The Queen & Her Knight

Chapter 7

It's only the princess. You sigh in relief or is it in relief?

The night grows old and the King is never far from your thoughts. Your sitting next to Lord Jackson and he's talking about his hunt today. "...then I almost got the stag but he got out of my line of sight and Lord Gibson took the shot"

"I'm sure that he made sure everyone knew he got the shot?" Lord Harrison laughs

"Of course, he did. He immediately parade around in the forest announcing his victory shot" Everyone laughs, having a good time but your thoughts are somewhere else. You won't be seeing the King the entire week and you can't shake the sad feeling that comes over you. You give your biggest fake smile and nod at Lord Jackson.

One of the kings men walks up to you "Excuse me, are you Lady Winters, Mam?"

"Uhm...yes?"

"This is for you, Mam. It's strictly for your eyes only, Mam" He hands you a note with the Kings seal on. "Oh, okay, thank you"

You excuse yourself and find a quiet place to read the note. Your heart beats rapidly.

NOTE:

Dear Lady Winters,

I write this note in the hope that you would honor me with your presence tonight, when the clock strikes twelve at the south entrance. I'll understand if you don't want to see me but I'll be waiting for you for as long as it would take.

Please give me a chance to fix what I've broken.

Sincerely yours,

The King

END

You stopped breathing for a minute and then take a deep breath.

(Oh god!! The King, he's not gone yet. I should go...)

You look around and slip out the door to the south gate. You arrive at the arch. You look around and then you see him, looking at you. You can't help yourself getting lost in his eyes. He walks closer and you bow before him.

"Your Highness?"

"Lady Winters, thank you for coming. I didn't think you'll come..." He lifts his hand as if he wants to touch your arm but then quickly pulls it back to his side.

"Of course, Sire. I don't disobey the King" A flash of hurt shoot through his eyes. He steps a safe distance back.

"I....I just want to apologize again for my behavior this afternoon. I'm leaving for America and will only return Sunday. I wish that we could be civil once more?"

You feel tears threatening. You feel your heart ready to break at his words. You see the complete anguish that fills his eyes. "I would like nothing more, Sire"

You give him a sad smile. He wants to turn around and walk away but he stops and looks at you once more. "Lady Winters-"

"Yes?" You answer as a reflex to your name, wanting him to speak his mind.

(Say it! Say you want me and you don't want princess Catherine! Say you need me as I need you! Say you want to taste me again! Say it! Say it!)

".....please keep yourself safe"

You swallow hard. "Of course, Sire" Then he gives you one last look, his eyes filled with agony. Then he turns and disappears under the blanket of snow.

"Goodbye....my King" You stand and let the tears fall. You don't feel the cold anymore only your own pain inside.

(Why am I so hung up on this? I don't even know him? But...I know his lips, his touch....his passion. I know what we could have had...)

You slowly turn around as the feeling in your toes don't exist anymore. You get into your carriage and go home. You don't speak to anyone and get in bed, still with your clothes on. You stare at the ceiling and fall asleep somehow.

"Hey.....honey" Kendra knocks and open the door "Uhmm...Kendra?? What are you doing here??"

"Stacey send a message" You sit upright in your bed. "Good thing I did..." She gestures to your clothes. You look down at your clothes and realize you never took off your dress.

"Oh!"

"Yes, oh....what's going on lady?" You lay your head back and sigh. Then you remember last night and the tears want to come again but you push them back. "That note...was that from the King?" You nod your head.

"Did you see him last night?"

"Yes"

"What happened, honey?"

"He left..."

"Yes, I know, to North America but what does that have to do with you?"

"No, you don't understand....He left me. I....I told him it can't work. He's betrothed and then he respected my decision but I don't want him to respect it"

"You're making no sense. You're going to have to start from the beginning" You take a deep breath and you tell her everything. It feels as if you're reliving it again as you go along telling her.

"....and now his gone" Kendra sits for a while in silence and then she speaks. "Do you want him?"

"I don't think that I've wanted anyone so bad as I do him even though, I don't know him"

"Then....you're going to have to fight for him"

"You know very well I can't do that. He's betrothed remember?"

"Yes, he is but, is he married yet?"

"No..."

"There you go then!"

"No, you see, betrothed is as good as married and you must remember that we're talking about the King now?!"

"I'm very aware of whom we're talking about, believe me. But, I also know that he's not just a King, he's also a man"

"Yes?"

"...a cold blooded man? A man that's so head over heels for a woman that he's making the wrong choices? A man that can't breathe normal around you? A man that will risk it all to just see you before he leaves, knowing very well what would happen if he was caught with another woman alone.....in the dark? Do you see what I see?"

You fall back on the bed with your head on the pillow, staring into the abyss. Then you sit upright.

