A Modern Affair

Erik and Dominic both nodded their heads. Watching her walk off the two brothers walked to their own chambers. Once inside, Erik took and sat down on his bed sighing. Removing his boots and clothing. He laid on top of the covers looking out the window at the majesty night sky as he sighed out watching everything play over in his mind from the days events.

-

Dominic removed his clothing and boots as he got in the bed. He laid there with his hands folded behind his head. Sighing to himself he looked up at the ceiling and wondered what it'd be like to be married to Raven. He had a year for everything to play out.

-

Isabella heard Dylan sing and smiled looking up at Jaime as she smiled at him. "This was lovely." She told him softly. "If you won't be mad, Prince. I am going to go to my chambers." She told Jaime as she took and stood there a moment yawning a little wore out from everything that had taken place in the day.

@ McDreamy;
Raven arrived in her chambers and immediately shed her dress and asked the maid to help her to get her corset off. Once, her corset was off, she went and got into the bath. After her bath she dressed in a night dress. She got into bed and grabbed the book Erik had written and began to read it humming as she did so. Halfway through, she had fallen asleep with the novel resting on her chest and her mouth parted as she did so, her blanket resting underneath her chin. She awoke in the morning to sunlight ray appearing beside her canopy. She blinked several times for a moment, her lashes fluttering as she did so.

Jaime smiled and nodded, "I'm very glad to hear that you have enjoyed it." He smiled. He shook his head hearing her words, "I'm Jaime, please. Have a pleasant sleep, Isabella." He murmured taking ehr hand and kissing it softly watching her walk away. He went to his own chambers and shedded his clothes. He got into bed and fell asleep almost immediately, the days events having exhausted him.

Dylan stayed there for quite a while before sighing when he heard nothing else but frogs croaking the slight buzz from all the other bugs that threatened sleep. He arose and went into his room. He fell on his bed, kicking his boots off and stared into space until he fell asleep.

The next morning Dominic was up and at it before anyone else. He walked into the sword/training room as he began working at his normal routine. Doing his exercises and then practicing with his sword. He went about his normal morning routine as he smiled to himself.

Slowly fluttering his eyes open, Erik looked around his chambers. Sighing to himself he slowly got up running his hand over his face, and through his hair. He knew today would be another lone one. Considering he wouldn't get to be with Raven like he wanted to be. Getting out of the bed he went about getting ready before the maids could even get in there to him.

Slowly fluttering her eyes open, she glanced around letting a faint sigh escape her lips. Looking at everything in her chambers, she smiled. Slowly getting out of the bed she got up and went about getting ready. Braiding her hair and letting it fall to the side, she smiled noticing her maid walk in. She smiled as she grabbed her pants and shirt. She couldn't stand another moment of being in a ball gown. Seeing her maid shaker her head she sighed grabbing the ball gown as she slid into it watching her lace it up. Sighing she was now wishing she was back in her own kingdom.

Walking out of her chambers she wondered the halls before finding herself in the library again with her maid. Sitting down she began talking to her softly about Dylan. She felt the attraction towards him but knew she had to deny it no matter what the cost.

@ McDreamy;
Raven looked at the sunlight with a small smile, curling up into her bed as she just watched the birds from outside. Biting her lip, she sighed getting up and told her maid she wasn't going to be in a corset today. Her maid just nodded along, knowing better than to tell her different considering she was just a simple maid. Raven smiled softly as she was laced up into a gorgeous lemon color gown. It complimented her dark hair as well as her pretty green eyes. She smiled softly as she felt her maid start to put her hair up and put compliments of white flowers into her hair. She finished getting ready and stretched a little before walking out of her chambers biting her lip as she wondered where she was to go. She walked along the hallway slowly slightly hoping she ran into Erik or Dominic, or someone that knew where they were going. She slightly flustered.

Glancing around she wondered when the mail came, and was also worried that her mother hadn't contacted her as of yet. Biting down on her lip she continued to walk down the hallway, glancing around every now and then at the walls. A small smile filled her lips. Little did she know that her mother had sent the fastest ride to the rival castle to inform her daughter of news that would have her as the next heir to the throne.

Jaime awoke at sunrise and smiled as he started to do sit ups as well as push ups, getting his body warmed up for sparring with the guards once more. Mornings were his favorite part of the day. He had his shirt off as he left his room and went towards the guard's sparring area and grinned as they went at it once more. He dodged a few blows, wincing as he got hit and laughed at their frightened looks. "Please. Try your best. It won't happen again." He told them challengingly before assuring them none of them would get in trouble for coming at him like they meant it. He sparred with them until he noticed it was time for them to go around the castle. He sighed and said, "Until later, lads." He grinned at them watching them leave. He got a rag and started to wipe the sweat off of his neck starting to walk down the hall.

