Her knight

Chapter Six

Vanessa hummed as she picked the flowers. She had come

upon lilies in bloom when she had taken a walk outside the

keep into the forest and since then she has made it a habit to

come out and pick them. She had found vases and was putting

the flowers in her room and around the hall of the keep and

she replaced them every day. Adam had tried to protest the

first day he had seen it but she had frowned at him and was

almost in tears so he had let them be and she had laughed at

the face he had made when she had continued to place the

flowers there. Adam had complained that he had thought the

first day was the only day she would pick the flowers and place

them in the keep. She handed the flowers she picked to Mary

who placed them inside the basket that was hanging on her

arm. Ian smiled and walked over to where Vanessa was

standing. He has made it a habit to follow her from behind

insisting on protecting her alongside the guard whom Adam

had mandated to follow her whenever she leaves the keep. He

came to a stop in front of her with both his hands behind him.

‘M’lady,’ he began then he brought his right hand forward

revealing a red rose. ‘Beautiful roses for me beautiful lady,’ he

finished giving her the flower. Vanessa took it, charmed. She

sniffed it and smiled. ‘I’m charmed Ian. You will break a lot of hearts and I hope

they all survive it.’ He shrugged and bowed.

‘It’s not me fault me handsome and them girls can’t resist me

charm m’lady.’ Vanessa laughed and patted his head.

‘Let’s head back to the keep before my husband comes looking

for me.’ Adam had come searching for her the second time she

had left the keep and that had been when the guard had been

assigned to her. She had lost track of time chasing a butterfly

and playing with Ian. He had come with a search party and she

had ended up red with embarrassment. She took the basket

from Mary who protested but gave up knowing she couldn’t

possibly win against her then holding a reluctant Ian’s hand she

led the way back to the keep.

‘There comes our lady with her basket once again full of

flowers. Today we will yet again be graced with the beautiful

flowers as beautiful as our lady,’ one of his men commented

and the men all laughed when they saw Vanessa walking back

to the keep with the basket of flowers and Mary. Adam looked

around her but couldn’t find her smallest companion Ian. He

always followed her everywhere claiming to guard and protect

her. He had been tempted when she had starting picking the

flowers to destroy the part of the forest where she was

gathering the flowers but he had not gone through with his

plan because he had come upon her one day, humming as she

placed the flowers in a vase. Picking the flowers made her happy and he loved seeing her happy above other things and

he was beginning to like the presence of the flowers in the

keep. She passed by them in the training ground and offered

him a smile while she waved as his men poured out greetings

towards her. He was proud of her. Proud of her beauty, her

body, her well rounded figure, her beautiful beast, her soft lips,

the gentle sway of her hips.

‘You are drooling m’lord,’ Magnus whispered having come to

stand close to him. Adam was startled but he stopped looking

at his wife and turned to Magnus. He had not even notice him

approach. ‘She’s yours. You can excuse yourself from the

training ground. I’ll cover for you.’

‘And have the men talk behind my back. I’m tempted but she

might turn me down. Those flowers are important right now.’

‘You may never know if you don’t try. You may be surprised

m’lord.’

‘I’ll pass,’ Adam said and turned back to resume training but

he stopped when he noticed that the men’s attention was

focused on something else rather than training. Adam turned

to see what had caught their attention when he was jumped

upon by a woman who clearly wasn’t his wife.

Elaine released him from the bear hug and looked at him. He

was still as handsome as ever. ‘What’s on your mind that you didn’t even sense me approach

until I jumped on you?’ Adam was about to reply when she

placed a single kiss on his lips and smiled at him. ‘I missed you.

I was around the neighborhood and I decided to come see my

childhood friend and stay a while. Maybe I can become friends

with your wife.’

‘Mischievous witch. What do you have up your sleeves this

time?’ He didn’t scold her for the kiss. Elaine was known to do

what’s on her mind and he knew that the kiss was harmless.

She has always had a knack for silly games and pranks as a child

and she was yet to grow out of them.

‘Nothing. I just came to see you since I missed you. My father

gave me his permission.’ She linked her arms to his and

dragged him from the training ground. ‘Come introduce me to

your wife. I’ve been dying to meet her.’ Adam tried to unlink

his arms so Vanessa wouldn’t get the wrong impression should

she see them but her grip was firm.

‘Alright, I can walk without you dragging me Elie and no

pranks or silly comments. The moment you break these rules,

you are off my land.’

‘That means I’ll be staying in my old room.’ Adam didn’t know

what to say but he nodded. Her room was directly opposite

his. Vanessa looked as everything unfolded, confused and

dumbfounded. She had gone to talk to Adam about her plan

to renovate the hall when she had stumbled on another woman

hugging and kissing her husband and now they were walking

back to the keep arms linked together and what was worse,

Adam was comfortable with everything and he was even

laughing at something she was saying. “Who was she and what

had been their relationship before they had married? Was she

the true woman he loved?” Vanessa took a peek at her. She

was stunning and her rich wavy red hair was beautiful. They

looked good together. She turned and focused on the vase she

was putting the last of the lilies when they entered the keep and

walked straight to her. “Was he going to introduce his mistress

to her,” she wondered.

‘Essa,’ she heard him call her and she turned slowly coming

face to face with her. She looked more beautiful up closely and

her dark azure eyes stared at her as if accessing her. ‘This is

Elaine. We’ve known each other for ages and she has come to

visit and spend some time here in the keep.’ She smiled at

Vanessa revealing perfect dentitions.

‘Don’t be so formal Adam. I’m glad to meet you my lady. I’ve

heard so much about you and I’ve been looking forward to

making your acquaintance.’ Vanessa wondered what he had

possibly told this woman about her. You are welcome. I hope you find your stay here comfortable,’

she finally told her.

‘Of course. I always find my stay her very comfortable and

relaxing. I’m tired from the long ride but I’ll like to get to know

you more once I’m rested and full of energy.’ Vanessa looked

at her and wondered what she would be like with more energy

than she already displayed.

‘I’m sorry. I will have the maids prepare a room for you.’

‘Oh, you don’t need to bother,’ Elaine cut her off. ‘I’ll make

do with my old room. Its nice meeting you and I hope we

become fast friends and get along.’ She detached her arm from

Adam and walked off.

‘She always been that way for as long as I can remember,’

Adam told her when Elaine was out of sight. ‘Just be careful

with her. She’s full of trouble and always mischievous.’

Vanessa nodded but said nothing. ‘I’ll be going back to the

training ground. Looks like you still have things to do,’ and

having said that he turned and left a still dazed Vanessa.