The Queen & Her Knight

Chapter 14

You sit across from Lord Jackson. He looks like a puppy adoring its master. You start to eat your dinner but you feel the King's gaze on you.

"So, Lord Jackson, do you find your accommodations to your liking?"

"Yes, I'm very happy with my compartment. The view is spectacular, it changes all the time"

You both share a laugh. You take a sip of your wine when he envelops your hand with his. Suddenly you hear a glass falling on the floor at the King's table, everyone looks in his direction and he lifts a hand.

"Forgive me, I didn't watch what I was doing"

Lord Jackson took his hand away after the breaking of the glass. The King's eyes linger on you, while everyone immediately assists to help with the glass.

"Now, I was about to say, it's really good to see you Lady Winters"

"Thank you for the kind words, Lord Jackson"

You try and eat as fast as you can. The King is not at all impressed to see you with Lord Jackson. You then carry on with dinner and finally retire to your compartment. Lord Jackson doesn't leave your side and walk you back to your room. You open the door and walk inside while he stands outside.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, Lord Jackson"

"It was only my pleasure, Lady Winters. May you have a good night's rest"

"You too Lord Jackson"

You close the door and take a deep breath.

(What am I to do?)

You get in bed and fall asleep. After a while, there's a knock on the door. You jump at the knock. You stand up and open the door slightly.

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?"

He's standing in the door looking at the ground, avoiding eye contact.

"May I come in?"

"Yes of course"

He walks inside still avoiding your eyes.

"Sire, is something wrong?"

He looks up into your eyes. You see pain and anguish residing there.

"I hate that you're perfect, perfect for me..."

"Sire...."

"Please, it's James"

"James...I'm sorry that I'm responsible for your agony"

"An agony that I'll happily carry with me. If I didn't know better, then I would believe that we were made for each other"

He slowly walks closer to you and holds your hand. He takes your hand up to his chest, covering his heart.

"I spend my nights thinking of you. I've tried to forget you but these things just don't go away..."

You feel his heartbeat speeding up and he breathes short, struggled breaths. His hand holding yours starts to shake. He moves closer to your lips. He's only an inch away and you close the gap. Your lips softly play with his and his musky scent fills your senses. You feel the heat bubbling between your thighs. He pulls away and rests his forehead on yours.

"When I saw you with Lord Jackson...I couldn't control my emotions. I felt such jealousy flaring up in me. I've tried to calm down...god knows...I just couldn't. I just had to see you, I just had to know...do you still feel the same?"

You step back and look in his eyes.

"Sire, why would you ask me something like that? Why would I change how I feel?"

"Because of Lord Jackson, I saw how he touched your hand and you enjoyed dinner with him. Then you left together and I couldn't....dammit...I couldn't imagine...you and....him...dammit"

You walk closer to him. Suddenly there's another knock on the door. The King quickly jumps behind the door, nodding. You open the door.

"Lord Jackson?"

You stand wide-eyed and you swallow hard, knowing that the King is right behind to the door.

"I'm sorry to knock on your door at such an ungodly hour but I just had to see you. I can't stop thinking about you and how much time we've missed. If I'd courted you from when we first met, we could have been so much further in knowing each other"

The King put his hand over your hand holding the door handle. He caresses your hand with his thumb.

"Oh...uhm...Lord Jackson. I don't know what to say...I..."

"Please don't say anything now, just know what my intentions are and I hope you know how I feel about you, Lady Winters"

He takes your hand and kisses it. He then turns around and leaves. You close the door and look at the King. He looks like an injured animal.

"I know I have no claim over you-"

You walk closer and kiss him to make him stop talking. He grabs you around your waist and lifts you. You close your legs around him and throw your hands around his neck. He breathes heavily on your mouth and you hear him give a low groan. He slowly put you down on your bed and you pull him even closer to you. Your kisses aren't gentle anymore but rather urgent. You feel his arousal against your thigh and you're losing control but then you push him gently away.

"James, I need you to know, that there's no other man for me but you. I want to be with you, I need to be with you. Yes, Lord Jackson has feelings for me but my heart belongs to you and you alone"

"I'm so happy to hear you say that. You can appreciate my difficulty seeing you with him, can't you?"

"Of course but you don't have put yourself through it because I'm only yours"

He moves closer but then grabs his head. He stands up and starts walking to the door. He opens the door.

