Chapter 3 - Punishment

Viola POV

I wake up to someone calling my name. At first I sat up not understanding what’s happening. Then, I see Lucian standing to the left of me.

“It’s 7:30 in the morning. It’s time to get up. Agenta has already run your bath and laid out a dress for you to wear. Breakfast is served in my study. You need to get up and get ready.” Lucian says as he finishes combing his silver hair.

“It’s too early. Ugh!! Do I really have to follow you around everywhere today? I promise to be a good girl and just sit in the greenhouse with Agenta.” I plead.

“No. You need to serve out your punishment. Besides, it might be good for us to get to know each other. Now get ready. I’m not going to tell you again.” He smiles as he picks up his belt.

“I hope you know that, punishments aside, I am not going to be your perfect little princess wife. I’ve decided if I must live here with you then I may as well live as I like and that means being myself. I hope you get used to it.” I spit back at him.

He cracks his belt and I flinch. Shit. I guess I better get moving. The dress that Agenta laid out for me is a simple baby blue dress with white lace covering the bottom half. The top half is a v-neck showing off my ample bosom. Lucian watches me during everything that I do. He watches me with his arms crossed over his chest and leaning against a chest of drawers as I undress from my nightgown, take a bath, and get dressed in my daily attire. I have to admit seeing his eyes roam over my figure arouses me. I wonder what he’s thinking.

Lucian POV

I sense her arousal as I watch her get ready. She has a beautiful body. I wonder if it makes her uncomfortable that I’m watching her but I am her husband so it is within my rights and I need to make sure that she’s not planning another escape. That blue dress she is wearing looks perfect on her. All of the dresses I’ve seen her in look perfect on her. Well, it’s time to go so I pick her up in my arms and carry her to my study. Breakfast is there waiting. I notice that she starts to stare at the paintings on the walls of my study. They’re mostly gruesome fighting scenes and from the Roman Empire but they are spectacular works of art. I’m impressed that she seems to enjoy art even when it’s more war like and less feminine or proper.

“Lucian, can we take a break so I can pick out a book from the library?” She asks after a few hours of studying the paintings.

“Of course.What are you looking to read? Any particular genre?” I’m happy to take a break and oblige

“Hmmm. Something unladylike.” She says with a sly smile.

I laugh out loud. I like this new side to her. “How about Murder Most Unladylike: A Wells & Wong Mystery by Robin Stevens.” That should suffice her need to be unladylike.

“Yes! Do you have that? Do you mind if I read that? Oh I’m so excited! I’ve never been allowed to read anything that wasn’t considered ladylike.” She’s so excited she’s about to burst..

I can’t help it but be caught up in her excitement. It’s slightly infectious and I never would have thought that I would find a princess that would not want to be ladylike. I wonder what other unladylike behaviors that she may want to do. We find the book and go back to the study. She’s all giggles with her new “unladylike” book. I just shake my head.

It’s time for dinner and tonight is a special gala because the king is having guests over from another kingdom. Three warrior princesses and their entourage are visiting us from the Xsar Empire plus nobles and lords from our kingdoms. We need to create an alliance with them to protect our eastern border which they bump up next to. Even though relations with them have always been peaceful we would like to increase trade and possibly look at cross training with their warriors.

Viola slips into a red dress with black embellishments that clings to all of her curves and shows off her voluptuous bosom quite nicely. My jealousy and need to protect her starts to boil over.

“Put on something else. I don’t want anyone seeing you in that dress.” I’m almost seething with jealousy. She looks hurt but obliges me and picks out a different dress that I approve of. It’s emerald green and while it still shows off her curves the chest is a square cut and the dress comes with a matching jacket. She still looks beautiful. I’m dressed in my typical outfit unless I’m going to battle in a black shirt and black leather

pants.

I led her by the hand through one of the large ballrooms on the main floor. People are dancing and talking. We walk by and go into a banquet hall where there are large banquet tables setup with every imaginable food for people to eat. I lead Viola over to the food banquet tables and pick up two plates for both of us and begin filling them with food. Once we’re both satisfied that we can’t fit any more food on our plates we agree to find a place to sit down. The banquet hall is designed so that everyone sits in a massive square. The king is at the head of the table, then the special guest(s), then the princes are next by order of birth, then, come the nobles and lords. Behind each person is space for their personal servants if they came with anyone. In the center of the square is the nightly entertainment. Right now we’re watching a man trying to swallow a sword. My younger brother, Prince Ambrose, came barreling over to us before we even had a chance to sit down.

