Lady In Red

7

Before I knew it I was standing right in front of him. My eyes could not meet his, not because of a slight height difference but because I just could not look him in the eyes. I feared it would anger him.

My hands trembled as my father took my hand and placed it over his hands. And I will never exaggerate how that felt. Like warmth but with a shock in my body. I noticed him staring at me for just over a minute before looking at the priest.

The priest was the only man who could look at King Xerxes in the eyes as he said his prayers for us. He was the only man I saw, who did not hold fear in his eyes as the Lycan King stood before him.

As we faced each other, he took my other hand. I didn't even notice the slight trembles my hands gave away.

I felt a sense of ending as he put a ring on my finger. It was such a simple, elegant ring. Gold and thin with three small diamonds. As I hold the ring I pray to god I don't drop it. I hurried to put it on his finger for fear of messing up.

As the priest blessed us and announced us as man and wife, I gulp as his hand wrapped around my waist very lightly. So lightly I could feel his fingers tracing my back. His lips lightly laid on my lips for only a moment but all I saw were warm lights as I closed my eyes.

My lips tingled as he pulled away and took my hand. We bowed to the lord once before leaving for the door.

There was no feast here. There was just me giving a final full curtsey to the King and Queen before having the time to say goodbye to my family and then I was whisked away to the carriage but not before a quick bath and other ablutions with a brief change into a simpler cream gown for the long travel. I was thankful I got the time to refresh myself, I did not want two days of travel with no proper bath and bathroom break and me on my heels to get there.

I smile at Sir Fred as he prepared his horse and he bowed towards me as I walk to him.

"I will be taking a different route to the Kingdom Madam. I hope I see in a span of two days if the weather allows it" I frown.

"But, why?"

He was the only man I could trust.

"I have to make haste and get to the court before your Highness so as to deal with all the necessary requirements like your personal needs, how the court works and what your, The Queen's duty will be. It would be easier for me to cross the mountains from the east. Unfortunately, the carriage cannot pass such narrow hills so you have to go through the longer route."

I frown and he looked behind me towards Sir Andrew and back at me.

"Do not worry Madam. You will be protected by six soldiers and The King himself. Lydia will be with you at all times."

I sigh nodding.

"I worry for you, not myself"

Sir Fred gave a light chuckle, "Madam, there is no need to worry. The route I will take is a safe one at that and I will have a companion for half of it".

I smile, assured them that he would be fine. For I need him to make sure I was on my best behavior back on the court and I needed him for he was the only man from back home who the Queen trusted. I said my final goodbye before walking to the carriage.

As I sit down and make myself comfortable assuming I was the only one in the carriage as the footman closed the door. I rub my hands together as the cold weather has descended early this season. The door opened catching me by surprise. My eyes went wide as a hawk when King Xerxes stepped in and took a seat facing me. I lower my head a second nature to my reaction.

He looked at me once before calling for a servant and saying something in a language I did not understand. We wait a while in silence till the man came back with a thick blue shawl and handed it to the King.

He placed it over my lap and closed the door knocking once and I saw Sir Andrew get on his horse.

"We take the route from Greenstake's?" He asked and King Xerxes nodded.

"It will be colder as we move up the mountain. I expect your lady's maid packed a coat for the journey?"

His Voice...

That was my first thought, It was so rough and manly but there was that hint of softness to it. perhaps just my thought. His voice ..might I dare say can be compared to warmth but with fire underneath which could blaze through the firewood anytime and burn someone too close.

After my mind was content with comparing the King's voice to many things I realized I was asked a question. And It reminded me of my maid. Who had no apprehension of the weather up in the mountains to the south or north and had never been told what type of clothing to carry for the travel.

I sat there with my half-open mouth petrified to speak and disappoint or worse anger the King. So I gulp down the fear and shook my head.

"Forgive me, I-I -" Why should I take the blame for myself? I am her mistress, It was entirely Lydia's fault, yes?

"My maid did not -"

He looked at me with a quizzical brow before nodding and looking away. Soon I realized he has some papers in his hands which he continued reading and browsing through for half the journey, while, I was in agony.

I could not keep my eyes off his hands or face or hair. It was just impossible for a man to be so perfect looking. Well, perfection always comes with some disappointment. I expected it to be his attitude toward me.

A thought dawned on me. I was a human in their land. He could very well toss me in a chamber locked away and have his mistress with him. Oh, the sorrow it may give me.

The carriage came to a sudden halt which sends me jerking forward and right into his extended arms. His brows creased in worry or anger maybe? his hands stayed on my arm while my hand fell on his chest to stop my face from bumping into it all at once.

"What is it?" He asked looking out. His one hand pulled away the curtains of the carriage but the other stayed on my forearm. I retract my hand from his chest, my cheeks clearly flushed and I in embarrassed as the footman inquired about the sudden halt.

"Apologies Your Majesty. A minor delay-"

"For what?" King Xerxes questions the footman. So it was anger indeed.

"A body. Human." Said Sir Andrew as he walked past our carriage.