Chapter Ten

"Father Mother." Erik announced as he and Christine swept into the library where Alice and Cedric had been reading. "We have some news."

"What is it son?" Cedric closed his book and stood.

"You might want to sit back down Cedric." Christine indicated for her father-in-law to sit.

Alice moved to sit next to her husband on the couch. "What is the big news?"

Christine looked at Erik, who nodded. "We're having a baby!" She exclaimed.

Alice shrieked and embraced her daughter-in-law, then her son. "When did you know?"

"Yesterday. I woke up and felt sick. Thank God I didn't vomit." Christine squeezed Erik's hand.

"Erik nearly crushed me when I told him ten minutes ago."

"Cedric. We're going to be grandparents!" Alice went to her husband and hugged him.

Cedric returned his wife's hug. "Yes my dear. We will be."

"Father. I know of the traditions of the court. That we must hold a ball in honor of our baby. But I'm not sure if we're ready to give the news to the whole kingdom." Erik shuffled his feet.

"Of course Erik. We don't have to have a ball right now. We can set it for a later date." Alice touched her son's face, and Erik realized that he had left his mask in the bedroom. He made to put his hand over his face, but Alice's hand on his wrist stopped him. "Erik. You need to be comfortable without your mask by the time your baby is born." She reassured him.

"I agree Erik." Christine stepped in front of her husband. "You're handsome to me. And your parents."

Erik sighed. "You're right darling." He kissed his wife's hand, then his mother's. "And you're

right as well Mother."

Alice dropped her hand from her son's wrist, hugging him again. "Erik."

"Yes mother."

"I need to borrow Christine for a few hours. We're going over her duties as queen."

"Of course mother. Take all the time you need." He turned and planted a quick kiss on his wife's lips. "I'll be with my knights." Erik then left the library.

He took the steps to his and Christine's bedroom two at a time, picked up his sword-belt, donned the vest of chain-maille, and went to the training yard. The new knights were engaged in battle with the older knights. The knights turned and bowed to him. He spotted Galvin and walked over to his side. "How are the new knights faring?"

"Very well My King."

"I will be the judge of that." Erik stuck his index fingers between his lips and let out a shrill whistle. The knights turned and bowed to their king. "Separate yourselves into two even groups. Both groups should have an equal number of veteran knights and new knights."

The knights rushed to do as they were told. Erik walked to the group on his left. He picked one of the new knights and one of the old knights, He explained to the two that they were to battle one of the knights from the other group. "Galvin, choose a new knight and a veteran knight from the other group. Have them each battle one of the knights I have chosen. Everyone else, stay where you're."

Galvin selected two of the knights from his group. When Erik gave the whistle, both teams circled each other before the new knights rushed the older knights. The battles had begun.

Erik watched as the groups of knights took turns at battling each other. In the end, the new knights were found to be just as skilled as the veterans. The process took most of the day, and by dinnertime, Erik was hungry not just for food, but for his wife. He dismissed his knights, walked up to his bedroom to put his sword away, then went down to the dinning-room.

Christine was already there, sitting at the head of the table next to his chair. He planted a kiss on her forehead, taking the seat next to her. "How was your lesson Christine?"

She waited for her soup to be placed on the table before her. Alice had put her on a strict diet for her pregnancy. The same diet Alice had been on when she had been pregnant with Erik. "The lesson went well. Alice showed me how to dance with books on my head. They fell off my head a few times." She giggled at the memory. "How was training?" Lifting her spoon to her mouth, she blew on it before swallowing the chicken soup.

"It went well also. The knights are very skilled. Even the new ones."

Christine was about to respond when there was a shout from the kitchen. "Get that mangy dog out of here!" It was Josephine, one of the cook's apprentices. "It's not even a dog! It's a rat."

Christine dropped her spoon, stood, and flung open the door to the kitchen. Erik followed her. "Who's the one who called Caramel mangy and a rat?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. Josephine stood on a chair. "Was it you Josephine?" Christine demanded. "Get down from there this instant."

The woman stepped down from the chair. "That rat bit my foot." Her face turned beet red in anger. "Where did the thing even come from?"

Christine held her hands in fists by her sides so as not to strike the woman. "That rat you're referring to is my dog. She was a gift from my husband. And therefore she is family."

"It's a rat." Josephine crossed her arms. "It's also mangy and dangerous. It could have some kind of disease."