"Forgive me but I have to leave at once."

He doesn't look at you, just storms out the door. You go after him but he's far gone. You stand in shock and stare after him.

(What going on with him? Did I say or do something wrong?)

You turn around and tries to fall asleep again. Your night isn't restful at all. The thoughts are of the King's sudden departure and those of Lord Jackson didn't give you enough rest. You only fall asleep at six in the morning. Someone knocks at your door.

"Uhmm..."

They knock again. You feel a bit irritated because of the lack of sleep.

"Yes? What??"

Lady Anabel speaks softly "It's me…"

"Oh sorry, come in"

She opens the door and walks in, hands in the air, in surrender.

"What did I do?"

"I'm so sorry, just didn't get enough sleep"

"That would explain your absence this morning at breakfast. You must be starving?"

"Now that I think about it, yeah"

She turns around and pushes in a trolley with food. She then put it on the table.

"Oh, you're an angel!"

You jump out of bed and start eating.

"I thought I'll join you but we better hurry up, the slave driver is looking for us"

"I don't know how much more of her I can't take and especially today. I need a lot of sleep to deal with her"

"Then you better start getting some food in that body of yours to have enough energy, cause you know she doesn't take no for an answer"

"Yes, I know...damn"

You finish eating your breakfast and get dressed for the audience with the princess. All the ladies gather in the living room car and you find a seat. The princess is standing there with a big grin on her face as if someone gave her a brand new toy.

"Ladies I'm so glad all of you could join me today..."

She looks at you.

(Urgh)

"I have some exciting news. As you all know, I'm betrothed to the King..."

Everyone clap their hands and cheer. You decide to give your best fake smile.

"Okay, girls, calm down. I'm going to choose a few lucky ladies to join me in Austria. We will be going to the best wedding dress designer and pick my wedding dress"

Everyone once again breaks out cheering. You're glued to your seat and frozen in time.

(Could that be the reason the King ran out on me last night? Did he realize he's getting married soon and got cold feet being with me?)

"So without further ado, let's pick the ladies. The first one, Lady Denise"

Everyone's smiles and applause her. She stands up and walks to stand next to the princess.

(Please, not me, not me, not me...)

"Next lady, Lady Elizabeth"

Everyone cheer. You and Anabel look at each other in fear.

"...and last but not least..."

(Oh god...not me!!)

"...Lady Winters"

You stand up hesitantly and walk to the princess. You're not very sure what's happening to you right now. You don't have time or the will power for this kind of inconvenience.

(I'm a well known, respectable businesswoman. I'm running my own business for goodness sake! What's this that I have to bow before this child??)

"Aren't you happy you've been chosen, Lady Winters?"

She jumps almost up and down from pure joy.

"Of course, I am, your Grace. It's such an honor"

(Definitely not...God help me)

You feel an urge of anger push up inside you. You try to contain yourself while she keeps on talking about the three of you as you're puppets. She carries on and on about how happy she is, being with the King, and how deeply in love they are. It's not soon enough that she excuses you like children to be free to do as you please. You walk as fast as you can back to your room feeling the anger ready to erupt. You're so focused on the floor so that no one can see your eyes filled with anger, that you walk straight into someone. You lookup.

"I'm so sorry, your Highness please forgive, I didn't see where I was going"

You bow low before him. He braces you by the shoulders. Then he looks down to find your eyes.

"Lady Winters, are you okay?"

(He probably knew about this entire thing)

"Why did you leave last night so abruptly? Did you know about Austria? Did you know what she has planned??"

You feel the anger lashing out on him. You can't control yourself anymore and you need answers now.

"Forgive me but I don't know what you're talking about?..and about last night...I uhm-"

"Your Highness, we're ready for you" Lord Walton bows before him.

The King quickly pulls his hands back to his sides. You stare at him and then whisper to him when you pass him by on your way to your room.

"I thought so..."

You walk to your room and close the door. You pace around the room in the hope that you could get rid of the anger and then, you start to cry. Everything is just too much for you. You feel hopeless. You realize that you're falling hard for something that might never happen.

(Why did I even reach that high? Why couldn't I just fall in love with Lord Jackson, who's a perfect gentleman? Why did I reach so far out of my level?)

THE KING

He wakes up the next morning with the usual knock on the door. He opens his eyes and despondency fills his being.

