The Littlest Princess (UC, M/L, CC, ADULT) Ch 12 [WIP]

[Strawberry Shortcake 17]

Part 11

Dirk opened the door to Cassie’s room slowly, hoping to surprise her with breakfast in bed this morning. He found out that she had spent the evening out on the town with Cameron and he knew if he wanted to reassure his rightful place on the throne he would need to charm Cassie away from Cameron once and for all. He was quite sure this wouldn’t be all that hard, considering their past.

Dirk pushed the cart full of breakfast goodies into Cassie’s room with out looking if she was even in the bed…

“Good morning, my love. I’ve brought you your favorite breakfast,” he called out the bed. A large tray filled with strawberry waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, orange juice, coffee and a long stem white rose. Dirk lifted the tray and walked it over to the bed. “Cassie love, time to rise and …shine?” Dirk questioned the rumpled but very empty bed.

The squeak of the door hinges alerted Dirk to someone entering Cassie’s room behind him. He turned, tray still in hand to find Cassie coming back into her room with Cameron following behind her. When Dirk saw the fact that her hand was clasped tightly in his, the tray fell to the floor with a loud crash.

“Dirk!” Cassie gasped at the sight of him in her room, knowing she had been caught. Regardless of whether or not she and Cameron had done anything last night, her sneaking back into her room at this hour of the morning left much the imagination.

She knew she shouldn’t have lain in bed with Cameron so late, but being curled up on his chest, just listening to the steady beating of his beautiful heart and the sound of his even breathing had been so comforting and so peaceful that she couldn’t bear to leave. If Cameron hadn’t suggested that she really did need to get back to her room before anyone noticed her missing she was sure she could have stayed there all day.

Cameron felt her tense and heard her gasp, followed by the crash of the tray on the floor. He had been so absorbed in her that he hadn’t even noticed Dirk’s presence in the room. He looked up to see Cassie’s pompous, soon-to-be-ex-fiancée steaming with rage, mostly directed at him.

“What’s the meaning of this Cassandra?” Dirk asked in a tone that usually sent Cassie cowering like a frightened child, but not anymore. Cassie had grown a backbone last night after the frightening dream and Dirk never saw the change in her demeanor coming.

“Could you wait outside Cameron? Duke Jenson and I have some things to discuss,” Cassie said in her royal tone of authority.

“I would prefer not to leave you alone in his company princess,” Cameron recognized that tone the minute she spoke her first word. The Cassie he had grown up with was back and she meant business.

“No thank you Cameron, the Duke of Shillington and I need to talk in private. I will seek you out when we have concluded our conversation,” Cassie replied, clipping Dirk once again by using his formal title instead of his first name. Cameron knew she would refuse him before he had even asked the question, but he couldn’t resist pushing Cassie further into her supreme ruler role.

“As you wish your majesty. I shall await your return to my company outside the door,” Cameron bowed and made a show of his grand departure, knowing his words and actions would inflame Dirk even more.

Cassie watched as Cameron walked out and the turned her sights on Dirk as the door closed. Dirk stood before her, seething with anger and even though this wasn’t the way she had planned to end things, there was no other way to end this situation.

“I’m waiting Cassandra!” Dirk hissed at her. This haughty attitude would get her no where with him. A man could only put up with so much disobedience from his woman and walking back to you room on the arm of your rival and then coping an attitude was too much.

“Do not take that tone of voice with me sir. Take care as to whom you are addressing,” Cassie warned him. She knew she was getting angrier by the second, but he would just have to deal.

“I know exactly whom I am addressing madam. I happen to be speaking to my seemingly unfaithful fiancée. You should heed your own warning Cassandra. I happen to be your future husband and in this instance, I have the power in this situation,” Dirk threw back at her.

“Then I relieve you of that burden. I have reconsidered your proposal and I find a marriage to you unappealing. I have not been unfaithful to you in the way you accuse me, but regardless of the validity of you accusations, I still do not wish to marry you. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but you brought this on yourself,” Cassie finally told him. Cassie turned away from him, loosing some of her original confidence because she knew her words had hurt him. Even thought she couldn’t marry him, she did still care for him and she never wanted to hurt him. She should have never turned away from him because she might have seen his next move coming.

“WHORE!” Dirk shouted as his fist came crashing down on Cassie’s delicate cheek. The crunching noise of hard fist connecting with fragile bones rang out through the room. Cassie screamed as the pain tore through her body and was thrown to the floor by the force of the blow. “You ungrateful, unfaithful whore!”

