Donfilia - A Royal Romance starts...

[cherie]

Hope looked out and smiled. It was another lovely day here on Donfilia. Blue skies, green grass, Prince Davido sneaking back into the palace….What?!
Hope looked down and watched the royal prince creep around the corner of the stables. Would that man never learn!? 29 years old and still acting like a child. It was lucky that his twin sister was next in line to the thrown if Davido had been called to be heir only the good lord would know how the country would cope.
Shaking her head Hope moved back into the room. She was a Ladies Maid; to be honest she was several ladies maid. She was didn’t hold the primary spot for any of the royal household she was more of the stand in when their first choice maid was unavailable or if guest were to arrive without servants. It might not have been the job the Hope had always wanted but it was the one she had and she was happy.
The Lady Annabelle had left this morning, she had been visiting her cousins but was now winging her way back home, which left Hope to tidy up and wait for her next assignment. A muffled curse drew her back to the window. Davido was below the window swearing a blue murder and glaring at a crate that he had clearly landing on his foot.
A shock laugh escaped Hope before she had time to stop it. She wasn’t quick enough to step back from the window before the Royal Prince was staring up at her frowning.
“Well that will teach him a lesson.” Hope muttered as she finished tiding up. “The man is a full grown up, really don’t see why he has to sneak around when we have perfectly good front doors here.”
She was still muttering away when a brisk cough drew her attention.
“Any other opinions you want to share Miss Dale?” Davido, Royal Prince of Donfilia was stood leaning against the door jam watching her through narrowed eyes.
Oh feathers! Hope groaned.
Dropping into a low curtsies, Hope lowered her gaze as was tradition.
“Well?” he asked. Davido was a tall man 6 foot 3 in height, with jet black hair and ice cold blue eyes; he had the face of a movie star and the attitude of a 16 year old boy. Hope groaned quietly to herself again. Just what she needed.
“I am sorry your Highness I don’t seem to understand the question?” She finally muttered.
“Don’t understand the question?” Davido left the wall where he leaned and moved further into the room.
“No your Highness.”
“That’s right Miss Dale, you don’t understand. Not at all.” David reached down and assisted the woman to her feet. “I suggest you remember that the next time you pass feel the need to pass judgement.” Turning abruptly he left the room leaving Hope staring opened mouthed at his back.

Davido was angry, how dare some anyone pass judgement on what he did. Just because he liked to keep his personal life, well personal, didn’t mean that he didn’t mean that he was up to no good.
Well apart from last night, there had been that lovely little model girl, visiting the island and it would just have been rude for him not to have given her the guided tour of his home. His parents had raised him better than that! Davido smiled. Oh the tour he had given her!!!
Sneaking back into the palace had been fine until that stupid crate had moved when he leaned on it and them Miss Dale, she of the muttering, had starting making comments on things she didn’t understand. Davido stopped walking and huffed. Well maybe she did understand more than he thought. Brat!

[michelle handyside]

Princess Daisy was already sitting at her desk in her private offices and starting to read the morning's itinerary for her. Being declared the heir to the throne had meant all her duties had increased in preparation for her official corronation, whenever that was going to be! She had been handed the books to prepare for the ceremony, fitted for her gown which would then be immediately cleaned and sent to the national museum for the people of Donfilia to see and sized for the ermin robes that she would wear over it whilst in the Cathedral of All Saints, where her grandmother and father had been invested before her. The planning for the celebratory ball was in full swing too but as yet no official date had been given for the event.

Hearing a knock she looked up as her private secretary, Margot, a rather stout and very prim middle aged woman, entered and curtseyed.
"Your Highness." Daisy nodded slightly, the gesture meaning Margot could speak and stand. "I just had a call from Dorian, he is expecting to be back within the hour and has asked for an audience with you, a private audience."
"Dorian? Returning already? Yes. Of course the audience is granted. As soon as he gets here I want him to come and see me. If I'm not in here, I'll be in my suites with the dressmaker..." The young Princess replied a little too quickly, Margot nodded,
"As you wish. Is there any correspondance to send this morning?"
"Not as yet...thank you Margot, you may go." Daisy said dismissively and once the older woman had left the room she got to her feet and walked over to the windows.

The private office she had been allocated had been her mother's before her and as such had the most beautiful view over the palace gardens and the mountains in the distance. Wrapping her arms about herself, she wondered how close Dorian was. Neither of them had expected his return to be so soon and she wondered what further lie she could give to her family when he suddenly appeared after publicly asking the King for a month's leave. Two weeks he had been gone, a long two weeks but in the scheme of things barely any time at all and now he was coming back. What did it mean?

[doris]

Princess Layla surveyed the scene before her with a grim smile. As much as she loved Donfilia, she hated being here right now. Why could she not have been born the daughter of a commoner? Bet they didn’t have problems sending their daughters off to Scotland to study fine art.

She applied the latest stroke of the paint brush with a little too much vigour, adding yet more splatters to her already paint riddled dungarees when she remembered the latest conversation with her father’s aide and advisor.

“Your Highness, it would be a security nightmare. If you insist on studying Art then you can do so perfectly well here in Donfilia, though I have to say I do not see the need for this at all. Your Highness is an accomplished artist already.”

Blast and damnation! That wasn’t the point and the little weasel knew it.

Another huge swing with the paint brush covered the nearby foliage in purple and several small birds took flight in alarm.

Layla grimaced and threw herself on the soft grass in disgust. She couldn’t paint when she was in this mood.

Classically beautiful, Layla was tall and willowy, a designer’s dream to dress. Right now her masses of chestnut hair were haphazardly tied up in a knot high on her head, her long slender fingers were entwined under her chin and her green eyes were staring broodily out towards the sea. Her paint spluttered dungarees were rolled up, showing slender calves and a dolphin tattoo just visible on her ankle peeping out from the cuffs of the doc martens.

