Trapped by the Prince

Crown Prince Ian Stromridge has just returned from battle, hailed as a hero, greeted with people's adoration and blessings but he brings home a beautiful woman, though he's already married leaving everybody completed nonplussed. His wife, Princess Angelica Stromridge wed him for convenience before he left for war. Their marriage lacked affection and was rife with misunderstandings from the start. From name-calling to accidental letters leading to further misconception. During his absence, Angelica played the dutiful wife, sacrificing to maintain the household, being the lovely princess and wonderful daughter in law, only to face his return with another woman whom the entire kingdom agreed was more beautiful than she was! Will she divorce or fight for his love, a love that clearly never existed in the first place? Will she clear the misunderstandings and surmount the obstacles or will it be a post-marriage love story or an ex-wife tale full of regret? Excerpt |||| "My princess..." called a maid, knocking on the door her hand trembling. "Come in." replied Angelica as the door opened hearing footsteps approaching. "What are you doing here? I gave stern orders for no one to disturb me for the entirety of the day." her austere voice rang out. "I... I know my princess... please forgive me... I... I did not mean to disturb you but... this is something very important." "Let's have it then." replied Angelica closing the book she had been reading as she laid eyes on the maid. The maid gulped, the fear evident in her eyes, she did not know how Angelica would react to the severely bad news she had brought with her, however, one thing was sure, Angelica would not react lightly at all. "My... m...y prince...ss the..." said the maid, causing Angelica to sigh in annoyance, rolling her eyes, she had better things to do than sit here listening to the maid's mumbling. "Yes, say it." said Angelica giving the maid a hand. "My princess, the crowned prince has returned." said the maid. "Oh... well that's nice... I guess I will see him later, or better yet tomorrow. There is no rush, I am sure he is swarmed by crowds at the moment." replied Angelica lazily, she really had no intention of moving from this spot. "But my princess... ther— " "Oh, you're right, it would be unacceptable if I did not come out to greet him, rumours would certainly ensue and the kingdom would be in serious hysteria as they always are." replied Angelica annoyed. "Yes, you are right, I should go and welcome him back home." said Angelica as she stood up and yawned. "My princess... that is not all, there is something else..." said the maid. "And what is that?" asked Angelica as the maid's eyes darted around the room, she did not know what to do, or how best to put this. "My princess... the... the crowned prince has truly returned but..." said the maid with a prolonged pause. "But what?" asked Angelica, her senses tingling, she had a inking that there was something wrong from the maid's strange behaviour. "But his highness..." paused the maid. "Out with it now!" said Angelica sternly. "His highness has returned with a strange woman and the rumours claim that she is his new wife!" spat out the maid as Angelica suddenly felt lightheaded and she fell back down on the chair. "My princess!" cried the maid as she rushed to her. "This is some sort of farce." said Angelica as the maid proceeded quickly to fan her with a cloth. "No my princess... it is true." replied the maid. "This is impossible. Ian must be mad, I am going to see this display of stupidity for myself!" said Angelica hotly, quickly rising up and storming out of the room as the poor maid followed behind her. ||||