It was an overly warm day in the kingdom of Harmpton and Prince Clover's body was sleek with sweat as he collapsed next to the love of his life who let's go out a breathless laugh as her coffee brown eyes stare up at the ceiling in his bechamber
"That was….wow" she breathes
The prince grins as he lays on his side to face her, he always finds it hard to look away from her especially after their lovemaking. Her brown hair was all messed up and he found the sight adorable "I'm glad that I could please you"
Mia turns on her side as well to stare into his forest green eyes that seems to be shining of happiness. "You always please me, Clover"
"Good, because I plan to please you for the rest of our lives" he presses a chaste kiss to her plump lips before drawing her naked body closer to his.
His words were meant to be innocent but it didn't stop the doubt from creeping into Mia's mind and she couldn't help but say "Do not say things that you don't mean, Clover"
He pulls back slightly to look down at her with a slight frown "I do mean it. I would never lie to you"
Her lips twist to the side to keep the words from coming out, but they still do "You are getting married in a month and things will change between us"
She hated that she sounded like an insecure girl and Clover, who had been her best friend since they were the age of six immediately picks up on it. He moves into a sitting position which reveals his naked chest and torso, he cups her face gently between his palms to ensure her eyes focus only on him "Nothing will ever change between us, Mia. My priority is you and will always be you. No arranged marriage will change that."
She knew deep down that wasn't the truth, his top priority will always be the kingdom, but she loved that he tried to make her feel important. She doesn't feel guilty that Prince Clover will continue bedding her even when he is married, because he's hers. Always has been. She smiles up at him "I love you"
His eyes soften in that familiar way it always does whenever she's around "And I love you" he gently presses his lips to hers before pulling back "You should get going so they don't get suspicious of your disappearance"
"Of course" she reluctantly gets out of his bed, he lies back and watch her dress back into her work uniform. She buttons up her shirt as she asks "When will the Princess arrive?"
His expression sours at her question "Tomorrow. Mother said the Queen wrote they are visiting family in Harsley"
Her eyebrows shot up "Your mother seems to be very open to the princess and her family"
"She's the Queen of Harmpton" he shrugs like that's supposed to be the most valid explanation but Mia didn't understand. She never understood when it came to the royal aspects of things but then again she didn't need to understand because she's only a maid.
"Have you written back to the princess?" she asks as she puts on her shoes
He scoffs from his position on the bed, looking like the king he will one day be "Gods, no. I don't know why she bothers writing me if I never write back."
Clover and Mia often read the letters Princess Evangeline writes to him and have tons of fun laughing about it together.
"Do you think the people will be satisfied with your marriage to her?"
Another scoff from the prince "I doubt it, everyone says she's a cunt"
She nods with a small laugh, because she too has heard how cold and unfeeling Princess Evangeline is. Hence why people call her 'The Ice Princess' behind her back. When she was fully clothed, she leans over and gave him another kiss and she giggled when he slapped her butt "I'll see you after dinner"
And with that she snuck out of his bedchamber to get back to her job.
Later that day Clover was sitting at the large table in the dining hall with his parents as the servants began serving the food. He didn't pay them much mind, because his eyes were on the fork and knife next to his plate. Gold with the Harmpton symbol, which just so happens to be a lion.
King of the jungle.
Gold and royal blue are associated with the Clarke family and usually they dine with plain silverware and only use the gold ones on special occasions. It's clear as day that the Queen was expecting the princess and her family to join them for dinner tonight but they stopped their journey short by visiting the kingdom of Harsley. The servants are barely finished dishing the food and father dismisses them with a simple flick of his hand while they start eating.
For a while the only sound being the utensils hitting the plates before mother says "I had you called earlier to join me for a walk in the garden but you did not come"
Because he was balls deep inside Mia. "I was reading in my bedchamber, I just needed to enjoy the quiet before strangers evade the castle tomorrow"
Queen Charlotte lets out a long sigh like this is the hundredth time she's heard him say that but it's his father who says "Evangeline is no stranger. She is to be your wife."
"That I did not want" Clover says sharply
King Henry's eyes narrow on his son "You are the Crown Prince and if you want the kingdom to appreciate you as King one day then you'll take the wife we chose for you"
He clenches his jaw "Nobody in Harmpton likes her."
His mother waves a dismissive hand "They will come to like her. She's proven to be the perfect Queen"
His father then adds "And they'll eventually warm up when they finally realize they got the golden couple they always wanted"
Ah, yes. How could he forget? It's known that for decades the people of Harmpton always wanted a couple on the throne with blonde hair because it's the closest thing to gold. But they never actually got it, because every King and Queen who sat the thrones never both had blonde hair. His mother has auburn hair and his father has the blonde hair he had inherited. And even though Clover hasn't met Evangeline himself, he's heard she has the most beautiful blonde hair anyone has ever seen. It seems after decades the people may finally settle when they have a golden couple on the throne.
As they continue to dine, Clover watches intently as King Henry clasps Queen Charlotte's hand and brings it to his mouth before pressing a kiss to her knuckles. His mother smiles at her husband before they continue eating as if it's the most normal thing but then again it is most normal of them. Growing up Clover always had a front row seat to see his parents so deeply in love, an unbinding love he never knew existed and his heart always warmed at the sight. They too were an arranged marriage but they not only learned to love each other but fell in love with each other. Clover knew him and Evangeline would never have that, because he already have Mia.