Chapter 9: A Prince with No Standing

“My apologies, I did not think that would take as long as it had. My Captain wanted to give me a full brief of what is occurring along the border,” Elric said as they left the dining hall. Although he smiled at her, she could see the concern in his furrowed brow.
“Are we at war?” she asked, realizing how far removed from the happenings of the capital she was in Gilramore, despite being only a day’s journey away.
“Not yet, but I believe we will be soon. No matter what my father says, there is unrest in our towns. There have been rumors of Udril soldiers raiding our villages,” he said, his mouth pressed into a grim line. Saffron had heard of the fearsome soldiers of their neighboring country to the north. They were said to be a brutal country, carving out a life in the harsh frozen wasteland. Stories were told about these raiders to scare children into being home by dark. Saffron felt the familiar pang of fear listening to the real account.
“That’s awful. Will you have to fight?” she asked, wondering where that would leave her. She also worried for his safety. She had only known him a few scant days, but she cared immensely for his wellbeing. He had rescued her from her previous drab life, but she couldn’t imagine being left alone in this castle, surrounded by scornful women and plotting brothers. Kingsley was the only one she felt she could trust.
“I won't have to, no..” he trailed off and looked down at her.
“But you want to,” she finished. He nodded.
“Those are my men. I have trained beside them, fought with them, and helped drag the wounded and dead back to our camp. I can’t ask them to fight in a war while I sit safely in a castle,” he said fiercely. Her heart warmed towards him. She squeezed his arm.
“I wouldn’t ask you to stay behind. I can see what it means to you. I suppose I can call this place home eventually,” she said and forced a small smile. His eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“We won’t live here once we are married. I have my own estate, a bit farther north. I have no interest in court matters. The others are all vying for the throne and other positions which is why they stay here. I inherited a plot of my mother’s land that my father had purchased for her as a wedding gift. It isn’t nearly as extravagant as this, but it is nice. Quiet, with a large garden,” he replied.
Her eyes lit up. “A garden you say?” He laughed at the joy on her face.
“A very massive one. My mother enjoyed growing roses but there are also herbs as well.” He watched as her face glowed, happy that he could put it there. Saffron was different than the other women he had courted. He had never had much interest in marrying. In fact, he had planned to spend the rest of his life living amongst his soldiers, unwed. Despite only knowing her for a handful of days, he felt protective and responsible for her. He knew she was brave; she had healed him when he was a dragon for the gods’ sake, but there was still a strong urge to keep anything bad from happening to this woman.
“Would you like to see the gardens here? They are more decorative than anything. Our actual gardens, with the herbs and vegetables, are farther down the estate. The Queen said they were unsightly, so they had to be moved from view,” he asked, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.
“Even though it has grown dark?” she said, wanting very badly to see the gardens. He nodded.
“The moon is bright enough, plus the fresh air will do you some good. It will help clear the smell of the overwhelming perfume my brothers’ wives are so very fond of,” he said with a sly smile. She laughed, her voice clear and tinkling. He rather enjoyed her laugh and he hoped that he could make her do it again.
He led her through the kitchen, now quiet and dark since the evening meal had finished. A small fire was banked in the hearth and the smell of bread and cooking meat still hung in the air. A lone dog slept near the embers and lazily lifted its head as they passed. Saffron scratched its scruffy head before following Elric out of the door.
The cold air sucked her breath from her lungs, but she relished in it. The castle with its thick stone walls and many people had a dull, dense air to it. She took in deep breaths of the frigid breeze until her lungs burned. They stood at the top of a set of stone steps that led down to a walled garden.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the gate. The garden was arranged neatly, the flowers growing in prim rows. There were a few benches scattered amongst the plants but there was an empty hollow feeling about this place. The plants weren’t allowed to grow wild, as they were supposed to. Instead, here, they were forced into rows, growing where they were told to instead of where they wanted. Saffron felt a bond with these blooms.
The moon hung bright and large above them, casting the entire garden in bright, white light. Stars twinkled overhead. Saffron’s breaths came in large plumes of white vapor and she shivered a bit. Elric wrapped his cloak around her, this time it smelled of soap and musky cologne. She smiled up at him and he pulled her close, his lips grazing hers.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he asked, gazing down into her eyes. She smiled.
“I believe your actions earlier spoke volumes,” she replied, her eyes glittering. He let out a small laugh.
“I suppose they did. I wanted to tell you something, while we are alone,” he said and pulled her to one of the stone benches. They sat and he grabbed both of her hands in his and looked her in the eyes. “I know that our marriage is a beneficial agreement for both of us. However, I want you to know that I plan on treating you with the utmost respect and I vow to always protect you and put your safety above my own,” he said solemnly. She looked down at their joined hands, feeling as if she were watching herself from above. After a moment she raised her head and looked at his handsome face. His green eyes were open, and she sensed no lie within them.
“I swear to also treat you with respect and heal your many wounds. I also promise to not wear any offensive fragrance,” she said with a sardonic smile. He laughed and kissed her swiftly.
“I rather like you. Are you sure you’re ready to be married to a prince with no real standing and just a bit of land to his name?” he asked jokingly as he looked up towards the stars swirling above them.
She paused, her own eyes climbing to the stars above. She thought of her cramped room in her guardian’s attic, the dread she felt every morning since she had been told about her engagement to the Baron, and the Wood near her home. She only missed one of those things. While she would miss working in the small shop where her grandmother taught her to be a Mender, she had no desire to go back to that life.
She turned her gaze to his, looking at her future. “I am sure.”