Hi! Damn its good to be back! I started on this chapter on thelast day of my mid term exam. Good thing they gave us study hours so that i can outline my plot for you lot. I've had some interesting review and just for the record, i changed their name not because i wasnt aware of their real names, but to match it with the timeline. Come off it! Have you ever heard of a knight/king named GARFIELD? Uh.. no offence. You will also be pleased to know that there's an addition to the characters in this chapter. Three guesses who... .
Disclaimer : Nope. Still not mine.
Stefan was a very strange man. He loved swordplay and almost always beat Cyrus. Almost because it depended on his mood. If he were feeling happy, he would lose purposely after a heart stopping duel and laugh it off; but if he was feeling less than happy –which rarely happens- he would fight as fierce as though he was waging a war against Cyrus.
He was also a man of opportunity. In the morning, he would go out hunting, hawking, or drilling troops. But at night, he always stealthily sneak into my garden to speak to me. Nothing heavy or serious, just simple things like the moon, the harvest, and of course, Richard.
Any man with ears and heart could easily tell the affection he held for the Grand King. To his people the King is just the King and should be loved for it. But to Stefan, Richard is not only his King, but his best friend, his comrade, his brother in arms. He showed respect like no other man could and his speech always included Richard's lively nature. Just hearing him talk made me feel as though I have met Richard myself.
It also made me wonder why Stefan was more than willing to disregard that respect and loyalty just for the sake of speaking to me. A knight who approaches the King's lady was considered as a traitor. Perhaps its because I am not the King's lady –yet. I was afraid of the things I felt in his presence. It was unheard of and I was careful to see him as my guardian in my mind's eyes. That way, I was never far from my mark.
I haven't seen much of my dear sister Flamelle lately. Mostly its because of the measuring and fitting of new dresses or the occasional lecture from my aunt. The only time I was able to see her was at meals and such. This, of course did not affect my ladies at all. Tanya was happy without a care in the world and Bella kept saying things like the gates of heaven had finally open for the demon lady had finally quiet down.
Stefan kept his promise for the outing was set on the date two weeks after he asked Edmund's permission. It was carefully planned; the men would go hawking while the woman sat on the picnic blanket with the food, talking or sewing. I should have known it would end up this way – a no nonsense trip where young ladies act as young ladies should.
It was during the evening tea on the day before the trip and nearly everyone was excited. From Kings to servants alike. Flamelle, as usually managed to slipout and escape the gathering once again. That particular evening, we – Stefan, Cyrus, Benedict, Bella and I – had decided to have our tea out side on the large balcony in the drawing room.
Cyrus and Benedict were bickering as usual while Stefan warily tried to explain the day's plan for tomorrow but were completely ignored by both men. A look of frustration flooded his features as he set his tea cup on the table carefully. I watched with interest as he silently made his way towards the back of the two Kings' chair, hands on each of the furniture. I could feel Bella's figure stiffen as Stefan's knuckles turned white for gripping the chairs too hard, with a boyish grin on his face.
It was then that I understood the joke.
Stefan swiftly and gleefully tilted the chairs forward, causing Cyrus and Benedict to fall headfirst onto the cold, hard stone floor. Cyrus muttered curses under his breath while Benedict kicked at Stefan's legs causing him to topple over onto one of the fallen chair.
Stefan grumbled and straightened his clothes, picked up Benedict's fallen chair and pulled it up close so that he was sitting in front of me. 'I hope you are bringing your ladies to attend to you, Kori,' He said as though he didn't just cause the great bumps that was swelling nicely on his companions' heads. 'We will be gone all day and a big favor I'd be doing to Richard if I let his bride die of boredom. Flamelle will come, of course?'
'Of course she will. It would certainly require a difficult task of convincing her to ride, but she will be there.'
'And Tanya? She will be attending to you as well as Bella, I presume?'
'I suppose..'
'Good.' He said heartily. 'You have never seen Benedict in action, haven't you? He's getting better and better since I met him during the war.' And he turned back to face Cyrus's wrath.
