10 SIGNS OF UNREQUITED LOVE

2.

Staring & Nearly Getting Caught

o0o0o

The feast was in full swing. The ladies on the left side of the table with their spouses across from them. As the king's old friend, General Devón was paying his annual visit to Camelot, Arthur was paying dearly for his usual prattish behaviour by suffering through the annual visit of the general's daughter – the airheaded annoying redhead – Lady Catheline.

Why did he hate her company this much?

Catheline: So, they have three children?

Right, he replied.

Catheline: How many are boys?

None, he replied.

Catheline: Are there any girls?

The prince stalled in his movements, not swallowing his wine in case his system couldn't take any more toxic…

Was that a rhetorical question?

This year wasn't any different, except for Merlin's annoying chuckles coming from behind his chair. His servant was getting quite the entertainment, watching his master suffering. The worst part? His father's total ignorance and oblivion to the blatant idiocy of the so-called lady.

Then, there was another vital detail that seemed different now and yet remained constant throughout the years. The servants sneaked in and out of the great hall discretely, refilling the cups of the nobles with more wine and ale. One of these servants was Morgana's maid. She, of course, had only Morgana and her mistress's noble lady friends to take care of, however, with Catheline babbling on the entire evening and Lady Marlot's sucking up to the king's ward, Morgana was already on her fifth cup, which unfortunately wasn't enough to knock her out. So Gwen had to make yet another round to the kitchens, leaving his field of vision yet again.

As she made her way back to Morgana's side, Arthur noticed that some of the other servants spread around the room stalled her, exchanging little pleasantries. She was popular, probably due to her amiable nature and reluctance to gossip. A servant boy – his former servant to be more specific – clearly said something flattering to Gwen as she slowed down and threw a smile at him; Arthur felt a nagging voice telling him that she was even more popular with the servants of the opposite sex.

It's interesting how he never seemed to notice these things before. Even more astonishing was how Guinevere and random matters closely related sprang into his mind in unexpected places at times most inconvenient. He didn't know why ever since he witnessed a scarlet flush covering her sun kissed cheeks the day of his recovery his eyes kept straying towards her before he caught himself staring.

Nor did he fail to notice her new lavender gown, with the form-fitting corset that hugged her waist and ribcage, accentuating her breasts. His eyes betrayed him once again, and as she approached the tables he couldn't not appreciate the bow of strings in the middle, loosening and revealing more of the caramel skin, nearly displaying the valley of her…

"Arthur!" the prince snapped out of his daze and looked up at Merlin, who was signalling with his confused eyes (obviously wondering where his masters eyes and thoughts wandered off to) that his attention was required elsewhere.

Oh, great, the twit was speaking to him again: "… saw this beautiful flower and your physician told me it was called myasthenia gravis."

"Did he indeed." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Indeed, he did." He looked at her. "He also mentioned that it's a herb of sorts and that despite its somewhat toxic scent, it works as a good catalyst for sleeping drafts he gives you and the lady Morgana, among other courtiers."

Guinevere's figure passed behind his chair and he sneaked a peek while she refilled Morgana's goblet and retreated, taking up a place next to Merlin until lady Marlot signalled her for a refill.

"Fascinating, truly."

"Sometimes, I have a problem sleeping. This sleeping draft, does it leave bi-effects on your mind at all?"

"Sometimes my memory."

"And in what ways?"

"I forget." Hmm, perhaps she was truly interested in herbs … a new hidden side to her…

"You forget? Can you give an example of something you forgot?" … perhaps not.

Merlin, who came closer to refill Arthur's goblet nearly spilled the contents, as he snorted and bit his lips, trying to hold back the laughter rapidly building up throughout the feast.

Another classic…

o

o

o


AN: Let me know what you think...