Two Worlds

Chapter Three

He was certainly well-dressed with that familiar noble air about him Sue mused as he awaited her arrival in the grand foyer. His back was straight, his hands resting together at the base of his spine as he tried not to rock back and forth nervously on the balls of his feet. It was rather quite charming that he was nervous about this rendezvous. He would be the first as far back as she could remember.

He was quite attractive as well. His soft blond curls billowed lightly in the breeze as he led her to the stables. Her hand was gently resting the crook of his arm with his own strong hand resting comfortably over hers. She tried not to chuckle as she felt his clammy palm rest over her knuckles. The sun had barely risen, so he couldn't put blame on the hot weather.

His crystal blue eyes never settled on her, though he did spare a glance at her once or twice, but for the rest of the time, his face was pointed straight while his eyes looked out to his right side. His servant followed closely behind them and Sue couldn't help but note the green tint of jealousy rising to the young woman's chocolate brown eyes.

She found it strange that he would bring a woman along as his escort, but she sported a mighty fine dagger in her belt. Her dark fingers curled ever so lightly around the hilt, Sue guessing that she knew how to handle her short blade and could possibly draw blood with the swiftest of moves.

It was with the glance at the dark-skinned woman that the truth finally settled within Sue. This man didn't want to be here anymore than she did. He was most likely being forced into this by his parents just like she was. His heart obviously belonged to his servant woman. The relief that flooded over her felt so great. He would try as much as possible to not make their match a perfect one.

Smiling widely, she gave his arm a gentle squeeze to alert his attention. "She's a very lucky woman to have won your affections so gracefully," she whispered to him, smiling even wider at the dumbstruck expression that crossed his features.

It took him a moment to let a smile curl at the corner of his lips. He'd been taken aback by the boldness of her statement, but he was very thankful that she understood. "Thank you, Princess." The tears were welling up in his eyes. His lady was his life and love and no matter how much he'd told his parents of his affections for the young and very female soldier, they heard none of it. They expected him to be a man of nobility. A Leland didn't cave at the sight of a pretty face. His father wouldn't argue with him taking the woman to his bed, but falling in love with her was out of the question.

"It's Sue," she urged, "and you're very welcome, Master Leland."

"It's Myles," he countered teasingly as they walked in content friendship toward their horses, though his silent companion none the wiser about his sudden change from prospecting husband-to-be to just being Myles.

As they approached the stable, Sue couldn't help but notice that her familiar steed was not waiting for her alongside Master Leland's. Instead, her gaze set upon the most beautiful mare she'd ever seen. Her soft gray coloring, her gentle brown eyes… Her breath had been taken away just from the mere sight of her.

She jumped as a gentle hand placed itself upon her free forearm. She'd been lost in awe of the stunning creature before her. "Forgive me," Dimitrius said with a slight grin and wink before bowing his head to her and her companion. "Lady Sue," he was the only one in the palace, besides Donna, who was allowed to call her anything less than Princess Susan, "may I present to you your birthday present?"

Smiling, she nodded as she pulled away from her escort and slipped her hand gently into D's palm. He carefully led her over the unlevel terrain, one hand bracing her arm and the other resting in a restraining grip upon her small waist. Her free hand reached out as she longed to feel the soft coat and strong muscles under her fingertips. "She's beautiful, D."

"All the credit goes to Master Jack, here," he said with a pat to the younger man's back like a proud father would do to his son.

"It was nothing, Your Highness," Jack said softly as he tried to hide his cheeks from blushing.

"What's her name?" She asked, completely ignoring Jack's attempt at humility when she couldn't see his lips. In fact, her gaze had never settled upon the Stable Master to know that he'd even spoken.

"Er, uh," he stuttered at the beginning before coming to the conclusion that perhaps she hadn't heard him. He collected himself before answering. "It's Stargazer." He'd named her after the beautiful princess, herself after watching her gaze up at the sparkling stars night after night. It was a fitting namesake.

D waved his hand inconspicuously toward her. To any of their company it would have looked like he was merely brushing the stable dust from his pant but Sue knew better. That was a sign that someone was trying to talk to her.

"I'm sorry?" she asked when her gaze traveled back up to D's serene face. "I must have missed what you said." She watched the gentle brown eyes of her father's former, but now her present armored guard shift to the right to show her that the man beside him was who'd just spoke. Her gaze followed and she let out the slightest of gasps.