(Dammit, what am I to do? I can't run out on her everything I'm not feeling well...I'm going to have to tell her but no one knows? Would I be able to trust her with this secret? I want her to know but if this comes out, all my plans could fail. The country might not have a bright future then, people might not support us. Damn, I want to tell her so badly, I should just risk it. She, after all, didn't tell anyone about us yet...?)

He gets up and gets dressed. He walks out of his room to the dining car. Everyone bows at his presence. He scans the room for you but you're nowhere to be seen.

(She's not here. The last time she wasn't at breakfast....oh god, I don't even want to think about it...)

He eats as quickly as he can so that he can go and check up on you. He tries to avoid people as far as he can.

"Your Highness, could we discuss the treaty for Austria in the other room?"

"Yes, yes of course...uhm let me just finish up here and then I'll come to you"

"All good, Sire"

He watches as Lord Walton leaves the room and then finishes his breakfast. He then quickly walk towards your room. He knocks on the door but you're not there.

(Where are you? I hope you're not with Lord Jackson. Damn, I should've just told you)

He then proceeds to discuss the treaty. After an hour or two they take a break, he very hastily walks back to your room. He couldn't concentrate on discussing the treaty as he was thinking, the entire time, about where you could be. Then he feels you bumping into him. He grabs you by the shoulders and finds your eyes.

"Lady Winters, are you okay?"

"Why did you leave last night so abruptly? Did you know about Austria? Did you know what she has planned??"

(Oh god, I should tell her. What does she mean Austria? Who? The princess? Fück what did she do now???)

"Forgive me but I don't know what you're talking about? And last night...I uhm-"

Lord Walton interrupts and you whisper in his ear "I thought so". You walk away. He stares after you in shock.

"I'll be right there"

"Of course, Sire"

The King is laying in your bed after passing out in the corridor. Your heart is aching for him. You feel your breathing speeding up and it becomes difficult to stay calm.

(What if he's dying? What will I do without him? I don't know how I'll go on...please say you'll live...please...)

He finds your hand and laces his fingers with yours. It feels complete having him here with you. His touch awakens the deep slumber of arousal in you. He takes away all your anger and worry. He completes you and makes your feel like you are far more worth than gold.

(Angel, I'm not dying...I'll be a mad man for leaving you all alone on this earth but there's something I need to talk to you about. I just need to know that what I'm about to tell you will stay between us?)

"James, my heart belongs to you and there's nowhere else I want to be with but you. Whatever is going on with you, I would like to be the one you choose to confide in. I'll keep your secret for as long as you want me too"

"Thank you, angel. I would like to talk to you in detail about this but I have to go to discuss this treaty thing now"

"Oh god, James, you can't keep me wondering about this for too long. My heart won't be able to take it"

"Angel, I'll come tonight and explain everything but I can promise you this, I'm not dying"

He stands up slowly and walks slowly to the door. You help him walk as you see him struggling a bit.

(This is just breaking me and to think just a little while ago I wanted to almost give up on us. I think he means more to me than I think, I think I love him)

He turns to you and holds both your hands up to his chest.

"I promise to come to you tonight. I don't know what the princess did to you but I'll get to the bottom of it and we'll sort things out together, okay?"

"I'd like that very much. Are you sure you're okay now? I really hate to leave you like this..."

"Yes, I'm sure. Don't you worry about me"

He opens the door and then turns back to you.

"Lady Winters"

"Yes?"

"Thank you and I can't wait to see you tonight"

Then he disappears and you close the door behind him.

(I can't wait either)

THE KING

(Oh, come on James!!! Couldn't you just hold on for one more minute?? Fück!! I hate this s**t disease!!)

He walks towards the compartment where they finish discussing the treaty. A few hours have passed and the King decides to give the princess a visit. He knocks on her door and one of her handmaids opens the door.

"Ah, there's my betrothed!"

She walks up to him to hug him and then it's as if she remembers his the King and everyone bows.

"Would you all please excuse us, I would like to have a word with the princess?"

They all nod and leave the compartment. The princess stands and fiddles uncomfortably with her fingers. The King walks around the room looking at all the books on the tables, It's all wedding books and bridal magazines.

"What can I help you with, your Highness?"

He takes some of the books and turns some of the pages. Then looks at her.

"What is all this, princess?"

