Chapter VI. "Obedience"

The prince arrived with little fanfare. He had four men in total with him, all great burly Redguards wearing the crest of Sentinel on their cloaks. The prince himself had the half-moon symbol sewn onto the breast of a red silk doublet with golden fringe. His face was cleanly shaven, his hair done in thick ropes which he had tied back. That was how father wore his hair, Shaniera thought when she first saw him. She wondered if someone had told him that.

The prince dismounted from a beautiful white horse, and strode over to the last of the al-Farúk family: Shaniera, her mother Ah’zuli, her uncle Barentho, her aunt and cousins. Shaniera gave her cousin Blane a look that begged saving. He could only offer a sympathetic smile, but it was better than nothing.

“Welcome, prince Khara,” Shani’s mother said, bowing. “We have been looking forward to your arrival.”

“As have I, my lady,” the prince responded, taking her hand and kissing her on the knuckle. “I am thrilled to finally meet the lady Shaniera.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my prince,” Shaniera recited, and bowed. She held out her hand and let him kiss it. His lips were soft, and she felt the residue of some balm left on her skin.

“The pleasure is all mine, dear.” He turned to her mother, placing a clenched fist over his heart in salute and bowing his head. How much bowing must one welcome require? Shani thought. “My lady,” the prince said, “I know we have much to discuss, but if you will excuse me, I would like to spend some time with the princess, so that we may know one another firsthand.” He’s already calling me princess. Only Leanne ever called her princess. If only she were a prince.

“I think that is a splendid idea,” her mother said. “Perhaps my daughter can walk you through the gardens.”

“I was just thinking that, my lady. The commoners of the nearby villages speak wonders of your lands here.”

“Mostly embellishment, I’m sure, but they are indeed our pride and joy here at the Farúk estate.”

“They spoke just as highly of your beauty, and I see that even their words were humble compared to the truth. I’m sure the gardens are everything the legends say and more.” He turned to Shaniera and held out a hand. “Shall we, my lady?”

You should make up your mind as to whom your ‘lady’ is, she wanted to say. Instead, she returned his smile, and held out her arm.

“We shall.”

The first thing the prince said to her was to remark on how her family must really like pumpkins.

“We do, but Toren makes a divine pumpkin pie,” Shaniera explained.

“I see. Toren is your cook?”

“No, he’s a general servant, but he does like to cook. He’s a good teacher, too, but Leanne could never listen. She likes to reap the crops and work the grind wheel, but she stops short of actually preparing the final meal.”

“And Leanne is...”

“His daughter.” Shani kept her voice cold and detached. “Another servant. She is a friend of mine.”

“Ah, your personal handmaiden?”

“Yes, actually.” She allowed herself a bit of hope. Perhaps he would allow Leanne to come with them ... perhaps he would allow even more. She continued to indulge him with whatever stories came to mind, whatever might make her seem charming. The whole time she wished she were with Leanne.

“Enough about your servants, my lady,” he said, kindly enough. “I wish to hear about you.”

“There’s not much to hear. I dance, with and without a sword, for one. I like reading about myths and fables, but I also study history and religion, mostly of old Yokuda. Can you speak Yoku, Prince Khara?”

“Only a few words. You must teach me sometime. And please, you may call me Khara.” He placed his free hand on the hilt of the sword at his side. “I could teach you some sword-dancing in return.”

“I would enjoy that.” I would enjoy knocking you on your butt. She struggled to think of something more to say, to break the lull. “I also like to swim as well.”

Khara seemed suddenly much more interested. “Oh? You have a lake nearby? You must show me, I can only imagine how beautiful it must be.”

Shit. Why did I have to mention swimming? She couldn’t deny him, lest she wanted his suspicion. “The way is a bit far, my pr—Khara. You must be weary from the travel.”

“If anything, I am restless and overheated from travel.” He detached himself from her, and stretched his arms out. “I should love a good swim.”

There was no backing out now; she had to proceed with humoring this man. “Very well. Follow me.” She took him out from the main garden and into the forest, stepping off the trail much later than she normally would have, and leading him in jagged paths that stretched the journey nearly threefold its usual length. She knew where she was at all times, but the prince seemed in doubt of that, even offering twice to lead himself. She reassured him, with all the firmness she dared, that she knew her own land best, and he went silent at that. After a long stretch through some especially thick brush, the prince drew his sword and began hacking here and there, as if he were trudging through jungle. Now I understand the Bosmer of Valenwood a little better, she thought. These are my trees. I should forbid him from disrespecting my home.

Finally, when she knew she could keep up the game no longer, she led them to the clearing by the riverside. Khara had muttered curses the whole way through, and his hair was speckled with tiny shards of leaf and bark, but when he emerged to the sight of the river he wiped his forehead and just like that he had donned the mask again. With a smile that could have been described as chivalrous, he strode over towards the shore.

“This must be a secret place, with such a journey needed to find it. It is certainly serene.” He turned to her and bowed again. “I am honored that you chose to share this secret with me, my lady.”

“Did I have a choice?” She smiled, if at least for deniability.

He only answered with a wink. What is it that he wants? She had to wonder. She had only ever really flirted with Leanne, so she could accept that she would be unaccustomed to how others went about it ... but if this was how most boys did it, she wasn’t sure if she would ever want any of it.

“I should warn you, it isn’t only my secret,” she told him, approaching the river but not nearing him.

“Oh? Should I worry that your mother might spy on us?” He sauntered over to her.

