I had heard whispers about the Althean king's ability to boil ones blood but I had thought them nothing more than the exaggerations of the courtiers. But having seen the horror in Sir Ramneal's eyes, the sweat break on his brow in a matter of seconds, and the way his entire body tensed I had no doubt that he was in a great deal of pain. My chin dropped to my chest as I thought about the fact that I could have lost him, my only comfort, and because he had hoped to save me. I realized then, if he were taken from me, my life would be endless darkness. He was the single ray of sunshine that managed to break free of the clouds that were graying my existence. He was ever kind. Quick to joke. Willing to fight for me, even against his king. And, willing to be mine if I would only say that I desired. But I was a coward. I could not voice my feelings, my needs. I was scared of what it would mean for me, my people. There was no possible way that this ended with Sir Ramneal and I sitting side by side on the throne. Though there was no future, did that mean I could not have him now? Honestly, there was a fair enough possibility that his king would kill both of us before all was finished. He had no love for me by any means and he had already showed that his men only lasted so long as they were useful. If Sir Ramneal continued to stand between him and his favorite play thing he would not be useful much longer. He needed me, even if just long enough to force me to marry him so he could claim my crown but he had plenty of men capable of "guarding" a captive princess.
