Days passed and Adrien busied himself with duties as a king. He looked over many parchments containing the census of people. The records of their supply and demand concerning food. He was no longer a king with a frozen heart. Now that the four seasons had returned, he wanted to ensure there was enough food for every soul to be comfortable during the coming winter.

But there was only so much he could plan for while he waited for Lothair to return. Days turned into three weeks. The leaves were vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. None had begun to fall yet. As he hoped. It was in this time Lothair returned with the addresses of the six previous Chosen. He had been gone and had to be informed of why Miss Rosalyn was not a visitor as of late, due to her fathers passing.

Adrian took each address and wrote a note with the King's royal seal so that the families of the chosen who sought an audience with him inquiring of them could seek out their loved one if they wished. And that the previous chosen could return with their family without ire of the king.

All that was left was to open the gates and reveal his face to his subjects and hear there concerns. Four weeks had passed since Mercer Beaumont's passing. The leaves would soon fall, or so Adrien hoped. For now he would focus on being a king. Once the leaves fell he could turn his attention to matters of the heart.

He gave Colin a decree to read in town square. Initially everyone feared it to be another dance announcement. When it was not, but rather a open invitation for those who desired to seek an audience with the king could do so many sighed with great relief. Other bustled in gossip and preparation for visiting the king on the morrow.

~ the following day~

He tied his light brown hair back in a pony tail securing it with a blue ribbon. He dressed in a white ruffle front shirt, royal blue waist coat with gold colored trim and matching trousers and black boots. Last object that was placed on his head was the crown. He entered throne room feeling the heavy weight of responsibility as he sat on the throne.

"It is time. Lothiar escort those seeking an audience with the king one at a time to me. Colin, keep any waiting in the sitting room. They are not allowed to wonder. If there are many form a line outside the palace doors. I will see all who have traveled, nobody will be turned away."

The following weeks were hard on Rosalyn. Rumors spread through the village of her and the "mystery man" that escorted her to her father's funeral. She suspected that such rumors began in the tavern once owned by her late husband.

She did not let the whispers and dark looks get to her though. She only left her home when she needed something from the marketplace, then she promptly returned. It was hard without her father. Not that she couldn't live on her own, but it was hard to see his empty workbench and dusty tools and cogs.

One day she heard an announcement about the palace being open for people of the kingdom to express their concerns to the king. Adrien. Rose hadn't forgotten about him, but he was more of an afterthought as of late, as she was still mourning her loss.

The leaves had undergone their transformation, but still clung to the trees. Either Rosalyn would go see the king soon or he would come see her. She decided that it was time she went to him. She wrapped herself in a dark brown cloak and pulled the hood up to cover her face. She then readied her horse and made the journey to the palace. By then she knew the way by heart. She could tell you how to get there in her sleep.

The trip was much shorter than she remembered, but maybe she had just gone faster than before. Her heart yearned to see the king again, and it nearly broke as she saw all those gathered outside the palace. Rosalyn was a patient woman though, so she would wait until all the others had gone before she took her turn to see the king. She kept her face hidden from the servants and other villagers during her wait.

Much to Adrien's dismay many in the village desired and audience with the king. After all he hadn't been seen in seven years. Some inquired about obtaining a food ration for winter in hopes they didn't have to survive on barley porridge and barley soup every day. Others inquired about the counsel being re instated. Some asked if any job positions were available in the castle staff. And as expected the six families of the previous Chosen each took a turn to see him. Including the one with a father who had but one hand.

"I don't have time to go to my daughter, your majesty. I have a hard time finding work to keep a roof over my family's head and fed as it is, with only one hand to work with." The man exclaimed holding the note that contained the location of this man's daughter.

Adrien motioned for Lothair and gave him a pouch to give to the one handed father. "You received a box of food on your porch last month did you not?" Adrien asked of the man and he nodded. "Oh yes, Sire. I haven't seen such a bounty of food all at once since before Her Majesty was alive along side His Royal Highnes. God bless the Queen. God bless the King. May they rest in peace." he praised speaking respectfully of royalty, particularly those that had already passed into the afterlife.