Christine tapped her foot impatiently. "I see. Josephine Collins, you're no longer welcome in this castle. you're to pack your belongings and leave within the hour." She held up her hand when the woman opened her mouth to argue. "you're a rude and disrespectful woman. And I will not have you in this castle. Mabel." She turned to the housekeeper. "Escort this urchin to the servants quarters and make sure she is gone immediately. Don't give her any assistance. She is to walk to town. Is that clear?"

The housekeeper dipped in a curtsy and led Josephine from the room. Christine watched them then picked up her puppy. "You poor dear. Did the mean lady scare you?" The dog shook in her mistress's arms. "Of course she did. Javert. Have a bowl of beef and pork made and bring it to the dining-room for Caramel. She will eat her meals with Erik and myself from now on."

The cook nodded and rushed to prepare the bowl. Christine turned and carried the trembling puppy through the door Erik held open. "Thank you darling."

Erik followed his wife back to the table. She sat in front of her soup and dipped a piece of bread into the broth. Caramel lay down in her owner's lap, closing her eyes. Christine and Erik ate in silence.

The kitchen door swung open and Javert came in carrying a bowl of meat and vegetables for Caramel. Caramel, upon catching the scent, jumped down from Christine's lap and sat next to her. Javert set the bowl in front of the dog and scratched her ears. "You're not a rat Caramel. You're a beautiful wee dog."

He stood and nodded to Christine, who thanked him.

Caramel sniffed the bowl of meat before swallowing a mouthful of her dinner. She obviously liked her meal, cleaning the empty bowl with her tongue in no time. Once the bowl was empty, she sat quietly until Christine and Erik had finished eating. Christine looked down at her and knew what she was waiting for. She needed to go outside to burn off some energy. "Come on Little One. Let's go outside and play."

Erik watched as Christine led Caramel out through the door through the servants entrance where there was no garden, only snow. He wanted to follow, but stopped when his father cast him a worried look. "What is it Father?"

"We've never had a pet in this castle. It's a nice change. But are you sure Christine will be able to take care of Caramel while she's pregnant?"

Erik grinned. "I've already thought of that. When Christine gets farther into her pregnancy, I will take over the care of little Caramel."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure."

"Very well son. Go with them. Have fun." He reached into his pocket. "But first, take this ball." He held out a small round leather ball.

Erik took it and thanked his father, turning and going to the yard to find his wife. He strolled through the snow, following the happy yipping from Caramel and Christine's giggling. He was turning the corner when he heard a distressed scream from his wife. His heart fell into his stomach as he remembered when she had fallen through the ice.

"Christine!" Breaking into a run, Erik raced to where he had heard the sound. Four sets of footprints traveled through the snow. One set was Caramel's, one was Christine's, one was those of a man, and the other was a horse. He searched he darkness, spotting his wife surrounded by his knights as a black horse sped through the trees behind the castle. There was no wall here, only trees and bushes.

He rushed to his knights. "Move aside!" He yelled. Christine sat on the ground, her head in her hands.

Caramel was nowhere in sight. "Christine. What happened?"

"He tried to kidnap me. Caramel bit his leg and he kicked her." Christine raised her head. A black bruise shown on her cheek. "He hit me too." She pointed to where her puppy lay on her side.

Erik went over to the puppy, running his hands across her small body. "She's okay. No broken bones." He picked up the puppy, who was trembling again, tucking her small body into the folds of his shirt. "She's cold. We should get her up to our room and in front of the fire right away." He walked over to his wife and helped her stand, handing her the puppy then sweeping his two ladies into his arms.

Christine sighed against his chest. "I didn't see the man's face. But it all happened so fast." She started to tremble.

"Shhh. Christine, it's alright." He kissed the top of her head. "Search the area." He shouted to his knights. "I want all of you on high alert for the next few days."

The knights rushed to do their king's bidding.

Erik carried his queen and their puppy to their bedroom, carefully setting Christine on the bed. Caramel lay on Christine's lap, fast asleep, "Maybe we should let her sleep on the bed with us tonight." He suggested. He took the folded blanket Caramel slept on from in front of the fire and laid it out on the right side of the bed.

Christine nodded, settling the puppy on the blanket. Erik took her hand and helped her undress. He slipped her nightgown over her head then changed into his own nightclothes.

Christine climbed under the covers next to Caramel, and Erik blew out the candle then slipped in next to her. Laying on his back, he pulled his wife to his side, rubbing her back until they both fell asleep.

Caramel whined and licked Erik's chin. She yipped, rousing Erik from his sleep. He sat up, the puppy slipping to the edge of the bed. He grabbed her before she could fall off. "Someone's an early riser." He joked. The puppy licked his chin. "Are you hungry?"

