Greer had just come back from the kitchens when she heard laughter coming down from the hallway. She slicked her hair back in place and smoothed her dress before turning the corner towards the noise. She recoiled in surprise and hid behind a pillar when she saw Kenna and Sebastian walking arm in arm, talking as if they were old friends. She smiled at an unsuspecting Kenna as she was glad her friend found someone of her own; and she was grateful that it was Sebastian de Poitiers, of all people, who could make her happy.
"Bash! Where are we going?" she heard Kenna ask with curiosity and excitement, it was incredibly difficult for Kenna to get excited about doing anything this early in the morning, what had changed?
"To the stables, I usually ride around the castle in the early mornings, the sunrise is absolutely breathtaking."
Greer's eyes widened. Sebastian was well-known around Court for being the fastest and the best rider, but never had he taken out ladies and female nobilities with him to ride his prized horses. True, the ladies would never be caught within ten feet from the creatures, but if Sebastian de Poitiers was with them, they would go in a heartbeat.
"I haven't had anything to eat yet, and the bearded man instructed me to eat after drinking that awful-tasting potion." Kenna contended.
Greer heard a twinge of disappointment in Sebastian's voice, "Fine, we'll go to the kitchens. I may not heed everything Nostradamus says but he's right."
"Well, I'm not saying we can't pack some food with us and have a picnic after we see this breathtaking sunrise you're so hung up about." Kenna offered. Greer was silently cheering in her head for the two, she could see that the pair were attracted to one another, but were unsure on how to tell the other.
Sebastian nodded in approval, "I know of a place just outside the castle grounds where we could rest and eat. Shall we?"
Kenna nodded back and off they went.
It was a miracle Greer didn't scream with happiness after she witnessed Sebastian essentially asking Kenna on a date. She didn't bother knocking on Lola's doors and burst in her chambers exclaiming, "Our little Kenna is growing up!"
To Greer's surprise, Aylee was sat on Lola's lounge and rubbing her eyes, "She's younger than you by mere months, and she's not that little."
Greer scoffed and said, "I didn't mean it like that, obviously. I overheard her and Sebastian in the halls; they're riding off to see the sunrise and having a picnic just outside the castle grounds."
Lola was fully awake by then, "Sebastian? As in, Sebastian de Poitiers? Oh, he is striking! Kenna has made a great choice. I didn't know she was attracted to him, and he her."
Aylee smirked at Lola, "Well, if you hadn't run off with Lord Gorgeous, maybe you'd have known that."
"Lord Julien," Lola emphasized, her cheeks blushing, "and I didn't run off with him, we just talked."
"I'm sure you did." Greer winked at her.
Lola wasn't about to let this go, "And what about you? Why are you so up early, all dolled up?"
Greer froze and looked between Aylee and Lola. They can't possibly know, she thought. "I couldn't sleep, so I just walked around the castle."
"Uh huh," Lola nodded as if she believed her friend, "you do know if there's someone you're involved with, we'll support you no matter who they are, right?"
Greer nodded, "Yes, of course. But I assure you, there's no one as of this moment."
"Right." Lola said with a doubtful tone.
"So, Lola," Aylee tried to shift the conversation elsewhere, "how did it go with Lord what's-his-name last night? What did you talk about?"
"It's Lord Julien," she repeated, "and-"
Sebastian pulled their horses to a stop after nearing their picnic pot. He looked around and smiled to himself; this was his haven, a secluded place away from the daily politics of French Court where he could be himself, where no one would judge him for his upbringing.
He turned to Kenna smiling, "We'll need to walk there now, come on."
He helped Kenna get off her horse and arm in arm, he led her to his favourite spot – near the mouth of the river, a selection of exquisite flora and fauna welcoming them as they took in their surroundings.
"Oh Bash, it's beautiful!" Kenna exclaimed as she set the picnic basket on the ground set up the blanket for them to rest on.
"I know, I always ride here every morning. It's a world away from French Court, I love it here."
She looked up at him, "Do you always bring women up here to impress them?"
He stared right back into her warm, brown eyes, "Truth be told, you're the first person I've ever brought here." He looked away, a faint blush in his cheeks.
Kenna's heart swelled up with jubilation for the young man in front of her. "Well, I'm certainly impressed, and grateful that you shared your treasured location with me."
They smiled at each other for some time until the sun's rays shone on Kenna's features. Bash couldn't tear his eyes away from her illuminated form and the only thing that stopped him from doing so was his stomach grumbling.
Kenna laughed, "I suppose you're hungry?"
"A little." Bash confessed shyly, "What have the servants packed for us today?"
"Let's see," Kenna dug through the basket, "there's bread and meat, a variety of cheeses, pomegranates and a few apples."
"I'll have some bread and meat, please."
They ate in silence as they bathed in the warm rays of the sun and relished each other's company. It was at least a couple of hours until Kenna spoke up, "We should probably start heading back. My Queen must be wondering where I am, and you have other duties you need to attend to."
"I'm perfectly fine right here," Bash said, with you, he added in his mind.
She smiled, "So am I, but alas, the real world awaits us."
By the time the pair had returned to Court, the servants were already up and about tending to their daily duties. Kenna lowered her head in embarrassment as a few female servants gave her and Sebastian cheeky smiles, as if they knew something Kenna and Bash didn't.
Sebastian dropped her off at her chamber doors, "It was lovely to spend this morning with you, Lady Kenna." He finished with an exaggerated mock bow.
"Indeed," Kenna curtsied back, "you were ever the gentleman, Sebastian. I've never ridden a horse before, but after today, I don't know why I never did, it's such an exhilarating experience!"
"Well, if you ever want to ride again, just let me know."
She reached up hug him, "Thank you." She buried her face in Sebastian's neck and breathed in his scent and sighed. He, in turn, tightened his hold on her, as if letting her go would destroy his very existence. Being in each other's arms gave them a sense of security, and the two were so wrapped up in each other that they were completely oblivious to their audience.
"Bash," the Dauphin cleared his throat, causing the two to jump apart, "there you are. Are you up for sparring today?"
Bash looked at his brother with conviction and back at Kenna, "Sure, brother."
"Good morning, Lady Kenna." Francis smiled cheerfully at Kenna, she smiled back but said nothing.
"Until the next time, Lady Kenna." Bash bowed once more and left a chaste kiss on Kenna's cheek. The display shocked Francis, and he gave his brother a knowing smile as they walked off.
A/N: Much love to user Hayley and andalusa for their reviews! And I can't thank you guys enough for the follows and favourites, seriously, you're all amazing! I hope you liked this chapter, the next one will have some bromance between Francis and Bash xx