Marry By Choice Not Force

Henry had no idea that Princess Margaret even had a handsome visitor as he returned to the library where he had left her, he wasn't about to have her enjoy her stay here. If he could just get her to run away then everyone would say horrible things about her while he was still charming as ever, he could even pretend to be heart broken and win people's hearts all over again. "You can read? You don't need to from now on, all you need to do is bare my children" He told her as he walked through the large thick wooden doors, spotting her easily as she had a book in her hands.

-

A bright red blush fared across Poppy's cheeks up to her ears, it was exciting and that emotion was over taking how wrong this was. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his and the seductive tone of voice he used, made her want to continue kissing him. "It is exciting... I've never felt this way with Hamish, this will break his heart and your family" She told him as tears welled up in her beautiful blue eyes, she would never dream about tearing his family apart but she would because of the kiss she shared with him. "Am I one of those girls who you flirt with when you drink?" She asked wanting to know how he was feeling about this.

Daniel listened to the blonde and watched as her blue eyes filled with tears. "He doesn't have to know," the dark haired Prince admitted. Daniel had always loved the thrill of secrets, keeping them well hidden, and Poppy would be the perfect secret and one way to get back at his older brother for giving him hell in his younger years. Daniel and Hamish had got along up until Daniel was about eight and Hamish twelve, that was when the tormenting began. Poppy was the best revenge. "That my love you will never know." He whispered before capturing her lips with his again. His brain going into over drive as his scheming began.

~

Margaret jumped when she heard Henry's voice as he walked through the library doors. His words caused her stomach to knot together and bile rise in her throat. The thought of bedding with him and baring his children made her physically sick. She would rather live in squalor then give him the satisfaction of taking the one thing she held so preciously, her innocence.

"I would rather wrestle a wild bear then bare you a child." Margaret spoke darkly her blue irises darkening with hatred for the Prince who stood so cockily in front of her.

Henry had bedded many lower class women before but none of them had the nerve to answer back at him, all they'd do is agree with him and he had gotten used to that. He was quick to make his way over to this Princess, his large hand grabbing her arm and roughly pulling her up from the seat she was sat on. "How dare you, you do not know what I am capable of. You best please me and do as I say" He warned her, his deep voice becoming dark and evil while his eyes narrowed at her.

He normally would have given her a good slap across the face, though instead he squeezed her arm. His hand slowly got tighter and tighter, "Give in to me now, and I won't make your little life hell".

-

Poppy used her fingers to wipe away her tears before any fell, her father had always told her that crying was only for when you were alone. She didn't know what to say to the Prince who was still holding her body in his strong arms, should she allow this to happen or should she push Daniel away and never know if he was right for her? She didn't know what to do, but then he kissed her lips again and every thought melted from her mind as she kissed his warm lips in return.

She was the most innocent out of the three, she knew both brothers had been already bedded by women while she of course hadn't. Women always had to wait until marriage though being so close to Daniel while his lips kissing her's, thoughts formed in her mind so she pulled back from him. Quickly using her hands to splash him with water before she laughed and swam away from him, "Then I'll never tell you who the better kisser is" She smiled as she watched him, still not believing that he could make her feel like this when he had only annoyed her before.

Daniel chuckled before he was splashed with cool water causing him to cease his laughter. He looked at the blonde as she swam away from him, he was quick to push off the bottom of the lake and push his way through the water toward her. She was on the land and pulling her dress over her body as he stepped onto the muddy bank a large smile spread across his face as he bent down and grabbed his shirt pulling it over his head covering his body that the blonde was eyeing cheekily.
"Like what you see?" he joked shooting the blonde a flirtatious wink.

~

Margaret winced at the tightness that Henry had on her arm. His hand was like an iron grip and she knew that there would be bruises the shape of his long fingers on her upper arm. "Everyone in this kingdom knows what you're capable of but you don't scare me..." the red head lied hoping it sounded fierce because her heart was racing inside her chest. "Meeting was hell, I can only imagine what marrying you is going to be like. I didn't want this and I know you don't either but unfortunately our parents have the say." Margaret stated truthfully, "If I had any say in my life choices marrying you wouldn't be one."