The vest top, she wore under the dungarees showed another, slightly bigger tattoo on her right shoulder. This one a small cluster of stars.

The tall man watching her from the cover of the nearby bushes, smiled to himself, when Layla scrambled to her feet, uttering a string of expletives that no royal princess ought to be capable of, before grabbing her art work and noisily clumping past his hide out and down the hill towards her patiently waiting driver.

His intelligence aide had certainly been right. Layla Deligni was not your usual princess. Maybe this was not going to be so bad after all.

*

Layla was just getting out of the shower, when her mother entered her suite of rooms.

“Layla, are you here?”

“Here mum!”

Queen Yolanda smiled when she saw her youngest child approach wrapped in a big fluffy bathrobe, covered in moons and stars. Layla had never been one to conform, not even as a toddler. Running before she could walk, her youngest had a zest for life, that no amount of palace protocol could drum out of her. At least she had agreed to wash out that purple hair dye that she had arrived home with from her trip to Scotland. If only her ideas of going off for four years to study could be as easily erased.

Queen Yolanda sighed, remembering the heated argument that had ensued between her beloved husband and Layla at the mere suggestion that Layla would be best served to stay in Donfilia and do her duty.

Traditionally the daughters of the royal family were expected to have made a good match before their twenty first birthdays, preferably tying Donfilia to another one of the many noble European houses.

Daisy, being heir to the throne had escaped this edict, but Layla was expected to conform and Donfilia’s subjects were excited at the prospect of a looming royal wedding.

Queen Yolanda sighed again. It would have to be a very special man that tamed her spirited daughter.

“Has he arrived yet?” Layla pulled a face as though she was sucking on a sour lemon, when she turned towards her mother.

“Yes, he has. And he seems very charming and articulate, Layla. Give this a chance, you might actually enjoy this.”

Layla rolled her eyes.

“Enjoy this? This is barbaric mother and you know that! I do NOT want to get married to him or anyone. I want to be an artist mother.”

Yolanda sighed again.

“I know, but perhaps when you are married, you can study then? At least you would be free of the traditions of Donfilia.”

“I’m free now mother, this is the twenty first century after all! And I do NOT need a man to make that happen, just because of some ancient, completely irrelevant law that is completely unfair. I thought you were on my side.”

Layla threw herself on one of chaise lounges and Yolanda had to smile at Layla’s pout, that hadn’t changed since she was a baby.

“I am on your side, which is why I think you ought to give Stefan Markovich a chance. He is handsome, wealthy, and successful in his own right and comes from old Russian aristocracy. Your father had him thoroughly checked out and whilst he was not the council’s first choice, they have agreed that he will be acceptable. You have to choose and soon, you have turned everyone else down.”

“And I will turn this Stefan down too. I am NOT going to get married, you can’t make me!”

Yolanda sat next to her impetuous offspring and gave her a hug.

“I know you don’t have to, but remember what’s at stake here!”

[michelle handyside]

There was a knock on the door and as one of her maids scurried to answer it, Daisy pulled her silken robe around herself and knotted the sash at her waist. The male voice that was speaking was unmistakable.
"Her Highness is expecting me..." Dorian Le Guin said, and at a nod from the queen to be, he was allowed into the room and looked at the maids and seamstresses there, "...you may all go. This is a private discussion."

Dorian was just over thirty years old with a noble baring in how he carried himself. It was clear that he had just arrived, some stubble apparent on his jawline that just added to sense of mystery that permeated around him. He was handsome, his eyes dark and intelligent, and some of the younger maids were already blushing as he looked around the room, waiting for them to go. Dorian was the kind of man who could make any girl's heart beat faster with just a glance, and the underlying air of danger was a potent aphrodisiac to many too...

As the door clicked shut and the Princess and her protector were left alone in the room Daisy held her breath and looked at him expectantly, "What news?" She asked almost fearing the answer he could give. Dorian took a step toward her and a gentle smile broke across his lips.
"Yes, I found him. Yes I gave him your message and yes he wants to see you too."
"Thank God..." Daisy said, sinking back into one of the chaises, "So when does he arrive? Did he come back with you? Is he well?"
"Steady on Daisy, I said he wants to see you, I didn't say he was coming back. Your father hurt him badly and he isn't ready to forgive that yet. He says he will see you, but only you, and is still adamant that he will never return to the palace while your father lives." Daisy sighed
"But he has to! He's the only one who will stand by me over the baby..."

[joanne]

