"I cannot feel any part of my body."

My hands gripped a soaked cloth, writing it tightly before gently placing it on William's side. He stifled a groan, his hand going to his mouth.

"You are an imbecile," I chastised him as he gave me a lazy smile. I pressed down on his wound even more and he winced, grabbing my hand from adding too much pressure.

He sighed out loudly, "Lord Rowan did not think I was strong enough to care for you...so he tested out my abilities," he said as I shook my head. Feeling the need to slap him and cause him more harm! I could also hit Rowan too!

"William you are a human, they are not! When they are injured they heal quick, when you injure it takes forever for you to heal. You bruise like..like a piece of fruit," I told him with a laugh bubbling up to meet the insult.

I could not believe him. I left him for a few hours and he gets beaten up. After Thorian and I had our serious talks, he mentioned about smelling blood, with a smile on his face. I forced him to bring me to where the blood was coming from and found Rowan helping a bloodied heap of William to his room.

At first I thought he was attacked by someone else by how the two were walking and taking so casually. "So you and Rowan are...not okay with one another, I guess?"

"No, he is a good man. He could have done worse to me but found my efforts valiant and my intentions with you pure. He told me you deserved a good man, and thinks I am one...which I am!"

That brought a smile to my lips for some odd reason...sure William almost got himself killed but he did it to prove himself to Rowan. A friend I hold dear. "You did not have to do that, William. I know the kind of man you are, you have nothing to prove to Rowan, Chelsea, or even Thorian of that matter."

He groaned as he struggled to sit up. "I know but still, I owe Rowan much. He told me of his wife's and your companionship so long ago. I owed him a show of my strength for him and his wife being a help to you so long ago."

I pressed my hand to his bruised cheek before attempting to kiss his lips. He turned so that my lips met his cheek. "You are too perfect for me, William. Marry an even more perfect Duke's daughter."

He scoffed, "What fun would that be?"

"I suppose you are right...chasing a princess is much more of a thrill, don't you agree?" I mused, watching his smile falter a bit.

His mood did not sour even when fighting a lycan but it soured from the few words I just spoke into existence. "A man can only chase so much until his feet tire, Esmerelda."

William was right. I had strung him along for so long I was surprised he had not given up already. "Your feet tire, William?"

"Only a bit...it would be nice for a woman to come rub them once every while," he mused as I gasped.

How dare he think that I will just...just lie with him! Sure I want to, I would really like to but he is the one who wants to wait till marriage! "I thought you were a gentleman!"

The color drained from his face, "Esmerelda I was using an analogy...What did you think I meant? By rub feet I mean settle down with me! You know we would both stop the running and-"

"-I understand," I said quickly. I am an imbecile. A complete dunce. I am ashamed for thinking so dirty! I suppose this would be a good chance for me to confide in him. "I have a question for you...but I do not want to upset you."

He gave me a wary look. "I am already injured physically, I beg of you injure my heart further."

I hit him lightly on his shoulders. He was acting like Edwin with his dramatics! "Stop it, it is just a question...why must we marry? I understand marriages I do, but why can we just not stay as we are?"

He was angry. I could see it in his face...but he tried to mask it to the best of his abilities. "Why is marrying me so awful, Esmerelda? I am not him, I have proved that time and time again. I do not want to hide our love. The only people who know of us is Edwin and a few of my closest friends. I do not want to hide us anymore. Even Edwin spoke to me about marrying you, and I told him it is not myself but you."

Edwin needs to mind his business! "It is not just because of him, William. I never like the prospect of marriage. Ever since I was coming of age. I hated the fact that a man had so much control over me and Sirus helped in that hatred of marriage. I admit he did-"

"-You know me Esmerelda," William breathed out. "Yes I will be your husband and yes according to the ancient texts and tradition I will have dominance over you but do you think I will use it? If anything you have dominance over me! I will do anything you want me to, whenever and however. All I ask is your hand and that is still too much to ask of you?!"

He was not happy with me. Not at all. He was right. I had no counter argument to attack him with. I did not want to argue with him. I hated to see William upset...and I was the root of it. I wanted William by my side. That much was true.

I surprised him with a kiss to his lips. His frown was still there but it lessened with my lips. "I am sorry, William," I told him as he still remained silent. I kissed his cheeks, then his jaw. "If you want me as a wife...you can have me," I said as I kissed his stoic lips again.

"Esmerelda..." he trailed off, pushing my shoulders lightly as I frowned. "I want you to marry me because you want to...not because it is what I want. I will ask you again once we arrive back home, okay?"

"Okay," I smiled as his lips met my own once again. I scooted closer to deepen the kiss and the moment our lips met, a knock sounded at the door. We both groaned.

