The King's Wife

Friends New and Old

Kate couldn't sleep the entire night. Who was that man with Aurora? Was she sneaking off to cheat on the King? Wouldn't that be treason? What would happen to her and her mother?

Kate shook those thoughts out of her head quickly. This was too much. It was only her first day and she already knew too much. Or did she? It could have been a fluke.

Maybe he's some kind of stalker...

Kate didn't like that idea at all. The thought that there were creeps living in the castle was unsettling. It didn’t help that Kate was left alone the day after. Aurora whisked their mother away for wedding planning. Despite her cold nature, Aurora began acting more childlike now that Veronica was there. More pouting. More whining.

Just like when we were kids.

“Ma’am.” A voice broke her from her thoughts. Kate turned to see that same plump woman from the night before peering into her bedroom. The woman daintily knocked on the heavy wood door.

“I’m sorry to bother you…” She bowed her head down slightly. “But Her Soon-to-be Majesty has asked that you be fitted for your gown.”

Kate c****d an eyebrow. “My gown?”

“Yes, m’lady. The gown for the royal wedding.”

“Isn’t it a bit soon to be fitted for a gown that I won’t wear for at least another year? They just got betrothed.” Kate’s curiosity killed any chance of politeness in her voice.

“Oh… no, ma’am.” The servant woman smiled slightly. “The wedding has been pushed up. The Royal Highnesses Phillip and Elenor decided it would be best to have the wedding sooner and Miss Aurora requested all new dresses for the ceremony. Oh… custom-made, of course.”

“Of course.” Kate gave the woman a small smile and sat on her bed. “Can we… You know, I’d like to do it later. I’m… not feeling well.”

“Oh!” The woman’s face turned to concern and she hurried to Kate’s side. “Can I get you anything? Would you like some water? A warm cloth?” She pressed her hand against Kate’s forehead.

“No, no… I’m just tired is all.” Kate shook her head and pulled her blanket over her lap. “I just need some rest. Can I be fitted after a quick nap?

“Of course.” The woman slowly pulled the door closed.

Kate shot up out of bed immediately and pushed the shudders of her window open, leaning out to peer below the castle walls. A flood of servants were out in the courtyard making preparations for the wedding, no doubt.

Kate pulled back her hair with a ribbon and ran out of her room as quickly as she could. Pulling up her dress, she ran through the halls of Rukith Castle and nearly ran into some servants on her way down the stairs. She called her apologies back to them as she ran.

There was so much going on in the kingdom, she doubted anyone would notice her gone. Her mother and sister would be shopping until supper, and she had no intention of doing anything for her sister as of this moment. Everything felt smothering. Too many people. Too much going on. Too much… everything.

Kate was suddenly knocked onto the ground as she ran directly into a broad, muscular body. Rubbing her head, she noticed a man’s hand outreached to her. “My deepest apologies… Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Kate took the man’s hand and was instantly whisked back onto her feet. He pulled her up with such ease, she thought she was floating for a moment. Flustered, she looked up at the man she had run into and patted her dress.

“I.. I’m so sorry.” Her face was red with embarrassment. “I didn’t… I was trying to…”

“Are you hurt?” He asked again.

Kate took a deep breath before answering. “No. Thank you. I’m so sorry. I was not paying attention.”

The man still had her hand in his and kissed it lightly. “M’lady, the fault is mine. I’m glad you’re not hurt though. I think I knocked the wind out of you.”

Kate giggled. “Maybe a bit.” She studied his features. Tall. Dark. Black curly hair. A bit of scruff on his face. Dusty-looking boots and a sword at his side. “You look familiar.”

“So do you. I was at the banquet last night.” Kate felt her face get hot as he studied her. “You’re Katherine, correct? The Queen’s sister?”

She narrowed her eyes and snatched her hand back from him. “Not Queen yet. But, yes. You’re…. Alec?”

He let out a deep laugh. “Adam! My name is Adam, m’lady.”

“The King’s friend.” Kate looked him up and down.

“Yes, how did you know?” he asked.

“Your name came up in conversation.” She eyed him coyly.

“Ah…” Adam came close to her face, smirking. “And what came of that conversation, may I ask?”

She remembered the night before, when the King and Queen informed her mother of his marital status. “You may not ask!” Kate turned her face away and snubbed her nose up at him. “And it’s rude to pry in others’ conversations! It was private.”

“Nothing is private around here.” He pulled himself back away from her. “I know you’re new, but if you intend on having privacy, you won’t find it in this castle. Everyone knows everything.”

She turned back to look at him. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”

“If it’s reassurance you desire,” he rested his arm up on the stone wall and leaned his body against it. “We can go to a place away from here. We can ride on horseback, and I can show you the countryside?”

“I think you too forward, sir.” She looked down smiling. He was smooth. Too smooth. She studied his broad shoulders and toned muscles under his shirt. She bit her lower lip.

God, he’s so handsome…

Kate felt her face get hot again and pulled a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. She watched his deep brown eyes staring back at her.

“Well,” Adam pulled himself off the wall. “If you’re ever interested, I think you know where to find me.”

“O-of course.” She stuttered and mentally kicked herself. Why was she getting so flustered? He’s just a man…

An incredibly handsome and tall, strong man… She gulped nervously.

“It was nice to meet you, Katherine.” He kissed her hand once more.

“Please, call me Kate.”

He held her hand gingerly in his. “Kate. Of course. Well, it was nice to meet you, Kate.”

“You as well, Adam.” She watched him take his leave, and couldn’t help but stare at him as he walked away. She cupped her face with both her hands, shaking off the heat she felt in her cheeks.

What the hell just happened!?

***

A young woman in a bright yellow dress stood near the castle gates tapping her foot onto the ground impatiently. She paced back and forth one more time before hearing someone calling out to her.

“Alice! I’m here!” Kate ran and shouted out to her, gasping her breath. “I… I ran all the way here.”

“I waited for an hour!” Alice placed both hands on her hips. “Where were you?? What happened?”

Kate grasped both of Alice’s hands and pulled her in close to whisper to her. “My friend, we can’t speak here. There are eyes and ears everywhere.”

Alice nodded in understanding before the two young ladies ran off to find somewhere more secluded to talk. Kate squeezed her friend’s hand in hers. Alice is the oldest friend she had. Alice had been around since the two were children and as a result, Kate entrusted her with her deepest secrets.

The young women went through town and Alice led her into a wooden house. She pulled Kate by the hand up the stairs of her home and into her bedroom. Alice lit a candle before pulling the windows closed while Kate sat on the bed.

“Alright.” Alice sat beside Kate and gave her a big squeeze. “I was so excited to hear you were coming to this side of Rukith! When I got your letter, I nearly fell out of my chair! How is palace life? What is such a big secret we had to travel through town and lock ourselves away?”

“There’s no privacy in the castle,” Kate spoke in a hushed tone. “My sister has everyone wrapped around her finger and everyone knows everything about everyone. I was talking to Adam- “

“Ooh… who’s Adam?” Alice raised her eyebrow and smirked. “Sounds hot.”

Kate rolled her eyes and smiled. “It’s just a name. One of the knights there. He told me there are no secrets at the castle. I don’t think I can speak freely unless I hide myself away.”

“So what about Adam then?”

“You’re not focusing, Alice.” Kate playfully slapped her arm. “This is not about a man. I saw something last night. At least, I think I did.”

Alice frowned. “What happened?”