His deeply tanned skin was a deep contrast to the creme-colored shirt with the torn-off sleeves he sported. His dark drown hair was dusted with a light layer of dirt and his body was lightly drenched with sweat. Her hazel orbs settled upon Jack's perfect teeth as his lips curled up into a smile. Among all the handsome nobles she'd met in her lifetime—the ones who had everything they'd ever asked for—none had ever smiled at her quite like that. It was a real, genuine smile. She never thought there was such a thing in this world.

Bowing his head toward her as he wiped his hands clean upon an old rag, he took a step toward her and into the sunlight in case she couldn't hear him. "Forgive me, Princess. Her name is Stargazer." His wink was automatic, but the sight of her gentle blush made it all worthwhile.

"She's beautiful." Her voice was surprisingly soft and demure, which surprised her. No man had ever taken her breath away with just a simple smile. There was something special about him and she was willing to discover more.

"One of the finest I've trained and hand picked by your father." He patted Stargazer's strong neck with a feeling of pride. The horse gently nudged him back with affection.

"She's quite taken with him, isn't she?" Myles snickered to his guard who nudged him hard in the ribs, though her eyes held a hint of a smile as well.

"Which one do you mean?" she asked teasingly, "the horse or the princess?"

He chuckled as he let their hands touch for the slightest of moments before pulling away. The tingle of touching her soft skin lingered on his fingertips as he looked down at her with a promise of some time alone for just the two of them. Her cheeks reddened under his scrutiny so much so that she had to turn away from his gaze.

With a glare toward the nobleman, thinking that Sue had heard, Jack said, "She's yours." He handed the reins over to her, their fingers brushing together in the lightest of touches. His face became warm from the sudden shock of electricity that shot through him, a light blush dusting his dirty cheeks.

With her own blush deepening, Sue nodded to him. "Thank you."

Jack's sideways smile reached all the way up to his eyes. "It's my pleasure, Your Highness." He bowed at the waist to her, though his eyes never left hers. Her beauty was simple, yet elegant. She was a natural beauty, unlike so many other women who painted their make-up on. A light layer of powder and a small dusting of rouge was all she needed to accent her already beautiful features.

Sensing the unspoken connection between them, D cleared his throat rather loudly. It was not proper for the two to commune like this in public which made him believe that tonight was still a bad idea. "Lady Sue, if you would be so kind," he held out his hand for her to take as he led her over to the side of the horse. Stargazer was quite tame, perhaps a little too much so. D knew the princess enjoyed going for a spirited run and wondered if the horse would be able to honor her with such spirit.

He held her firmly at the waist and gave her a push up into the saddle. She fluffed her skirts around as she situated herself into a comfortable riding position. "Master Leland, I hope you would not feel uncomfortable if I don't ride side-saddle?" she asked with a pleasant curl to her lips.

D was the only one to notice the jealous scowl upon Jack's lips. He let his shoulders shake with silent laughter. Jackson Hudson didn't usually fall all over himself in front of women, they usually did the falling, but there was certainly something about Princess Sue that got his insides twisted enough so that coherent sentences were unheard of. He would definitely need to keep his eye upon his young charge at the ball tonight to keep him from falling flat on his face.

Smiling back, Myles shook his head. "Of course not, Your Highness." His foot was planted firmly in the stirrup and he was just about to pull himself up when a high-pitched voiced called down from the courtyard.

"Dimitrius!" The loud groan coming from D told the others that the balding man sliding down the embankment from the courtyard could only bring bad news. He excused himself from the princess's company and broke into a run to meet the infuriating adviser to the King.

Sue watched from atop Stargazer, having been given the perfect spot to watch on. Even from a distance their lips were as clear as day and though the others only knew D and Mr. Randall Pitts were arguing back and forth, she could read every word being shot back and forth between them, even the ones inappropriate for her eyes.

Stalking back to the stables, D mumbled under his breath about the insolent little elf. How he'd risen to be the Political Adviser, he would never know, but he would enjoy putting himself and everyone else out of their misery by dumping the man in the ocean.

"Forgive me, Princess, but your father would like a word with you."

"Now?" she asked.

He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Lord Leland, I am sorry."

Filled with relief of not having to make small-talk, Myles merely brushed it off like it was nothing. "I hope Her Highness would at least honor me with a dance at tonight's ball?" he asked.

Sue smiled and nodded. "It would be an honor, Master Leland," she said as D helped her down from Stargazer. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Lucy," she whispered and winked at Leland's guard as they passed.

The dark-skinned woman glanced at her charge with confusion. He raised his hands in his own defense. "Don't look at me, I didn't say a word." He added a playful wink to the mix and was graced with one of her most beautiful smiles as they headed back up toward the castle.