“Lucian! I’m in love! I’ve met the love of my life! I’ve never met a woman so skilled at sword fighting and battle then Royse the Warrior Princess. She’s the redhead with the curly hair and beautiful green eyes sitting in the middle of the two blonds. Lucian, you have to help me get this woman!” The love sick prince announces.

“Well, I’m not sure what I can do to help but I’ll do what I can.” I say as I help Viola to her seat and I take my seat. I notice that Viola keeps a hold of my hand after she sits down. Hmmmm? Maybe she’s nervous in large crowds?

“Lucian, may I watch Royse train and battle with the other warriors tomorrow?” Viola asks, trying to sound as sweet as possible.

“I believe that can be arranged.” I like the unladylike Viola, especially when we’re alone, but I’m also liking the sweet and polite Viola that likes art, literature and has a scent of innocence.

Viola’s POV

The next two weeks go by in a blur. I work to slowly gain Lucian’s trust back. He lets me leave for the study for an hour at a time to have tea with Agenta in the greenhouse and an hour to watch the warrior princess demonstrate her fighting techniques. The warrior princess is about to leave to return to her homeland. I think Prince Ambrose’s heart is going to break.

Agenta is great. I have finally found a true woman friend in the castle. She’s been telling me about Augusta the guard that she likes so much.

“He has the cutest hair. It’s curly and bright orange. But it matches perfectly with his green eyes and freckled skin. He’s so sweet!” Agenta sighs as she sits on the swing and wraps her long blonde hair around one of her fingers.

“You talk about him nonstop! Tell me something new.” I laugh as I throw a pillow from a swing across from her.

“Well, I’m not sure how we would convince Lucian to let you go but there’s a fair tomorrow in the market square. It’s a big event! There’s going to be food vendors and vendors of all different kinds of trades. I’m hoping to find some rare lace and other high quality materials.” Agenta squeals.

“I don’t know how to convince him either but it’s going to happen. I promise you that!” I started laughing.

At night while changing into my nightgown I decide that it’s perfect timing to ask Lucian if I can go to the market. “Lucian, I hear there’s a fair in the market square tomorrow. It’s supposed to be a big event with lots of vendors. Can I go with Agenta?”

“No.” His overprotective side taking control.

“Please, I really want to go and Agenta is going to go with me so you’ll know I won’t run away.” I begin to beg.

“No, and that is the end of the discussion. I don’t want to hear anymore of it. Are we clear?” Lucian responds coldly.

I had really thought over these past two weeks that we had gotten closer. It seemed like Lucian was letting his guard down more and was letting me inside to break down his walls. But now I don’t know what to think. Maybe I can ask him in the morning after breakfast.

The next morning after Lucian sets me down on the couch in his study since he continues to carry me everywhere breakfast is served. Between bites of breakfast I can see him relaxing. I decided to try asking again if I can go to the market square fair. “Lucian, can I go”

“I already told you no. Why do you continue to ask me?” Lucian interrupts. I can see his irritation growing.

“Because, it sounds like a lot of fun and Agenta will be there with me and I promise not to run away.” I whine as I plead my case.

“I’m not worried about you running away. I’m worried about your safety. Agenta can’t protect you.” Lucian responds quickly.

“Please!” I try using my best pouting face.

“Alright. But you need to be back here before sunset or there will be a severe punishment. Am I understood?” Lucian finally breaks down.

I can’t believe it! He’s letting me go! This is too awesome! I jump into his lap, throw my arms around his neck, and kiss him on the lips. At first it was a playful kiss, then his arms encircled me and pulled me tighter to him, then his lips started to kiss me back, and then I started to kiss him back. So, what started out as a playful kiss turned into a passionate deep kiss. Our first kiss. We finally broke away for air. I was seeing stars because his lips felt so good. I didn’t know what to say so I jumped off his lap and ran to get Agenta. I could hear him reminding me that I better be back before sunset.

I quickly throw on a dress that's pastel pink with spring flowers on it. The skirt twirls around me and flows down to my ankles. I stop to wonder if Lucian would approve. I have matching pink gloves and a hat too. It’s a short walk to the market square. I’m in love as soon as I get there. Agenta starts showing me the food vendors and some delicacies. Then we head over to a vendor selling lace. She starts bargaining with the vendor as I’m absorbing all of the hustle and bustle. I was never allowed to go to the market near my parent’s kingdom. Suddenly a large hand wraps around my mouth and a large arm wraps around my waist and then darkness surrounds me.

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Check out my other book Prince Justus and the Rogue. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects. https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-1020524119915