Lily’s story:-

“I am morose” Lily Macallan said to herself. And then louder, even though there was no one else in the room to hear. “I AM MOROSE!” There. A sentence, with her word of the day in it. And not only that, a true sentence, reflecting how she felt.
When she had arrived in Scotland a couple of years previous, her knowledge of the English language, although faultless was stilted. And she could now admit, limited in vocabulary. So she had set herself a challenge. A new word every day. In a complete sentence, therefore ensuring she knew what the word meant.
She hadn’t always achieved that goal. Some days it took all her time to cope with what she did know. Other days, especially in the beginning, the words she learnt came from her husband, when they were kissing on the sofa after their evening meal. Or in bed when he made sweet soft love to her, told her how much he loved her, and spoke love words into her ears. These words, were for her only, and never put into a sentence. These were words for her to savour, bring out and remember. Especially now!
She looked out of the apartment window, onto the street below. At the gaily coloured umbrellas that bobbed and weaved their way up and down the street. It might be July, and in theory high summer, but here in Edinburgh it was cold wet and miserable. ‘Dreik’ as the locals put it. “A bit like my mood”. She muttered, as she heard the door to the sitting room open.
“Talking to yourself?” Daniel enquired, as he shut the door behind him. “Saying anything interesting?” he looked at this woman, who, he admitted was still his life. Though how to get her to realise it was beyond him. Nothing he said or did seemed to get through the protective shell she had encased herself in.
Lily shrugged. “Moaning about the weather. It’s cold, wet, damp, miserable and it’s JULY! I want sun, warmth and cheerfulness. I HATE this weather.”
Daniel looked more closely at her, seeing the shadows beneath her eyes, the haunted look she had, and the way her clothes hung loosely on her. She thought he didn’t know how she hugged her side of the bed each night, how she often lay sleepless for hours, and when she finally did sleep, how she tossed and turned and often muttered in her sleep. It was only at these times she turned towards him, cuddling in for comfort and holding on to him. Times when he gladly stayed awake to be able to give her the comfort and contact she needed. If only they could communicate, Daniel thought wearily, If only she would talk to him. Let him talk to her, explain to her, that nothing had happened. But Lily had clammed up and shut herself off from him. And he was beginning to realise that his business didn’t come first, Lily and his marriage did. Well if she would let it.
“Would you like to go away?” he asked her, and watched her eyes light up briefly., before returning to the dull defeated look they seemed to take on all the time at the moment.
Lily stared at him, hope flaring. “How? Where? Why?”
“By plane or car. Up to you. And because we need time alone together.” He wondered what her answer would be.
“No thanks. I thought you meant just me.”
Daniel gripped her lightly by the arms. He spoke forceful. “Lily this can’t go on. You’re making yourself ill. We’re both miserable. We need to talk.”
Lily wrenched her arms away.
“Talk. TALK? Since when do you want to talk to me? “She almost screamed. “All you want is to work. Anything so you don’t have to spend time here, listening to me moaning. If I try to talk to you, the bloody phone rings, or you’re in a hurry. And woe betides if I try to contact you at work. That clothes horse you call a PA has it off pat now. ’I’m so sorry Mrs Macallan, but Mr Macallan is not available. I don’t know when I will be able to get a message to him. Would you like me to tell him you called? ‘“She parroted. “What’s the point in us going away?”
Daniel latched on to one thing. “You’ve rang me at work? When?”
“I don’t keep a list of times- I’d need a notebook.”
“I didn’t know.” Daniel looked stunned. “I thought you never tried to reach me. I thought you didn’t want to.”
“Yeah, well,” she shrugged. “Now you know different.”

[michelle handyside]

In the small shared cabin of the miners who were working in the mountains, Marco Deligni kicked his bunk and threw the small note that had been handed to him down again. Dorian's visit had been unexpected, he had known the security man when they had served together in the national army, but no one had managed to track him down before. In the seven years since he had walked out of the palace gates, vowing never to return, he had successfully evaded every attempt to find him. He had even started to assume that his father didn't want him found anymore, but then when he had been walking down from a long shift he had seen Dorian standing there...

"He's died?" Marco asked tonelessly, his old friend shook his head, "Pity..."
"Marco that's uncalled for...and practically treasonous. I should haul you in to jail for making a remark like that about your King."
"I didn't say it about the King, I said it about my so called father." Marco retorted and then looked at Dorian quizzically, "What are you doing here Dorian? How did you find me?"
"I looked in the last place anyone would expect you to be and I'm here at the request of Daisy. She's about to take the throne and really wants you back in court Marco. She misses you terribly and she really could do with having you back. You know how close you two were."
Marco sighed and nodded, he had practically been Daisy's shadow when they were children, she had mothered him as much as anyone and if he dared admit it, she was the one person who could almost make him regret his decision to stay away.
"She'll be a great Queen. I hope Davido isn't causing her problems though." Dorian laughed,
"Like she couldn't handle him. Besides she's got me looking out for her now."
"YOU? Of all people they've made you her bodyguard? Does Alfredo have any grip on reality?" Marco teased, in truth he was glad that his friend was protecting his sister. Dorian smiled
"Look, I'll stay here with you a few days, catch you up on everything and then you can decide if you want to come home or not. Daisy sent you this." He handed Marco a small envelope with Daisy's delicate swirling penmanship having written his name on the outside. Marco took it and nodded,
"Alright, if you can be spared, I'm due some time off. We can hang out in these mountains and hunt and drink and chat like the old days."

Now Dorian had left, Marco knew Daisy would be upset that he was returning alone, but he had agreed to visit his sister before her coronation. Re reading her note it was clear that there was something more than just issues of state that were bothering her, she seemed to need him and Marco couldn't shake the feeling that if he refused to see her, then something terrible would happen. But seeing Daisy didn't mean he needed to see his father! He NEVER wanted to see that old man again and if he was the one behind his sister's upset then god help the man because Marco had learnt how to destroy people from the best!

[cherie]

Hope was sitting down by the lake later in the day. She enjoyed this time of day, the sun was still out but not too strong, the breeze was warm and all around was silence.
Working in a royal palace, there was very little chance to sit in silence and just enjoy the peace.
She smiled as a king fisher landed on the reeds not far from her. His majestic colours sparkling in the light. “
“Even the birds are royal.” Hope smiled as the bird took to the air dancing away of the water.
Wrapping her arms around her shorts glad legs Hope took a deep breath and nearly chocked as a shock of naked skin ran passed her and cannon balled in to the water, soaking her from head to foot!
“Dear god!!!” She spluttered as the arrogant head and shoulders of Prince Davido surfaced.
“Miss Dale! Enjoying the water I see.” He smiled back at her.
Davido enjoyed the fire spitting at his from the up tight little maid. He had come here from some peace and quite and was annoyed at first when he saw her sat there, in his private place. But that anger and turned to pure childish glee when he realised how close she was sitting to the waters edge. Slipping out of his clothes, he had done ran full tilt at the water. Soaking the woman in the same way he has soaked his sisters when he was a boy.
“Are you out of your mind?!” Hope hissed scrambling to her feet, looking down at her soaked clothes.