Lying on the floor, Cassie knew she was done for. She heard him shout at her and she steeled her body for the kick to her ribs that she knew he would deliver. Dirk had never kicked her before, but she had seen him kick a dog that had bit his hand once. He had drop kicked the puppy nearly across the room. He had said it was an accident, but as she lay on the floor, clutching her swelling cheek, she knew how that puppy had felt. The distinct sound of fist meeting flesh filled the room and the sickening thud of a body unconsciously hitting the floor brought Cassie out of the fetal position enough to see Dirk lying prone on the floor with blood pouring from his nose and Cameron rushing to her side.

“Cassie, are you hurt? Did that bastard hit you?” Cameron asked, rather frantic with worry. Cameron moved her hands and found her already bruising cheek, “Damit Cassie, I knew I shouldn’t have left you alone with him.”

Leather boots could be heard racing up the stairs towards Cassie’s room. Jamie, Michael, Zan and Max had all been in the men’s study at the bottom of the stairs when they heard the screaming. All four men came rushing through the door, practically stumbling over each other to try and get in the fastest.

“What the hell?” Zan asked as he took in the scene of a bleeding Dirk, a cowering Cassie and a seemingly unhurt Cameron, leaning over his petrified niece. Cameron and Cassie looked up at the men who had just crashed through the doorway and all of them gasped at the sight of Cassie’s pulverized cheek.

“Oh my god Cassie!” Max cried out as he rushed to his daughter’s side. Max gathered her up in his arms and rocked his little girl back and forth.

“Daddy,” was all Cassie could choke out before the tears began to fall.

“Shh baby, its okay.” Max soothed her with hushed tones.

“Start spilling Junior and do it quick,” Michael growled.

Cameron didn’t get the chance to say anything before Dirk gained consciousness and rushed Cameron while everyone’s attention had been focused on the crying Cassie. Jamie and Michael jumped between the 2 men quickly, pulling then off each other.

“Okay, does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on here?” Zan asked when they had Cameron and Dirk separated.

“That bastard hit Cassie!” Cameron shouted in furious rage, trying to break free from Jamie.

“Hah! Well that bastard compromised my harlot of a fiancée,” Dirk spat back at him.

“Alright, neither one of you are bastards so back off on the name calling and what did you just call my niece? It had better not be what I think it was or Cameron will be the least of your worries,” Zan warned.

“I caught my fiancée with that rouge, sneaking back into her room at this late hour and now I’m getting yelled at for calling the kettle black?!” Dirk threw his arms up, exasperated at this nonsense. This matter was between him, Cassie and the soon to be murdered general’s son.

“You will guard your tongue sir. You are speaking about the crown princess of Antar,” Max commanded him from his position on the floor with Cassie still in his arms.

“Trust me your majesty, this is not a matter of her patronage, merely her chastity,” Dirk threw back.

“How dare you insult a woman as fine as Cassandra!? Let go of me Jamie, I’m going to kill him!” Cameron shouted in frustration.

“Gods, this is utterly ridiculous. This matter concerns only Cassie and I. I will deal with Cameron later. You gentlemen can all leave,” Dirk tried to command them. Zan and Jamie stared at his audacity with matching arched eyebrows. The guy had balls, they’d give him that.

“I’ve said my piece Dirk. The wedding is off. There is nothing more to discuss,” Cassie finally found her voice, although she hadn’t stopped holding her bruised cheek.

“Hold your tongue woman. We will discuss this matter later,” Dirk gritted through clenched teeth. His anger flared at Cassie’s impertinence, pushing him dangerously close to irrationality.

“Do not take that tone with my daughter sir. You have overstepped you bounds by far in my palace and now you are no longer welcome. You have 10 minutes to gather your belongings and remove yourself from my home,” Max had had enough. No one spoke to his daughter like that and from the ease with which he slipped into this violence, it seemed that this was not the first time.

“Says the man who took a harem slave for a wife,” Dirk shouted out at him. Max got off the floor, pulling himself up to the challenge of character the Duke has issued. “Isn’t it interesting that the man who hides his Love Slave as the queen disbanded the harems and now protects his daughter like she had the same value as a son? How I wished you had kept the harem system. Then that woman would know her place.”

“First out strike my daughter and now you slander my wife, your queen. Just who do you think you are?” Max asked incredulously.

“I happen to be the son of Duke Christopher Jenson and Duchess Anna Jenson. You might now my mother Zan. She used to go by the name of Zena, harem mistress and favored concubine to their majesties the princes or should I say king and royal advisor,” Dirk informed them of his patronage and shocked the entire room. Well almost everyone, Cassie, Cameron and Jamie looked thoroughly confused.