Dylan sighed as he awoke and started to get ready for the day, ignoring the maids fussing at him. He laughed at them and said, "Oh come now. I can do this by myself. Just relax, please. Mother won't find out, and if she does, I promise she won't lay a hand on you." He promised his maid sincerely. She blushed but nodded. He smiled at her before getting ready and stretching before saying, "Thank you, Agatha." He was given a warm smile. He returned it before exiting his room and finding a quiet place to scratch down some music. His mind returned to Isabella, but he knew for a fact that he had to stay away from her, considering Jaime was already starting to get angry at his infatuation with her. No matter what he did, she was just stuck in his brain and he didn't know how to get her out of it. It was very infuriating.

Erik took and walked through the castle as he took and smiled. He saw Raven and saw how gorgeous she looked in her lemon colored dress. Smiling to himself, he took and admired her a moment longer. "Raven, you look beautiful today." Erik smiled at her.

Dominic finished up as he put his sword up. Grabbing a rag he wiped the sweat off his forehead, and back of his neck. He sighed a little deciding on going to take and shower, and get clean clothes on. Once he had done so he began looking for Raven wondering where she was.

Reading over some of the music, she took and hummed lightly to one of the music cords. Smiling to herself she took and saw her maid applaud her and giggled. "Why thank you, Rose." She smiled. She took and finished singing as she flipped the other page singing to a more upbeat song. She laughed with Rose and smiled talking to the woman who was more of anything to her than her own family.

@ McDreamy;
Raven had been admiring the architecture of the castle shen she heard a voice. She smiled hearing his words and blushed lightly seeing it was Erik. "Thank you." She murmured to him smiling at him. She approached him lightly before saying, "Your novel is really good so far. I fell asleep before I could finish it. My apologies." She said with a laugh. Glancing around, she hesitated before asking, "Do you know when letters arrive here?" She bit down her lip lightly wondering if she would be able to read her mothers word before lunch or not. She figured, she wouldn't, but it was worth it to ask. She pushed her dark color hair out from her face her plump lips in a smile as her emerald eyes sparkled as she spoke with Erik.

Jaime heard singing and followed the voice figuring it was Dylan, but then he didn't know, because it was lighter than Dylan's tenor voice. He stopped in the doorway of the library with a smile on his face as he saw that it was Isabella. He forgot that he was only half dressed and clapped gently. "Beautiful." He told her with a warm smile.

Dylan was in the garden smiling when he saw his mother come out with more plants and laughed. "Goodness me Mother, before long there won't be any space left. Is there any now?" He teased her, before groaning hearing her ask for help and laughed as he went over and helped her anyways a smile on his face. "I'm sure, Jaime would help." He laughed. She simply shook her head and said, "I don't want your father to have an excuse to be awful to either of you." She reminded him. He nodded.

Erik smiled at her, "Normally in the afternoon." Erik smiled at her. "You're quiet welcome." He told her smiling. "Did you sleep well?" He questioned her.

Dominic took and stopped seeing Erik and Raven speaking. He was about to kill his brother. He knew what he was trying to do and it was upsetting him. Sighing a little bit, Dominic took and shook his head walking up to them. "Raven, you look beautiful today." Dominic smiled at her.

Isabella looked up and smiled at Jaime, "Why thank you." She blushed pushing some of her hair out of her face. "I didn't mean to distract you or anything, if I did." Isabella apologized putting the music book away and rising to her feet looking at Jaime.

@ McDreamy;
Raven nodded thinking gently to herself for a moment before turning and smiling at him and nodded her head. "I was quite exhausted from the ride. Normally, I don't sleep much." She admitted to him before biting down on her lip wondering why she was telling him this. It wasn't as if she knew him. She heard a voice, turning her head seeing that it was Dominic. She heard his words and smiled softly. "Thank you." She nodded her head turning her eyes to look out the window feeling something in the pit of her stomach. She felt as if something was wrong, but brushed it away figuring it was just nerves from the fact that she was so nervous about being somewhere new. Turning back to the two in front of her, she smiled gently at them.