Bella and I exchanged stunned looks as we know what the other was thinking. King Benedict of North Titania was Tanya's admirer! My attention however, was averted from Tanya and her admirer when I saw that Cyrus was stealing glances at Bella as he wrestled Stefan. I smiled a secret smile. This will certainly be the beginning of something interesting.
I awoke at the crack of dawn the next day and put on my comfortable hunting clothes. I planned to take a quick stroll in the woods before breakfast to stretch my muscles. As usual, I crept silently as a feline to avoid the castle's occupants.
The woods were a very comforting place after two whole weeks of being caged inside the castle walls listening to the lecture of my blessed aunt Morgan and being parade here and there in suffocating, stuffy gowns. Once again, my legs had dragged me to the old oak tree that was standing tall and proud. Just one look at my bearings and I could easily tell the very ground Stefan stood when he saw me weeks before.
'A knight who approaches the King's lady is considered as a traitor..'
It seems unfair that only Stefan had to take the blame for the things we did together. I was involved in this world wind of emotions as much as he was. Shouldn't I be considered as a traitor as well? Or am I to be forgiven for the sake of the King's good name, as a husband and a leader.
I gave an involuntary shiver at the thought of it. I wasn't even married to the man and am already thinking of things like responsibilities of a married couple. Aunt Morgan's lecture have finally got their way, it seems.
I turned around as footsteps were heard from my spot under the tree. I narrowed my eyes slightly and kept my silence. Moments later, I breathed out in relief as I saw a crop of red hair approached me.
Stefan.
'I thought I might find you here, Princess.' He bowed and I stared. He was never this formal whenever we were alone. It was always lose and easy going during those nightly visits. No courtesy or status. Just two humans and a blossoming friendship. Something must be wrong. 'What possessed you to come here at the crack of dawn, milady?'
'I was in the mood for a stroll, is all.' I shifted my weight onto my left foot and lowered my eyes. 'Why the formalities, Stefan? Is there something I should know?' It was an innocent question, nothing more. But I saw the pain and anguish in his eyes, as clear as the calm sea.
'There.. is something you aught to know, milady.' He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. 'This trip isn't as it seems. There will be er, events happening today that I wished I could tell you.'
So that was it, is it? Once again, I failed to grasp the concept that he was a knight and like any other knight, loyal to his lord and as slippery as an eel. I took a deep calming breath and not quite believing the tone I am using, said 'There is more to this trip than the mere excuse of enjoying one's self, is it Stefan?' With that, he looked away, completely avoiding my gaze.
I let him be for a few moments and opened mymouth to tell him my thoughts of him and his plan but failed – miserably- when he turned his brown ruby orbs towards me. I hate it when I cannot do as much as lifting a single finger whenever he gave me one of his burning stares. There were longing in those eyes, and it made my heart race.
'Yes, yes it is. And I came here to tell you, milady – Kori – that I..' He cleared his throat unnecessarily and continued, somewhat stiffer than before. 'That I have enjoyed these couple of weeks with you and that you are the greatest and kindest friend I have ever had since Richard. I also wanted to tell you that you will come to love him as much as we all do, perhaps..' he choked but forced the words out, 'Perhaps even more.'
I closed my eyes and digested the things he just said. The Grand King.. the King will be here today. That was the big secret. And now he was struggling to tell me what he feels for me before its too late but only managed to tell a length of nonsense. I should've known things would end up this way. There are certain times when we know that we should not be doing the thing we are doing, but we always convince ourselves that it will all turn out fine. That theory is being put the test right here, right now. And I regret to say that it has failed miserably. A knight is only brave on the battle field, but never in the battle field of love. And a princess is only a princess in a court of royalty, but a helpless child in a court of love.
But I refuse to be the hopeless child. Not at this moment. If he would not admit the feelings I am sure he feels, then I shall be the one to admit it first.
'It does not matter, Stefan,' I whispered. He eyed me curiously. 'Perhaps I will, and perhaps not. I couldn't help it, Stefan. I tried, but I couldn't.' I gathered what little courage I have left and looked him straight into the eye. 'I love you as much as you love me.'