[michelle handyside]

"The Queen is with your sister, Your Highness." One of the attendants told Daisy as she walked around looking for her mother before dinner. "I could go and tell her..."
"No. If she's with Layla its best to leave them alone, thank you." Daisy replied, "It's not something important." The attendant had backed away and Daisy started wringing her hands, a bad habit she seemed to have picked up lately and as he saw it as he entered the hallway from the opposite side, Dorian strode over and gently took the soft, perfectly manicured hands into his own and looked deep in her eyes.
"You know you don't need to do that." He said, his voice barely a whisper, "Calm down, you are just having dinner with your parents. There's nothing bad about to happen to you and at least now you know Marco is alive and safe and you'll see him soon." Daisy looked up at her bodyguard and nodded,
"I know. I'm just so scared Dorian." Shaking his head gently the broad shouldered man still held her gaze and his eyes filled with gentle reassurance.
"Daisy, you will be an amazing Queen. The people love you, you are wise and loyal."
"And carrying an illegitimate child." She added, "Papa will never let me keep it and be Queen. He'll be looking to marry ME off next like he is Layla..."
"You're carrying YOUR very much loved and wanted child." Dorian corrected her, "Daisy, you will make it through this I promise. I believe in you and you know I..." He was about to say more but as the King arrived, Daisy hurriedly snatched her hand back from Dorian and curtseyed to her father.
"Ah Dorian, I wondered if you would eat with us this evening? We have an important matter to discuss and I will need your input." Dorian bowed respectfully,
"Of course Your Majesty, anything you wish." He replied. The older man nodded and as he led the two of them into the dining room he smiled,
"I think the bodyguard of the future Queen should most definitely be present when we discuss her impending marriage."
"Marriage?" Daisy repeated, "Papa, I am not getting married, that's Layla..." She said baffled by the statement.
"No Darling, that's you too." He replied as he took his seat at the head of the table. "We can't have a single Queen on the throne now can we? Who do you think you are Queen Elizabeth the First of England? No, Donfilia does not need a Virgin Queen. You will marry and have many children to secure the lineage of our family." He turned to Dorian, "Women! They understand nothing do they."
"No Sire," Dorian replied quietly, seeing the panic rise again in Daisy's eyes, "I think they understand more than we men do sometimes."

[cherie]

Davido smiled. Oh she was mad, really mad. He could practically see the steam coming out of her ears.
“Sorry did I splash you?” He asked oh so innocently, he had to bite the inside of his lip to keep from laughing.
“Did you splash me?” Hope hissed. “No darn near drowned me!” Hands on her hips she looked back at the playboy prince.
Well Little Miss Stuck Up had a temper; he enjoyed the spark of fire in her grey eyes.
“Well you should have taken more care and not sit so close to the edge.” He shrugged and watched the colour rise up from her next to her cheeks. Oooo she was spiting bullets now.
“Why you stuck up, self absorbed, egotistical, childish…” Hope’s tirade came to a falter end as he watched her struggle for more names to call him
“Prince.” He offered.
“What?” She snapped glaring at him.
“Stuck up, self absorbed, egotistical, childish Prince.” Davido finished for her.
He smiled openly as the realisation of who she was speaking to rushed over Hope. He watched her eyes go wide and the colour wash out of her face.
“Your Highness.” She stammered, dropping into a curtsy. Davido walked out of the water and stopped in front of her. Reaching down he pulled the woman to her feet.
“Don’t stop now Miss Dale, you clearly like to give your opinion of my character, please continue.”

“I am so sorry Your Highness.” Hope kept her gaze down. How on earth was she going to get out of this one? She couldn’t loose her job at the palace. Who would hire someone who had been fired from the household of the most loved family?
“Are you really?” He asked.
“Yes Sire I am. I can assure you that it won’t happen again.” She promised. She didn’t know what it was with this man that always seemed to end up with her looking like an idiot.
“Holding this conversation with my feet is not really filling me with any assurances.” The Prince said, Hope stilled as raised he his hand, with a single finger under her chin Davido raised her face to his. With that one easy motion the whole day changed. The birds that had been singing stop, the breeze that had been blowing stilled and the sun that had been so bright dimed as she looked up in to the eyes of His Royal Highness Prince Davido of Donfilia.

[michelle handyside]

In the mining camp one of the miners found the note to Marco and taking it he read the note,
"Oh you're a dark horse aren't you Marc?" The brash thug of a miner laughed keeping the note out of Marco's reach as the younger man tried to retrieve it. "Who is she? Some sweet thing that you're keeping hidden away from all of your friends? What's the matter aren't we gentlemen enough for her? You know we're damn sure man enough though!" He added with a sick knowing wink. Marco's temper inflamed instantly,
"Keep a civil tongue in your head!" He demanded, his royal upbringing coming to the fore with his protectiveness of his older sister. "She is far above any of you..."
"Oh but not you eh?" The miner said, "Mr La-De-Dah! Pah! You're just like the rest of us, nothing special. And all women are the same when they're on their backs!" Balling his fist Marco punched the miner hard sending him sprawling across the floor of their barracks. The other miners were stunned, usually Marco was the most placid of them, never getting into trouble or fights no matter what the provocation. But this time was different! Marco kept laying into the miner with lefts and rights that were pummelling the other man's face to a bloody mess.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SPEAK LIKE THAT!" He was practically screaming. Two burly miners finally came and dragged Marco off the miner.
"I think you need to be somewhere else for now." One of them advised, "The foreman doesn't stand for fighting." Marco pulled himself from their grip and nodded.,
"Yeah. I think you're right, there is somewhere else I should be. It just took this asshole to make me see it." Grabbing his old army kit bag he started to throw in the meagre possessions he had and walking back to the bloodied miner he wrenched the note from his hand and slipped it in the back pocket of his jeans. "Keep my wages if you think you need compensation." He added curtly, "Where I'm going I don't need them."

