Chapter 4 Forming Alliance

Princess Elenor POV

Back at Wessex castle, it was total chaos, not like it wasn't like this all of the time. Eleanor most times hated everything about it and what she hated more was how her father trusted Elena so much that he would let her stay in Yorkshire with her husband to be.

Eleanor has always seen Elena as a threat ever since she was born and my oh, the girl Is as rebellious as a dog in heat. Eleanor had to always remind herself that if she were to be disposed, Elena would practically take her place. Her right. And for this she hated Elena dearly. Of course, it hadn't been like this in the beginning, Eleanor had made sure to put Elena in her place, but as Elena grew, so did her inquisitiveness too. The child was so smart, brilliant and even her beauty wasn't unseen to Eleanor. The only satisfaction Elena brought to Eleanor was her wayward behavior and flair for adventure. A person like that could never ever be queen. How could she? She didn't have grace or form. She didn't now politics and had no idea how the court runs. To Eleanor, Elena was a disgrace to the royal family. It has been quite a while since Elena left for Yorkshire. The more time she stayed there, the more worried Eleanor got. This made her go see her mother. She and her mum were best of friends. Eleanor worshipped her mother, that was her queen and all she ever aspired to me. Sighting her mother from afar in the gardens, she decides to go to her

"Mother, don't you think it's almost time Elena came back home"

"Don't you think you should be more worried about if you'll be good enough for the crown?"

"Who would be more worthy than me? Show me one" she says proudly breaking into a smile as her mum stares at her. Touching her face the queen says

"Not a soul in the world could be more worthy than you. You are my offspring after all"

"Child mother. Elena maybe you can refer to as that"

"It's the same thing smart ass"

"Oh My! The ice queen has got a sense of humor!"

"You need not worry about Elena. She might be a rascal but she's loyal to her word and to your father."

"Loyal or father's favorite?"

"I see through the cracks Eleanor. A queen should know better. What is this? And when did you start craving to become the king's favorite daughter?"

"King. He's my father!"

"Princess Eleanor! You do not raise your voice to your queen!"

"I came to talk to my mother not the queen. Can't you see? Elena has nothing to loose and I have got everything to! I don't trust Elena out there no more than she needs to be, she was to..."

"Enough. You want Elena home? Talk to your father. Now if you don't mind this is best time to take my afternoon stroll" the queen said leaving. Eleanor couldn't believe it, she knew the woman was an iced cold bitch but damn it for a moment she thought she would crack. Wonder why she thought she would help. The king definitely wanted his favorite daughter back and surely deep down wants Elena to one day marry. Hah! Goodluck to that.

Hurrying her steps she goes to her father's chamber. "

Announce me in" Eleanor says to her father's' personal butler. Mr Butler

"Ermmm. Forgive me princess but your father does not wish to see anyone right now"

"Oh really?" Eleanor replies with a shock on her face " is he okay?"

"To my knowledge, yes he is"

"Then I think he'll see me" Eleanor opens the door and closes it before Mr Butler can say a word

"Terrorizing My butler now?"

"I've missed you dad. It's almost like we live in different worlds these days"

"I'm a king. I do a lot of things"

"Which is why Elena needs to come home fast with my groom. In one piece too"

"Eleanor please not today. You've been going on about this like a mantra. At this point I'm tired"

"If you are tired then you'll get me married as fast as you could"

"You know I always had this impression that you would love to be a lone queen. I know you don't need that prince in here. Left for you he could die today and you would push to be given queen immediately. Or maybe you plan on killing him as soon as you marry him? One would think you would be grateful for the time your sister is taking in bringing that stubborn man"

" you wouldn't let me rule alone. It was your idea to get me married to the stubborn man. If you hadn't made it so we all probably should be in the middle of my coronation as queen!"

"Oh please! You're so obsessed and hungry for power. It's almost disgusting. You're royalty for goodness sake"

" I am not obsessed nor hungry for what I have in abundance. Father, please I'm not here to argue, for the sake of my reputation and Elena's. Give her an order to come home" Reaching her father, Eleanor hugs him. "Please father, how long shall you let your unchaperoned daughter stay in the same space with a young man who would do anything and everything to put an end to this alliance? Please see it from my own point of view. Elena is my sister and her reputation has suffered enough for a princess. Let's not ruin what's left of it" With a gruff voice, he has no choice than to agree.