"Sire, you must know that our wedding is coming closer and I just want to prepare some of the things like the dress I'm going to wear. Since we're going to be in Austria I thought I take some of the Ladies to fit a dress for the big day-"

He lifts his hand for her to stop talking. He frowns and speaks.

"But princess, we have not even set a date. How could you know if the wedding is coming closer? What were you thinking?"

The princess put both her hands on her face and her once happy face turns to anger.

"Sire! I....uhm...we did set a date, it's the eleventh of June?? We did! We did!"

The King shakes his head and proceeds to speak to her.

"Princess, what's going on? The eleventh of June is the anniversary of your dad's death, why would we choose that date? We haven't discussed a date yet, princess"

She turns around and walks to her bed. She tilts her head to the side and whispers to herself. Then she turns around smiling.

"Oh, honey, don't be silly! I'll never agree to get married on the eleventh of June. Didn't you know that's the date my dad died? Why would we choose that date?"

She gives him a big grin and then wants to hug him but staggers backward.

"Princess, are you doing okay?"

"Of course, I am. I'm just peachy. What about you, honey?"

The King lifts his eyebrows at the word "honey". Then he turns around and opens the door.

"I'm leaving now. Remember, we didn't set a date yet"

"Yes, yes of course!"

She waves at him and turns back to her books on the table turning the pages and smiling.

(What's going on with her? That was so strange)

The King sees to it that the doctor would go and do a check-up on her to see if everything is adequate. The doctor is required to bring the medical report to the King.

LADY WINTERS

The train arrives at the Austria station. You are then taken by smaller trains to your accommodations for the night.

"This is kind of fun, isn't it? Going to all these beautiful countries?" Lady Anabel stares out of the window.

"Definitely a plus. Have a look at where we're going to stay....wow"

Everyone enters the beautiful villa and get a room assigned. You open yours and you stand still for a little while just to adore its beauty. You walk slowly through the room and admire everything. You then proceed to pack out your things.

(I wonder in what clothes I should sleep tonight, seeing that the King is coming to see me tonight?)

You get into bed and fall asleep, knowing the King will come tonight. Your heart is filled with joy and pain at the same time as you don't know what he's going to say. It's not long after you fell asleep when you hear a soft knock. You walk to the door and then you see him.

His smell fills the air, his musky scent starts to hypnotize you and you realize why you have reached so high. He's everything you've ever wanted. He exults power and authority. You bow and let him in. His eyes look you up and down. You know he's aroused by you as he moves around with his hands in his pockets.

"Sire, I'm so glad you could make it. Please, I beg of you, tell me what is your trouble? My mind was wondering all day about you?"

"My dear angel, I will not let you suffer anymore on my behalf. Come let's sit down"

You sit on the chair and he takes a seat next to you. You can see he's nervous to tell you and maybe even a bit embarrassed. You put your hand to his chest, just the way he likes it and he smiles at you, holding your hand.

"Thank you, angel, for making me feel safe with you"

You kiss him on his cheek

"Now tell me what's going on, James"

"Okay, well, let's start with the doctors don't know what it is but they know that it's not fatal. When...I..."

"Go on, James, I'm here"

"When I get overstressed, it's like I....have to reset and so I...black out and lose consciousness. No one knows about this and I want to keep it that way, please. If other countries know about this, they might not want to support a weak King. So I beg of you, do not let this secret leave this room..."

He bows and walks away. The King just stand there in frustration.

(Fück!! She's mad at me, she thinks I knew what the princess planned. I must first go see the princess and hear what she has done. Dammit, but I must first do this treaty thing...Calm down James, calm down...)

The King leans up against the wall, trying to calm himself. He put his hand to his forehead.

(Not now....not now...)

LADY WINTERS

You hear a loud thump outside your door. You quickly wipe away your tears and slowly open your door. You look down the corridor and see the King laying on the floor unconscious. You quickly run to his side and you see his eyes opening.

"James!"

"Urgh...Please...please get me out of sight...uhmm"

You put his arm around your shoulder and slowly walk him to your room. You lay him down on your bed and quickly get a wet towel to press to his forehead.

"Mmmm...I'm sorry....it feels so good...thank you"

"What's going on with you James? You need to talk to me. I can't handle seeing you so weak if I don't know what's going on. Please I beg of you to tell me, are you dying?"