Henry smirked rather smugly at some of the princess' comments, she didn't want him as much as he didn't want anything to do with her. "Then you are one very silly Princess, you may not be scared of me now but you be shortly" He sent her a glare as his voice became dark, he preferred having people be scared of him because it was easier to control people that way. He wasn't finished with Margaret just yet as he let her arm go, "Your parents will be leaving soon" He told her turning and walking out of the library, once she was here alone and once they were married he knew he'd be able to break her and get control over her.

-

Poppy rolled her eyes as she smoothed out her full dress, though her eyes couldn't help but move over to Daniel. "Hmm it's okay" She grinned teasing him even though his body was very well taken care of by him, she now knew why he could charm all the women he has. He's handsome, a Prince and knows exactly what to say to women, it wouldn't be long now until the sun and heat dried their clothes off so no one would even know what they had gotten up to. "We should head back" She told him slipping her feet into her shoes and started the walk back to where their horse and carriage would be waiting to pick them both up, Poppy was spending some time at Watson castle meaning she'd be seeing Daniel often.

Daniel nodded his head as he finished buttoning up his shirt and slipping his shoes onto his feet watching as the blonde smoothed out her dress. Turning on his heels he began to walk back up the track smiling when the blonde princess fell in step with him. The two of them walked in silence for several minutes just thinking about what had just happened. Daniel couldn't help but smile at the memory, the way Poppy's lips felt pressed against his and they way their bodies fit perfectly together. Daniel never thought he would win over the blonde, he thought her hate for him would be too over powering but it turns out that it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be.

~

Margaret curled her lip at the Prince's threat, he would never have her, she would leave this castle before he even had the chance to take her as his wife. Margaret was leaving, she didn't care how, she didn't care if she had nowhere to go, she would rather live as a beggar then put herself through the pain and humiliation of living as a Queen who spent her life living in fear of her husband and his anger as well as his fondness of the drink and other women.
"You're a pig!" she called ferociously after the Royal that had turned and began to walk off. "You deserve to live in squalor!"

Henry chuckled deeply as he heard the princess call out to him as he was walking away, he already knew that he was a pig and it didn't bother him no bit. He continued to walk away and didn't even notice as Edward walked past him, he hardly noticed anyone who worked in or around the castle. Edward smiled widely as he walked along the corridor and saw the beautiful princess again, though this time he noticed that she wasn't looking as happy as she had been before when he found her in the library. He looked over his shoulder seeing the back of the prince and sighed heavily, "Are you alright, Princess?" He asked bowing his head lightly out of respect, the dark pools of his eyes looked at the beautiful girl as he stood in front of her and he was worried that something had caused her to become upset.

-

The walk wasn't a long one and when they arrived the horse and carriage were already waiting for them, Poppy straightened her back so she could carry herself better like a princess should or at least that was what she had been told all her life. She climbed up into the carriage taking a seat while Daniel followed her inside as they shared the carriage, the ride back to the castle was a silent one but this time it was a more comfortable silence. Poppy rolled her eyes when Daniel decided to climb out of the carriage before she did when they had stopped in front of the castle, she plastered a smile on her face when Hamish appeared on the front steps of the castle to welcome her back. She walked past Daniel and over to his older brother, "I still do not understand why you made this happen" She looked at the prince with a small pout on her lips.

Hamish smiled down at the blonde as he took her into his arms drawing her close before gently pressing his lips to her forehead in a sweet gesture, a chuckle left the elder Prince's lips at the blondes comment and the way her lips pouted annoyed. "Because my darling you and my brother need to get closer before our wedding, I don't want the two of you fighting for the rest of our lives." Hamish admitted his eyes flicking over to his younger brother who was stalking in the back shadows his lips curled in disgust at the sappy scene in front of him. "So... did you enjoy the time together." Hamish asked to both people who stood in the room. Daniel simply shrugged his shoulders flippantly as if he didn't particularly care that he and the blonde had spent the most intimate moment in the lake.

