"Do not want?" Perhaps by questioning her, she will become calm? Thought Carlos.
"Yes, it is not mine!" Evidently I am mistaken.
"Why, Stephanie? It is a title that many would kill for, would die for"
"It is -was- my fathers, I was not supposed to become Queen for another 20 years"
"Stephanie, perhaps it would be best for you to sleep, then in the morning we can talk. Until then I will make sure that you are not disturbed" Carlos made to leave but Stephanie held firm to his arm.
"Thank you, Carlos. I am sorry if I seem… disgruntled"
He smiled slightly at her phrasing, "I think you are entitled to it, Stephanie" Stephanie removed her arm an watched as he bowed low, "By your leave, Majesty"
"Don't-" she choked up slightly, "I am not 'Majesty', not until morn, and to you, always Stephanie"
"Very well" upset by her distressed manner Carlos drew her into an embrace, seeking to give her strength. She clung to him and let the tears fall, sobbing quietly once more.
Lula chose this moment to re-enter, making her way quietly round the room and getting the bed ready for Stephanie's return.
"Stephanie, I must go now, but I will return when you wake" She nodded into his chest and he released her.
Carlos left Stephanie with Lula, she needed the support of someone familiar right now. The gentlemen from the palace had convened in the drawing room, where they were discussing the transition of the regency.
"Gentlemen, I am afraid that we have a reluctant Queen"
The Lord Chancellor agreed with this, "It will take some time for her Majesty to adjust, but I feel confident that with the right instruction the situation will diffuse"
"What do you mean 'diffuse', my Lord? Her Majesty is not a 'situation'" Carlos questioned the man
"Of course not, Your Grace, I was simply referring to the fact that a distraught Queen is not what this Nation needs"
"Then I propose a remedy to your 'situation'. I will return to the Palace when her Majesty does. Her father entrusted her to my care, I am sure he would not object to my continued supervision"
"Chancellor, I see no reason this could not work, Her Majesty's instruction could continue in her personal time at the Palace" Bishop Edward had placed himself firmly on Carlos' side.
The Lord Chancellor grumbled, "Surely it would be unseemly for the Queen to have a male chaperone? Hum? I see you did not think of that!"
"Of course, she would be accompanied by her Ladies in Waiting, but I see no reason for Her Majesty not to discuss private matters with myself?"
The men looked towards the Lord Chancellor, "I am… reluctant to agree with you, but I see broking an objection if futile. I will agree on one condition, that a marriage is arranged with good speed. To that I will stand firm, this nation needs and heir; if, god forbid it, His Late Majesty was murdered then Her Majesty could be in great danger"
The gentlemen crossed themselves, some of them muttering short prayers to the Lord for their new Queens health.
"If that is all, gentlemen, then I suggest we conclude this impromptu gathering and make for sleep"
The group left for their own rooms, but not Carlos, he went back to Stephanie's rooms.
"Lula, is she feeling poorly still?"
"Yes, Lord, claimin' an ache in 'er head and in 'er belly" This worried him, but it was to be expected after the devastating news of her fathers passing.
"Thank you, you may go, I will look after her now"
"But, Lord-"
"It is all right, I am not planing on destroying her virtue. Well, not tonight" He smiled a devastatingly roguish smile at her and Lula blushed, "Go, sleep, I will stay until she wakes"
"Yes, Lord" Lula quietly withdrew and left Carlos to look over Stephanie.
Her sleep was restless, several times during the course of the night Carlos found himself soothing Stephanie, or pressing a damp cloth to her forehead. It was not till well after the castle was awake for the day that she rose from her slumber.
"Good morning, Stephanie" She looked at him with sad eyes, to tired to question his presence in her bedroom. "Willowbark tea? For your head"
Carlos handed her a large mug of the bitter liquid, "Thank you"
"I have arranged two more days at the Lodge, but then your duties demand that you return to the palace"
Carlos watched her carefully for a reaction, only the slight tightening if her jaw gave away her struggle against her tears. Stephanie nodded for him to continue, delaying speech by sipping at the tea.
