Devotion~ England X Reader~ Chapter 1

Devotion
England X Reader
Chapter 1-

It was a warm, fragrant summer night when she was first found. The long days had left me exhausted, and I was enjoying the cool air against my face. The sound of racing hooves had initially alerted me, considering the hunters were not meant to be back for another hour or so.
The hunting party had never expected to find a girl unconscious in the woods. I remember very clearly watching my resplendant father carrying her limp body, the whole house a hive of activity. I think I was sitting at my window-seat, reading a novel at the time. I instinctively looked toward my younger brother Alfred, sprawled on the bed asleep, but despite having to look after him I hurtled down the stairs anyway. Nobody would notice me amongst the growing congregation of people.
I've never regretted that moment since.
I'd been intreiuged by the girl from the start, and I watched her almost cautiously. Tendrils of ____ hair were fanned out around her heart-shaped face, her chest rising and falling shakily as everyone tried to find out who this mysterious maiden was. I had peered at her warily, but all the same I began to feel attatched to the almost elven young lady.

That was when I was thirteen, and when she and my brother were eleven. Nobody ever did find out who she was until she was older, so we grew up together; Me, Alfred and ____. Of course I was the sensible one, but despite being an introverted wall-flower I still cared passionately for my sibling and the pretty young girl. Many a summer we spent together, exploring and trying to shift the burden of being nobles. The heavy weight of responsibility and the restricting prospects of duty were strongest on me. I began to realise the feelings I harboured when I was sixteen and she was fourteen.
It had all started on a mild morning in June, the 8th I do believe, and it was just me and ____.
I can clearly picture her content face as she sat in the freshly cut grass, her slender hands folded in her lap as she rested her back against the archaic bark of a tree. I sat beside her, at a respectful distance yet close enough to smell the scent of roses and soap emmitting from her. Every so often I'd close my eyes, the colour of verdant, burgeoning leaves and softly inhale the fresh air. No words ever needed to be said between us, and throughout the rest of our lives we knew we'd trust eachother. She had then turned her head towards me, curled locks cascading around her shoulders. Her eyes had then contained sadness, a certain longing.
"Iggy, promise me you'll never leave my side..." She had breathed, her voice merely above a whisper. I know times had been hard for her, as they had been for me. I'd initially been thrilled with becoming something close to her body-guard but it had been heart breaking seeing her so upset when she was being shouted at by the patronizing court members. I moved my own hand, covering hers.
I can recall smiling, promising her that I'd stay by her side and protect her with my very life. She never knew that I loved her so, at least until many years later.
My heart had been racing far too quickly, and I had felt a blush seep across my countenance as I looked away for a moment. Petals from one of the apple-blossom trees were drifting in the wind, making the manor we both inhabited look truly picturesque. Like something out of one of the books I held so dearly.
_____ had looked at my ink-stained hand covering hers, and had gave a little chuckle. Although she could be stubborn at times, and very reliant on me to do things for her she still had a heart. Her eyes had then met my own. "I'm glad I've someone as devoted as you to look after me. You and your brother are the best friends I've ever had." She had murmured, looking satisfied and far more exultant than before.
"I shall always remain at your side, M'lady. No matter what." I had meant those words with all of my being, and I remember my soft voice almost shaking with emotion. I had emphasised the fact many times that I'd never leave her, that I'd always take care of her yet this moment seemed all the more intimate without Alfred interrupting.
After that short, meaningful conversation we had gone riding with my brother. It was turning out to be a beautiful day, and as we galloped through the woods ____ had seemed to radiate that allure and refinement that still captivates me even now. Leaning over the neck of my chestnut stallion I had urged the creature on, revelling in the feeling of the wind carressing my face and watching the ground pass by in a blur beneath me. As I began to ride alongside ____, with an elegant sweep of her head she smiled at me, her eyes alight with happiness. Me and Alfred always let her win, but it made us all content.

Now I'm eighteen, almost nineteen and _____ is sixteen. She's flourished as a noble, and as a young lady. Well proportioned and healthy, her smile brightens everyones day; most of all mine. I'm always busy tending to her, though it isn't much of a chore.
With a content sigh I settle down on my four-poster bed, tugging off my boots. It's dark now, and far too late for anyone to be up- But I've always something to do. I cast my eyes to the figure sitting sleepily in the arm chair "Why are you still awake, Alfred?" I ponder softly, taking in my brothers dishevelled state from my perch on the lacy duvet. His restless deep blue eyes take in my polished, yet slightly tired appearance. "I hardly ever get to see you...I just wanted to spend some time with you." His husky, gentle voice cuts through the cold air. With a huff he runs his hands through his silky hair, looking slightly annoyed. "Father was asking after you, seeing as you're going off on another of your voyages on behalf of-" He begins, and I cut him off with a reprimanding glance. "Keep calm, Alfred. I'll speak to father. Anyway, the journey is nothing but a week onboard one of the naval ships. I'm not going across the sea like I did last year." I say quietly, taking off my waistcoat. Alfred still looks irritated. With an almost motherly expression I get to my feet, walking over to where he's sitting and wrapping my arms around him like I used to when we were young. I speak into his ear "You're stressed, and tired...go to bed and leave all the worrying to me." He obliges, getting up and going to his own room.
I smile at his retreating back, before striding over to the mirror above my wash basin. It's peculiar looking at my face now, considering I've matured and changed a great amount since I was a child. With a silent chuckle I wind a strand of my shaggy, almost shoulder legnth hair around a finger. I really need to cut it, but I do enjoy the prospect tying it back and looking like a fabled pirate captain.
I stare into my own emerald eyes, feeling fatigued. My legs are aching, but more often than not I still keep going even when in pain. Shrewd and attentive though, _____ insists I take a break. It's funny picturing her stubborn face contorted in something close to anger when she passionately appeals to me about how much more I deserve. She thinks I overwork myself, no matter how adequate my services are.
I clamber into bed, knowing I'll only get a few hours sleep- Duty shall always call.

_____'s laugh, resonant and melodic echoes in my ears. It's nearly time for me to depart for my ship, and she wants me to spend some time with her in the gardens. I can hear her pastel coloured skirts rustling as she hurries along at my side, her enthusiastic face looking up at me in adoration. "Why do you have to go!?" She says, almost whining like a child. I shrug.
"If it's what the king expects of me then I've no choice."
"But your mine Iggy! Why do you have to-"
I take her hand, kissing it softly. "I won't be long, and I'm sure you'll have someone sufficient enough to take care of you while I'm gone. Anyway, I shall bring you something nice back."
"No! I'm not letting you go!"
I laugh, staring at my hand entwined in hers "You know I'm always yours, ____. Even whilst I'm away I shall keep you in my thoughts."
"O-Ok...though I'll miss your cake. And that tea you make so nice. And how you-"
"What about me?"
"I think I'll miss you too."
"Goodbye, M'ady."
"What did I tell you about calling me that?" I chuckle, nodding aplogetically.
"Goodbye, _____." I sink on to one knee, bowing with one hand over my heart.
There's longing in her eyes, and I know she's desperate to see the world that I see. She's restraining the emotions she feels inside, and I hear a stifled sadness as her voice becomes tender and melancholy.
"Goodbye, Arthur."