“That is not possible. You’re too old to be any son of Zena’s,” Zan challenged him.

“I am one year Cassie’s junior and I would watch your accusations. I am almost certain I am not the son of Christopher Jenson,” Dirk let that carrot hang out there for Zan to pick up.

TBC…

[Strawberry Shortcake 17]

Hi gang,

I'm sooooooo sorry I have been MIA for such a long time. I have been Super Dee Duper busy over the last few months. I hope this really important part satisfies all my faithful bumpers and I thank you for keeping me going. I'm a counselor for a summer camp, so I'm getting about 3 hours of sleep a night and not much time to do anything other than help out with the camp. I keep from going insane by writting during activities. I'll have much more to come shortly...

Katie

Part 12

“Oh no, hell no!” Zan shouted in Dirk’s face, “I’d know if I had a son sitting out there. Zena would have told me.” A unison gasp of shock shattered the silence of the room.

“What the fuck Dad?” Jamie asked, confused. Was this jack off really his brother? Was he seriously trying to marry Cassie? Did he even realize how gross that is?

“Yeah right, like she would have told you. She knew you would never love her the way Max did Liz. She was just a piece of property and you couldn’t offer her anything other than more of the same life as a concubine. Her child would never be anything more than a bastard slave, even if they were first born. She did the only thing she could do. She left as soon as she found out, posed as a noble woman and married the closest, heirless noble. May parents were married within a month of meeting and my mother just said I was born premature. When Jamie was born, my mother cried for days. She was forced to come clean with the true identity of my father and her own double life. Jenson nearly beat her to death. The only reason she survived was her beauty. Jenson liked having a striking beauty on his arm at all the functions, just to show off,” Dirk explained.

“That’s a bunch of bullshit and you know it. Zena knew she could come to me with anything, even if it was a fuck up like you,” Zan challenged him.

“Father, you wound me,” Dirk feigned mock hurt, “My mother didn’t have a choice. By the time I was born, you were royal advisor, Max had disbanded the harems and you were chasing skirt all over the kingdom. Interestingly enough, it was that chasing tail that saddled you with Lady Victoria and my little brother. You forgot about my mother the instant the door closed on her way out.”

“I loved her you ignorant bastard,” Zan yelled as he dove for Dirk. Max was faster and grabbed his brother before he reacted too rashly.

“Dirk, this has gone on long enough,” Max said, pushing Zan backwards to give him his own corner to stew in, “Regardless of your heritage, you have still struck my daughter, the Crown Princess of Antar and that act alone could be punishable by death.” Dirk jumped to his feet to defend himself but Max silenced him with a steely look that left no room for argument, “But because of your family’s reputation and your possible connection to my family I cannot in good faith carry out such a punishment,” Cameron was the next to jump in and try to question Max. Max sent him the same look and Cameron quieted back down. “Although, I cannot overlook your actions and accusations against my family, I will spare your life. But know this; you are being banished from this palace. You will not enter my home or the capital city ever again and be content to spend the rest of your days at the Shillington estates where you are officially being confined for life. I am a fair man Duke Jenson, consider your punishment to have the extremist degree of leniency, for if you were any other man, I would have killed you myself.” Max handed down his sentence. Max’s blood was boiling with anger, but he knew that if this man truly was his won nephew, then killing him was an even worse crime than the one Dirk had committed.

“Banishing me to our country estates will not silence me Max. This is far from over,” Dirk threatened then, and then stalked out of the room. He didn’t even bother to gather up his belongings, he just marched down the stairs and right out the main doors, slamming it as he left.

Cassie ran for Cameron, desperately needing to feel his arms around her. Cameron enveloped her in his embrace, giving her the protection and solace she craved.

“Did you know Cassie?” was all Zan asked. His body was turned away from the group, watching out the window as Dirk left the palace.

“No Uncle Zan, I didn’t,” she replied quietly.

“Did you know Dad?” Jamie challenged his father. Zan’s shoulders slumped slightly. He turned to face his angry son with tears streaming down his face.

“I often suspected, but I never knew for sure,” Zan said, barely above a whisper, “I’m sorry Jamie.”

“Don’t try and atone for your sins with me. It’s Mom I’d worry about,” Jamie turned on his heel and exited the room, going straight for his own. Zan moved to followed.

“Zan,” Max tried to stop him, “Don’t.”

“I know he doesn’t want to talk to me, so I’ll leave him for now. He was right though. It’s Victoria I’ll have to deal with on this. She’ll never forgive me,” Zan spoke dejectedly.