"On the morrow you will receive another and another the week after for your family to thrive on while you seek out your daughter. I am being particularly generous and giving you coin to cover the expenses that would be compromised if you chose to travel instead of work. You will leave tomorrow to seek out your daughter. Do not delay in taking this journey or use the coin for wants instead of needs, if you value the hand you have remaining. Is that understood?" Adrien told him, and the man's eyes went wide bowing deeply. "Of course, Your Grace. I will use it as instructed and depart at first light tomorrow. You are most gracious Your Highness."

Adrien hoped the man would do as he was instructed. Cutting off his other hand for disobeying would be put Adrien in a harsh spot as a ruler and the man and his family in a hard place.

Adrien took no break to eat. He did sip on a glass of wine every so often to quench his parched throat from all the talking he had done. It was nearly sunset when he asked Lothair, "How many more?"

"Just one, Master." Lothair answered and with a deep breath he motioned for Lothair to signal to Colin to bring whoever it was.

Colin got the signal and gave a cough as he approached the brown hooded figure, "Right this way, the King will see you now. Thank you for your patience."

One by one, each villager saw the king. Some took longer than others, but they all seemed satisfied with whatever answers the king had given them. It was hours before the halls emptied and it was just her.

Colin approached and said it was time for her to see the king. He led her into the throne room before he and Lothair departed, leaving the two alone.

Rosalyn knew Adrien was a king, but she had never seen him this way. He sat in his throne, looking rather uncomfortable. He was clad in the finest clothes she had ever seen, and a golden crown perched atop his head.

When she was within several feet of the king, she stopped and bowed her head. "Good evening, your majesty. I have waited nearly all day to have an audience with you," she said. A smile spread across her lips and she dropped the hood of her cloak, revealing her face.

For a moment Adrien thought his ears were deceiving him, when he heard the cloaked figure spoke. He had thought he heard Rose's voice. He dismissed this notion, making it out as a trick of his mind, from lack of nourishment.

He spoke his well practiced response that he had said to every person that day, He stretched his aching neck muscles, his eyes not looking at her a moment. The throne was quite uncomfortable. No wonder his parents only sat in it when necessary. His eyes returned to her, "What is your reason to seek an audience with . . . " Adrien fell speechless as the hood was pulled back revealing it to be Rosalyn.

A smile spread over his face and he wasted no time to stand up from the throne and close the few feet of distance between them to embrace her. He thought not of himself as a king. But just a man thrilled beyond words at seeing the woman he had longed for in the past weeks.

"Rose. . . " he managed to whisper, everything about her rushing hid senses just as he remembered.

Rosalyn gladly returned the king's embrace. "I am sorry it has taken me so long to visit," she apologized. The preceding weeks had been rough on her in all sorts of ways.

She was just relieved that none of the villagers had recognized her as they waited to speak with their king. But perhaps the rumors would stop now that the king had opened the gates. Someone would have recognized the king as the "mystery man" that had accompanied her to her father's funeral. She didn't believe anyone in the village was brave enough to openly speak ill of the king.

"There is no need to apologize. None the less, I have missed you so." Adrien spoke reveling in their embrace. With great reluctance his arms relaxed ceasing their embrace. Although his hands dropped down to clasped her own. "You must be hungry after such a long wait. I am famished myself. Will you join me for dinner?"

Rosalyn smiled and squeezed his hands. "I would love to, Adrien. It's been far too long since I've dined with company." The statement sounded much more solemn than she had meant it. She was relieved to be here, with the man she loved, away from the judgemental looks and actions of others.

"It seems as if it has been quite some time since I have had the pleasure of your company while partaking of a meal. I know your company will be appreciated by more than just myself." Adrien told her as they made their way to the dining hall.

Lothair was hunched over the table, placing dining ware where His Majesty usually sat. "Pardon, me Master I was just giving your silverware a final polish...Miss Beaumont! How wonderful to see you. Allow me but a moment to get a second set of dishes set out for you our guest." He said in a rush.

