Court of love or hatred

Chapter 4

The next day I woke to the sounds of Mary pottering about in my chambers, lighting the fire so that there would be warm water for my bath. I turn my head to the left to look out the window too see that it looks as if most of the morning is gone. I must have slept right through breakfast. I stay in bed for another 10 minutes trying to figure out a way to stop this shambles of a marriage but I come up empty.

When Mary see's that I am awake she approaches me and convinces me to get out of bed and ready for the day. She checks the temperature for my bath then helps me to undress and get into the bath. Once I am in the bath I turn to Mary and say "please may I bathe on my own Mary I will call for you when I need your assistance" She replies "of course my lady" then leaves me alone to my thoughts.

Whilst I am bathing my mind wanders to the young man I met the day before Prince Keaton, he seemed so polite and kind yesterday following all the formal protocols but is it just for show? or is he really as kind and sweet as that in real life?

He is certainly a handsome man but he is my enemy soon to be known as my Husband. Oh my goodness he is going to be my Husband I am not ready for this. It's all happening too fast I am so young. I know I was always going to be married for the kingdom but I always believed it would be a nobleman in my kingdom I can't even comprehend leaving my home.

I am so lost in my thoughts that I don't even notice Mary enter the room she comes over to me quickly "my lady the bath water is freezing your skin is cold to touch we must get you out and dressed you have been in the bath for nearly an hour".

I get out the bath with the help of Mary she quickly relights the fire to warm the room whilst I dry myself. She comes over to me carrying two beautiful dressed one in a pale pink colour with intricate lace all over the top of the dress and the other a lovely blue with a patch work of flowers woven into the back of the dress. "I will wear the blue dress Mary, thank you"

I am sitting at my vanity whilst Mary adds the finishing touches to my hair by putting a beautiful lily flower behind my ear holding some of the hair back from my face. Just then there was a knock at the door "Come in" I spoke softly.

Then in enters Prince Keaton looking bright with a small smile upon his face. "Good morning my lady, I was concerned about you when you were not there for breakfast this morning"

I study him for a few moments then turn back to the mirror and put on a little bit of cream to moisturise my face I reply uninterestedly "I overslept must have been due to the late night festivities due to the upcoming marriage"

I turn back to the Prince just as I was finishing my sentence he looks at my with a contemplating look in his eyes then suddenly he speaks up "about that I know we don't know much about each other my lady having just met but I was wondering if you would like to accompany me on a walk through the castle grounds I hear its truly a beautiful sight and a pleasant walk with the right company" he gives me what can only be described as the most beautiful smiler ever charm oozing out of his voice.

I think about declining for a minute or two ready to inform the prince that the marriage would not be happening so no need to get acquainted with each other when the memory of last night flashes through my mind "if you back out now our kingdoms will be at war and we will be destroyed" I shudder at the memory of my fathers cold words and play it off as if a chill was in the room.

"I will accompany you today sir a stroll around the grounds it just what I need" As I stand to leave my chambers he holds out his arm and I hesitate for a second before I place my hand in the crook of his elbow and we take a slow walk to the grounds of the castle.