What We Are

"It would be best we get our story out as soon as possible, before my brother distorts the truth." Alexander closed his eyes, cupping a hand around hers on his face. "I don't want you out there, where he can find you."

He sighed. It was difficult to leave, he wasn't making any steps towards the door. However, it had to be done, if Alexander didn't go soon then William would get something out first about how he was brutally attacked by the Prince. That would kill his reputation if too many people believed it. There were those who wouldn't those loyal to the Prince, but it didn't bode well for the rest of the population.

"He cannot simply walk away from this one, not this time." Alexander said angrily. "You could have died, you aren't a slave any longer, you're Royal. William tried to kill you, and if that isn't enough to persuade everyone, I can tell them about our child. Of my blood and yours, no one can dispute that William attacked you and our child."

"You won't even know I'm gone." Alexander promised.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Prince Alexander, tell us why you assaulted your brother!"
"You threatened to kill him!"

Alexander!

Look this way!

He looked tired, aside from the fiery gaze he cast over the crowd, they had no idea what happened except for William's wife's version of the tale.  That was precisely how he wanted it, and it would put their story at a disadvantage.  Alexander raised a hand to the crowd, bringing in a wave of silence.  Cameras flashed with his hand held high, and he gave it one more moment before starting to speak.

"I, Prince Alexander Blackwood, come bearing both grim and joyous news.  I want to put rumors aside and acknowledge the events which transpired last evening between my brother and I at my wife, Princess Jocelyn Blackwood's, ceremonial induction as a Royal." He waited before continuing.  "During the celebration, William Blackwood invited many guests to smoke.  While that in itself is no crime, he later blew smoke in my wife's face, knowing about one health condition she has. Asthma.  As many of you are aware, this is an ailment of the lungs, often times suffocating her, leaving her unable to move for hours at a time for fear of overexertion.

"I spent eight hours with my wife last night, because my brother induced an asthma attack on my wife, purposefully, and I feared she would not survive.  As of now she is recovering, but would otherwise be by my side now." His voice never raised, but the fury was obvious in his tone. "While in the care of my personal friend and doctor, who shall remain unnamed, we discovered something."

He let the silence waver into the crowd.  While the thought of Jocelyn and Alexander's baby brought joy to his heart, there was only anger for the public now.  What his brother did was unforgivable, and he deserved a harsh hand to remind him so.  If Alexander had to inflict it himself so be it.

"I am proud to announce that my wife is pregnant."

This brought on a flurry of questions from reporters and cheers from the crowd.  They seemed to have forgotten that only months ago she'd been nothing more than a slave brought up to the Royal level.  The roar of the crowd grew so intense, Alexander could hardly silence them as he usually did.  All he needed was to raise his hand and they knew he wished to speak, but it took several minutes before they responded to his gesture, until even he was smiling with the thought.

"While it is not entirely clear if my brother's intentions were to kill my wife, it was still clear he wished harm upon her, and unknowingly my child." Alexander shouted.  There were still the mixed cheers of support and disdain, as he'd grown used to. "I will not allow this action to go unpunished, whether or not he is the King, my wife could have died at his hand and he must be responsible for the pain he has inflicted upon my growing family."

Cameras flashed again, Alexander had no smiles for them, only fury again.  He gripped the banister from where he stood, the same spot he'd first shown Jocelyn to the public.  While he wanted her to be here, standing at his side as he announced their future child, he couldn't stand to see her at the mercy of the public again.  But, she was waiting for him back in their room, and he would return as soon as he could.  The day was no up yet.

"I will admit to have attacked my brother in my rage, but he's got a hard head, he'll be fine!" Alexander joked in order to let his offense slide, and it seemed to work for the time being.  William had yet to make an appearance, and then he'd have to think of more witty retorts in order to stand above the King.  It'd be a battle of words from then on, nothing they could control once in the power of the press.

He answered what questions he could, explained the night, describing it in great detail once more for a handful of reporters, and all in a span of a few short hours he was gone.  Sprinting back to his wife, he didn't want to be anywhere else but holding her safe.

Alexander swung open the door to his room, a surprised Hannah watched him bolt through the flat.  Arthur thought something was wrong, but there was nothing so wrong.  The Prince found his love, he scooped her in his arms and showered her with kisses.  He loved her, and he never wanted to let her go

"It's done." He breathed. "And I love you, and our child, and I'm not going anywhere now."

He placed a hand on her stomach, the other he held around her waist after having rudely pulled her up from what she was doing.  Now wasn't the time for decency.  Not when he needed her so badly.

"I love you.  I love you.  Jocelyn, I love you."

"Yes, it's done." Alexander confirmed. "The public wants to see you, and the baby." He trailed his hand weakly over her stomach, smiling. There was no protruding bump to prove there was a life there, but soon enough. When her belly was swollen and her ankles sore, Alexander would be the ever doting husband. He was rather excited to be a father, was she excited?

He captured her lips, glad to find that she was in the exact same place he left her. No one had come for her, she was breathing, fine, and Alexander was so grateful to Doctor Brighton for saving her.

"I'll stay with you all day today, tomorrow, however long we need." Alexander's voice was rushed in her ear, he wrapped his arms around her, one holding her head to his chest. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"Gods, yes, yes." Alexander laughed. "I promise for you, and you." He rubbed his hand over her stomach. "I am yours, Jocelyn, in the eyes of the God and Goddess, I will always be yours."

It was easy to forget that she was just a girl of sixteen, coming on seventeen soon enough. The level of maturity it took for her to be calm with the situation was astounding, and he was proud. His wife was a strong woman and he wouldn't have had it any other way. He loved that about her. They may have been married for a short two months, but it was long enough to see that he truly loved her.

"Jocelyn." He breathed. Alexander leaned in to kiss the line of her jaw in response.