~

Margaret took a deep breath and relaxed her rigid body and looked over at the brown haired male she had been talking to earlier, sighing she spread a smile across her face trying to hide her anger, fear and frustration from the stranger. "Yes I am fine, and you? Did you get the position working in this Castle," she asked wanting to take her mind of the rude Prince that has sworn to make her life a living hell. She slowly stepped toward the male wanting to hear his answer, hoping that he had received some good news.

Edwards nodded his head in excitement as he moved closer to Margaret, "I am a new grounds keeper" He said proudly knowing this would earn him much more money that he was in desperate need of, "You do not need to hide things from me Princess, I can see the sadness and anger in your beautiful eyes. My Mother always told me, the body and soul will never heal if one does not speak to others" He told the gorgeous Princess, he never even noticed that he said her eyes were beautiful. He knew he should never speak to a Princess in that way, he shouldn't ever even speak to a Princess in the first place but Margaret was different. If she didn't have the gown and jewelry than she could easily appear to be a normal person like himself.

-

Poppy looked into Hamish's blue eyes knowing if he ever knew about her kissing his younger brother, it would tear his heart apart and she didn't want that. He was a sweet and caring man though lately she's been wondering if she was right for him, "If he doesn't become a pain than I would have nothing to fight about with him" She said loud enough for Daniel to hear her, "The walk was nice. A little bit too warm for a walk out there, I am quiet thirsty now. Shall we go to the kitchens?" She asked Hamish feeling her throat was dry, she stole a quick glance over her shoulder to where Daniel was keeping himself back in the shadows. Disgust was clear on his face as he watched her and his older brother, she stayed in Hamish's arms knowing he'd agree with her.

Daniel watched as the betrothed couple walked away being all lovey-dovey. Hamish was pathetic, a sight for sore eyes, his gentleness and mushy-gushy stuff between Poppy and him caused the young man to rip his hair out at how pathetic it was. Daniel knew that Poppy wanted more then sweet gestures and soft caresses. He could tell from the way the two kissed, passion fueled that would result in steamy and sexy relationship. The thought of this caused a smile to spread across the dark haired Prince's face as he walked away and up to his bed chambers where he had to get changed out of his clothes.
"How foolish you are Hamish," he whispered to himself.

~

Margaret smiled at the joyous news, she smiled widely, "Congratulations Edward," she smiled warmly. Quickly she pulled her eyes away from the brunette and looked down at the ground a heat spreading across her cheeks at the sweet compliment about her eyes. Sighing she took a deep breath looking up she locked her light eyes with his dark eyes.
"I do not wish to marry Prince Henry, he is a pig and I can only imagine what our wedding night will be like..." a shiver ran down the young woman's body at the thought and tears filled her eyes. She didn't want this at all. "He will hurt me, I know it. Yet there is nothing I can do about it."

Edward smiled when he noticed the pink cheeks spread across Margaret's cheeks when he complimented her, the blush only added to her beauty and lit up her face beautifully. "Thank you princess Margaret" He smiled at her widely only that smile soon disappeared as he listened to her words, "I am sorry princess. If there was a way for me to help you, then I would" He said honestly to her knowing he'd do anything for her, although he couldn't really say what he wanted to. 'Come with me and you'll be safe', that would only cause her to run away and tell her parents about him which would cause him to lose the job he had only just been given. "If anything does happen, you should find me. I'll do whatever I can for you, hide you away or just talk to you" He looked at her with his dark brown eyes.

-

Poppy smiled as she noticed Daniel walk away from them, before she walked down to the kitchen with Hamish by her side. "I do hope that you don't make me go on a walk with Daniel again, he was late and than he had a big last night" She complained to him knowing Hamish would take her side on something like this, which was a pity considering he wasn't close to Daniel anymore. She wanted to know more about why they had become distant, she'd have to ask Daniel when they were alone next. She poured herself a cup of fresh clean water and drank it quickly, though as she stood there with Hamish her mind floated back to Daniel. Hamish would never kiss her the way Daniel had, she knew Daniel would hold her hips or move his large hands over her body. While Hamish was the complete opposite, he was the perfect gentleman which was nice but Poppy wanted more.