Adrien held his hand up and his fingers began to count down 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . and not a moment later in came Mrs. Pom holding a steaming pot of tea and a cup. "Miss Rosalyn! How wonderful to see you again dearie!" She said giving the young woman a warm embrace. "My condolences on the circumstances that have kept you away from us, love. It's good to have you visit again. Let's get you settled down and warmed up with a spot of tea. Dinner will be out in a minute." Mrs. Pom said placing the cup down to pour some tea in for Miss Rosalyn to the seat right of where King Adrien sat at the head of the rectangular table. The woman poured some in the cup that was provided in the King's dining place and hurried out to bring back their dinner.

Adrien pulled out Rosalyn's chair for her to sit down and then took a seat in his own. A knowing smile on his lips. Rose was missed by much of the staff. Lothair came out and set a second place of dining ware for Miss Rosalyn then departed once more.

Silver platters were delivered and upon lifting the lids and the steam cleared away revealing beef ragout, cheese soufflé and canele pie and pudding, on flambé.

"Thank you, your highness," Rosalyn said and sat in the chair he had pulled out for her. It was an unexpected visit, but the servants were quick to make the proper arrangements for her. It was not much longer until their dinner was brought to the table and served to them.

Like usual, everything looked and smelled delicious. And there was so much it. "I really do need to stop disappearing for weeks on end," Rose said lightheartedly. She hadn't any idea how much she truly missed everyone until their presence filled her with joy.

"Your reasons for doing so are understandable. I am pleased you returned on your own. I was near tempted to order Chandler to climb into the trees and instruct him to make them fall, so that I could seek you out." Adrien spoke as they enjoyed dinner.

It wasn't his usual 5 course meal over a span of an hour or three. But 3 courses in one setting was sufficient, given that he had been ravenous from the days event.

"It won't be but a few more days anyway," Rose said and smiled. She ate her meal slowly, savoring all of it. She hadn't had a proper one in several weeks, just eating small things here and there to keep her stomach from growling at her.

More than anything though, she enjoyed seeing Adrien once again. He was handsome with his hair pulled back and he did look very much like a king. She bit her lip and looked down at her plate, trying to keep from blushing. She felt like a little girl discovering her first crush.

"I hope you will visit when they do make their fall. Chandler keeps talking about making a big pile of leaves and jumping into them. Something about it being 'Miss Rosalyn's favorite' seasonal activity." Adrien remarks, unable to keep his eyes off her for more than a few seconds before his gaze returns.

Part of him wished she knew she did not have to wait like the other common folk to see him. Then again if she had presented herself before everyone else he would have been distracted from his task and quite possibly less accommodating. In desire to finish his task quicker and turn his attention to her.

She may have waited for this very reason. Such a bright woman she was. While those in the village were small minded in comparison.

Rosalyn laughed. "I used to do it all the time as a child," she explained. "My father would be raking the yard and I would jump into the piles. It would send the leaves all over the yard again, but I felt it was worth it."

"Also," Rose began, changing the subject. "I'm not sure what all you told every one earlier, but they all seemed happy with their answer when they left the palace."

Adrien imagined in his minds eye a minuture, child like, version of Rose running around jumping into leaf piles. He brought a chuckle out of him.

Rose then spoke about the villagers leaving the castle satisfied with after their meeting with the king. "That is good to hear. It has been, shall we say, a very accommodating day in moving forward as a king who is respected by his people, and not feared." He shared with her, not giving detail on the various matters that had been discussed throughout the day. It was not her place to know, unless she began something more to him.

They finishes their meal and he was hopeful to continue to enjoy her company elsewhere. "Care to join me in the library?"

"Of course. Anything to excuse myself from returning home." Rosalyn stood from her seat and her and the king left the dining hall. Now that she was finally away from her home, she did not want to return. "Have you read anything good recently?" She questioned. "I would like a few new recommendations."

"I have just recently read Don Quixote authored by Miguel de Cervantes. It is about a middle-aged gentleman from the region of La Mancha in central Spain. Obsessed with the chivalrous ideals touted in books he has read, he decides to take up his lance and sword to defend the helpless and destroy the wicked. Let us just say he is not as successful as he envisioned himself to be. His flights of fantasy get him into more trouble than that of help." Adrien describes to her as he begins to stroll around the library browsing, never straying too far from her.