Thank the God it was the break of dawn and no one was as crazy as we were to take a stroll in the cold morning air. If they were, then they would have seen Stefan pulled me towards him and kissed me with his arms around me.
We did not speak of the morning's incident throughout the journey to the hills, but maintain a natural air as we ride side by side. I cannot I imagine how he can bear such long hours of polite mockery when I was suffering from the guilt I felt. I have betrayed the King before I was even married to him. What would he say if he found out that the girl he was set to marry was a selfish girl who care nothing about him but his right hand man? His best friend? I did not, however, shared my distress with anyone else in the group. My sister was grumpy for being forced to ride a horse, Benedict was fooling around with Tanya, Cyrus was engaged in a conversation with Bella as they ride, and the rest of the soldiers looked as though they wish the trip would be over as soon as it started.
Our picnic spot was perfect. It's located in a clearing, suitable for anyone who wishes to go hawking. One could plainly see the ocean from there and the woods were not far downhill. Lunch was very eventful, thanks to the men. They made a bet of the roast turkey, whoever can run downhill with loads on their backs and runs back uphill before the others does, wins. Cyrus, being the big one, won. That is to say, after he wrestled Benedict for trying to cheat.
It was after lunch that the men went out hunting in the woods, leaving the ladies to the care of the soldiers. The others did not mind, for they brought clothes to sew and things to amberoid. I was not as happy as they were, though. Oh, how I wished to go with the men! Surely riding in the woods with the wind rushing through my hair would be a much better deal than sitting under the shade of a beech tree, sewing and sewing?
'Why, dear sister.. you don't look too happy.' I looked up from the quilt I was working on and saw that Flamelle had her deep purple eyes on me. 'Anything I can for you, dear Kori?'
'No, I'm afraid there aren't anything you can do, Flamelle. But thank you for offering.'
'Nonsense.' She waved away the thank you with a flutter of her hand. 'I am your sister.'
I forced a rather painful smile at her remark. She only mentioned our bond when there is something she wished to discuss with me. The matter that was usually discussed did not please me at all. Therefore, it did not surprise me at all when she cleared her throat and sent the ladies away.
'Sister dear, lately I have noticed some.. things about you.'
'What things, Flamelle?'
'Things.. your reaction to.. to Stefan.'
I stopped sewing at the mention of his name. My eyes shot up to look into Flamelle's eyes which had turned into an eerie blank. 'Stefan? Whatever do you mean?'
'No need to sound offended, sister. It is something you should not be ashamed of. It is more than friendship that the two of you share, isn't it?'
'Definitely not! We are good friends and nothing more!'
'Do not deny it, my dear Kori. Being in love is not a sin.'
I fell silent. Unable to look at the smugness that had over come her features, I looked away. She knows. She had seen us together. She knows how I feel about Stefan and she is.. pleased. I wanted so much to scorn at my sister, but I cannot. Not when she knows so much.
'How did you..' I whispered, my voice barely audible.
'I am your sister, Kori. And I am also a woman. One look at your face and all is revealed.'
'You said..' I turned around once more and looked right into her eyes. 'You said that it is not a sin.. to be in love'
'Yes, I did. But..' the way her eyes gleamed scared me and I wished that the men would return now so that I did not have endure what was to come. 'But to love a knight entrusted by the King to take care of his future bride is.' She smiled in mock sympathy as I lowered my gaze to study my hands. 'Kori, Kori, Kori.' I felt her fingers pushing my chin up to face her as tears started to flood my eyes. 'You are not yet married to Richard and you already betrayed him. My, my, Kori. I'm truly sorry to say this, dear. But I am afraid that you will be the death of him.'
I could not take it anymore. Her face, her eyes, her smile, her words, everything about her makes my heart ache. And the worst were the shame. I threw the quilt that I had been clutching and ran, ran as far as I can from her. I can hear the soldiers shouting for me to come back and see the ladies in waiting scrambling to get up at the sight of me running. But I did not care. My head hurts, my eyes are raining tears and my heart was no longer in place. I ran and I ran, never to stop till I had drowned all the noise that was chasing me.
