when she thought about Harper. "What if I fall for him, Erorn? I can't do that to you or Harper..." Her smile faded and a look of worry took its place. Romilly thought now that it was selfish of her to invite Harper here. Harper could have moved on and had a life with someone who wasn't a princess or marrying a prince.

Erorn looked over into Remilly's eyes. It was as though everything had suddenly been made clear to him, though he wasn't entirely sure why. "I get it now. I've been a fool. Marcus has a huge heart. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to be the one that Marcus gives his heart to." He said but his tone almost excited. "But my heart isn't as big as his. I've been struggling with this all damn day and somehow you cleared it up for me without even trying. Marcus will always have all of my heart, but his is so big that he's capable of loving more than one person at the same time. It doesn't mean that he loves me any less, just that he loves me differently. I was feeling inadequate because there was something you could give him that I couldn't, but I realize now he can love you without loving me less." He paused as he let the epiphany sink in. "I can't speak for Harper, but I think I would actually be okay with the two of you falling in love, because he'd still love me." He was almost giddy. He had finally got rid of his hang-up on Marcus being with someone else. He couldn't wait to tell Marcus when he got back.

Romilly looked up at him, "You think so?." She thought about it and back to when she had interacted with her. When the first met he was so sweet and tender with her, even when he didn't want to be in a marrying situation. "He is a sweet man, despite what he has done in the past. He is very protective. I am so nervous, Erorn." She laughed softly. "I am so scared Harper will get so mad that she will hate me. I don't think she loves me like you love Marcus... I guess we just have to wait and see."

The door opened and a servant came walking in, Princess Romilly, Miss Harper is here.

Romilly thanked her and stood, "Well... you ready to meet the love of my life and your future wife?"

"Well, you can't blame her for being possessive. But just keep her feelings in mind and yours. Make sure you feel what you think you feel before talking to her. Just be honest." He managed to get out before a woman with sandy blonde hair entered the room. Erorn walked up to her and took her hand and kissed it as he bowed to her. "A pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Erorn, The princess speaks very highly of you." He gave the standard smoke screen until the servant left the room. "And now that he's gone, I'm sure you two have some catching up to do." He smiled at Harper hoping he made a good impression on her.