Page 23 of The Prince and His Bodyguards
“It’s something that Lysenians still do every year. We hold a tournament to celebrate our country’s history, and it’s a little bit like one of your Renaissance Fairs in America. But Mizhir, Rizza, and I will be participating in the melee, so we wanted you to come.”
That makes me sit up. I’ve been living in isolation on the estate, and didn’t expect more. But now, it sounds like my lovers want to come clean with the relationship.
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I ask in a low voice. “As in, I’m going to meet people?”
Mizhir and Rizza appear then, handsome in black button-down shirts.
“Absolutely,” Mizhir rasps. “It’s time you made the acquaintance of the royal family, as well as some of the nobility.”
“Including our relatives,” Rizza adds in a dry tone, sharing a look with his friend. “Houses Lysander and Pembroke will be there. You’ll get a chance to mingle with our parents, not to mention our siblings, relatives, and retainers. It’ll be a shitshow, definitely, but I guess it’s got to happen at some point.”
I stare at them.
“But why are you doing this? I thought I was a prisoner here. I was brought to this country without my passport, or any documentation whatsoever. I was trafficked to be your sex slave!”
The men chuckle, amused, while sharing a look.
“Sweetheart, I think that statement’s a bit elevated,” Ragnar drawls. “If anything, we’ve been waiting onyouhand and foot. We’reyoursex slaves, and not the other way around.”
I pause for a moment, letting his words sink in. I suppose there’s some truth to that because my three lovers go out of their way to make sure I have every luxury. All of my favorite foods are presented at meal time, and I have access to a huge assortment clothes, jewelry, and general entertainment. But still, that doesn’t mean I’m not a sex slave!
“I’ve been kept here in an ivory castle,” I retort in a stiff voice. “Sure, I have every amenity at my disposal, and I’m not chained up in a dungeon, but I’m not allowed to leave either. I have golden handcuffs on my wrists.”
Mizhir chuckles again.
“I love your metaphors, honey. They’re very apt, and maybe what you’re saying is true. But now, all that is over. We’ve enjoyed our time with you, and want to take things to the next level. Thus, the tournament. Come on, baby. Why don’t you put on that pink gown that we bought you last week? You look ravishing in it, and I want the other knights to see just what a fox we’re dating.”
With that, the conversation was over. Now, I’m at the Lysenian palace, and it’s a sight to behold. The castle was built in the Middle Ages, but has been continually updated so that it’s actually incredibly modern. The place resembles Buckingham Palace on the inside with its priceless artwork and antique furniture, and the gardens are ten times more lavish than those surrounding Versailles.
But now, we’re in a massive courtyard where I sit on an elevated platform with the rest of the royal family to watch the tournament in front of us. I’m in the back and grateful to be semi-hidden because it’s all a little overwhelming. Ragnar escorted me in, introducing me to a lady in waiting named Matilda with bouncy brown curls and a bright smile, and now we make idle chitchat as the knights joust.
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” Matilda asks with an understanding look. “Most of the time, we’re modern people who use telephones and computers, but once a year, we become handsome knights and fair ladies. It’s quite the turnabout.”
I smile, trying not to look how I feel.
“No, it’s fine,” I say. “I find it very charming actually.”
The young woman merely pats my hand and winks.
“No worries, I get it. Lysenia is strange, but it’s our country and I’m fond of it. Plus, I’m so glad that you’ve met Prince Ragnar,” she says. “We were wondering when he’d get married.”
I stare at her.
“Married?”
She cocks her head at me.
“Well, yes,” she says in a puzzled tone. “That’s why you’re here right? It’s very rare for a royal to bring a “date” to an event like this, unless she’s a fiancée or at the very least, a serious significant other. Casual flings are definitely frowned upon.”
I can barely breathe because neither Mizhir, Rizza, nor Ragnar said anything about tying the knot! What is going on? I’m so confused. But at that moment, a devastatingly handsome man leaves his seat in the front and catches my eye. He nods before making his way to join us.
“Matilda,” the stranger rasps. “A pleasure, as always. May I have the honor of an introduction to your friend?”
I know immediately who this must be because with his black hair, piercing blue eyes, and arresting features, he could only belong to the royal house of Lysenia.
“Of course, Prince Haakon!” Matilda giggles. “This is your brother Prince Ragnar’s girlfriend, Alice. She’s visiting from America, but we hope she’ll stay.”
I nod, blushing.