"Your Cancellers have agreed that it would be a benefit for me to accompany you, to continue your training"
She nodded, silently agreeing with him. "Stephanie, I'm going to be honest with you. This will, quite possibly, be the hardest thing you will ever do. The Cancellers will want to marry you off, the country needs an heir; courtiers will want your favour, and others will have their own personal agendas. I will support you through this, but ultimately, you need to stand on your own two feet and reign by yourself"
Carlos watched as she placed the now empty mug on her dresser beside the bed. Stephanie smiled weakly at him, "Then I think I need to get dressed"
"I shall call Lula to attend you, and take my leave"
"No- stay? Please?" Realising how this sounded, she blushed and turned her head, he simply chuckled. "Don't feel you have to leave, Carlos, I feel I shall need your support"
"Of course"
Once she was dressed, the new Queen made her was down to the library where the meeting had re-convened. Upon her entrance, they bowed low and the room was filled with murmurs of "Your Majesty"
Summoning more confidence then she felt, Stephanie addressed them, "Rise, gentlemen. I thank you for the speedy delivery of the news of my Fathers passing, God rest his soul. I shall need your support, especially over the coming days, to transfer the Regency, but also in dealing with the various envoys that will be arriving from our allies.
This will not be an easy task, I am inexperienced, without any training in diplomatic matters, and I will be relying on you all to remain loyal to the Jersey throne through the difficulties that will doubtless be facing us.
I have plans for this nation, but first I would like to mourn my Father in a manner befitting a man of his calibre. Only after this will I permit the celebratory coronation.
I will leave you to your planing for another day, but then we return to Court."
Stephanie left the Lord Chancellor, the Bishop and the rest of the Chancellors to their planning and went to the stables.
"Good mornin', Majesty. Will you be ridin' Bright this mornin' marm?"
"Yes, please"
She watched as Bright was saddled and rode her out into the mountains, away from the memories of the last hours. It was only after she could no longer see the Lodge that she let the tears fall.
"Stephanie" She jumped at the sound of Carlos' voice, "I apologise, I did not mean to scare you"
"No, its alright" Stephanie swiped at the tears on her face, feeling stupid at looking like this in front of Carlos.
They rode together in silence for a while before stopping a small lake. Leaving the horses to graze, they settle on a flat of grass at the lake's edge. "I like this place, I used to come here as a young boy. My father and elder brothers taught me to swim. From that track over there I remember one of my first rides upon a horse"
Carlos pointed out the track, it lead off into the distance, a road to nowhere. From a pack he brought out food, roasted beef, a salad and a flask of spiced wine. "The cook thought we might be out for a time"
They ate in companionable silence, listening to the noise that was nature, the bubbling of the lake, birds calling to their comrades in flight, the horses nickering quietly. Eventually, bellies full they lay back and drifted into sleep.
Only an hour later Stephanie was awakened by a tickling sensation fluttering across her face. She raised a lazy had to brush it away, but it only reappeared in a different place. The tickling followed her face as she turned it away, off to the side. The object, it felt like a flower, moved lightly down her neck; eventually Stephanie gave up trying to fend off her mysterious tickler and opened her eyes.
"Boo"
She screamed, surprising Carlos who tumbled sideways. "Oh my Lord, you scared me half to death!"
"I should hope not, I prefer you wholly alive" came the dry response. Stephanie rolled over to face him and almost startled at his proximity. If he moved his mouth just a… little bit further…
His kiss was gentle, giving her time to adjust to the feel. One hand snaked up to cup her face, gentle stroking her cheek bone. Carlos shifted into a sitting position, bringing Stephanie with him. Eventually he ended the kiss, pulling back, both of them breathing heavily.
"You, my dear, are quite remarkable"