Political Pressure on Easton
Now that Easton has made his feelings for Marlowe clear, the whispers in his court grow louder. His advisors and noble families have always expected him to make a politically advantageous marriage—certainly not with a former spy from another kingdom.
1. The Court's Disapproval
Easton’s council, led by his most trusted advisor, Lord Roderic, summons him to a private meeting.
Lord Roderic: “Your Majesty, you cannot seriously intend to pursue this girl. She was a spy—an enemy in disguise.”
Duchess Irena: “She might have bewitched you, my King. A woman from Everthorns? That kingdom has always been a thorn in our side.”
General Varian: “She could be a future queen—or a future traitor. Will you risk your throne for her?”
Easton listens to them in silence, his expression unreadable. But inside, anger flickers. They do not understand.
2. A Proposal from Another Kingdom
That same day, an envoy arrives from Kingdom of Vellanor—a powerful ally. They bring a message:
"His Majesty, King Theobald of Vellanor, humbly extends an offer of union between the two kingdoms. His beloved daughter, Princess Lysandra, is of age and would make a strong queen."
Princess Lysandra is well-known: beautiful, intelligent, and politically trained to be a queen. She would bring Easton strength and stability—but she is not Marlowe.
His council pushes for the match, warning him that rejecting Vellanor could be seen as an insult.
3. Easton’s Struggle
Late at night, Easton stands alone in his chambers, staring at a letter in his hands—the proposal from Vellanor. He knows what his people want. He knows what is safe. But he also knows what his heart desires.
A part of him wants to defy them all—to fight for Marlowe. But he is a king first. A ruler must make sacrifices.
Or must he?
- 
Easton’s Defiance
The next morning, Easton summons his council and the Vellanor envoy to the throne room. His decision is final.
King Easton: “I will not accept this proposal.”
Gasps ripple through the chamber. Lord Roderic’s expression darkens, and the Vellanor envoy stiffens.
Envoy of Vellanor: “Your Majesty, do you understand the weight of your refusal? This is not merely an offer—it is an opportunity for peace and prosperity.”
King Easton (firmly): “I have made my decision. I will not be bound by politics alone. I will marry whom I choose.”
The Council’s Fallout
His advisors immediately protest.
Lord Roderic: “Your Majesty, this is reckless. A king cannot afford such sentimental decisions!”
Duchess Irena: “Refusing Vellanor will have consequences.”
General Varian: “They may take this as an insult. Are you prepared for that?”
Easton rises from his throne, his presence commanding.
King Easton: “Let them take it as they will. I am not a puppet to be controlled by fear. If Vellanor values our alliance, they will respect my will. If not—then they were never true allies to begin with.”
The room falls into uneasy silence. The Vellanor envoy bows stiffly.
Envoy of Vellanor: “Then I shall return with your answer, Your Majesty.”
He turns and departs, tension hanging in the air.
A Kingdom Divided
As soon as the envoy leaves, the true battle begins—within his own court.
Some of his nobles are furious. Others, particularly the younger knights and common-born advisors, admire his resolve. A divide begins to form.
Meanwhile, rumors spread—whispers of a mysterious woman who has stolen the young king’s heart.
And in Everthorns, Marlowe soon hears of what he has done.
-
A Court’s Betrayal
King Easton had made his decision, but not all in his court were willing to accept it. The refusal of the Vellanor proposal sent waves of discontent through the nobles, especially the older lords who saw his choice as reckless.
A Secret Gathering
One evening, deep within the castle halls, Lord Roderic, Duchess Irena, and a handful of powerful nobles convened in a candlelit chamber.
Lord Roderic: “If the king will not listen to reason, then reason must be forced upon him.”
Duchess Irena: “He is too young, too blinded by foolish emotions. He places personal desire over the strength of the realm.”
Lord Cedric of Velmire: “Then we must guide him, whether he wishes it or not.”
A dark plan was forming.
The Court’s Manipulation
The nobles devised a strategy: if Easton refused to wed Vellanor’s princess willingly, then they would push him into a position where he had no choice.
1. Political Pressure – They began spreading whispers through the court and beyond: “The young king is unstable.” “He cannot rule without a queen.” “He risks war for the sake of a mere girl.” The idea was to create doubt in his leadership.
2. A Threat to the Throne – Some nobles secretly reached out to Vellanor, suggesting an ultimatum be issued—either Easton wed their princess, or they would sever ties and align with another kingdom, leaving Veridral vulnerable.
3. The Ultimate Deception – If persuasion failed, they planned to forge an urgent message, claiming Everthorns had made an official proposal for Marlowe and another kingdom. The goal? To push Easton into believing he was about to lose Marlowe forever—forcing him into a rash decision.
Easton Begins to Notice
Over the next few days, Easton felt the shift in his court. His advisors spoke of his duty more than ever. Nobles who once showed loyalty now questioned his choices.
During a council meeting, Lord Roderic stood before him.
Lord Roderic: “Your Majesty, a king who delays too long in securing his future invites uncertainty. Do not let youthful passion cloud your wisdom.”
Easton clenched his fists beneath the table. He could feel it—this was not advice. It was pressure.
King Easton: “Are you questioning my rule, Lord Roderic?”
Lord Roderic (bowing slightly): “Never, my king. I only seek to protect the kingdom. As do we all.”
Easton’s eyes scanned the room. Some lords avoided his gaze. Others held a steely determination. He realized then—his own court was turning against him.