A short while later, with his kit bag on his shoulder the impetuous Marco started the journey back from the mining camp towards the outskirts of the town where the royal palace of Donfilia stood as an imposing beacon over all the island. He could see it in the distance and sighed,
"I'm doing this for Daisy, no one else, just her." He told himself, "The others can go hang themselves for all I care. They never gave a thought about me. Though she's going to go ape over these bruises." He glanced at his skinned knuckles and the dark colours that were starting to appear and knew his sister would never approve of his fighting, even if it was protecting her honour.

[michelle handyside]

As she retired to her rooms after eating with her parents Daisy was in shock. Her father was practically marrying her off to one of the most renowned philandering royals of them all! The despicable man was going to be arriving the next day and it was the King's decree that Prince Antonio of Collaran would become her personal escort for the remaining days until her coronation and subsequent marriage. The young Princess had allowed her maids to help her into her nightgown and robe but then hurriedly dismissed them. She was not in any mood to socialise anymore.

Her beautiful usually radiant skin seemed to have lost some of its glow and her bright blue eyes were darkened with sadness. She felt her whole world was crumbling around her and she was sinking beneath the weight of the expectations that were mounting on her.

Outside the breath of a gentle breeze made the chiffon drapes of her windows move but the sound of her name being whispered softly made her look over and as she saw the man standing there, his arms open wide for her she rushed into them and finally felt able to drop all her defences and sob freely as his strong arms embraced her and his lips kissed her raven coloured silky hair.
"Sssh...I won't lose you. Either of you." He vowed as he tried to soothe the Princess with his words and actions. "You're mine Daisy, you always will be."
"But if they find you here...if they knew..." He raised a finger and placed it over her lips before tipping her face gently towards his, "Just show me you've missed me too..." and with a soft smile he lowered his own mouth to hers locking them both into a deep kiss.

Daisy raised her damp eyes and searched his and as she felt his thumbs wipe away her tears she swallowed,
"I did miss you Dorian." She confessed, "Every night I prayed for your safe return and when I saw you today...You don't know how I've longed for you to hold me again." Dorian cradled her cheek on his palm,
"I want to do more than hold you..."
"But its too dangerous for you." Daisy protested fearfully, "If anyone catches us together you'll be publicly flogged, maybe killed! All because of a stupid ancient edict." Dorian smiled and laughed gently,
"Daisy I think we're beyond worrying about that. I know the risks and believe me you're worth every single one I take." He moved his hand to her abdomen, "Our child is worth them too and I swear to you, I will NEVER allow another man to make any claim on you or our baby." He kissed her again, more passionately this time and looked deep into her crystal blue pools of her irises,
"I can't lose you Dorian...If we can just remain secret til I take the throne then I can recind the law and we can finally be together." She sighed as she rested herself against his solid chest.
"You know how hard that is for me, but I will do whatever it takes Daisy. I love you." He replied, "God I love you so much."

Moving his hand down the soft fabric a strong tug on the sash tied at her waist made the knot come undone and as her robe fell open slightly he could see the slope of her creamy breast and instantly became hard. Beneath his tender touch Daisy gave a soft moan of pleasure and Dorian smiled, he could tell she wanted him as much as he wanted her and was more than willing to give her what they both needed. Especially tonight when another hurdle had been put in their way. Daisy moved back to her bed and slowly started to undress her handsome, brave lover.
"Every time you sneak in here makes me think of the first time you made love to me..." She whispered as she cast his shirt aside and began to move her fingertips over his hard muscular chest and down to the waistband of his dark dress trousers. "I was little more than twenty...you had just arrived on a visit with Marco...you taught a child how to be a woman..."
"And you taught a man how to love." Dorian replied as he continued to slowly remove her nightgown and kiss her body as it was revealed to him. "I lost my heart to you in an instant my Princess and I still have." As they were both naked he drew her closer, before lying her back on her silk sheets, "My only love, my life...my everything..." He whispered as he moved her beneath his perfect male body and slipped inside her as he had done so many times before.

Suddenly the door to the Princess' chamber burst open and as the room filled with her father's own guard Daisy screamed. Dorian moved to sheild her with his own body, whilst she attempted to cover herself with a sheet.
"So it's true!" The King growled angrily. "Take him away!NOW!"
"Papa, no! Please..." Daisy tried to protest and clung to Dorian's shoulder with one hand as two of the guards advanced, "I can explain, don't do this...please!" Dorian turned and kissed Daisy tenderly, then touched her face one last time,
"Be brave...you have to be brave for me." He whispered, "Don't do anything that will endanger the baby. I love you Daisy. Hold onto that, I love you." The guards grabbed him and Dorian put up no struggle as he was dragged naked from the bed and out of the room, hearing Daisy's sobs and pleas as he left.
The King looked down at his daughter and shook his head,
"I will deal with you in the morning...but suffice to say you will NEVER see that...man...again! You dishonour our family, our name and our crown and I NEVER imagined that it would be you who'd be so free with her affections. The sooner you are married the better!" Daisy looked down at the bedclothes, unable to bear the look in her father's eyes and as the King left her chambers as quickly as he had arrived, she spotted Dorian's discarded shirt and clung to it as she sobbed in the darkness of the room.
"I love you too..."