Dylan helped him mother for awhile, knowing that he left her, she would just do it on her own, and he didn't want her to over exert herself over flowers and bushes. He laughed hearing his mother just babbling on about random things. He kissed her head once they were done with the flowers and felt her hug him and sighed hugging her back. "I'm fine, mother." He assured her knowing she worried since he didn't really have any royal duties to do that often. He was just there for show.

Jaime smiled at her nad laughed seeing her blush thinking it was cute. He wondered why she was blushing for a moment before looking down and seeing that he didn't have a shirt on. "My apologies." He told her rubbing the back of his head. "You didn't distract me." He promised her before asking one of the maids to go get him a shirt. Once, she had return with a clean one it put it on, buttoning it up. "There. Now I am presentable." He flashed her a grin watching her for a moment wondering what was going through her head at the moment.

Dominic glanced at her and frowned, "Is something wrong, Raven?" He questioned her as he rubbed her back lightly. He hadn't known her very long but he knew something was wrong and bothering her. By her actions and her facial expressions.

Erik narrowed his eyes before slowly walking off. Regardless he needed to keep his distance from her. Sighing he turned and walked away and disappeared into the castle. He couldn't help himself, there was something about Raven.

Isabella looked at him, "Oh I wasn't blushing at you shirtless." She shrugged. "Just being heard by someone." She spoke to him rising to her feet and pushing her dress down. "So is there anything planned today, that I should know about?" She questioned Jaime and smiled at him.

@ McDreamy;
Upon hearing Dominic's question she turned to look up at him and gave him a stunning smile. "Just nerves is all. Being in a different place from the one I had grown to learn is quite odd." She explained not wanting to admit to someone that she was having bad feelings about something -- especially when there was so reason for her to have a bad feeling to begin with. She noticed Erik had walked off and bit down on her lip before turning back to Dominic with a small smile. She then asked, "You're awake rather early." She clasped her hands in front of her slowly beginning to walk again, not wanting to stand in one place for too long, it wasn't like her. Looking around, she smiled softly at the sunshine but a part of her wished for snow and was hoping she would get it. "Isn't there a ball tomorrow?" She questioned turning to look up at him.

Dylan smiled before allowing his mother to go about her day figuring he shouldn't bother her, and started to walk down to the stables. Once there, he softly began to brush his mare and laughed as she whinnied. He snuck her a carrot, stroking her fur on her snout as she started to eat the carrot. He brushed her some more before taking care of the stables figuring the stable boy could just owe him a favor next time he wanted to sneak out. Getting his saddle up, he tied it to his mare, Tulip, before hoisting himself up, directing the reins towards the meadow.

Jaime smiled softly and nodded. "Well, your voice is beautiful. Perhaps, if it would make you happy, I could convince Dylan to sing a duet with you?" He offered with a smile at her. He ran a hand through his hair and waved it off. "Well, even if it wasn't you blushing at me shirtless, it was still bad manners of me. Mother would have my head." He teased smiling and started to think before shaking his head. "I know there is the ball tonight to welcome you, but as for today, I'm not sure there is anything. Why?" he asked her with a smile on his face taking in her beauty.

Walking with her Dominic listened to her, "There is." Dominic replied to her. "I am up early, I train early with the guards. It's a thing I like to do when I get up and before I start my day." He replied smiling at her. "Would you like me to show you around more, since we didn't get to it yesterday?" Dominic smiled at her.

Erik sighed sitting and watching the two walk. He narrowed his eyes. He was just there for show, and he hated it. He wanted to murder his brother so he could be in his place. But where would that get him? Beheaded for killing his own.

Isabella smiled, "Oh I was just wondering. In my kingdom, we always have things to do during the days. So I wasn't for sure how things worked here." She smiled at Jaime. "That'd be lovely, singing a duet with Dylan." She smiled crossing her arms. "Do you like to ride, or what do you do in your pass time?" She questioned trying to get to know him a little better.

@ McDreamy;
Raven gave a small smile as she nodded listening to him and said, "Very noble of you." She didn't know what else to say about that considering she had no clue what pertained to such events. Upon hearing his question she smiled and nodded before looking over at Erik and giving him a gentle smile. Turning back to Dominic she said, "That would be lovely. Though, it is such a big castle." She said laughing softly as she gentle brushed hair away from her face. "Isn't the ball tomorrow night?" She asked him looking up at him tilting her head for a moment before continuing to walk. After going through all the castle she laughed with Dominic before hearing a bell go off signaling lunch, which coincidentally meant mail was supposed to be there.