-
Marlowe’s Discovery
A few weeks had passed since Easton’s court began plotting against him. Marlowe, still in Everthorns, had her own sources in Veridral. She had once been a spy, and those skills never left her. When word reached her that Easton’s own court was conspiring to force his hand, she knew she had to act.
A Dangerous Journey
Disguising herself once more, Marlowe traveled to Veridral in secret, slipping through the kingdom’s borders undetected. She could not sit by while Easton was being manipulated. If his court sought to control him, then she would uncover their full plan and warn him before it was too late.
But what she found… was far worse than she had imagined.
---
The Hidden Side of Easton
One night, under the cover of darkness, Marlowe slipped into Easton’s castle, moving like a shadow through the corridors. She knew where to listen, where to hide. But she wanted to see Easton himself—to warn him, to stand by him.
Following the path to his private chambers, she hesitated only for a moment before stepping inside.
And then she saw it.
Easton stood in the center of the room… covered in blood.
A lifeless body lay at his feet—Lord Cedric of Velmire, one of the nobles who had conspired against him. The once-powerful lord’s throat had been slashed open, his eyes wide in shock and terror.
Marlowe’s breath caught in her throat.
Easton wasn’t grieving. He wasn’t horrified. His expression was cold, his shoulders steady, his breathing calm.
As if this was not the first time.
As if… he had expected this outcome all along.
Her heart pounded. This was not the boy who chased her through wildflowers. This was not the boy who held her when she cried.
This was a king. A ruler willing to eliminate those who stood in his way.
Easton Turns to Marlowe
Slowly, he lifted his gaze, his golden eyes locking onto hers.
For the first time in her life, Marlowe felt… fear.
King Easton: “You shouldn’t be here, Marlowe.”
His voice was calm. Almost too calm.
Marlowe (whispering): “Easton… what have you done?”
He stepped forward, and for the first time in her life, she took a step back.
She had known he was strong. She had known he was ruthless when needed. But she had never seen this side of him.
She had never seen the beast hidden beneath the crown.
-
Marlowe’s Choice: Love Over Fear
The room was silent except for the faint sound of Easton’s steady breaths. The blood on his hands had not yet dried. His golden eyes held no regret, no hesitation—only the weight of a king who had made his choice.
Marlowe’s heart pounded like a war drum. She had never seen him like this, never imagined the boy who once played chase with her in a hidden garden could be standing here now, a ruler who had just taken a life without flinching.
She should run.
She should be afraid.
And she was. But more than that—she understood.
Easton had no one. His mother was gone, his court betrayed him, and he had carried the weight of a kingdom alone for as long as he could remember. This—this moment, this choice—was not born from cruelty.
It was born from desperation.
Marlowe Steps Forward
She could see it now—the tightness in his jaw, the way his fingers trembled for just a moment before he clenched them into fists.
He wasn’t just a king.
He was a boy drowning in his own loneliness.
Marlowe swallowed down her fear and stepped forward.
Easton’s eyes flickered with something—warning? Surprise? A plea?
She ignored it.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him.
Her hands curled into the back of his coat, her face pressed against his chest. His body was tense—stone beneath her touch.
For a moment, she thought he might push her away. That he might tell her to leave, to never look at him the same way again.
But instead—he exhaled.
Slowly, his arms lifted and closed around her.
Marlowe could feel the way his muscles shuddered, as if something deep within him had finally cracked. He had been holding himself together for too long, keeping every burden locked inside, and now—now, someone was there to share the weight.
Easton’s Whisper
His lips barely moved, but she heard it. A whisper, so soft she almost thought she imagined it.
“You should fear me.”
Marlowe closed her eyes, holding him tighter.
“I don’t.”
She did, in truth. But more than fear, she felt something stronger—something deeper.
She would not leave him alone in this darkness.
No matter how terrifying it was.
-
A King’s Confession, A Princess’s Loyalty
Marlowe could feel Easton’s heartbeat against her cheek—steady but strained, like the rhythm of a war drum muffled beneath layers of armor.
His hands, still stained with blood, hesitated at her back before finally resting there, his grip firm but not unkind.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, in a voice so low it barely reached her ears, Easton whispered, “They betrayed me.”
Marlowe didn’t move. She only listened.
The Weight of a Crown
“They were supposed to serve me, protect me. But they—” His breath hitched, frustration tightening his words. “They tried to force my hand. To control my throne. Marry me off like I was nothing more than a pawn.”
She didn’t dare lift her head. She let his silent grief fall onto her, the warm tears soaking into her hair.
Marlowe clenched her hands against his back, whispering, “You are not just a pawn, Easton.”
He let out a bitter chuckle, his voice hoarse. “Then why does it feel like I am?”
They sat on the cold stone floor, the weight of his kingdom pressing down on his shoulders, the burden of her loyalty tightening around her chest.
Marlowe closed her eyes. “Because they fear you. A king they cannot control is a king they must destroy.”
She pulled away slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. His striking eyes, always sharp and calculating, were now glassy, vulnerable.
“I will not let them destroy you.” Her voice was steady, unwavering. “Even if I must stain my hands alongside yours.”
A flicker of something passed through Easton’s expression—something deeper than gratitude, something more dangerous than trust.
He exhaled, reaching up to brush her cheek with his thumb, smearing a bit of crimson across her skin. “Then I will not lose.”
And in that dimly lit chamber, amidst the echoes of betrayal and blood, a vow was sealed between them—one that neither crown nor kingdom could break.