Chapter 15: Lady in Waiting

The next morning you get ready for your tea with the princess.

Stacey stands in front of you. "You look so beautiful, mam"

"Thank you, Stacey. I'm so nervous. I wonder why the princess wants to have tea with me?"

"It's considered a great honor if you're invited for tea, mam. You should be very happy"

"Yes, I should, shouldn't I?"

(Did she notice that the King gives attention to me? Is that why she wanted to see me?)

You get into your carriage and arrive at the palace. The princess's Lady in waiting are standing outside.

"Lady Winters, it's good to see you again"

"Likewise"

"The princess will be here soon, she would like you to have tea in the garden"

"Of course" Just then the princess arrives. You bow before her. "No need for formalities, it's just us girls today. Have a walk with me, Lady Winters"

"As you wish, your Highness" You start walking through the gardens. "The garden is so beautiful, your grace"

"It truly are, Lady Winters. Do you like manicuring your gardens?"

"Oh yes, I love changing as much as I can, your grace"

"Here we are...." She gestures to a setting put out for you especially with a table and nicely decorated tea and cake in the snow.

"Princess, this is so beautiful, thank you"

"I mean what would you without servants, right?" You lift your eyebrows in surprise at her words.

"Uhm...yes....of course" You sit down and she starts to pour tea. "So, Lady Winters, tell me a bit more about you and your family?"

"Uhm, well...I own a few lands in the north and we mainly focus on wine. We produce our own brand of wine from our vineyards and sell them locally"

"Oh, that sounds so interesting. You must have like a lot of people working for you?"

"Uhm...yes...you do need a lot of people to run a successful winery, your grace"

"I know that, of course, and what about your family?" You get the distinct feeling that the princess doesn't have much life experience.

"I'm sad to say they passed away, your grace"

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Listen I have a request, would you like to be my Lady in waiting?" You choke on the tea and almost spill it all over her.

"*cough*...I'm so so sorry, your grace"

"You better watch what you're doing!" Her entire demeanor changes to anger. "Forgive me, your Highness"

"Yes well, so what do you say?"

(I can't be her lady in waiting!! I'm in love with the King?! How am I suppose to act around her if I want her betrothed?!)

"Princess, your offer is very tempting but with our business, there isn't a lot of time in the day left and I don't want to disappoint you by not being able to be here for you, your grace"

"Oh, wonderful, then it's settled. You would make a great Lady in waiting"

"Your grace!" She stands up and starts walking back to the castle. "Your Highness, forgive me but I can't accept this offer"

"Don't worry about it, Lady Winters. I'll call upon you when your duties are required as my Lady in waiting. We had a good chat, you and I. Now, if you'll excuse me" You stand still and stare after the princess.

(What just happened? Didn't she hear me? Didn't I make myself clear to her? I can't be her lady in waiting....I don't want to be her lady in waiting!!)

Disappointed and a bit angry you make your way home. You walk through the front door to your living room in shock.

"I'm a lady in waiting?"

Stacey come around the corner "Mam?"

"I'm a lady in waiting"

"Congratulations, mam!"

"Urgh!"

"Aren't you happy, mam? It's a great honor?"

(I can't tell anyone about the King)

"Yes, yes it's....great. Listen, Stacey, I'll probably be late tonight, so don't worry about waiting for me"

"Yes, mam. Would that be all?"

"Just get me, my horse please and then you can take the rest of the day off. Thank you"

You get on your horse and absentmindedly ride through the forest to the cabin. You get closer and suddenly it hits you that you will be seeing the King. The forest starts to clear and you see the cabin. You get closer and then you see him waiting on the porch, staring at you. You get of your horse and walk up to him. You walk towards him over the bridge. Suddenly one of the planks on the bridge gives in and you fall into the lake. You haven't even completely submerged under the water when you feel a strong hand pulling you out. Your body is instantly in shock and all feeling left your body.

"Oh god, Lady Winters, are you okay?"

"I....brrr....I....I'm fine...."

"No....you're not....angel" You feel your teeth chattering against each other but that's not what got your attention. Your attention is on the words he spoke. You look at him. Strangely, that word brought comfort to you.

"You're freezing! Let's get you inside"

"I'm...I'm fine...r...r...real..l..ly"

"I didn't realize you're so stubborn, Lady Winters" He opens the door and there's a fire waiting for you. You feel yourself getting weak from the cold. Your feet doesn't want to carry you anymore. He realizes it and picks you up from the ground, as if you were but a feather and carry you in both his arms to the fireplace.

"We need to get you out of these clothes as soon as possible, otherwise you could get pneumonia"

Then he realized what he said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."

You put your frozen fingers on his lips trying to silence him. He makes a soft sound and closes his eyes for a second.

"It's...it's...o..o..okay..." He puts you down and helps you remove your coat. You're shaking uncontrollably now. He wants to take off your blouse but his hands stops, as if to ask permission first.

"P..p..please...h..h..help me" He quickly removes your clothes with only your underwear remaining on your body. Then he takes a towel and pat you dry. He let you sit on the soft carpet in front of the fireplace and get a blanket to throw over you. Your shivering doesn't subside.

"Lady Winters, may I sit next to you and try to make you warm?" You nod your head.

"P...p...please" He quickly moves to your side and rub you up and down for warmth. His eyes are filled with concern. The shivering doesn't stop and you know what needs to happen.

"Lady Winters, you need more warmth. Could I provide you with my body heat? It will warm you up....please let me help you?"

You look in his eyes and you see nothing but concern. Your lips have turned blue and most of your body parts. You nod your head in agreement. He quickly removes his shirt and then open your blanket. He stops and then just stare...as if he hasn't ever seen such beauty...

But it is you that stare at this muscled man sitting next to you. Every muscle is toned to perfection and his body is a masterpiece.

(Oh....Fück....)