Hamish chuckled lowly, it didn't surprise the older male that his young, wild brother had spent the night indulging in sinful pleasures. Daniel was never going to grow up and find love. Love like he had with Poppy. "He is an idiot, it's a well known fact. My brother spends his money on whores, wine and gambling. Mother is so worried about his future afraid that he will never find love. That is all she has ever wanted for the two of us..." Hamish paused looking up at the blonde his eyes locking with her blue ones, "He will never find the love that I have found with you my love," Hamish smiled walking over and taking the blonde in his arms pressing his lips gently to hers.

~

Margaret looked at the young man in front of her and smiled, she couldn't help it he was so generous and she could tell he had a heart made of gold. It would be several more nights before Margaret would have to exchange her wedding vows with the vulgar Prince, several more nights to plan her escape.

"Edward when you come back to the castle tomorrow, I'll seek you out, if you truly mean what you are telling me, I may have a way for you to help me escape the hell I have been thrust into."

Edward simply nodded his head although he did want to stay and find out what the princess had planned, "I will see you tomorrow Princess" He said bowing his head before he quickly moved on down the hallway, he had heard heels clicking against the hard stone flooring and would not want to be caught near the princess. Queen Sarah smiled brightly once she had found her daughter, "Here you are Margaret. Isn't this castle wonderful? This will be all yours soon enough" She could tell that her daughter didn't want to be there nor marry Prince Henry, though there was nothing she could do about it. She had already tried talking with her husband about finding another prince for their daughter to marry, but he knew this would help their Kingdom.

"Please Margaret, it is too late for me to do anything now" Sarah told her daughter softly, she had heard all the stories about Henry and she of course didn't want her baby girl to be around a man like that. But she had been forced to marry her now husband, they had learnt to love each other and make their marriage work.
-
Poppy listened to her fiance and felt hurt when Hamish mentioned that Daniel spent his money on whores, she didn't let it show that the comment had hurt her. Daniel could do whatever he wanted and it shouldn't matter to her, so she pushed everything she was feeling for the younger prince out of her mind. "He may change if he found the woman that his heart desires, many people have changed for love. He just seems to be looking for her in the wrong places" She looked up at Hamish as he was a few inches taller than her, smiling when she was taken into his arms and his lips pressed to hers gently.

She kissed the prince in return placing her palms onto his shoulders, the kiss was a sweet one and one that she did love. She loved how gentle Hamish always was with her, she loved the soft kisses and caresses because any women would enjoy them. But she also wanted spice and sexiness in her relationship, to have her hips grabbed and be pulled into a firm chest. She wasn't sure if Hamish could give her that but she was marrying him so whatever he did give her, would be enough for her. "Love can come with time or it can come quickly, my love for you came quickly so Daniel may need to wait" She spoke softly as she pulled back from their kiss only slightly.

Hamish looked down at Poppy smiling at her positivity. Poppy was one that would always look for the positives in a person even if they didn't have any. That was one of the many reasons that the Prince had fallen in love with the young Princess. "Perhaps," come mother wishes to see you about your wedding gown. With that the brown haired male let go of the blonde and gripped her hands pulling her toward the corridor where the two walked down to where the Queen awaited her son and betrothed.

~

Maggie watched as the young man walked out of the library a smile spreading across her face. However it vanished as soon as her mother came tapping toward her. Sighing the Princess rolled her eyes before spinning on her mother. "I will not marry him mother, there is nothing you say that will change that." Maggie was firm in her statement, she wasn't going to lie to her mother there was no point. Sarah told her daughter that she would marry him otherwise her father would cast her out into the street.