[michelle handyside]

Returning to his study King Alberto shook his head and wearily slumped down in the chair by the fire he always sat in. He couldn't believe what he had seen. Daisy had never disobeyed him before, she was a model Queen in waiting and a model daughter... He rubbed his forehead wearily and then glancing down gave a soft groan as he saw the magazine on the table. Davido frollicking in the surf, his buttocks exposed and the royal star clearly evident. He closed his eyes for a moment and then flicked through the article...

The rumour about the birthmark had been circulating since it was him who was the playboy...Alberto had had his share of women in the past until his beloved Yolande was introduced to him and everything had changed. She had tamed him with her quiet gentleness, their love and passion had given him beautiful children and with her at his side he become the ruler he had always hoped to be. Now his son was proving the acorn never fell far from the tree and Alberto wished that Davido could find a Princess of his own to turn his life around before it was too late. Then there was Layla, his gorgeous daughter who had her mother's beauty and his stubborn streak. She was refusing to marry as she had her own ideas of what she wanted to do with her life and she was more than happy for her older sister to be the one taking Donfilia forward.

Daisy's tears and pleas had broken his heart. Alberto knew that she wouldn't understand what had to happen, he didn't want to lose her as he had Marco! Yet the law was clear, no royal could have a relationship with a commoner and Dorian, no matter how Prince like he was, was not of noble birth. By sleeping with her, Dorian had practically signed his own death warrant as it was considered treasonous for sexual relations to occur between a royal Princess and a common man, no matter who may have instigated them... He wished he didn't know! He wished he'd never picked up the note that had been slipped under his door, but now the truth was out his hands were tied. Dorian would be publicly flogged, face a charge of treason and then potentially be hung as the law demanded. Daisy would have to watch it all...and he would have to see his daughter's love for her country and for him, turn to hate as she did. His wife would find it hard to forgive him too especially if Daisy disappeared as her brother had. Sighing he wished he had an answer...something had to intercede or he would lose everything that truly mattered to him.

[cherie]

Hope and Davido

"Tell me again how sorry you are," Davido said, he guest that husky sound was his voice, where had that come from?

"Your Highness I never would have spoken to you in such a disrespectful way if I had but known it was you!" Hope assure him.

Davido watched as the colour creaped up from her neck to the heat her face. It would be interesting to see what else he could do to make that colour rise.

Where did that come from?

Letting go of her face Davido stepped back, this was Hope, a servant of his family. He may be a playboy but even he knew there was a unspoken rule that he dare not break. His father would hang him before the dawn of the next day.

But damn she was a pretty little thing. Giving her his best playboy smile, the one the papers said could have a woman naked in under 5 minutes. Winked and walked away whistling.

Yep, today was going to be good day.

[cherie]

Hope watched the man leave knowing full well she had been seconds from getting fired. She had no idea why the prince had looked at her so strangely, but she was glad that he had walked away when he did.
“Seriously lady, you really need to think before you speak.” She huffed at herself as she made her way back to the castle.
The heat of the day started to sooth her as she arrived at the kitchens. Smiling at the Cook she made her way up the back stairs to her own little room.
The room was sparce compared to those the Royal family had but it was clean and warm and had a lovely bed and that was more than she had ever thought she would have.
Her family had never been rich, but they had been happy and loved, which made them richer than most families is Hope’s book.

[michelle handyside]

Pacing around the small cell he had been thrown into Dorian sighed. He had been glad of the old clothes that one of the guards had been decent enough to give him, while others had mocked and treated him with scorn and distain the like of which he had never known before. One of the older guards had even winded him with a dig to the solarplexus and contemptuously told him that he was not fit to even dream of being near Daisy and he hoped the law would be applied swiftly to rid Donfilia of such a base and debauched man who would take such advantage of the innocent Queen to be...Now he was alone he could allow his thoughts to wander and his concern for the Princess was driving him crazy.

They hadn't planned to fall in love. He couldn't even say when the moment he did happened, it just kind of grew, sneaking up on him and the washing over him so completely that he had been helpless to stop it, not that he wanted to. Daisy was everything a woman should be. He had been at her side and seen for himself her compassion and love for her people, her family and her country. He had seen her strength when faced with difficult meetings in the Royal Council and he had seen her tears when Marco had left. However it had started his feelings were cast in stone now. Daisy had won his heart and she would always have it, well, for what was left of his life she would... He looked at the stone wall and imagined her lying in her bed sobbing and the image ripped his soul to shreds. He hated to see her cry and trapped within the bars of his cell he knew he was helpless to console her or even try and lie to her that somehow everything would be alright.