Dylan laughed as the mare wanted to explore everything and allowed her to, since he didn't have much else to do. He tied her reins to a tree so she didn't wander off once he got to the place he wanted to be at and smiled sitting down in front of a gorgeous waterfall covered by verdant leaves and bushes. He smiled at the crystal water dipping his feet into it as he fell onto his back, splashing his feet lightly as he watched the sky.

Jaime chuckled and nodded, "Normally, we have court but it has been postponed. Though, I'm sure I can find something for us to do, if you want." He offered her with a smile. He nodded hearing his words "Then I will surely ask." He gave her a smile and chuckled, "I don't much prefer horses. I nearly got trampled by one when I was little." He explained. "It was my fault, of course, but still." He told her. "I like to hunt." He said chuckling. "Fishing is a bit of a challenge, since I lack patience." He grinned.

Nodding his head, Dominic smiled, "It is tomorrow night." He told her. "It's to welcome you to our kingdom." He told her as they began walking inside the castle. "Mother has planned everything from what your mother has told her. So I hope you like it." He smiled at her.

Erik sat down sighing as he opened his book. Grabbing his quill pen he began writing. He needed to let his emotions, anger, and everything built up in. Escape into his book. So he could calm himself down.

Isabella smiled at him, "I don't like to hunt. I tried it once." She admitted. "I don't have patience for it, myself. Fishing is rather simple." She smiled. "I love to horse ride, it lets me escape from everything." She admitted sighing a little bit. "You all do have horses here right?" She questioned hoping he'd say yes. "Because I'd really love to go on a quick ride, to clear my mind then maybe we could spend time getting to know one another?" She offered.

@ McDreamy;
Raven gave a smile nodding hearing his words and blinked and laughed softly. "That is very kind of your mother. I will have to thank her. And I'm sure I will enjoy it immensely." She replied as she walked into the dining room. She sat down having not eaten breakfast she was hungry. She saw a letter sitting on her plate and smiled happily before grabbing it without a second thought. She ripped open the seal and took the letter out. What she read made her heart stop for just a moment as she suddenly felt extremely dizzy. She collapsed to the floor without a warning and held the note to her chest feeling a wave of nausea pass over her. With trembling fingers she raised the letter back up rereading the words that broke her heart. Tears formed in her eyes as she clasped a hand over her mouth but the scream escaped before she had a chance to stop it. "No!" She wailed her world swimming. She was sure her screams and wails could be heard all throughout the castle, but the grief she felt was far too overwhelming.

Dylan hummed softly as he looked at the sky before sitting up grabbing his notebook and started to write down a new song he thought might sound good. After awhile he knew it was time for him to go back adn stood up getting his mare and beginning to head back. Once in the stables, he began to brush Tulip once more.

JAime smiled back and and nodded hearing her words. "Everyone is different." He told her with a grin. "Well, fishing is simple, but I simply cannot do it." He laughed looking down at her and nodded. "Yes, I can take you there if you would like?" He offered before putting his arm out waiting for her answer.

Hearing her wails and sobs escape. Seeing her collapse. Dominic frowned as he gently scooped her up and the letter. He walked with her in his arms to her chambers, upon entering he laid her down and looked at her frowning. "Are you ok? What happened, Raven?" He questioned her worried about her.

Erik heard a scream and shook it off. He figured it was more than likely his mother yet again. Sighing to himself he got up and finished writing. He laid it down and walked over to his bed sitting down. Most of his time he kept to himself inside of his room sighing.

Isabella smiled taking his arm. Once they were near the stables she smiled at Jaime seeing his father waving him over. She bidded him farewell and smiled. Slowly walking inside she smiled at the majestic creatures and saw the stable boy show her to what would be her horse. Seeing the beautiful stallion before her she rubbed it's head sneaking it a carrot and smiling. "He has no name." The man told her.

"I'll call you, Midnight." She smiled.

Staring at Midnight, Isabella smiled and grabbed the saddle and everything she needed. Suiting him up she took and smiled getting on him sitting the appropriate way she was supposed to sit on the horse. Smiling she took and rubbed his head kissing his head before they exited the stables. She stopped seeing Dylan, "So why do you keep disappearing when I am around?" She questioned him.

@ McDreamy;
Raven couldn't breathe her chest felt like it was going to explode as she continued to sob. She briefly saw her maid come in and shoo Dominic off basically handing him the letter. "My baby brother...He was assassinated." She wailed before the maid took her hands before hugging her close to her chest running her hands through her hair. "You just cry, Miss Raven." Her handmaid whispered before glaring at Dominic. "No more questions from you!" She said before shooing him again. "I don't care if you are a Prince. She doesn't need you right now! Now shoo!" Raven couldn't make any sense of it. "I'm the heir now." She said miserably. Her maid looked at her gently and shook her head. "You just hush now." She told her lovingly and kissed her head. She continued to wail not having any control over herself at the moment.