"You're right. He's a man and I'm the woman that he wants not princess Catherine.....but what should I do now?"

"Oh, that's the easy part....you seduce him..."

You laugh out loud and then look at Kendra staring at you with a serious face. "You're serious?"

"As a doornail"

"But...but....he's gone now"

"He's coming back Sunday, right?"

"Yes..."

"It's perfect then....it's the Flea market day and that night, we're all going to the opera.....and we all know he doesn't miss the opera?"

"Yes, he loves the opera, we all know that but what's your point?"

"It's very simple, you will show him your feminine wilds throughout the entire day so that he can't control himself by the time it's the opera and then...." She tells you her entire plan and you smile at the genius of a woman sitting in front of you.

"I never thought Lady Benette would speak such words" You both laugh and hug each other. "Thank you so much for coming. I don't know where I would've been without you"

"You've done many things for me before. This is but a small token of my appreciation"

"Thank you anyway. Now go so that I could clean up. We need to do some research on the princess. I wonder why he doesn't want to be with her?"

"Looks like we have a lot to do before Sunday arrives. I'll wait for you outside"

"Why? Where are we going?"

"Oh haven't I told you? Lord Harrison invited us for tea"

"That's so nice of him. He probably just wants you by his side again?"

"Oh, shush! But yes, you're probably right. Now, hurry up, we're going to be late!"

"You sound just like my mother!" She laughs and then cut it short.

"Oh no! I forgot!"

"What??"

"Lord Jackson will be there too..."

You start to clean up and get dressed.

(What am I going to do with Lord Jackson?)

You finish dressing and you arrive at Lord Harrison's estate. The most beautiful estate appears before your eyes. Lushes gardens and fountains complimenting the building itself.

"If Lord Harrison asks for your hand in marriage, you'll definitely be living the high life..."

"Don't be silly....but yes, yes I will" You laugh and giggle together at the thought. You open the carriage and immediately there's someone that helps you out of the carriage. They escort you to the tea room and you marvel at the beauty of the house as you go.

Kendra laughs "Magnificent! I can see myself being the Lady of this hou-"

"Who will be the lady?" Lord Harrison walks in.

"Uhm....I...."

"I was just saying that being a Lady of a house is hard work and Kendra here, was agreeing with me"

"Yes...yes that's right" You can audibly hear how she sigh a breath of relief. "I only can imagine what hard work it must be. Please have a seat, miladies"

You sit on the luxurious soft couches and you almost feel like a queen. Lord Harrison sits next to Kendra. Then a server comes in and bring tea and cake.

"It's a beautiful display, Lord Harrison" Kendra gives her best smile

"Yes....It's quite breathtaking" He stares at Kendra as he speaks. She giggles and blush.

One of his servants walks in. "I'm sorry to interrupt, your grace, but there's a messenger here to see Lady Bennett"

"Oh, I wonder what that's about. If you'll please excuse me? I'll be right back" She leaves the room. You and Lord Harrison sits in silence until he speaks. "Did you see the King last night?" You gasp at his words and try not to let out a peep.

"I know all about your little rondevu, Lady Winters. He told me that he'll see you last night before he leaves"

"Oh, uhm...then....yes I saw him"

"I know that it's none my business and that I shouldn't interfere but I just feel I need to tell you something" You try to not sound too excited about his words. "Please tell me, Lord Harrison....I'll really appreciate the information..."

"I just want you to know that he was extremely heartbroken when he left last night..."

"I know, my Lord, I saw it in his eyes but you must know that he's betrothed..."

"I know this but all I'm saying is that his circumstances isn't always as it seem-"

"I'm back, it was just a small matter that needed to be discussed. Did I miss something?" Kendra comes walking in.

"No! I mean, we were just discussing the feast from last night and how delicious it was"

"Uhm...right, of course. It was fine dining"

Lord Jackson appears in all his glory "Am I interrupting something or am I just in time?"

"You're right on time, Lord Jackson" Lord Harrison comment. Lord Jackson walks straight to you and takes your hand, kissing it.

"Good day, Lady Winters" He stares you straight in the eyes while kissing you hand. "Good day, Lord Jackson"

"May I?" He gestures to the seat next to you. "Of course"

"Are you having a good day so far, milady?" Lord Jackson looks at you. "Yes thank you, my Lord and yourself?"

"The day just got a whole lot better..." He stares in your eyes. You blush a little. "It seems everyone here has a beautiful and better day today"

Everyone laugh and then you pair off, starting to have your own conversations.

"You seem to have a habit of disappearing, Lady Winters? You left the hunt and then the banquet again. Am I boring you so much, that you feel you need to leave?"

