Title: Damask & Deception

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Author: EmilyMorgans

Character Name: King Baudwin of Breoch

Nominated by: HeraHarker

About the story:

King Baudwin of Breoch is a broken man. Crushed in the height of war, crowned in the face of treason and turmoil, he fights to save his kingdom. Hoping to stave off rebellion, he reluctantly agrees to marry the daughter of his main opposition. But travelling in disguise, he comes to realise his future bride may be even less inclined to marry than he is.

Rhiannon is hiding from the world. Haunted by the demons of her past, the last thing she needs is to be dragged from the shadows to marry a stranger. Refusing to play as a political pawn, she grudgingly agrees to leave the safety she's found in the Swamps of Lyndor to confront her parents. Against her better judgement, Rhiannon finds herself warming to the company of the knight escorting her.

Together, they must face their past. To survive the misery and destruction that have pervaded their worlds, they must learn to trust again. Not a simple task when their relationship is filled with lies and deception from the very start.

Hello. How may I address you?

Baudwin is fine, thank you.

Welcome and thanks for agreeing to talk to us today.

Not a problem. I'm sure it's more fun than yet another meeting with my advisers.

I hope I can do better. Can I get you something to drink? Water? Soda? Coffee? Wine? Whiskey?

A glass of wine would be great, thank you.

Excellent. While we wait, tell me a little about yourself?

Right. My name's Baudwin, I'm the king of Breoch, one of the kingdoms in Erya, but only since a couple of years back when I had to dethrone my parents for treating the citizens horribly. I have to use a cane to walk due to a battle injury a few years back, which in conjunction with the pain makes me a bit moody at times.

Understandable. Where do you live?

I live in the Royal Castle in the city of Ossol.

Do you have any jobs or hobbies?

Well... I'm a king, so I have more duties than hobbies. I try to exercise with my sword and shield when I can, having had to learn ways to use them with a damaged leg. Admittedly, it's become more of a defensive stance than offensive. If I get the chance, I like to go for a ride, but mostly my time is accounted for by the ruling of the kingdom.

What are some of your likes and dislikes?

I dislike it when people make assumptions based on my disability of what I can and cannot do. I also dislike unfairness and people being treated badly. I like women with golden-red hair... Wait, what?

What is your greatest fear?

Being unable to measure up to my old self pre-injury.

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

I would say not having been injured in the war, but if I didn't push my soldier out of the way he would have died, so that doesn't seem fair. I would like a little bit more free time. Being a king is great, I try to do a lot of good for my people - but it's also not a position that offers much freedom.

Are you happy we know your story?

I may not appear at my best at times, it really wasn't great of me to lie about who I was... but yes, maybe it can teach someone else to be truthful.

I'm sure there is a lesson there. Are you in love?

Well, I mean I... She... Well, there's this woman I'm meant to marry. It's an arranged marriage, and in all honesty she seems even less keen than I am. But I must say, she's quite unlike anyone I've ever met...

Oh.  I see. Switching topics - Do you have an event or people in your past who affect you today?

Four years ago I helped take back the City of Messina from the Dark Avatar. During the battle a tower fell and I pushed one of my soldier's out of the way, but one of my legs got crushed under the rubble. It's an event that changed my life profoundly. I was one of the kingdom's greatest warriors, and suddenly I could barely walk. I'm able to walk now, with a cane, but the pain is a constant reminder of what I have lost.

Do you exercise or are you a coach potato?

I spent the first two years after my accident moping and doing little but reading, but my sister kicked my butt back into action and I now try to exercise regularly, finding ways I can still help in a fight. I hate feeling useless.

I think I'd like your sister.  What can you tell me about her?

Princess Braithe. You wouldn't believe it by looking at her, she's a slip of a girl, but she's better at fighting with daggers than I ever was. Possibly a quarterstaff too. I made her one of my advisers when I took the throne, which raised a few eyebrows. Oh, and did I tell you she used to dress up as a man while our parents were in charge? She was a vigilante, helping our citizens as much as she could.

Do you have an arch nemesis?

I'm finding myself liking my wife-to-be's stepfather less and less. He's threatening open rebellion, and this marriage is an attempt to calm him. Honestly though, I'm not sure it wouldn't be better to just let him rebel and squash him like the snake he is. But I hate the idea of wasting life in a war if I can avoid it. So... yes, an arranged marriage it is.

Seems sensible. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

Do I have fans? Are they some of the people who were better off after my parents were dethroned? I hope I managed to help make their lives better.

Can we look forward to reading more of your story?

It's not quite finished yet, but I won't be going anywhere. Erya is a big world with a lot of people and stories, and you never know when I'll make an appearance to help someone out.

Well Baudwin, our time is up. Thank you for chatting with me today. 

Thank you, this was a great diversion. Let me know if you'd like to do it again. Ideally when Donault next wants to have a chat one-on-one to discuss the finances. He's so boring.

You can count on it! 

To read Baudwin's story, click on the link in the comment here ---->

Now it's your turn to ask Baudwin.

Add your questions as an inline comment here.  Don't forget to tag EmilyMorgans so they can get the questions to him. ----->