"You're right. I'll send her a letter expressing your feelings of concern and mine of worry" "

"Thank you father. Muuuah" Eleanor says playing a big kiss on her fathers right cheek

" wait till the queen hears about your misconduct"

"I'm your daughter and the future queen." Eleanor quickly slips away from her fathers room, not paying attention to the angry butler.

To Eleanor, this was perfect. Now Elena would have no choice than to do as her king has instructed. And her father had a point. When did she soon start to want a king to rule by her side? When did she start thinking about ruling with a man by her side! Now she had another plan, she would rule Wessex alone no matter the cost or what happens.

While Elena took her time in Yorkshire, Eleanor paid a visit to London. She had been informed that the prince's best friend and confidant Edmund had just arrived London for... pleasure.

This was her opportunity and first step in forming an alliance to keep her throne. She didn't know what to do with her husband-to- be. But she knew damn well she didn't want him around either. Eleanor loved the power being royalty gave her and she savored in it. So when she went to visit Edmund in his newly acquired castle, she had worn her best and adorned herself like proper royalty. Her carriage alone spoke for her. She wanted her presence to be known, to be felt.

It was Edmund's house warm party. He threw a ball to celebrate his new house. Definitely not his home. He loved parties and would use any excuse to throw one. Although in all, never did he expect to see Princess Eleanor in any of his parties.

"Forgive me. I do not remember you being in town or else I would've sent an invite" Edmund said bowing before Princess Eleanor.

"No. Please. Forgive me for crashing your party. I just came into town and heard of the good news. You've managed to acquire the Late Lord Thompson's castle for yourself. Congratulations" Eleanor said meekly. But Edmund wasn't fooled. Extending him arm towards Eleanor

"It's rude to keep my guest at the door. Please do me the honors of gracing my house with your presence" Edmund says charmingly. Eleanor of course could see through the charm. Edmund wasn't a charming, loving gentleman. No. He was the man who would cheat in a gambling game to win. He was the type to sell out information and even himself for a price. Edmund was a liar, cheater and a greedy fellow to the mix. Eleanor could smell the greed for power he had.

Giving a small smile, Eleanor takes his arm as he leads them into the house.

" I do not wish to waste your time or mine, so I'll go straight to why I've come" Eleanor said.

"Pray tell what the matter is? Will we be needing the library?"

"Not if you're comfortable discussing how you acquired this big ancestral house" Eleanor says looking around the house as if trying to pas a message. A message Edmund received loud and clear. His face contorted a frown and almost immediately he gave Eleanor a light smile

"Delicate topics like that shouldn't be discussed over loud music and in the company of so many. Please follow me to my library. Without the guard too" Edmund said eyeing Eleanor's guard. Eleanor wasn't scared of being left alone with the dubious fellow so she instructed her guard to stay back as she followed Edmund to his library.

Dropping the nice guy facade in the library, Edmund begins

" I do not recall ever being in Wessex and business so I'm here, left wondering, what it's doing in mine" Edmund says flatly to Eleanor.

"Wessex is only trying to help you. Actually. Form an alliance with you."

"An alliance? I do not hold power when it comes to Northumbria." Edmund told Eleanor while pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

"More reason I bring this golden opportunity for you. It's simple. You get to be appointed minister in Wessex and if you play your cards right might even land you the throne of Northumbria". Eleanor says

" are you crazy? For heaven's sake woman. Do you know the prince of Northumbria and I are best friends? He is to be king of Northumbria "

" tsk tsk. You don't even know yet." Elena taunts Edmund. " your best friend is to be married to me and assume his duties as the new King of Wessex."

" what do you want. Eleanor" at this point, Edmund had lost his patience for the damn woman. How dare she come to threaten him first in his new home and then dangle it in his face, no matter how hard he tried. He would never get what he wanted. To rule Northumbria.

"I want you to join forces with me. Make me become the Queen and only ruler of Wessex and I give you my word. Northumbria will be yours" Eleanor says.