"Not at all, my Lord. I enjoy your company very much. I just....I'm just going through....some things at the moment that needed my attention. You just caught me on the wrong days, I guess"

"I completely understand, milady. I just have one question for you. Are you going to disappear on me today again?" You laugh a little. "Not today, Lord Jackson"

Lord Harrison interrupts your conversation "I think we had enough tea for one day. Would you like to have a tour of my gardens?"

"That sounds like a good idea, my Lord" Kendra answers

"Then, let's be off" You walk outside and you can't believe your eyes as you walk through the garden. The garden starts off beautiful and then it changes to something different. The garden is cut into different shapes

You smile "Wow, Lord Harrison, it's very unique..." Everyone laughs and then it just gets weird and very very cute. A few different animals carved out of the bushes.

Kendra cries out "Aaahhhh!! I love it, Lord Harrison! It's so beautiful!"

"I'm really glad you like this, because..." He gestures to the next opening. You look around the corner and see giant cats cut out of the bushes. You gasp "What??"

"Lord Harrison, do you have a thing for cats??" Lord Jackson asks.

"I don't know, what gave it away?"

"It's enormous and so absolutely adorable. I love cats! It's like it's made for me!" Kendra almost jumps around like a little girl of excitement. Lord Harrison just stand and stare at her as she adores the garden, completely head over heels for her.

You add "It's so nicely done, Lord Harrison. You should give me your gardeners name. Who's idea was this?"

"The King's" You choke in your spit when he says the words so nonchalant. You cough.

"Are you okay, Lady Winters?" Lord Jackson touches your back.

"*cough*....yes, I'm fine thank you...so the King, you say?...Uhm"

"Yes. He suggested that I should put the things that I love on display for the world to see and this way no one can take away the things I love. Also, this way, I can look at what I love every day for the rest of my days"

His words almost slap you in the face as the certainty of your feelings for the King rings more true than ever.

(I want to see him every day and I want to be the one that he puts on display so that the world can see what he loves....not princess Catherine)

"Lady Winters?" Lord Jackson looks at you

"Yes?"

"Where did you go?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I was in my thoughts again? It seems to be a habit of mine" He takes your hand and once more he gives it a kiss.

"That's what I like about you"

(What am I doing with him?) Everyone admires the garden and then go back to the mansion.

"Who's in the mood for a game of charades?" Lord Harrison looks very excited. "That sounds like a good idea" Kendra looks lovingly at him

"Yes, I won't mind a game or two but if you'll excuse me, I have to go and powder my nose" You stand up

"Of course, milady. We'll await your return" Lord Jackson adoringly you.

You walk to the restroom but a room close by catches your attention. You look around you to see if anyone was watching you and then you peek into the room. The room is filled with pictures and medals for horse racing. You look at one of the pictures. It's a picture of a younger King and his father in front of a horse.

(Why would there be pictures of him and his father, in Lord Harrison's house?)

Then you have a closer look and find that all the pictures are of the King and some of his father at horse racing events or with horses. You take a look at the ribbons. You see that all of them have a name on "Prince James". Every one of them is either first or second place.

(Oh my gosh? Is this the Kings room? In Lord Harrison's house?)

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Lord Harrison walks in.

(Oh s**t!)

"I'm so sorry, Lord Harrison, I was on my way-"

"Don't apologize milady. This is quite an achievement room. You can't help not walking in here every now and then"

"Is this all just the King's trophies?"

"Yes, he was a very good jockey. He loved the sport and the horses but then-" He stops as if he's saying too much.

"I'm sorry, it's not my story to tell"

"I understand"

"He's a good guy you know"

"The King?"

"Yes, his heart and life has been played with a lot of times. He sees the good in people....maybe he shouldn't" Your heart is breaking bit by bit as he keeps talking. You wonder what you did to the King.

You don't know much about him, that's clear, but you know his gentle nature.

"My Lord if I may ask, why is it that there a room in your house filled with the King's trophies and photos?"

"It's a very long and sad story and like I said, I can't tell you the story but I can say...he spends a lot of time here after his father died. Until....until recently...." He looks down and frowns as if he's recalling not seeing him for some time.

"But we should probably head back. Can't leave them for too long, now can we?"

"Of course yes but I do actually need to go powder my nose, I'll see you there soon" You walk out of the room and head to the bathroom as your thoughts soon go back to the King.

(Maybe I ran out too fast, maybe he wanted to tell me things I needed to hear. I can't believe that a man with such a gentle nature will cheat on his betrothed? What's going on? Am I missing something?)

The rest of the visit goes down without a hitch but you feel that Lord Jackson has grown quite fond of you and you should be careful about the signals you give to him. You keep yourself busy with various things during the week, trying to keep your mind of the King but you can't stop thinking of him. Sunday finally arrives and you're getting ready for the flea market. You feel nervous and you wonder if he'll be there.