The dog yipped. "Alright. I'll take you down to get some breakfast." He set Caramel on the floor, pulling on a shirt and changing his trousers. Picking the dog back up, he tucked her under his arm and went to the kitchen where Javert already had a bowl waiting for Caramel. "Javert, you're a very good cook. How did you know I would be bringing Caramel down for breakfast?"

The cook smiled. "I guess it's a sixth sense." He laughed as Caramel attacked the bowl. "She certainly loves to eat."

"Yes. She's going to grow big and strong soon." Erik knelt down and scratched Caramel's ears. "Aren't you little lady?" Caramel licked the bowl clean and then licked her chops. Erik laughed. "She definitely will."

Christine walked into the kitchen, already dressed for the day. "Where's Caramel? I woke up and she was gone." Caramel yipped from under the table. "There you're." Caramel caught sight of her tail and raced around in circles, trying to grab it. "You're a silly girl." Christine laughed.

Erik watched his wife and their little dog, smiling. The bruise on Christine's cheek was still there, but it was hidden by makeup. How his life had changed in a few short months. He had a beautiful wife, a dog, and a baby on the way. Nothing could have made him happier.

Christine stood and Erik took her hand, leading her to the dining room where their breakfast was waiting. Christine ate an egg, oatmeal, and a slice of ham. Erik ate his own oatmeal, watching his wife. She didn't look worried about the diet she was on. If anything, she looked content. Erik finished his breakfast and waited for Christine to finish hers, then took her hand and led her outside to the stables.

Christine watched as her husband led Diablo and Ginger to her, both already saddled. Christine rubbed Ginger's head, holding out the piece of ginger that Erik had given to her. Ginger took it quickly from Christine's hand, munching on the treat. Erik helped his wife into her saddle, then climbed on Diablo's back. He kicked his horse into a gallop and Ginger followed.

"Where are we going?" Christine inquired when they passed the gate.

"It's a surprise."

They stopped their horses in front of a small cottage about a fourth of a mile away from the castle. "Where are we?"

"This is my special spot. I had it built when I was told I would marry you. I wanted to show you as a wedding present but it wasn't finished. They just finished it two days ago." He led Diablo and Ginger to a small enclosure, removed their saddles and bridles, then took his wife's hand and led her to the door. Fishing a key from his pocket he unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping aside so Christine could enter first.

She took one look around the single room and fell in love. Turning around Christine threw her arms around her husband and showered his face with kisses. "Oh Erik. It's beautiful!" She turned and raced off to explore. Erik closed the door and followed his wife. She took in the small sitting room connected to a small kitchen. The bedroom was separated from the rest of the space by a half wall, a two-sided fireplace sat in the middle of the wall between the sitting room and the bedroom.

Erik took his wife's hand and pulled her to the fireplace, sitting down with her nestled against his chest.

"I'm glad you like it. I was thinking we could spend a few days here every few months."

"That sounds wonderful." Christine turned her head and kissed her husband. "Are we staying here today?"

"Until Sunday, yes." It was Thursday. Christine's face turned into a worried expression. "Don't worry, Mother and Father will take care of Caramel for us."

"Okay. But I don't have any clothes."

Erik stood and took her hand. He led her to the bedroom where a large wardrobe stood. Pulling the doors open he indicated four dresses hanging next to his clothes. "I thought ahead."

"I don't remember these dresses." She reached out and touched one of them, a light purple gown.

"That's because I ordered them a few days ago and had them delivered straight here." He rubbed his wife's back. "Do you like them?"

Christine looked up and smiled. "I love them."

"Good." He went to the kitchen and pulled down a pot. "Do you like hot chocolate?"

"What woman doesn't?"

He laughed and filled the pot with milk and shaved chocolate. As he watched the pot, Christine went to the sitting room and pulled a book from the shelf. She opened the book and started reading.

Erik approached with two teacups. "You're chocolate milady." He passed one of the cups to her. "What are you reading?"

"I'm not sure. The letters on the cover are faded." She handed him the book.

He skimmed the first few pages. "It's The Knight's Bride." He handed the book back to her. "My mother used to read it all the time. She gave me permission to bring it here."

"It's a very good book." Christine agreed, sipping her chocolate. She yawned. "This is making me sleepy."

Erik took the cup from her, "Then let's go take a nap." He pulled her up and carried her to the bed, undressed her, and lay her under the covers. Erik undressed himself then climbed into bed with her, took off his mask, set it on the table, and wrapped his arm around his wife.