“Well maybe so, but it didn’t hinder your ability to learn it well nevertheless. Being known as one of the best swordsman in the kingdom is quite an accomplishment.”
“Perhaps. Where did your mother learn it all? Her mother?”
“Probably. She didn’t talk about my grandparents much. I don’t even, to this day, know their names. I think they died when she was young. It was probably too painful to talk about. She was really an outdoors type of person though. She loved the sun and the fresh smells of nature, and the freedom of the air.”
He laughed. “It’s easy to see where you got your passion from.”
“I miss her.”
“I’m sure you do. It must have been hard being raised in a houseful of men. I miss my mother at times too. I, too, was young when she passed. If she had been alive as I grew into a man, perhaps I wouldn’t have turned down the wrong path. One can never know. We can only move forward and hope to make things right for the future.” He paused. “She would’ve liked you. You have such a carefree spirit, and your joy for the littlest thing is infectious. I’m beginning to catch your fervor.”
She blushed. “It pleases me that you think so. I try very hard not to become buried in the everyday. I instead try to see things as an adventure so I won’t go crazy. My station often requires me to give in to what others feel is right. I, on the other hand, fight to do what I feel is right, and it’s, more often than not, frustrating for my father. I know if my mother were still alive I wouldn’t be in this predicament. She would’ve seen me for what I am and made others see it too.”
“I believe your father and brother love you. I don’t think your father planned things this way. I believe he doesn’t realize what he’s done.”
“I want to believe that too, but I’m not sure what to think anymore.”
“Eventually we will figure it out. Together.” He touched her hand lightly and briefly.
She smiled. “Thank you for your kindness and for agreeing to keep me safe.”
“No gratitude necessary. You’ve made it extremely easy. I enjoy having you here.”
They moved through the garden and were interrupted by a squire quickly approaching from a side gate. The boy reached their side and bowed low to his king. “Your Majesty, there has been a dispatch brought moments ago from Seabrook. It’s marked urgent.”
“Thank you, Henri. I’ll be along in a moment.”
The squire bowed again and left, briskly walking down the garden trail and out the gate once more.
“I’m sorry to cut this afternoon short, but I’m afraid I’m always king first, host second.”
“It’s alright. I will amuse myself until dinner.”
He bowed to her then moved away from her down the garden path in the opposite direction the squire had gone. She watched him go, his pants hugging his muscular behind, the way he walked, all of it. She sighed. Because of his kindness and the fact that he was fun to be around, her physical attraction to him was steadily growing. She could easily see herself falling in love with him. He was extremely handsome with his broad chest, slightly wavy hair, and pale blue eyes. Those eyes. So pale blue they were almost translucent at times. She could easily get lost in them, and had, on a couple of recent occasions. Anytime he caught her staring at him, she would quickly look away, not wanting him to know she was so taken in by them. She had come here feeling concerned with him, but now, she was comfortable and readily wanted to be closer.
She really didn’t want to be alone for the rest of the day, so, compelled by her need to be near him, she went into the castle to find him. Besides, maybe there was something she could do to help.
She found him in his study. When she entered, he was seated at his desk looking intently at the parchment that was rolled out on the surface of the large desk. When she approached, he looked up, brow furrowed.
“I don’t mean to interfere where it’s not my place, but is there anything I might do to help?”
His face lightened a bit, but he still looked concerned. “I suppose since some of what is going on concerns you, you should know what’s happening.”
She got closer to the desk, and he motioned her to sit. She sat in a chair in front of the large ornate desk and placed her hands neatly in her lap, legs crossed daintily at the ankles. Being demure in front of him didn’t bother her; in fact, she actually liked to do it. The dresses just seemed comfortable with him.
“It appears that Fallon has started whatever campaign he’s planning. I have word from a reliable source I have keeping watch, that two of his men have bribed the Port Authority to allow unmarked ships into the harbor. The dispatch says that there will be four large industrial size ships landing at an unknown date and will pick up several squads of men, and carry them into Sailors Bluff, which also entails crossing through the Corlane Strait, which in winter is quite a feat. The sum paid to hire ships of that size is considerable, but the silence is costlier still.”