“That was before you even knew V. She loves you, she’ll understand,” Max tried to give his brother strength.

“She might, but I never will,” and with that cryptic comment, Zan left the room.

Cameron and Cassie broke apart and moved to leave the room when Michael grabbed his son by the collar. “Oh no junior. Did you think you were getting off scott free?” Cameron looked up at his father, seeing the old stonewall expression he used when meeting out justice.

“My thoughts exactly General Guerin,” Max commented.

“Now Daddy, Michael, don’t jump to any conclusions. Nothing happened,” Cassie tried to stay Cameron’s would be executioners.

“Princess, there has been enough scandal in this palace for one morning and scandal does not go unpunished,” Michael said to Cassie, but looked at his son whom he still had a tight hold on.

“Exactly General,’ Max commented,” Now, Cameron Guerin, I am going to ask you so very important questions. Do not lie to me because I will know you a lieing and false testimony to the King is punishable by death.” Cameron visibly gulped.

“Now Daddy, this isn’t necessary,” Cassie tried.

“Sit down Princess. This will only take a minute,” Michael commanded her. Not one to confuse an order from a man like Michael, Cassie sat down in the chair next to her. She caught Cameron’s slightly worried look, but then turned his head to face the King, Cassie’s father.

“Lord Guerin, were you with my daughter last night?” Max asked.

“Yes sir,” Cameron replied.

“Did you spend the entire night with her?”

Gulp, “Yes sir.”

“Did you compromise my daughter?”

“No sir, I would never disgrace Princess Cassandra in that way,” Cameron answered strongly.

“Did you think about such relations with my daughter?” Max asked.

“Umm…no sir,” Cameron replied shakily. Cassie blushed at his comment. Neither Cassie nor Cameron saw the look that flashed between Max and Michael.

“Do you love my daughter?”

“More than my own life,” Cameron answered clearly, looking up at Cassie to see her shocked face turn into a smile.

“Would you love my daughter for the rest of her life, honor and protect her and be her partner in everyway?” Max questioned him.

“Yes sir,” Cameron answered firmly.

“Good, because your punishment is to marry Princess Cassandra,’ Max told him with a giant smile on his face.

“Daddy?” Cassie asked, more overjoyed than surprised.

“Your sentence will begin in 1 month. I suggest you get your affairs in orders in order,” Max kept up the pretense of judge and jury until he reached out and hugged him, “Welcome to the family son, took you long enough!”

Cameron couldn’t believe his ears. He had just been given his heart’s desire and even though he had given it up all those years ago he was getting his second chance.

“Thank you sir, but first I think I should ask the lady in question is she’ll have me,” Cameron told him, moving out of Max’s jovial embrace. He stepped toward Cassie who was still sitting in the chair, absorbing what just happened. Cameron got down on one knew and pulled Cassie’s hands into his own.

“I know I have not been the best man, especially in my treatment of you. Immaturity and sheer idiocy have cost me 10 years of your happiness and I will always hate myself for the pain I have caused you. But, Princess Cassandra, I have been handed down the sentence to love you for your entire life. I can’t promise that I will be the perfect man, but I will love you with every ounce of my being for the rest of time, if you’ll have me?” Cameron asked her.

“Do you promise to never leave me again?” Cassie asked him. Her heart was screaming yes, but her head needed some reassurance.

“If you’ll have me, I’ll never leave your side again,” Cameron replied, reaching up to brush back the tears that were slipping down her face, “Please don’t cry Cassie. I swear I love you more than anything in life. I’ll never leave you again, I promise.”

“Silly man, haven’t you ever cried because you were happy?” Cassie joked with him, “Of Course I’ll marry you. How could I marry anyone other than the man I love?”

“Oh Cassie,” Cameron pulled her into his arms and hugged her close, reveling in the fact that Cassie loved him and he was given the chance to have her once again. “Well, I may never have, but I think I might start now.”

“Start what?” Cassie asked looking up at him.

“Cameron leaned down to capture her lips and just before he did he whispered, “Crying because I’m happy.” Cassie sighed and melted into his embrace. Cameron caught her sigh and kissed her soundly, not giving a care that both their fathers were in to room.

Michael cleared his throat, bringing the love birds back to reality. Cameron and Cassie turned to face Michael and Max, but he refused to let go of her, needing to keep her close.

“Well, now that that’s settled, march yourselves downstairs and tell your mothers,” Michael instructed them.

“Like we weren’t standing outside the door listening the entire time!” Maria’s voice called out, followed by the rush of female skirts pouring into the room.