This cannot be happening. She could not have known. Why oh why is this happening to me? Dear God, take me away, I beg of you!
I came to a stop when a river with a water fall appeared a head of me. I had run downhill and into the woods without my notice. I sat down heavily on the wood's ground and wept. For how long, I know not. Everything was going the wrong direction. All this time when I thought I was guarding my emotions, I was only fooling myself. I had guarded nothing. My emotions still sneak into my facial expression without me knowing and Flamelle, horrible Flamelle had seen it. I was a failure! What would become of Stefan if Flamelle did more than study my face? What if she had sent a servant to spy on me all this time? Oh, God!
In a distance, I can hear a twig snapped. And a sound of leaves being crushed under pressure. I did not care, it could be a mere deer or a rabbit. And if it was a dangerous animal like that of a wolf, the better. I had no desire to live. I expected many things as the sound of crushed leaves approached. I did not, however, expected a hand placed tenderly on my shoulders, and another holding an embroidered satin handkerchief, wiping away my tears.
I stared as the owner of the hand that was caressing me wiped away my nonstop tears. He, I noticed, was a handsome fellow. The boy could not have been more than twenty and he had jet black hair that was sticking out everywhere and out of control. Everything about him indicates that he was of noble birth. His hand that was wiping my face with the satin clothe was gentle and comforting. His smile was tender and kind. His eyes were as blue as the oceans and it had a shimmer of youth and compassion. I was so mesmerized by his presence that I didn't even protest when he held my arms and lifted me from my sitting position. Neither did I noticed when he kneeled and pluck a wild flower.
'You should not be crying, milady,' he said as he arose and placed the flower behind my left ear. 'Not a beautiful lady such as you..'
'I.. I was..' finally, I noticed how close we were and quickly took a step back. I blushed furiously and touched the flower he had placed. 'I am thankful for your compassion, sir.'
'Not at all, milady. May I be bold to ask you where you came from?' he smiled and started walking towards the path I came from, putting his hand out for me to take.. just as Stefan had done.
'I came from the clearing, up on the hill.' I hesitated, but took his hand nonetheless. 'My companions and I were having an outing, see. The men went out hunting, leaving the women to our business.'
'Is that why you were weeping, then? You wished to join the men?' he winked at me with those merry blue eyes and smiled.
'Of course not. I rather not say it, sir.'
'Quite understandable.' He said curtly. We walked in silence after that, never to be interrupted besides the occasional squirrels jumping from tree to tree. It was the strangest walk I had ever taken. I did not know this boy, and he did not know me. So how can we be so comfortable with each other's presence when we didn't know the other's name? I decided to ask his but my mouth could not move as we approached a man that was leaning against a tree. The man was smiling and looked exceptionally pleased with himself.
'Princess Kori, my Lord Richard, I was looking for you!'
I froze in my tracks, and earning a confused look from my companion. But I was not paying attention to him, for the man that we had approached was none other than Arthur. But my thoughts were somewhere else as a string of words flashed through my mind, repeating itself over and over again.
'Princess Kori, my Lord Richard….'
My eyes darted from Arthur and it landed on my companion who was looking as confused as I am. My eyes flew from the boy to Arthur, who was smiling broadly and nodded his head. My companion seemed to wake up from his moments of confusion first and smiled. He stepped in front of me with my right hand in his, an amused smile playing on his face.
'Princess Kori, I presume?'
I nodded my head as he kissed my hand. I simply froze as he tugged my hand, urging me to follow him. How was I supposed to react when the man whose hand was currently glued to mine was the one and only King Richard?
Oh, dear...
I've changed my style of typing for your convenience. I think i remember someonetelling me to do shorter paragraphs, so there you have it. I hope you guys are happy with this chapter, what with Robin's appearance and Blackfire's nasty attitude. Since this is my come back chapter..do me a favour andreview like you've never reviewed before, OK? I'm hoping totake the reviews all the way to 30 and above, so help meout here!