"I contemplated starting Paradise Lost. It is one of the greatest epic poems in the English language. It tells the story of the Fall of Man, a tale of immense drama and excitement, of rebellion and treachery, of innocence pitted against corruption, in which God and Satan fight a bitter battle for control of mankind's destiny." He spoke his fingers browsing the spines of various books.

"That sounds like quite the tale. Pastor Pere Rob just recently added Utopia by Thomas More to his collection. I was going to borrow it from him, but then saw his copy of King Arthur." Rosalyn smiled. "I thought that reading a book was no match for your company."

Rosalyn stood halfway up a ladder, not far from the king. Her eyes wandered over the many books of different sizes and colors. "I take it you have not read any of these for a long time," she said and swiped her finger across the top of one of the books, showing him the dust that she had gathered.

Rose laughed and blew on the books, sending a cloud of dust into the air. The woman sneezed shortly after. "Pardon me," she said quietly before continuing her search.

Adrien smiled at the notion, as she told him how she obtained a copy of King Arthur. Even after his 'death' she had thought of him fondly. Seeking out his beloved favorite book to read, even thought it would never replace the presence of his company.

"Such a shame. That cannot be good for the leather. I'll make sure someone attends to the dusting on the morrow. Some of these books I will never read, in this lifetime. A few are in languages beyond my knowing." Adrien stated in fullness of truth as he leaned against the ladder ever so slightly, making it move on it's wheels that were on a track attached to the walls of book shelves. It was perfectly safe. The ladder was secure, there was no chance of it falling.

As the ladder began to move, Rosalyn clutched it tighter. She was not very far from the ground, but she still did not want to fall and make a fool of herself. "Your majesty, it is rather difficult to chose a book when they keep moving away from me," she said and looked down at him.

Adrien realized in but a moment the error of his doing. A chuckle escaped his lips. "My apologies, Miss Rosalyn. I will make certain the books will no longer move away from you unintentionally." He stated, standing upright so as to not lean on the ladder she stood upon.

In his beastly form he had gotten used to standing taller than everyone around him, with the need to cast his gaze downward. But with Miss Rosalyn standing upon the ladder a few steps she was above him in height, allowing him to cast his gaze upward. The candles around the room cast a enlightening glow on her features. The shape of her nose, her cheekbones, even the angle of her jaw and contours of her neck as he watched her focus on the spines of the books. Such a sight of her was almost as enchanting as any other time he saw her. A sight he hoped he could admire for many days, perhaps years to come.

Rosalyn smiled and turned her attention back to the shelves crowded with books. She felt the king's eyes on her as she looked over the shelves. What was he thinking about? She pulled a book from the shelf, not paying any attention to what it had been. Climbing down from the ladder, she held the book out to the king. It happened to be a book on botany. "Hopefully you are interested in studying plants," she teased.

"Hmm...a pleasant surprise. A non-fiction choice for this evening. I will not protest. I would gladly read anything of your choosing just to spend such an evening learning with you, regardless of the subject. Let us see what truth and wisdom this book holds." Adrien agreed taking a hold of the book she offered. Once her hands were unoccupied he grasped one and gently lead her to the couch. He released her so they could sit down comfortably, shoulder to shoulder as needed so they could both see the book in his hands.

Upon opening it and getting through the title page and chapter index he began with the beginning. "Well, would you look at that. There is even illustrations of each flora. Some of these are bound to be found locally. Perhaps on our next venture into the woods, we shall see a few." he said and began to read out loud.

"Our next venture may have to wait until spring comes again," Rosalyn mentioned before he started reading. He read from the pages of the books confidently, his voice unwavering. She rested her head against his shoulder and looked at the pictures on the pages. She could only imaging the time someone had poured into this book. All the research, writing, and drawing. It was astounding. Though botany was not one of her favorite subjects, she felt she chose the perfect book for the evening.