Dylan looked up seeing Isabella and chuckled nodding his head. He blinked hearing her words and laughed shaking his head. "Because my brother would rather I not be around you." He replied honestly. "Besides I figured you two could use some alone time." He said shrugging gently. "Why?" He questioned turning his eyes up to look at her, running a hand through his ebony colored hair.

Jaime led the way to the stables, before smiling seeing his Father waving him over. He kissed her hand bidding her farewell before going over to his father to see what he wanted. He frowned hearing his father and sighed knowing he would be unable to do much more today with Isabella since he had some things to do.

Dominic walked out and read the letter. Frowning at the word from her parents he felt his heart breaking for her. He hated she was going through so much at the moment. Sighing he took and saw Erik and showed him the letter before leaving to give Raven space.

Erik read the letter and frowned. He knew she must have been in so much pain. He wanted to comfort her but give her space as well. He sat down outside of her room and waited to see if she'd allow him inside.

Isabella stared at him a moment, "I'd much rather like you to be around. Regardless of your brother." Isabella admitted to him. She took and smiled softly as she looked at him. "I hope to see you later, and talk to you as well." She waved at him lightly before taking and slowly going out of the stabels and going towards the pasture.

@ McDreamy;
After about an hour the tears started to disappate and she was just sniffling her handmaid having just held her through it all. She walked out to get Raven some water before noticing Erik outside of her door and sighed before giving him a nod and leaving to go get her something to eat hoping she would be able to get something down. Raven laid her head down on her pillow feeling numb at the moment her hands gripping her pillow as she did so. Hearing someone walk in she looked up and went to wipe at her face knowing she wasn't presentable. "My apologies." She said trying to keep her manners in check. The letter hadn't been written by her mother, but rather by one of her maids since she was sure her mother was in too much grief to even write.

Dylan blinked hearing her and tilted his head but gave a nod. "Then I won't disrespect your wishes." He told her with a small smile watching her and gave her a wave. "Be careful." He warned her softly watching as she left. He returned to brushing Tulip singing softly as he did so.

Jaime knew his father wanted him to have hands on experience with taking care of the kingdom just as he did but he figured it could have waited until court started back again. He looked back at his father before returning to one of the peasants that needed help and gave them a gentle smile as he continued.

"Don't apologize." Erik spoke to Raven. "Is there anything I can do, Raven? To ease your mind or help you through this." Erik whispered gently taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze as he frowned hearing how broken she was.

Dominic stood watching and narrowed his eyes. He knew when the time was right he was going to get rid of his brother once and for all. He was taking things and he didn't like it one bit.

Nodding her head, Isabella let the horse galap into the pasture and meadows. Smiling she felt so free. She took and adored the beauty of god's creations before her eyes. Sighing in content she sat on Midnight and nuzzled her horses's head and smiled just feeling relaxed and herself since coming here.

@ McDreamy;
Raven heard him and just wiped at her face again and whispered, "I can't let people see me crying. Not after I collapsed in the dining hall. It's not becoming of my stature." She said miserably wiping at her facce again before feeling him take her hand and looked at him. "Unless you know the remedy for a broken heart, dear Erik, I don't know that there is anything you, or anyone, can do for me except just be kind and allow me to grieve in my own way." She whispered a stray tear falling from her beautiful emerald eyes that seemed to shine brighter from her tears. She was about to mention something about Dominic, but gazing at Erik, she completely forgot that she had even been thinking about her betrothed and gave him a small smile knowing she didn't need to act tough in front of him, but she didn't like looking weak.

Dylan gave a small grin knowing his brother wasn't going to be happy at all, but he couldn't exactly tell their guest no if she wanted to spend more time with him. He knew he was doing it selfishly but also knew that she had given him reason to be selfish and sighed as he ran a hand through his ebony hair before walking into the castle feeling his body go towards the piano. He sat down and laid his fingers on the piano before starting to play a melancholic melody that rang throughout the castle.

Jaime stood dutifully by his father's throne pushing his hair back as he did so and smiled at the subjects that came to complain to the crown hoping for him to be able to do something. He frowned hearing that there were people disturbing a farmer's crops and taking his animals. He came up with a solution before shaking the man's hand and giving him a smile nodding his head.