"Are you ready??" Kendra touches your arm. "Good afternoon, I didn't know you would pick me up today?"

"We have a bit of planning to do"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the King might not be at the flea market but the princess will and we have to see what's her deal. Why doesn't the King care for her?"

"Yes. You're completely right. Let's go!" You arrive at the flea market. "I'm going to buy everything" You laugh together. You walk through the flea market and then you see the princess and her lady in waiting. They stand at a cake stand.

"We should go closer, maybe we can hear something?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea!" You move close to the stand and acted as if you're very interested in what the stand has to sell. Then you overhear them talking to each other.

"...if I have to keep this up, things will not be going so smooth for long" Princess Catherine laughs.

"You must have enjoyed this week tremendously?"

"You have no idea, I could-" You look up not sure why the princess stopped talking and then you see everyone bowing. You feel the Kings powerful presence filling the air. His authority is touchable. You let out a small gasp. He walks to the princess and takes her hand kissing it. You try to hide behind a pillar but his eyes find you. You can't breathe. You stare back at him. You give him a small smile but he quickly looks away again.

(He must still be thinking that I don't want him. I should make my intentions clear.) Without thinking about it, you walk right up to him and the princess.

"Forgive me your Highnesses, for my intrudance..." His eyes go wide and he wants to say something but the princess speaks first. "You're most welcome...uhm...it's Lady Winters, right? You were at that event, I think it was jousting?"

"That's correct, your grace. Thank you for remembering me"

"What *clearing his throat* can we help you with, Lady Winters?" The King stares at you with soft, begging eyes. You stare back at him.

"I just would like to welcome you back home, Sire..." Your eyes never leave him and you fill your eyes with care and passion. He feels your energy and tries to tear his eyes away. "....to Monaco, I mean" His lips turn into a small smile.

"That's very kind of you, Lady Winters. We should have tea, you and I tomorrow at noon" The princess interrupts your inaudible conversation.

"It will be an honor, Princess Catherine" You bow and move away slowly. He stares a while longer at you and then strips his eyes away from you.

You walk back to Kendra shaking. "Hold me upright...I...I...can't breathe" Kendra takes you around the corner, away from the Kings eyes. "Who are you?? That was excellent!! I can't believe that you just did that!! You're my hero!!"

"Yes, a hero that can't....breathe"

"Lady Winters, good afternoon" You jump at Lord Jackson's voice and try to return to normal. "Good afternoon, my Lord. I didn't think that you would be interested in the flea market?"

"I sometimes like a good flea market every once in a while, especially when there's something I want to look at" He looks you up and down.

"Lord Jackson, could you possibly help me with something?" Kendra saves you.

"Of course Lady Benette?"

"Could you help me find Lord Harrison? I think he went this way" She steers him in a different direction as to where the King is and then shows you with her eyes to get the Kings attention.

You understand what she's saying and head over to a stand that is directly in the eyesight of the King but not the princess. Then you bend forward so that your breasts captures his full attention.

He's busy walking but then he sees you. His steps slow down almost to a standstill as he keeps his eyes on you. Then he trips over a stone on the ground and turns around straightening his clothes to show, that nothing happened. You stand up and see the blush on his cheeks.

(That's where I want you, my King, under my spell...)

Lord Jackson returns "That Lady Benette is a handful, isn't she?"

"Oh...Kendra, yes...she can be a handful" You smile inside, knowing what Kendra did for you. You walk around with Lord Jackson, Lord Harrison and Kendra.

"Lord Jackson, will you be attending the opera tonight?"

"I'm sorry, milady but I have some business matters to attend to"

"I completely understand. It's important to take care of your affairs"

(Phew!)

You walk to the next stand and the King and princess are at the other stand. The King walks over to your stand.

"Lord Harrison..." He slaps him on the shoulder and Lord Harrison turns around, giving him a hug.

"King James! You remember Lady Benette, Lady Winters and Lord Jackson?" You all bow.

"Yes, I remember. How is everyone doing?"

"We're doing fine, your Highness, thank you for asking. How are you doing?" You answer the King. Just then, Lord Harrison and Kendra takes Lord Jackson to the next stand.

"I'm....I'm doing well, thank you" He turns around to go back to the princess but you grab his upper arm as a reflex. You don't want him to go. You're holding onto a pure, well-toned muscle. He looks at your hand and you quickly retreat your hand to your side.

"I'm so sorry, Sire....I didn't mean to-" He lowers his voice so that only you can hear him. He locks his eyes with you, filled with intense passion and breathing heavily.

"Lady Winters, don't ever apologize for putting your hands on me...ever"