As elusive as his stone soul, I could not fathom his need of me. With his regal bearing, and chiseled features that caused other women to swoon, his choice of betrothed was fodder for rumor and speculation among the court. I was not considered any great beauty. My skills in kitchen arts and healing gift seemingly my only attributes, since my dowry was meager at best.
His coterie tried to dissuade his decision, conspiring to sway him with clandestine trysts with more willing and attractive prospects. He shunned their attempts, claiming his allegiance to me and our matrimonial contract.
I knew no better offer was forthcoming, my pool of potential suitors was shallow. Gentry and titled, my offspring heirs to his land and name, I would not decline his proposal. In time, I hoped passion would blossom between us.
No matter how handsome or gallant, my love did not fly toward him, hollow and cold as he was. He was not unkind, there was simply no affection. I was his wife in name only. If not for our wedding night sheets display, we would not be married in the eyes of God either.
One winter gloaming, frigid as my marriage bed, I could not sleep. Gathering my ermine robe around my shoulders I roamed the manor halls hoping to find some spirit to save me from my misery.
An amber glow emanating from the library drew me forward. Listening from the arched entryway, I heard muffled groans. Thinking I had found my spirits, I stepped into the room only to discover where my husband’s real desires rested.
It took a moment for them to notice me standing at the head of their bearskin rug, then struggle to cover their nakedness. Light from the banked fire lit my face, making my smile more sinister than I intended.
A master and his squire are intrinsically close, but this would be scandalous. I would take my own lover unchallenged by the morrow.
Thin spiral notebook 
I love the ending-I love the conviction of her choice and actions. And hopefully, her marriage might be a bit more bearable now. Well written, engaging story!
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Thanks! I tried to show that she wasn’t going to just accept her lot, but take back control of her life.
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I hope she found her soulmate in the end. I enjoyed the story and the atmosphere.
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Oh, I expected the ending but I love how you took the reader there.
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Thanks! This was a fun one to write.
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Did she get everything? I hope she has a happily ever after somewhere down the line… everybody deserves one. Can you imagine living in a day such as this? Bleh.
Amusing tale though!
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I can imagine she does find happiness, and they come to some sort of mutual agreement.
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That’s good. I need a happy ending right now…
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I like the story and the detail of the era. Her thinking is well expressed. Though I have a graduate degree, I find it difficult reading with “lots of big words”. lol. That’s just me. I grasped everything but your readers would need to have an expanded vocabulary. Am remembering when I was a corporate writer, anything our literature said had to be written at sixth grade level. FWIW. Much admiration for your writing for all of these challenges. You are one of my favorites.
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I had to live up to my tag line: “My journal of big words…” I am so glad you liked the story.
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I feel like Game of Thrones is corrupting everyone in fiction land 🙂 This was exceedingly well written, I can totally see the unintentionally sinister look on her face. Go get yours, lady of the house!
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Funny thing… I’ve never seen a single episode of that show. nor read any of Martin’s books in the series. I’ll take it as a compliment though and am glad you enjoyed it.
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That opening line is fantastic. I too loved that in the end her mind went to her own needs and not to his ‘betrayal’.
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Thank you! I didn’t want her to come across like a victim, I’m glad you saw that too.
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I wondered if this was a play on the Arthur legend but you put your own Medieval spin on your tale 🙂
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The Arthur legend is a favorite of mine, having read T.H. White’s “Once and Future KIng,” many, many times.
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What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Well played.
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You know that’s right!
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Well, that ending really took me by surprise, and casts an intriguing light back onto the beginning of the story–why he chose the narrator. Well done and enjoyable! A great use of two prompts.
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The word limit lead me to leave the reasons for his proposal to her and her reaction to his dalliance to my readers. There were so many ways I could have gone with it. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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