Minutes surely turned into hours as he read, he often became lost in a world that was all their own when they spent time together like this. Just enjoying the comfort of one another, a fire, a sofa, and the knowledge of a book. He especially liked it when Rose relaxed enough to rest her head on his shoulder. A feeling of warmth radiated from their point of contact.

It was well into a later hour then he had anticipated, when he felt his eyes become heavy and his head tilted to rest against her own. He took in a deep breath sighing with much content, as he paused to turn and place a kiss on her head and closed the book. The candles were well burned down their wicks and the fire had dimmed into near smoldering embers making it hard to read accurately, but cast a gentle glow in the semi darkened room.

"Pardon me for reading so much, I lose my sense of time when I am with you, Rose."

Rosalyn was sure she would have fallen asleep, but the gentle hum from the king's chest kept her awake. Well into the night, he finally closed the book, and she felt a twinge of sadness. Their evening was coming to an end.

The king placed a kiss on her head before he spoke. Rosalyn smiled and sat up, turning to look at him. It was nearly dark in the library, though she could see the king perfectly. "It is quite alright, Adrien. Spending time with you is one of my favorite things to do. I haven't enjoyed an evening like this in far too long."

"Just as spending time with you is for me." He spoke in truth, looking back her. Nothing compared in bringing him joy as much as the time he spent when with Rosalyn Beaumont. It brought him heart ache when their evenings often came to a close by the loss of sunlight. As the darkness was the signal of her need to return home.

The urge to kiss her again, though this time in a more intimate manner instead of affectionate, plagued him as he gazed at her. It was not pure physical attraction that induced the urge. A combination of physical attraction and emotional connection stirring within his being to show her he cared very deeply for her in a way that was beyond the spoken word.

Of its own accord his hand caressed her cheek and cupped it gently and his body leaned forward. The logic of his mind reminded him in a moments notice that such advances may not be welcome from him to her yet. He halted his body from moving any closer his face thankfully a few inches still away from her own. He took in a breath, helping him to focus.

"I love you. More than words can adequately convey when we share in moments like this. Though such words are surely enough, if you desired them to be so."

Rose was sure that the king was going to kiss her, but he stopped a couple inches away, leaving part of her feeling disappointed. "I love you too, Adrien," she answered softly. She reached up and placed her hand over his which rested on her cheek. She smiled, leaning forward to close the gap between them, and gently pressed her lips against his.

A sense of relief came over him as he heard no hesitation in her voice or saw no hesitation in her actions as she closed the gap between them.

Adrien was certain his heart forgot how to beat the moment their lips touched. It surely made up for the following seconds later as began to beat faster and faster.

That familiar pleasant warmth radiated between them as seconds passed. Their lips affirmed gently yet lovingly that words of love between them they stated just moments before.

The feeling that came over him was almost overwhelmingly for Adrien. It was pure and pleasant, beyond anything he had ever experienced in this life thus far.

Whether they stayed like that for but a few moments, a few seconds, or a few minutes he was uncertain. The need to break contact with her urged him to reluctantly withdraw. He couldn't identify if it was a need for air or a need to look at her eyes and see if she was feeling just as joyfully overwhemled with love as he was.

When Adrien pulled away, Rosalyn had to take a moment to catch her breath. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she opened her eyes. She smiled and gave him the same loving look she had given her husband many months ago, but this time it was real. "I love you, Adrien," she said again.

"I love you, Rose..." Adrien said in hushed whisper, but loud enough she surely heard. The darkness of the room illuminated by a gentle glow of the dimming candles and firelight brought about a sense of need to be speak softly.

A long moment later he leaned, placing his forehead against her own. His hand moved from cupping her cheek to higher so that his fingers gently against her jaw, ear, and his fingertps entered into locks of her brunette hair. "...so very much." He finished his sentence, relishing in the moment.

But alas, all good things needed to come to an end for this evening. It would be improper for her to stay the night. Now that it was very public and he was properly courting her, it was best if she returned home despite the late hour.

"We should go . . . " he said though the reluctance in his voice and lack of movement in his body was apparent.

Rosalyn bit her lip as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her stomach felt as if it were filled with butterflies. She did not want to leave, but she knew it wasn't proper for her to stay, even though she had done so for several months beforehand. The king was a man again and the people of the kingdom knew him as such. They expected him to behave like a true king.

