PART 7

The following morning dawned bright and clear, and while the weather did nothing to improve Elizabeth's confused emotions, Michael was looking forward to spending time in the princess' company.

Michael arrived at the palace at precisely 10am, and was immediately herded into a carriage by Princess Elizabeth.

"Good morning to you, too." He laughed.

"I am sorry for being so abrupt, but I didn't believe that you would want to spend the morning being interrogated by my parents."

He was surprised at her thoughtfulness. "Thank you," was all he was able to mutter.

She smiled at him before instructing the driver to take them into town.

"While we have some privacy, I wanted to ask you; what did you want as your reward for helping me? Money? A job? What?"

Michael's mood soured considerably as he was reminded that to her he was only the hired help. "I had not yet thought much about it," he snapped.

The anger in his voice surprised her. "I apologise if I have offended you in any way, Sir. I had no intention of doing so. If you would prefer not to talk about it now, we could postpone it until a later date."

He was learning that he could not stay angry with Elizabeth for very long. Her manner was too sweet for him to take offense. She had really meant no harm by her questions, but he had to go and bite her head off. Michael sighed. "I must apologise for snapping at you. It was uncalled for."

She simply smiled at him, a smile he was coming to love.

"You are forgiven, sir," she said. "How about we just forget it for now, and try to have an enjoyable day together. Does that sound okay?"

"That sounds good."

~~~~~~~~~~

Surprisingly, both Michael and Elizabeth enjoyed spending the day in each other's company. Michael learned that Liz was very kind and much loved for it by her people.

She spent much of her time talking and answering questions. She promised to help families who came to her in need. And she was happy to part with her money for someone in need. But she was no fool. She was cautious of whom she gave her money to and would allow no one to take advantage of her sweet and giving nature. She will be a wonderful ruler some day, he thought.

Elizabeth discovered that underneath Michael's gruff, cynical exterior, he was quite soft and he talked easily with people. By the end of the day, Michael had won over most of the townspeople. The men admired him and the women swooned over him. Elizabeth often had to tamp down on the jealousy that surged through her when yet another woman approached him. She was constantly reminding herself that Michael did not belong to her and that she had no right or reason to be jealous.

The rest of the week followed in much the same way. They traveled from town to town, spending their time shopping and exploring, and talking to the local villagers - all the while growing that much closer.

During the week, Michael took every opportunity to touch Elizabeth. They were only soft, innocent touches, like placing his hand at the small of her back to guide her through a crowd, but they made him crave more. He wanted to kiss her again, but he resisted, knowing that she wouldn't appreciate it.

During these hours spent together each day, Michael and Liz were able to push the rapidly approaching wedding to the back of their minds, and enjoy their time together.

When they were apart, Elizabeth was surprised to discover that she missed his presence, missed being able to talk to him, to laugh with him. Elizabeth dreaded the hours when Michael was not around. For during that time, she was at her mother's mercy.

The Queen had become deeply involved in organising the wedding. She had sent out invitations to everyone of importance from near and far. Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses, Dignitaries, anyone with the right title.

She had women creating Elizabeth's wedding dress, and she was constantly making changes so that it would be absolutely perfect. She had organised the flowers that her daughter would carry, and the flowers that would decorate the church.

The Queen was obsessed with creating the perfect wedding for Elizabeth. One that would be forever remembered.

It shamed Elizabeth to know that it would hurt her mother terribly is she knew the truth about the relationship between Elizabeth and Michael.

Elizabeth tried to push the upcoming wedding from her mind. But it was nearly impossible with all the preparations going on around her, as well as all the guests arriving to stay at the palace for the wedding. Thankfully, Isabel often managed to hide Elizabeth from her mother and get her mind off the wedding.

It was during one of those times, when they were hiding from the Queen, that Isabel managed to get Elizabeth to talk about Michael. "So, what is he like?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "It was only a matter of time before you started asking questions. You know the truth about the relationship between us, but he is very sweet. He looks angry and surly, but he's not. It's all just a facade. He's really very sweet. And kind. And very handsome." Elizabeth and Isabel giggled.

"I knew it. You're in love." Isabel chuckled delightedly.

"I am not!" Elizabeth exclaimed, horrified that she might have allowed her true feelings to become publicly known.

"You are, too. I can see it in your eyes. You can tell me. You know I wouldn't tell a soul."

"Well … maybe," Elizabeth admitted sheepishly.

~~~~~~~~~~

Elizabeth spent as much of her time with Michael as possible. She told herself that it was to keep up their public image, but it was really because, whenever she was with him, she felt safe and relaxed. They had been coming on slowly, these feelings she was having for this man she knew so little about. She tried to deny them, but eventually she had to admit that she was in love with him, but she would never tell him that. She knew she couldn't. They could never have a 'happily ever after'. She would never give up her people. One day she would govern this land and she would not risk someone who did not care for her people being in charge of them and neglecting them.

And Michael would never be tied down. He liked to travel and would be unhappy tied to one place and one woman. She could not do that to him. She would not be able to live with herself if she were the reason he led a miserable life.

END PART 7