Princess Gwendolyn, Chapter 1

Gwendolyn sat at the window in her bedchamber. She was waiting for Prince Andiysies D'Ante to arrive. She was hoping that today would be the day he announced the date he would take her as his wife. He had been courting her for a year now, and over the winter, they discovered that they seemed to be made for each other, and that their arranged marriage was going to be better than either of them had anticipated.1

An unfamiliar carriage arrived in front of the castle, and the princess turned away from the window. Her betrothed had been away for most of the spring. Summer was drawing nearer, and Andiysies had only visited once since the snow melted.2

"Princess, there is an honorable guest in your sitting room," a maid said as she curtsied.3

"I will be there shortly. Thank you, Mary." Gwendoly watched her handmaid exit, and then got up from her chair. An honorable guest could only mean a dreadfully boring morning. 4

As soon as the princess walked in the room, her guest was on his knees at her feet, bowing over her right hand. "My Princess! I am overjoyed to see you are well!"5

Gwendolyn was startled. "Milord! I beg of you to at least let me enter the room and take note of you before you rush at me."6

"Forgive me, Gwendolyn, but I am so relieved to see you safe and in good health." The guest kissed the back of her hand, then looked up at her. "I worried about you most every day."7

Her heart just about stopped. "Andiysies! Why did you not send word that you were coming? I would have made myself more presentable for you. I'm not properly dressed-"8

"Hush. You are just fine. Soon enough I will see you like this every day."9

"I suppose so." Gwendolyn gave him a small smile, and led him to the bench by the window.10

"How can you be tired when the day is still new, m'love?" Andiysies held his beloved close. Are you of poor health?"11

She just shook her head. "No, m'lord. I am tired most mornings, and I retire early most nights. It has been this way for two fortnights and a sennight. Just after I stopped being sick."12

"Have you consulted a physician about all of this?"13

"As if I would be allowed to do otherwise, Andiysies," Gwendolyn scoffed as she layed her head against his cheste. "Things are fine, love. It would be better if we were married, though. I am feeling anxious to move forward."14

The prince's hand stroked at his beloved's golden hair. "Soon enough, beautiful. I have been making preparations while we have been apart. Three fortnights from now is when we shall be wed." He kissed the top of his bride-to-be's head. "just be patient, my love."15

"Three fortnights?!" She jerked her head up. "Why so long? Can't we do it in a fortnight or even a sennight? Three fortnights is far too long, Andiysies!"16

He could sense the fear and alarm in her voice. "Calm down, Gwendolyn. I see no reason to rush."17

"Andiysies, I become a 'spinster' in two fornights, a disgrace to my family line, the barony, the kingdom! I think that's a big enough reason to rush!" She put her hands on her face, hating that she could be considered a spinster, even if she was going to be married a short time later.18

Andiysies gently pulled Gwendolyn's hands away from her face. "Is it that important to you that we get married so soon?" He truly hadn't realized that she was to turn seventeen so soon.19

"Yes! I can't bring disgrace upon everyone!"20

He put his arms around her, drawing her close once more. His voice was soft and soothing. "Calm down, love. Since it is that important to you, we will move things forward. I won't let disgrace befall you. Please, do not worry about it." Gentle lips touched her forehead. "Let me finish preparations. I will see to it that we are married within a fortnight." Andiysies hated to see his lover so upset.21

"Thank you," the princes murmured to her partner. She had started to feel nauseous again, and she put her hand to her stomach to try and settle it. Her illness seemed to be lingering, but she wasn't going to say anything to her prince. She knew that, i due time, he would find out the cause of it all, and she was a bit worried about it.22

A gentle hand covered hers. Andiysies sensed that Gwendolyn wasn't as well as she would have him believe. He was making it his mission to ease her discomforts, soothe away her troubles as best he could until they were wed. For he wanted to wed a healthy, happy woman.23

He watched as his bride gave into her weariness without a fight. Something was troubling her, wearing her out, and it wasn't just the fear of becoming a spinster. As he watched, her features relaxed, her muscles let loose. It was decided then and there that Andiysies would dig until he found the source of her worry. It was the least he could do, if it would make her happy.24

The hours passed, and the prince was able to study his young bride. Her hair was softer, it's golden color brighter. The rosy cheeks hid the thin, pale face to those at a distance. Dark spots under her eyes told of little rest. The green dress portrayed a bountiful bosom, bigger than Andiysies remembered. It also hid the slight bulge of her stomach.25

There. He'd found what he was looking for. His betrothed was plagued by an incurable growth inside her abdomen. There was no doubt about what he planned to do. He loved her, and set his mind to making sure that the princess would lack nothing, right up to the moment she made him a young widower.