(A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the huge delay but I've been really busy with work this month, and probably won't be able to update much now until the Christmas break. But hopefully then I'll be able to continue updating regularly. Thank you so much for your patience and support, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter and indeed the rest of the story.)
For the second morning in the Manor House, Eric awoke with the warmth of the sun on his face. It was a pleasant difference to the constant dark and chill of the palace, and one that the four year old hoped to get used to. He leapt out of bed excitedly and rushed to the window, leaning against the windowsill and wiping away the condensation so that he could see out. As soon as he did, a smile worked its way across his face. The sun was burning low in the sky, creating a warm orange glow across the landscape, not a cloud in sight. So if Catherine could be trusted, Eric knew his plans for today. There was a light knock at the door, and Eric turned around to see Carlotta smiling at him. Without wasting a second, the young Prince rushed up to her and she scooped him into her arms, planting a kiss on the top of his head.
"Good morning darling" she said, propping the boy on her hip.
"Good morning" replied Eric, resting his head on Carlotta's shoulder. Carlotta smiled; it amazed her that after everything he'd been through, Eric could still be so happy. But she was glad he could, for it meant that she didn't have to constantly try and cheer him up. Even at the young age of four Eric was already beginning to show signs of being incredibly brave at times, an attribute that would no doubt help him as he got older.
As promised, after breakfast Catherine lead Eric out into the garden. Eric didn't know where to look first, the garden was rimmed with trees and large bushes, providing Eric with a sense of security, almost as if the trees themselves stood to protect the house and all those inside it. In the middle of the garden were beds of flowers and shrubs, bird baths and roses. Of course there was a garden at the palace, but Eric wasn't allowed in it. His parents had said that it was only to look at, which made no sense to Eric; what was the point of having a garden if nobody was allowed to go in it? After giving Eric enough time to look around Catherine began walking over to the far corner of the garden, where willow branches hung in a thick curtain, cutting off that corner. Just by looking at it, nobody would think to lift the branches, but Catherine knew better. She parted them and motioned for Eric to step through.
"It's safe," she reassured after noticing the hesitant look on the four year olds face, "don't worry." That was good enough for Eric. Although he had only known Catherine a few days, he was beginning to trust her, and already knew that she had no intention of letting him get hurt.
Eric wasn't sure what he had been expecting to be behind the willow, but it certainly wasn't this. There was nothing; nothing but a thick trunk and a blanket of old leaves. Was Eric disappointed? Well, yes; for he'd been expecting something so much better, somewhere inaccessible to other people. Noticing the confusion and disappointment on Eric's face, Catherine quickly intervened.
"There's more," she said, stepping closer to Eric and letting the branches fall back into place behind her. "It gets a lot better, I promise, you're going to like it." But Eric didn't yet look convinced, so Catherine stepped passed him and ran her hand along the drooping branches of the willow. Now Eric was even more confused, and tilted his head to the side slightly and a look of pure perplexity furrowed his brow. Although Catherine wasn't looking at him at this point, she could practically picture the look in his face and the thought made her smile slightly. She continued to run her hand along the willow branches, waiting to feel for the gap in the wall behind it. It had been years since she'd been here; in fact the last time she could remember was when she was little older than Eric was now. Suddenly, her hand disappeared and she pulled back the branches to reveal a narrow pathway through the bushes that bordered the garden. Eric stood staring for a while before curiosity drew him towards the path. The sun shone in rays through the leaves and branches, creating speckled golden patterns on the ground, which danced in an almost magical way. The rustling of dead leaves beneath Eric's feet and the whistle of the wind through the branches, only just beginning to show signs of new spring leaves, provided a soft music that the four year old found calming. In only about ten paces, the pathway widened into a small circle, in the middle of which was a white iron bench. The iron had been bent to create swirling patterns, something that only the richest of people could afford to buy. Yet, the bench looked old and long forgotten as if it were worth nothing at all.
"I used to come here when I was younger," said Catherine, stepping forward and tracing the iron patterns with her finger. "My father and I would sit here for hours and I'd tell him all about my dreams, everything I wanted to do he knew about, and he was the only one I told. It's overgrown now but you can still get to it." A sudden sadness filled the young lady's eyes as she recounted the days of her childhood, not because the memories saddened her; but simply because the boy standing in front of her had never experienced such a relationship with his father.
"Why did you stop coming here" asked Eric?
"I grew up," said Catherine simply. "I made lots of friends and I played with them instead." Eric sighed and tears clouded his vision, something that didn't go unnoticed by Catherine. Without a word she picked him up and sat down on the bench with him on her lap.
"You don't have to grow up yet Eric, just enjoy being a child" she said, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze.
"Daddy wants me to grow up" replied Eric, turning his body and looking up at Catherine with wide eyes. The duchess gave a small smile and wiped away the newly fallen tears that rested on the young Prince's cheeks.
"Well your daddy's not here at the moment is he," she pointed out, "so he can't tell you what to do." Eric knew that was true, but he didn't know how long for. Surely his father would come for him sooner or later, and he'd have to go back home and things would be how they were before. Just thinking of his father made Eric shudder and he was afraid, truly afraid, of what the weeks ahead would bring.
Catherine was about to speak again when a familiar voice sounded through the bushes.
"Catherine, Eric, are you out here?" Catherine recognised the voice of her fiancé immediately and stood up, placing Eric on the floor beside her.
"Come on," she said, "I suppose we'd better go and see what he wants." Eric followed Catherine back down the path and out into the garden where Edward stood searched for them. As soon as they emerged he made his way over to them.
"Are you alright darling" asked Catherine?
"I'm fine my love, absolutely fine," replied Edward, "I was actually hoping to speak with Eric." Eric look slightly surprised at first, but the surprise was soon replaced with excitement when he saw the twinkle in Edward's eye.
"What about" asked Catherine already knowing the answer, but pressing Edward to get to the point.
"About coming sailing" replied Edward with a light smile. Eric's face lit up at the mention of the word sailing, for it was something he had wanted to do more than anything in his entire life.
"King Vernon and I will be going on a short trip next week and he said you're very welcome to come along" said Edward, turning his attention to Eric. The four year old could hardly contain is excitement and threw his arms around Edward's legs.
"Thank you" he cried. Both Edward and Catherine laughed.
"You're very welcome Eric" said Edward, watching as the Prince ran back inside to tell Grimsby and Carlotta the news. Catherine smiled and planted a chaste kiss on her fiancé's cheek.
"Will it be safe" she asked, suddenly realising that Eric was far too young to be out at sea?
"Of course," replied Edward, "I'll make sure of it."