"So how the mighty have fallen..." The voice said breaking his thoughts and making him turn to see the man standing beyond the bars. Dorian's eyes narrowed and he glared at the middle aged person and his sickly satisfied grin. "What's the matter Dorian? Can't talk yourself out of this one?"
"What the hell are you doing here?" Dorian retorted biting his tongue to try and not give his visitor the satisfaction of seeing him defeated. "It's the scent of all this scandal you see. There is no sweeter aphrodisiac and I can't wait to offer my comfort to Princess Daisy in her time of turmoil." dorian's blood began to boil in his veins
"Don't you DARE go near her. I swear I'll kill you if you touch her!"
"Touch her? I'll be touching her alright and a whole lot more. A man does have rights over his wife you know and she will aquiesce to them. Obey was always my favourite part of the vows and with a bride as committed to her country and tradition as she is, Daisy has no option but to do just that in whatever way I decide to use her." Dorian rushed at the bars.
"I'll stop this farce of a wedding if its the last thing I do. Daisy isn't yours and never will be! You'll never hurt her or any of the Royal Family. I'll die before I see you on the throne of Donfilia." Prince Antonio of Collaran laughed deeply,
"Oh you'll die long before then. I must admit it will be so satisfying to see you in the courtyard of the palace, tied to that post and flogged half to death watching Daisy cling to me for comfort."
"You bastard!" Dorian spat at the Prince. "King Alfredo isn't stupid he'll see you aren't right for Daisy..."
"Alfredo has too much on his mind with the mess his family is becoming. It has been oh so simple for me to play this game with him... a note about his precious daughter and her bodyguard's illicit rendezvous in her chambers slipped under his door, leaked stories about the Royal Star given to the press so Prince Davido never gets an intimate moment in private and Marco, the black sheep of the Royal Family gone forever..." Dorian's eyes widened,
"You would ruin the whole family for the crown? Why? You have your own principality Antonio, why not live your sick, twisted days out there?"
"Because Donfilia has much more beautiful attractions." Antonio replied, "And when I have had my fill of enjoying her, and she has given me an heir of my own I might just look elsewhere for more enticing avenues." He looked at Dorian, "But none of this is your concern anymore is it? Tomorrow you'll be flogged and I will be pressing Alfredo to have your execution as soon as possible so this whole debauched mess can be over before the pagentry of the coronation and our wedding... Sleep well Dorian and don't worry Daisy will be in the best....hands..." The older man laughed perversley and walked off into the darkness. Dorian's mind whirred and his heart pounded Daisy and her family had no idea what they were facing and he was helpless to stop it. His baby, growing inside Daisy would have that twisted creature for its father and their lives would be an absolute misery.
"God, please help me get out of this..." He cried as he sank to his knees, "Protect Daisy and my child...Don't let this happen to them or Donfilia."

[michelle handyside]

Sneaking back into the palace using one of Davido's secret routes Marco heard voices approaching and hid in the shadows of a small alcove,
"Can you imagine it, the lucky dog..." One laughed, "No wonder being her bodyguard was such a lucrative proposition. If I'd have known it meant she would want sex with me I would have applied. Can you imagine being able to claim you shafted Princess Daisy? The Flower of Donifilia, deflowered by a commoner" His colleague laughed at the comment
"I guess its one way to make sure you always know she's safe, if she's under you...Still I wouldn't want to be him now. Flogged tomorrow, the whole kingdom will know his business and he gets hung all for a quick fumble in her bed. I hope she was worth it..."

The guards passed and Marco watched to make sure they had gone. Daisy? He shook his head, it was impossible to believe that she would have given herself to anyone so carelessly and a commoner? How could Dorian allow such a thing? The realisation hit him like a thunderbolt Dorian allowed it because HE was the commoner!
"You stupid fool." Marco hissed under his breath and sure the guards were gone he raced up the staircase to find his sister and find out what exactly was going on...

[joanne]

Cassius’ Story
ONE YEAR EARLIER.....

“Got you, you bastard”
Cassius Gabriale switched off his computer with a satisfied smile and stretched his arms high in the air. Months of planning scheming and hard work, had very definitely paid off. Better than he had ever hoped for.
His pushed the button on his intercom.
“Minnie, can you see if Rogan can come through please?”
“Sure thing boss”, the pleasant Caribbean tones of his invaluable PA floated back to him, as he manoeuvred around his desk to look out of the window, across the lush gardens to the cliffs and the water below.
Behind him, he heard the door to the office open and swung round to see his younger brother stroll in.
“Good news?” Rogan enquired seeing the satisfied look on Cassius’ face.
“The best”. Cassius confirmed. “We’ve got him! 100% got him, so tight there is no escape. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. Well its ours as well!”
”How?” Rogan was more than interested.
“Complicated. Can you keep your interest until we’ve had a swim?”
Rogan nodded. As much as he wanted to know the details, the fact that Cassius wanted to swim was of much greater importance.
“Pool or Bay?” he asked.
Cassius smiled. The first proper smile Rogan had seen for longer than he cared to think.
“Bay, if you’re happy to help?”
“Always, you know that.”
Cassius dipped his head in acknowledgement. “See you there in 10?”
Rogan knew better than to offer any help. Help if it was needed would be asked for.
“Sure. I’ll go and get my stuff and see you down there.”
Cassius watched him leave the office and followed , to where Minnie, a cheerful 50-something Grenadian was sitting at her desk and typing furiously. She looked up as he approached.
“End of the working week Minnie” he announced. “Switch the phones through and go home. This week has now ended at“ He looked at his watch, “at 2.30. Go home, and I’ll see you on Monday.” So saying he left the room. Leaving Minnie staring after him. In the 5 years she had worked for him, she reckoned she could count the number of times Cassius had decided to stop work early on one hand. But she wouldn’t miss the chance of enjoying it.
Cassius made his way along the corridor to the lift, and was swiftly born downwards to the bay. When he had bought the cliff top land to build his house and office, this beach, on the northern coast of Grenada was inaccessible by land, and almost as bad by see, the bay almost enclosed by cliffs and the entrance tricky. So he had stairs and the lift installed with the only access to them from inside the house. Thus not actually making it impossible for people to use what was in fact a public beach, just not giving them any help. After all before he built, the only way to the beach was from the sea.
As it slowed, stopped and the doors opened, he manoeuvred across the threshold and along the concrete ramp to the edge of the water, The bay had been changed slightly to enclose a large area, to make in effect a safe seawater swimming ares, refreshed by the tide twice a day. The winds and currents could be dangerous, and no one wanted to take any chances.
Rogan was waiting for him as he approached.
“How many Billionaire businessmen could come from their office already in their boardies?” he asked laughingly as he moved to Cassius’ side .
“Only those who know how bloody difficult it is trying to get out of a suit and into boardies in a wheelchair!”