"Maybe I would prefer that," Margaret uttered venomously which was when Sarah reached out and slapped her daughter firmly across her face. Snapping her head around the red head glared at her mother her blue eyes blazing. "What Mother, did you not always tell me never to lie?" she hissed darkly feeling the welt rising on her skin.

Sarah had never seen this side of her daughter, Margaret wasn't the little girl that she used to be. "Get into your room now" She snapped at her own daughter which needed to be done but she hardly never raised her voice at anyone, especially not her family but she couldn't help herself at that moment. What her daughter was saying to her wasn't what she wanted to hear, she sighed through her nose to calm herself down before wiping her palms to smooth down her dress. She watched as Margaret stormed away from her, but if she decided not to marry Henry than she wouldn't be going home with her and her husband.

-

Poppy smiled as she followed behind Hamish before she stopped them both, "If this is about my wedding dress than you need to go, you aren't going to see my dress and now" She shooed the prince away before she entered another room where his Mother, Queen Tracey was waiting for her. The two women spent some time talking about what the dress should look like and the fabric, a lady who was going to make the dress took Poppy's measurements. After they were all done Poppy thanked them all before she walked off, she was minding her own business as she walked through the castle when she suddenly saw Daniel. "Do you need anything?" She asked looking at the handsome prince, "Should you not be out trying to find a lady to charm?" She asked looking at him.

Daniel had skulked around the castle thinking to himself, when he heard Hamish declare that his bride to be had to go and see their mother about the wedding gown. He smirked as he slunk in the back corners of the stone building waiting for the blonde to appear. A half smile spread across his face when he saw her exit the room her attention quickly turning to his. Chuckling he shook his head at the blonde, "No, I think i have charmed enough women today." he winked cheekily at the blonde before stepping closer to her. "So the gown? Is it beautiful? Will it show off what desperately needs to be shown off?" Daniel's voice was no higher then a whisper, a light growl resounding in his words as he thought of the blonde in her wedding gown. "Will it hug your waist?" he asked reaching out and running his large hands down the Princess's sides gently caressing her, "And then flow at your hips?" his face was inches from hers as he asked her the last question, he saw her cheeks flush and chuckled. "Well... he waited for her answer.

~

Margaret had began to storm off to her room like she would have done any other time but she ceased her movements when she remembered she wasn't in her castle. Therefore she did not have to obey her mothers commands. Spinning on her heel she looked at her mother.

"You forget Mother, we are not back home in our castle, We are in Tyreth, the castle which Prince Henry will soon rule. So no I will not go to my room, instead I shall take a walk in the gardens," with that the red head turned and wandered toward the exit and into the sunshine to enjoy the peace.

Sarah huffed softly before she continued walking through the castle, she knew her daughter would make a wonderful Queen one day. She was strong willed and smart, she could become anyone's friend so whichever Kingdom she did rule would fall in love with her because she was just that type of person. However what she didn't know was that the stable boy Edward was also outside and already knew her daughter.

-

Edward was cleaning out hay from the stables when he looked up and saw the princess walking away from the castle, he waited until she was heading towards the gardens. "I knew that you wouldn't stay away Princess" He said grinning as he captured her attention, she was still beautiful but there was a change in her stunning eyes, "Is everything alright?" He asked forgetting that she was a Princess and he wasn't treating her like one, he shouldn't even be talking to her unless she started a conversation with him first. But she seemed different and he did want to get to know her better, he did however feel sorry for her having to be around Prince Henry for long periods of time and even had to marry him in the future. He couldn't think how truly horrible it would be to have to marry such a horrible man who didn't respect anyone but himself, knowing that he wasn't going to be faithful and is going marrying you so it makes his parents happy.