"I know," Rosalyn whispered. "Shall I return tomorrow?"

"Please do. Or..." He thought for a moment on another idea that came to mind. He came to a conclusion before speaking once more.

"...I could visit you?" He offered as he stood up and held out his hand for her to grasp.

He thought being seen outside the castle would help his subjects in transforming the fear they once had for him into respect. There were kings in history who worked the farm land along side the serfs. It showed the people that as a king was compassionate and understanding. Adrien wasn't planning on doing any form of physical labor with the village folk. But showing his face upon entering the village while visiting the Beaumont residence would perhaps help his political while attending to matters of the heart.

Rose took his hand and stood. She nodded to his proposal. "That would be wonderful. I will just need to tidy up some," she admitted. She had a lot of tidying up to do... She had not entered the living room since her father passed. Seeing his empty workspace was too painful. She would also need to prepare a meal for the two of them.

Adrien was tempted to offer a servant with her to assist with her 'tidy up' needs. However, he figured with her father's passing, she probably didn't want a stranger invading the space that once belonged to him. She was a capable woman he believed she could do everything she felt necessary before his arrival.

"I will arrive three hours past noon hour." He decided, as they made there way hand in hand to to the exit. He assisted her with getting her overcoat on before they stepped out into the brisk night air.

They readied the horses and Adrien grabbed a pistol from one of the barn closets. Just in case they ran into wolf trouble while traveling in the evening hour. They departed and he swiftly looked forward to spring when they could ride long hours into the day at a breath taking pace in the warm summer air and clear skies.

Until now it was slow and steady as their visibility through the woods was illuminated by moonlight.

Rosalyn mounted her horse and together the two rode back towards the village. The moonlight shone through the trees, making the ground appear cracked and broken. Rose pulled her cloak tighter around her in an attempt to keep out the cold.

Wind blew through the woods, rustling the leaves and Rosalyn thought she heard howling far off in the distance. She remembered the first night she had seen the king. He had frightened her so much that she had not cared about the dangers that lurked in the woods. That was the night he saved her life, and she was still in debt to him for it.

This time he did not stop his steed at the edge of the woods. He lead the way in confidence through the woods, into the quiet village, and to the Beaumont residence.

He dismounted off his steed first and tied the reins to a post. Then he tied off her horse and assisted her off of him. His hands holding her by her waist as he gently lowered her to the ground. "I'll tend to Th...Philippe's needs. Let's get you inside before you catch a cold." Adrien told her, motioning with his hand toward the direction of the front door.

The village was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed, even those who spent their nights in the tavern. It was very late, indeed. But that meant she had spent hours with the king. She felt it was never long enough though.

Rosalyn smiled softly. "I won't catch a cold, your majesty. You might though. You still have the return journey." She turned and took the reigns off of her horse, draping them over the fence.

Philippe shook his head once his reins were removed and went to the trough already with water and another with hay. Clearly she had planned ahead before departing for the castle. Clever woman.

"You need not worry about me. My waistcoat is sufficient in keeping the Autumn chill off my skin." He said as he opened the gate for her and they walked their way to her front door. Taking her hand in his, he placed a gentle kiss on her fingers. "Fare thee well, Miss Rosalyn Beaumont. I will see you on the morrow at three o' clock. Good night." He bid her farewell and retreated, each step causing that familiar ache in his chest as he departed.

As he rode through the woods he rejoiced in the idea that perhaps one day when he spoke the words good night to his beloved, it would not mean good bye. He returned to the castle without a cause for concern. Tending to the horse he replaced the pistol and intended to retire to his chambers. Despite his tired mind and body he took a detour and returned to the library to grab the botany book. He had stopped reading at the chapter that described many trees. One of which was a local tree that was the origin of his family surname. He took the book with him back to his chambers and intended to take it with him tomorrow. He thought perhaps Miss Rosalyn would like to continue where they left off.

He removed his outer clothing and retired to bed. Mere seconds passed and he fell into an almost instant sleep, eager for the day to follow.