“How long were you there?” Max asked, barely believing that Liz, Maria, Isabel, and Abby were all standing in front of him.

“We heard the shouting and then saw Dirk slam out the front door. We figured something good was going down, so we snuck up the stairs. We got her just in time for Cameron’s proposal.” Abby volunteered. Max and Michael breathed a silent sigh of relief. They hadn’t heard about Dirk or Zan. At least they had a chance to soften that news.

“And thank god we did,” Maria squealed, “My Baby is getting married!” She ran over and hugged her son, then threw her arms around Cassie and almost knocked her over with the force of her embrace.

“I take it you’re feeling better Maria?” Cassie choked out.

“Please, call me mom and yes, I feel wonderful.” Maria beamed Cassie, and then turned to Michael who looked very worried about her. She walked over to him and he wrapped her into his powerful arms. The rest of the women we now flocked around the newly engaged couple.

“Are you sure you’re feeling ok?” Michael asked her quietly incase she wasn’t.

“I’ve never felt better general. My son is home, he’s finally getting married, my whole family is under one roof and the man I’ve loved since I was 16 has loved me just as much, if not more than when we were young, even though I’m sick, stubborn and unbelievably old,” Maria confided in him.

“When did you get old? You don’t look a day over 25 to me Blondie,” Michael teased and kissed her tenderly.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Abby slipped out of Cassie’s room and made her way across the hall to Jamie’s room, unnoticed by the bubbling relatives. She had lied to Max about how much she had heard. She had first heard Cassie’s scream and came running on the heels of the men. She had rounded the corner of Cassie’s door when the shouting had begun. She backed away from the doorway and just listened to what was going on so as not to interrupt the events unfolding in the room.

She was Dirk leave and heard all the accusations he had made and she also saw Jamie leave, the hurt laced through his posture. No one should ever have to find out about their father’s past transgressions in such a manner and even though Jamie tried to hide behind a bad boy facade, he had a very tender heart. Abby had always seen through his ruse and love the man she saw on the inside as well as out since she was a little girl.

Abby tested out the knob and found the door unlocked. She pushed it open and looked in to see Jamie sitting on his bed with his head in his hands and elbows on his knees. Abby couldn’t see the tears, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there.

“Go the hell away Cameron. I’m not in the mood for company,” Jamie growled without looking up.

“Oh, so now you’re confusing me with my good for nothing love sick brother?” Abby playfully jabbed. Jamie looked up, surprised at the sprightly female voice he wasn’t expecting. Abby stood in a classic Maria pose, hands on hips, feet apart, head cocked and a challenging smirk on her face, “Besides, if you didn’t want company you shouldn’t have left the door unlocked.” A click rang out as Abby locked them in the room.

“Sorry Abs. I’m just a little stressed out, that’s all,” Jamie apologized for his out of line comment. He should have known it was her in his room. She was always one half step behind him. Ready to pick him up when he was down, share in his glories and laugh at him when he was an idiot. Predictably enough, she did the last one with him a lot.

“I know Jamie, but I also know hiding here in your room isn’t going to make it go away, Abby said as she crossed the room and sat down on his bed next to him.

“Yeah, I know, bit I’m not ready to deal with it so I’m just going to pretend like it isn’t real for a little while longer,” Jamie replied. He never asked if or how she knew what he was talking about. Abby always just seemed to know what was getting to him.

“Well then, I’ll hide with you until you decide you’re ready to face the world,” Abby replied, scooting up onto the bed and getting comfortable against Jamie’s plush pillows. She opened her arms and Jamie curled up next to her like he had done many times before. Abby was his rock and he relied on her more than even he knew. She gathered him up in her arms and held him close, giving him her support and comfort and whatever else he needed.

Jamie looked down at the silky blonde hair resting under his chin and reveled in the soft feminine body wrapped in a pale green dress, pressed against and his own. Jamie had known Abby since she was born and he was 4. She had been full of mischief and spirit ever since day one. Her bold tongue and sassy antics were direct gifts from her mother, as were her delicate features. Her and Jamie had been best friends from the get go, but lately Jamie was beginning to see her in a different light.

“Abby? Can I ask you something?” he asked, reaching down and tilting her chin up so she was looking into his eyes. She nodded, “If I learned one thing today from my father’s mistakes, it’s that you should never run from the truth.”

“What truth have you been running from Jamie?” Abby asked. She had a feeling that something big was coming, but nothing prepared her for his next move.

“This” he whispered as he captured her lips in a kiss so pure and so passionate that Abby could feel herself melting with desire from the inside out.

TBC…