[joanne]

For over half an hour they both swam contentedly in the warm sea, Rogan always keeping a quiet eye on Cassius, who although resenting the fact that someone had to be there for him, realised it was necessary. Eventually, Casssius slowed his speed, and floated on his back.
“Ready to hear all?” he enquired lazily.
“Too true. Here?”
“Nope, well yes here in the bay if you fancy, not afloat.”
Rogan laughed, and moved to help his brother out of the water. Several minutes later, both wrapped in towelling robes they were stretched side by side in the late afternoon sun, a couple of bottles of Carib beer opened and waiting on a table Rogan had moved out from the small cabana installed near the lift entrance.
Cassius took a deep mouthful.
“So” he said. “A very successful few years of digging.”
“And”
“And by my reckoning, within a few weeks, The Royal house of Deligni and Isla Donfilia won’t know what had hit them. Certainly won’t be the Isle of Light and Tranquillity. More like dark and tempestuous. And I’ll enjoy watching every minute of their unravelling.

He spoke rapidly and outlined all he had found out- all he intended to do and how. Rogan listened without interrupting.
“So” he said when Cassius finished speaking. “When do we start?”
Cassius raised an eyebrow, a look which Rogan correctly interpreted. “Oh it’s definitely we bro. You might be the one physically affected by part of this, but for the rest, it’s as much my problem as yours. So, when do we start?”
“As soon as we get changed and into the office.”
“5 minutes then.”

[michelle handyside]

Marco stood up and paced around his sister's suites shaking his head as he digested what she had told him. He ran his hand over his face and through his wild hair.
"God Daisy, this is some mess..." He saw fresh tears starting to well in her eyes and walking back to her bedside he sat down and embraced his sister trying to comfort her, "I know you're scared but Dorian's right, you have to be strong while we sort all this mess out."
"But tomorrow Marco, they're going to publicly flog him. They're going to make him suffer for falling in love with me. It would have been better if he'd never met me."
"No! Daisy I don't know much about love but I know Dorian and I know that if he's said he loves you, that he wanted you two to have a future then whatever they do to him he would endure a thousand times over without a second's regret at what you had." He looked at his sister. "Listen to me Daisy, I can't stop the flogging but I swear I am going to do everything in my power to save his life and to work out some kind of future where you can be together. I promise you."
"But Papa is marrying me off to Prince Antonio of Collaran. He's arriving tomorrow."
"He's WHAT?" Marco exclaimed, "Has the old man lost his senses? Of all the Princes in the world he picks that ..." He shook his head and looked at his older sister, "Right, you need to sleep and look after that baby. i have to do some thinking and I'm going to make things right Daisy I promise, one way or another you're going to be happy again. I swear it as Prince of Donfilia." Daisy looked up at him, she had heard his oath to never use his title again and here he was breaking it for her. Prince Marco was back and he was about to raise holy hell in his family once more!

[joanne]

He was really angry, Lily realised. And it gave her some hope. She’d been sure it was at Daniel's request that her attempts to contact him at work had been blocked. But now it seemed it had nothing to do with him.
Daniel came and stood next to her at the window. Rain still poured down, dripping of the windowsill, running down the gutters.
“Give me 10 minutes” he said. “Promise you’ll stay there?” He waited until she nodded and then left the room.


Daniel knew there was very little chance of proving Lily’s messages had deliberately been withheld. But he could minimise any further problems. A quick phone call to HR, a further call to his Deputy and he was able to put his plans in motion.
Returning to the lounge he was relieved to see Lily standing where he had left her. Crossing the room swiftly, he gently took her shoulders, turned her around to face him and kissed her passionately on the lips, before nibbling and kissing his way across her throat. Taken by surprise, Lily responded without thought, her mouth opening to let his tongue swirl tantalisingly over hers, and then leaning into him as he sent her senses spinning.
The noise of the phone intruded. With a sigh, Daniel stretched out his hand to the receiver, his lips not leaving Lily.
“Yes?” his voice was slurred, but sharpened as he listened to the caller. “What? No, it’s not me. And I haven’t heard anything along those lines. Yes, of course. Yes hold on here she is.” He passed the phone to Lily, who was standing close to him stroking his neck and trying to understand the strange answers he was giving to questions she couldn’t hear. “It’s Marco. There’s a lot of trouble in Donfilia. I’ll get the plane readied, we’re needed there. Both of us.” With one more swift kiss, he left the room and Lily put the receiver to her ear.

[michelle handyside]

THE NEXT MORNING

As King Alberto walked into the breakfast room he wasn't surprised to find the room empty. It seemed to be an unspoken message that his beloved Daisy had frozen him out of her heart already and he sighed heavily as he took his seat and started to push the breakfast around his plate. Truth be told he had no appetite for what he was going to allow to happen and hadn't slept trying to come up with any way to salvage his relationship with his child as well as uphold the law of the land as he had sworn to do so many years before when he had taken the crown. He could see there was a heavy looking black cloud in the sky and saw it as an omen, dark days were coming to his beloved homeland and only time could tell if the Deligni family could weather the storm.

[michelle handyside]

Dressing more sedately than usual Daisy didn't care if she looked less than her usual perfect self. Where she was heading it wasn't a place that fashion mattered, all that did was that she could see Dorian and make sure that he was alright. Her sleep had been fractured at best, she couldn't rest for worrying about what he was going to endure and though he and Marco had told her to be strong she had no strength to watch the man she loved be tortured, flogged and screaming in pain.