The Golden-haired Lady

Alexander chose to indulge her excitement, but Carlisle was glaring still. "I am tempted to hear what your imaginations are, but I'm not keen on the glares of Carlisle here. He probably thinks I am in the act of seducing you." Her jaw dropped. This time, he chuckled. Oh, she would be easy, he gloried. "Enjoy your stay then."

"I thank you for this opportunity. We promise not to impose."

Was she so righteous? Or was it a ruse? One thing was certain; her timidity would not sit right with him. What did Carlisle see in her to want her as a friend, as he claimed? "Why not?! Carlisle does it as much as he can. My Castle is open to all that choose to adhere to my rules." And all who can bear to survive my tease. He added wordlessly.

Again, she bowed. "Then I must thank you for your hospitality."

His humourous side was greatly appeased. He tittered. "A sweet talker, won't you agree, Carlisle?" but a timid one. She would bore him soon. "A great hostess you must be Lady Beth." And indeed, he was weary of her polite conversations. His eyes went to the fair maiden that stood to the back, her curious eye roaming the room, drinking in as much as it could. A beauty. "Which of the ladies are you?"

First she looked to her sister, but she wouldn't dare disobey a king. "Gwen. Guinevere Fitzgerald, Your Majesty." She said, her voice soft, yet sharp enough to be heard.

His lips pulled slightly to the left. "Guinevere." A beautiful name, a lovely voice and a comely face. "It is a beautiful name."

"That is most kind of you, Your Majesty."

Besides himself, Alexander gave into his laughter. He laughed so gaily and wondered to himself how her words were funny. Now, this one was entertaining. "I am many things, but kind?" Laughter echoed out of him again. "Don't trouble your thoughts, I am not. I have never been." He looked back to Carlisle. "They are quite an amazing bunch, are they not? It seems I will enjoy their stay as much as they will." And he intended to. His line of sight found the golden-haired lady. Guinevere.

Jealousy! He saw it on Carlisle's face, unknown and unattended. And he dared name Lady Fitzgerald as a friend? Alexander scoffed and smirked. It was vivid that she was anything but.

"It has been a long day for the ladies." The jealous Duke said.

"Of course." He quickly agreed. Raising his voice a pitch higher, he ordered Edmund "Have them escorted to their rooms."

"If I may, Your Majesty." Lady Fitzgerald called their attention. He lowered his eyes to her. She was smaller than most women in statue. "Forgive my insolence, but can I ask that we be allowed to share a room?"

He turned his neck, his smile vanishing. "Why? Do you suppose the rooms here are not as grand as the ones at Carlisle Crest?"

Her eyes widened. "No, Your Majesty, I didn't mean-"

She was in his trap. "Oh, the rooms at Carlisle Crest are not grand?" His eyes went again to Carlisle and he of course remained with a fierce glare. Alexander was not the least bothered. "I thought they were."

"They are, Your Majesty." His interest was piqued. She knew of the rooms at Carlisle Crest? "I suppose they are." The fun was gone. She didn't know. Oh how he would have dwelt on her words! "By my words, I only meant that I would prefer to have them in my line of sight. It would be safer."

Foolish girl! Again, she ensnared herself deeper. "Perchance," He walked down to her, dwarfing her with his height. They all held at least an inch or two with their heights to hers, he noticed. "Are you suggesting that the Castle won't keep them safe?"

She gasped. It was of fear. "I would never think such, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to accuse... I-I…" Her eyes lifted to Carlisle, seeking help. He would not let her. He hadn't had his fun yet. Damn Carlisle and his burning glares.

"Why are you looking to Carlisle?" He stepped closer. She moved back. "I must say you are quite brave, accusing in such an honourable manner."

"No, Your Majesty, they…they tend t-to be mischievous sometimes. I only-I only meant…"

"Alexander." Carlisle suddenly called, a sound warning in his voice.

Alexander was surprised. He kept his eyes on the trembling lady before him but his heart went out to the man who stood by them. He had called him by his given name. After so long, he would refer to him as a friend rather than a king.

He still was immobile. The crown had set him aside from all, gave him absolute authority and absolute loneliness. His brother would rather be at sea than in the castle, or on land with him. And Carlisle, he almost sighed, would never relate with him as a friend should, not unless he pressed and pushed, demanding it.

The throne was truly a burden, a burden he carried with stoic resignation. Amidst the trappings of power and authority, he found himself yearning for the simpler days of their childhood, before either came to full power of their birth, when the familiar call of Carlisle held more meaning than he dared to admit. Despite the privileges bestowed upon him by the crown, he remained isolated, a solitary figure adrift in a sea of responsibilities.

His brother would rather be at sea than in the castle or on land with him, offering little solace to their familial bond. The gulf between them widened with each passing day, leaving him to navigate the complexities of rulership alone. As for Carlisle, he sighed, knowing how greatly he held onto their friendship. His status provided him a lot, but Alexander had attained more with his wits and resilience, never letting go of all he wanted and counted as his. He would continually press and push, demanding for them, never stopping until they were his.

Carlisle had warned him, like a friend would. He stared down at the lady and decided to put her out of her misery, he was bored either way already. "Lady Beth." Slowly, she raised her eyes to his and he smiled, regaining his composure after being momentarily thrown out of it. "What an easy creature you are." He bent his waist to meet her eyes at the same level. "How would you survive around me? For I deeply enjoy to tease."

She exhaled sharply. "No, Your Majesty, I-I failed to se-see your intent."

He scoffed. Empty words. "Quite interesting."

"Keep her from your list, Alexander." Carlisle demanded, walking over to stand between them.

He was not the least concerned about the tone, though he was enjoying it. Carlisle seemed not to know of how easily he called him now. Alexander's heart rejoiced. "Very well." He said, agreeing to the demand. She was boring anyways and she was Carlisle's. He sent his eyes to Guinevere who stood so meekly behind and smiled when he caught her eyes. "I'll tease someone else then." She had a glint in her eyes that showed how innocent and interesting she would be, at least, until she bored him too. He climbed back to the throne. "I'll have you put in one room as per your wish." And he was done with her. "You should retire; it has been a long and emotional day, no?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She said.

With eyes still on the feeble lady, Carlisle asked. "Is your brother to be in attendance?"

Alexander smirked. A distraction? Oh, there was no need for it, he did not care much for Lady Beth. "I sent out a note. Edmund, have them stay in the best room in the west wing."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As Edmund led them out, Alexander's gaze lingered on the young Lady Fitzgerald, Guinevere, until she was completely out of the room. Her beauty caught him and in her eyes, he saw questions? She would be more entertaining than her older sister.

He looked at the older sister and saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes. Was it fear? She was afraid. In her gaze loomed the apprehension of being separated from Carlisle. Curiously, he looked to Carlisle and couldn't help but notice the protective yet yearning expression on his face.

Observing the scene, Alexander couldn't suppress a cynical scoff. It was evident to him that trouble loomed on the horizon, poised to descend like a tempest from the heavens. The signs were unmistakable - the brewing tension, the unspoken desires, the vein to finally challenge him as of old, all portended a storm waiting to unleash its fury. Indeed, the skies were poised to open, unleashing a deluge of chaos, of that, there was no doubt.

It was simply a matter of when.