Chapter 2
"I hope that's not what you mean, Miss Peyton."
Margaret replied, tilting her head in curiosity while every noble had their sights on the commoner, who shrunk and felt guilty for that.
She did want to be talked to like an equal by the nobles? Was it a bad thing that she wanted to make friends with people that knew better and could be better?
The redhead woman had meant it in genuine curiosity, maybe this was why Leonard wanted Katherine. Since she wanted to get a read of the man, whose veins became evident as his face reddened in anger.
"That's exactly what she meant."
He retorted, as he continued to speak. None of the nobles had spoken a word yet but every one of them was slowly questioning his legitimacy to the throne for such utter foolish words to be spoken.
Equality between the nobles and commoners existed. They all drank the same way, ate from the same food source as farmers and marketers were appreciated by all. Fabrics were the same, despite different methods of preparation by hand or tools. They shared everything in Fellton.
The extent of power and resources in power in the kingdom drew the line between them completely. Commoners handled the basics of the economy through agricultural goods. Plants, animals, land and mines. They weren't sufficient to manage hundreds of farmlands and handle the records, in terms of profit and shipment, while simultaneously focusing on their crops and animals.
No normal person was. Those who could handle the burden resorted to hiring others, while managing the flow, distribution and payment. The nobles and royals come into play. Nobility wasn't hard to get in Fellton.
Gaining a title through descent, paternal or maternal family. Adoption, protégé selection by a current head, marriage or earning it through contributions that benefited the entire country.
All are seen as viable ways of being one. Many nobles came from commanders or medical practitioners that had proven their worth, leaving the country to prosper in military manpower and health care, compared to many. Leading to many noble family continuing the practice of their ancestors, as they can be stripped away for not honoring their legacy.
Buying the title of one was disgusting, being called faux men of power by the nobles and traitors by the commoners. Leaving them completely disregarded, when money didn't win connections like a merchant.
For the nobles of the room, they disapproved. Nobody entertained this thought. What had the young maiden earned for her to demand such respect from them?
"Anything you have achieved that has benefitted the entire country, Miss? His highness being infatuated with you isn't one of them." There was no sign of satisfaction or smugness in her expression nor mind. It was simply a fact that had to be stated for her to understand what she asked.
"I am aware, Lady Margaret. I am sorry but I love him terribly," Katherine stated, having a firmness in her voice during her confession. She was open about it from the start when Leonard helped her during the first day at the academy and having her help him escape from Margaret's intensity towards him being a proper ruler.
"Exactly. You can't stop me from ending this engagement." Leonard butted into the conversation between the women. Margaret had genuinely forgotten he was present from his silence, or maybe it was her mind tuning him out as usual since childhood.
"Wonderful! I would prefer it in interest." She smiled honestly, which paused Leonard on his track. His smile had vanished when he heard that, Katherine remained confused by her request, but she felt glad that Margaret wasn't upset or angry with her.
"Interest?" He asked, pursing his lips with his eyebrows. Nothing had prepared him for her to say that. He expected curses, screams or begging. Anything that would make her demand to have him back, but he got none of it.
He felt Katherine relaxing on his back, that should be good news for both from her agreement, since she wanted this to be peaceful and he wanted to remove Margaret from the picture and be allowed to still punish her accordingly.
But why did it feel he opened a bird he shot and tried to skin its feather near the water? Only for the head to turn and wide jaws opening to reveal a crocodile before it was all over for him.
"Yes. For defamation and emotional cheating paid in land for ruining this alliance. Just like we agreed on when we were kids."
She smiled at him. He froze at that, stumbling back when he heard that. Katherine reached out to him, her fair skin looked pale. Similar to his tone, those green eyes burning in righteousness were extinguished.
His hair was no longer tamed, facing every direction with his back against the wall.
'No. Not that.'
The alliance between the Royal house of Fellton and House Asterlyn when they were kids. When Margaret's family was a family of mere barons that were known for their loyalty to the kingdom had agreed to the alliance due to the King choosing a family that wouldn't be in the way or cause a scandal if the arrangement broke.
Until a seven-year-old Margaret had requested in front of a lawyer if he did such, anything to break the alliance from his part. She would be legally able to claim his connection, wealth and status as hers. Considering she would have those if she married him.
He agreed because he thought it wouldn't happen, and signed it in front of a lawyer, her father at the time to simply do it. Everything clicked, especially when the glass of wine was no longer in her hand. Already placed back on the table closest to her and what was truly in her hands was that same document.
'Oh no.'
'Oh yes.'
She knew what he was thinking and reassured it by having the document clear, since her dress adjustment was to retrieve this for all to see.
"Like I said. Interest.'
Katherine didn't understand what was happening, but it felt like the tides had shifted for Leonard. As she tried to help him back on his feet, he slapped her hands away harshly. Making her wince in pain but he paid no mind to hurting her in his anger.
"No! You can't be. I am the Royal Prince!! It is my birthright."