I sighed a I got up and made my way over to the door. Hopefully it was not Sirus with empty threats. I swung open the door and was met with a nervous set of eyes.

It was Margaret with a large bundle of blankets. Oh...Margaret. "Um your majesty," she shyly smiled as I smiled back at her. "I have clean blankets. One of the maids has informed me of Duke Calfont bleeding on his other ones."

"Oh how sweet of you! I'll take them," I said while grabbing hold of them and quickly throwing them on the ground. She bowed again to leave and I grabbed her hand softly. "Margaret, could you walk me to the kitchen? I do believe I forgot my way around here."

I glanced back at William to see him shaking his head. "Oh of course, my Queen." I wanted to point out that I was not a Queen of anything but I held my tongue.

As we walked, I could see that she kept glancing my way...before quickly looking away. "So how do you like being a maid here?" I questioned her, watching her wring her hands together.

"It is fine...I have grown up with everyone here so, it is not so bad," she admitted to me as I nodded my head slowly.

How was I supposed to bring up my son? Just ask her, I suppose. "And you grew up with my son?" She nodded her head hesitatingly. "When did you two start to get romantically involved with one another?"

Her eyes widened and I gave her a knowing smile. She sighed, "Well...it was last year. I do not really know how it happened but...I do love him a-and he loves me," she blushed as my heart clenched. I had to essentially break this up. Sirus did not know what to do. Chelsea knew it was wrong but did not want to help.

"And both of you have not find your mates, yet?" She winced and it looked as if her eyes were beginning to water. "Margaret, no need to be upset. I am just asking simple questions that require an answer."

She let out a shaky sigh, wiping at her eyes. "I know I am sorry I have just received that question so many times...Thorian and I have not found our mates yet. We are adults we know the repercussions, but we love one another. Most wolves do not find their mates so soon in life, some do not even find their mates within their lifetimes."

This girl was too naive. She was counting on both of them not finding their mates. That was simply impossible. I knew for a fact that the earth worked in odd ways and at least one of them would find their mate. "I know you two care for each other...but I do not think that you two being together is the best thing...right now. Think about if he finds a mate, now or even later when he becomes King. He should not have to worry about your feeling, his mates, and juggling being King."

I had to say it...even if it did hurt her feelings. This was one thing that I had to do for my son. I have not been here all of his life, have not been able to help him in anyway...I had to get both her and him to realize this was not a good thing. "Well...he will...he will not let that happen."

My hand went to her shoulder, forcing her to look me in the eyes. "Margaret what if you find your mate. I am not a lycan by any means but I know what finding one is like...from friends, my own experiences. He will not be able to let you go, what if he tries to hurt Thorian."

"I do not know what to say, my Queen!" The girl said miserably. "I do not know what will happen when one of us finds our mates, but can you all just let us live our lives in peace and love?" She was getting extremely upset by the second.

This girl was in deep love, and anything I said would not work on her. "If you were both maids I am sure you two would be able to do whatever you wanted, but you are not. My son is a Prince, Margaret soon to be King. This needs to end before someone gets hurt. How do you think your mate will feel...or even his mate? Not saving yourselves for your other halves."

She broke down into tears...and instead of rushing away from me, she clutched me tightly as she cried. I could hear her pain...and I felt awful for it. She was about the same age as I was when I was forced to marry Sirus.

"I think about him sometimes...my mate but then I think about Thorian and...I just do not know! He says he has no thoughts about her at all...it sounds like the truth but I can hear the lie."

What was I supposed to say to that? I could see a few maids coming our way so I pulled her into another room. I knew people probably talked about her already...I did not want them to see her crying. "Have you ever talked to him about ending it?"

She shook her head, "No...I am afraid. I love him I do...I do not want to upset him. He is already thinking of leaving behind royalty for me...I cannot be the cause of that. He is the only heir and he will be a good king someday."

Their was only one thing for Margaret to do. "You have to speak to my son and tell him you two have to stop this, Margaret. If you really care about my son."

She sighed as she brought up the palm of her hands and ground them into her eyes. "Can you please come with me, Queen Esmerelda?"

Me? She wanted me to come with her to tell my son that they could no longer see one another? That was an awful idea...but the girl was looking as if she was getting ready to burst into tears once again.

"Sure, Margaret. I will come with you."

*****
I know it's late but here's the update!
Hope you all enjoyed!

PS: I watched Mulan last night and let me tell you guys General Shang is the most sexy Disney prince/not prince. I mean did you see him? He's beautiful, gets all tongue tied when Mulan is ya know Mulan and he spared her life and UGH. (BTW this is Shang in Mulan I not Mulan II. I didn't rally like him that much in Mulan II still beautiful though)

Ok anyway, please vote and comment!
Thanks guys😁