“No.” She turned away from his hand before he could grasp her arm. “Some of the serving girls come here too.”

“I imagine that’s a pretty sight. You should be careful to guard that secret, then.”

On that much we can agree. “In that case, can I count on your discretion?”

“I shall take this knowledge to my grave.”

“Good. Perhaps you’re alright after all.”

“Just alright, my lady?” He moved in close, brushing a lock of hair from her eye. She could smell the perfume on his breath. It was far too strong, reeking of a dozen scents that she couldn’t place the source of. She tried to focus herself. He is my duty. He was handsome enough, she supposed. He had full lips, a smooth curve to his nose, a little beauty mark on his chin. She tried to imagine disrobing him as she had Leanne days ago, letting him do the same in kind. She thought of the two of them swimming together, imagined what it would be like for him to put his hands on her, and in it all she felt nothing but a stiffness in her neck and a wish to be anywhere else. She thought back to how Leanne had spanked her for the cruel joke she’d played, and imagined Khara punishing her similarly. She would gladly let Leanne do it again, but could not stomach the thought of him being in her place, feeling humiliated and stripped of all humanity at the prospect alone. I cannot love him, she realized. I don’t know if I could love any man.

“My princess, listen to me. A life with me means many things. You will want for nothing, and have your name alongside mine in the annals of history. Our children will be diplomats, ambassadors, mages, all manner of great people. I am so much more than ‘alright’.” He pressed against her, and she wanted to recoil but found herself frozen in place, and he had her by the arms besides. “And you shall have a strong husband to warm your bed at night.” He leaned in, and Shaniera only closed her eyes because she did not want to look. His lips were soft and warm, like caterpillars trying to worm their way into her mouth. She did not return the kiss, and when she opened her eyes she saw the face of a man spurned.

“You are nervous, my princess,” he whispered. His hand guided hers down to his breeches. “Let me show you what I can give you. You need only follow my lead.” His fingers moved hers around the bulge in the cloth, and beneath she felt the stiffness of his cock. She reacted, squeezing hard, and Khara winced. His grip around her arm locked down tight. “No, don’t do that. Here, like this.” He began to force her hand into motion.

“Prince! I think I might be of assistance.” It was Ella’s voice, Shani realized, to her relief. The girl skipped over to them from the trees, wearing a brown smock and a polite smile. It did little to ease the prince, however, who pulled away from Shani to draw his sword halfway from its jewel-encrusted scabbard.

“Away with you,” Khara commanded the approaching nymph. “The princess and I are having a private affair.”

“Pardon me, my prince, but she isn’t your princess. Not yet, at least.”

The hand on his sword tightened. “She has promised herself to me all the same.”

“Well, pardon me once more, but—”

“Must I pardon everything you say?”

“—are you not here with her now to win her favor? It would seem that you have encountered some difficulties.”

Khara scoffed, but at least he sheathed his blade. “What would a servant know of the courting of royals? I suppose you’re the Leanne I’ve heard so much about.”

“No. I am called Ella, if it please milord.” She curtsied.

“Tell me then, Ella, how you think that you might be of service.”

Ella’s smile was nothing but sweet and innocent. “With all due respect, prince...”

“Khara,” Shani said.

“It remains Prince Khara to you, girl,” added the prince.

“With all due respect, Prince Khara, you are going about it the wrong way. I am sure that those who have enjoyed your company before were swooned by your taking charge—such is natural for royalty as yourself—but Shani here needs balanced treatment. You must give her little kindnesses, worship her one moment and command her the next, and ultimately let her come to you.”

“How should you know what she needs in this regard?”

Ella raised an eyebrow and smirked, as if the answer was plainly obvious. “When a woman is coming into her own, she has curiosities just as a man does. As her loyal servant and trusted friend, it was my honor and pleasure to explore those curious desires with her.”

“I was under the impression she was a virgin,” Khara mumbled.

“And you are? I’m sure you’ve had your fun with serving girls in your palace, or the comely boys you play at swords with.”

“My affairs are my own business,” he said, a hint of blush in his face. “And playing at kissing is different from the realities of pleasure or romance.”

“On that, I must agree.” Ella approached them slowly. “Which is why I must suggest that Shani be given a demonstration, to understand the roles of husband and wife.”

“I would be glad to give her that demonstration, if you would kindly give us the privacy...”

“A demonstration where she does not participate, my prince. I have much more experience than Shani does, so I should be well qualified to set an example for her.” The girl gave Shaniera a wink. She responded by mouthing, what are you doing?

The prince thought on the proposition for a moment. His gaze ran up and down the girl, assessing her the way one might a shop’s inventory. When his eyes leveled with Ella’s, there it was again, that hunger in those amber irises. It seemed to float through the air, along her gaze and into his own eyes, filling them with a dark desire. He straightened up, turned to Shaniera, and bowed.

“My princess,” he spoke with a reserved dignity. “I have been rather aggressive in my approach today, and beg your apology. Indeed, my intentions are only to do best by you. It would seem your good friend Leanne would help me show you how.”

Uncertain, Shaniera looked to Ella. The woman nodded, smiling in a way that reminded her of a drawing of an evil goblin she’d seen in a children’s book. She gulped, and then bowed her head to the prince. “You shall have the opportunity. I will watch your demonstration.” And may the gods protect her from whatever happens. Shaniera smoothed out her skirt, then sat on the dirt and leaves, to watch.