-

Poppy watched as Daniel had stepped closer to her as he asked about her dress, she felt her heart beat increase in speed the closer he became to her. A pink flush settled across her cheeks when his large hands caressed her sides, "Actually yes. The dress is stunning and doesn't show off enough of what you want to see, it hugs my waist and flares out at my hips. Though it isn't being made for you" She whispered to him softly afraid that is she spoke any longer than her voice would give away how much she was enjoying having him that close to her, she looked into his dark eyes knowing she should be excited about the wedding but now she wasn't sure if she wanted to marry Hamish. "You'll just have to wait like everyone else and no the dress isn't going to be changed" She told him knowing he'd think her wedding dress was going to be too modest as the necklace was higher, so pretty much no cleavage would be showing. "Besides you shouldn't be seeing what should be shown off" She told him even if she did want him to be the one who saw her body naked for the first time, when it will be his brother on their wedding night.

"Oh Princess you and I both know it is I that you would rather be spending your wedding night with. And patience is one of my virtues, the reason I am so good at gambling, I can wait Princess but the question is... can you?" He questioned his tone a whisper, he captures her lips with his in a passionate kiss that lasted only a few seconds before he pulled away and turned walking away. He knew he had left her hanging and wanting more, he had that effect on most women and he loved it. From a kiss like that the youngest Prince was positive that the fair haired future queen would came running after him in a matter of time. Patience, one of his virtues.

~

Margaret had only stepped into the gardens when her attention was grabbed by the brown haired commoner who by the looks of it had been mucking out the stables. A smile spread across her face at the statement.

"Of course Edward, I couldn't stay with your alluring perfume of horse shit," she sassed playfully as the two of them continued through the garden together. Maggie knew she shouldn't have been doing this but at the moment she didn't care. The red head was a good liar so if the two got caught she could simply lie herself out of trouble.

Edward's jaw dropped a little by Margaret's comment, "Excuse me Princess but how do you even know a word like shit? That isn't very lady like" He said not stopping the smile that quickly spread across his facial features, he has never once heard a Princess say any words like shit. He continued walking beside her even if he was meant to be working, he deserved a nice break after cleaning out horse shit from the stables. "Well if I smell so badly, than I'll just leave you alone" He said to her pretending like her words hurt him, he grabbed at his chest where his heart was and playfully sobbed a few times to add to his act. "You're words hurt me so much" He tried so hard to keep a straight face though he failed miserably.

-

Poppy didn't have any time to react to Daniel's words about her wanting him on her wedding night and before she knew it, his lips were pressed to her's for a passionate kiss that he ended all too soon. She stood there stunned for a few moments before regaining her composure, she smoothed out her dress as she took a few deep breaths. Hamish has never once kissed her in such a passionate way before, she wasn't sure if he even knew how to kiss a woman. She shook it off as she began walked through the hallway once again, though now she didn't have any plans and she didn't feel like finding Hamish so she instead decided to take a walk outside to give herself some fresh air.

Daniel passed Hamish in the hallway, silently he snuck past his older brother praying that the raven haired Prince wouldn't see him. His prayers went unanswered when Hamish spun catching him. The older male called out his name. From the tone Daniel knew something was off, something had ticked his older brother off. Walking out of the shadows the black haired male walked toward his brother. "Yes brother," he spoke keeping his tone light, not hinting at anything.

"A little bird told me that today you kissed my bride to be. Is this true?" Daniel saw the menacing look in Hamish's eyes but it didn't scare him, Hamish was useless when it came to combat.

"Dear brother I have no idea what you are talking about," he lied biting the corner of his cheek to stop the smirk that so desperately wanted to creep across his face. Hamish's features darkened at his brother untruth.

"If you're lying to me Daniel, so help me God I will..."

"You'll what?" Daniel challenged. "make my life a living hell? Ha, trust me brother you do not wield that much power... or stamina, as for that little bird, I think it's shooting season." with that Daniel turned and walked away leaving his brother standing there seething in anger.

~

Margaret laughed loudly at the way Edward's face dropped in shock at her usage of such fowl language. "I have been around enough to pick up a few profanities here and there," the red head pointed out as she continued to walk along the young stable boy walking beside her. She giggled, "You smell, but you are good company. Much better then those that are in that prison." her lips curled into a scowl as she looked over at the daunting castle.