The Princess and The Knight

Christopher's Plan

Christopher was very happy to have achieved his purpose and the last question had definitely teased Angela, he pondered. He looked at her and she was busy using her cell phone while the car drove towards the castle.

“How about having lunch at that famous French restaurant?” He asked Angela.

“No thank you, I am not hungry.” She replied indignantly.

“Oh come on Angela, don’t be a spoilt sport. We will be bored at the castle.” He continued persisting.

“Then maybe you should go back, Earl of Wessex if you are so bored.” She looked at him pointedly.

“And miss watching you become the Queen, no way. Though I must confess you will be a really beautiful one.”

She put aside her phone, “Christopher, what’s with this attitude of yours suddenly? Passing me compliments, wanting to stick around and attend to delegates, don’t think that I don’t notice coz I know very well you are least bothered by all this.” She felt annoyed by these remarks to her, “I am not one of those girls who crave for your attention or love.” She added.

“You don’t think I am interested in the affairs of this pretty little country of ours?” he asked acting to be shocked.

“It’s the least likelihood.” Angela replied coolly.

“Actually you’re right but I was in no mood of trotting about the gardens with Margaret so I thought anything other than that would be preferable.”

“You are an odious creature yet she holds you in admiration.”

“That’s nothing new.” He shrugged his shoulders and Angela kept her lips tightly closed as they entered the castle gates.

She had to rush to change her clothes as it was time for lunch and found Margaret in her bed chamber who was sulking.

“And what might be bothering you my dear?” Angela looked at her cousin and her conversation with Christopher came to her mind.

“Christopher doesn’t like me, he avoids me, I know it.” She said in a deprecating way.

“My dear, he does not like anybody. He has a habit of using people for his means that’s all. Please don’t upset yourself over him, he’s not worth it.” Angela hugged Margaret.

“Easy for you to say, you didn’t thought yourself to be in love with him.” Margaret sniffed.

“You are not in love with him, its just a crush. Come on now, we have to get ready for lunch.”

“One day when you will truly love someone, only then you will know what it feels like.”

“I wish that day never comes,” and Angela disappeared into the restroom.

As the guests continued to arrive for the Princess’s coronation, Sir Russell observed that the gates continued to open and close and only the main gates of the castle were used. He wanted to look for the entrance the hooded girl had used the previous night. And as the castle’s boundary wall stretched towards that concealed entrance, he realized the security at that part of the castle was none to zero.

The sun had set and the clear night sky was filled with countless sparkling stars. Sir Russell had his eyes glued to the concealed entrance of the castle hoping he might get a chance to see the hooded figure tonight. While he waited he saw very few passers-by, some of them making their way in groups, chatting loudly to bars, cracking jokes at each other. A woman was riding her bicycle probably from a long shift from work, a couple of cars passed and he even saw a carriage taking around tourists who wanted to see the castle. It was going to be midnight and still there was no sign of his mysterious girl, the fresh spring air was beginning to be chilly as he drew the coat around himself.

Suddenly he saw her, coming out of the castle walls hidden by the tall branches of tress. She looked around observing the streets and when she was sure nobody was watching her, she started walking on the pavement. Sir Russell was following her from a safe distance watching her closely. She stopped just as she saw a beggar in ragged clothes lying on the ground, he had a beard and had a foul smell about him. He was half covered in filth and it was quite a task to look at his face which was revolting. But the girl bent down next to him and asked him if he had eaten anything?

The old man shook his head. She went to the nearest grocery store and bought as many items of need as she could.

“Please take this extra money and whenever that poor man needs anything, let him have it.” She said to the shopkeeper.

She brought the shopping bags to the old man and first gave him some water to drink and then gave him bread and butter. All the while the old man kept thanking her and praying for her. Then she went away, continuing with her nocturnal meanderings through the city. Sir Russell kept following her, when she had finally returned to the castle did he realize that her melodious voice sounded extremely familiar. Although he had recognized it instantly belonging to the girl he had run into at the hotel but he was unable to link the two girls. With this thought he had gone back to the little room he was occupying and jumped into the bed, his mind still lingering onto the two girls. He couldn’t believe them to be one and the same, the girl at the hotel was in every respect fashionable and chic, whereas this one was a complete tomboy. They were totally opposite! With these thoughts he drifted off to sleep.

It was fairly early when Angela walked into the huge dining area for breakfast, she was the only person there. Thankful, she took a scone which had been placed hot from the oven in front of her and spread some melted chocolate on it generously, then she ate a pancake with strawberries. When she believed herself to be satiated she got up and headed outside into one of the gazebos. It was fully decked with ivy and atleast a dozen reclining chairs surrounded by flowers. There was an aviary to one side and Angela walked upto it admiring the numerous birds belonging to distinct species.

She was feeding them when she heard footsteps behind her.

“Hello princess, I see you’re enjoying your last days of freedom.” Christopher remarked.

“Breakfast is already served, please don’t waste your time. You can’t possibly be here today looking for me?” she turned around raising an eyebrow at him.

Christopher felt amused and a smile crept his face, “Ah, I see how it is. I wonder what have I done to set you against me?”

“Next time don’t linger under my sun deck, it’s my private area.”

“My apologies and I shall leave you to enjoy feeding your birds.” He gave an extensive bow and left Angela. Before disappearing inside he glanced towards her and reflected upon the fact how hot she looked in a gorgeous festive tartan midi skirt which stopped at her knees and a casual black cardigan. Her rosy cheeks glowed under the morning sun and her plump lips were meant to be kissed roughly. I shall have you tonight Angela! Christopher decided and walked away.

After a while Margaret came to the gazebo looking for her.

“If Christopher hadn’t told me you were here, I would’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She exclaimed breathlessly.

“Is anything amiss Margaret?” Angela looked at her cousin in surprise.

“No, but I have great news for you,” Margaret’s excitement visible.

Angela didn’t have to urge her cousin to go on who was already too impatient to spill everything.

“We are going to a pool party tonight.” She almost squealed.

Angela bolted upright from her reclining chair and stared wide eyed at Margaret, “What pool party? Whose pool party?”

“A friend of Christopher’s is throwing a party and Christopher is inviting us to it.”

“No way I’m not going to any of his parties, I know exactly what happens there.”

“Yeah that’s exactly what he told me you would say, look Angela this is an exclusive party, no outsider allowed, only fifty people invited all of whom we would be familiar with.”

Angela shook her head resolutely, “I can’t allow anything to ruin the coronation. If my parents get a wind of it they will not like it.”

“And what if Christopher gets their approval?” Margaret asked with her eyes twinkling.

Angela felt suspicious, “Does he plan to lie to them? Because if he does I will tell them the truth.”

“Don’t be such a ninny hammer Angela, of course he won’t lie. He said he will talk them into it, he has his charming ways you know.” Margaret said dreamily while Angela rolled her eyes.

A butler came to inform Princess Angela that the Queen and Sir James requested her presence inside the library. Margaret clapped her hands gleefully, she looked like a child and Angela couldn’t help being surprised at how Christopher had managed to convince her parents.

“We feel before your coronation we can allow you to this pool party Christopher has been speaking to us about.” Sir James sat behind his writing desk speaking to Angela who stood before him in the library.

“Only permitted that you all behave like adults not allowing the press the opportunity to gossip they most crave to write.” The Queen added who stood beside her husband.

“Yes your Highness, we will.” The three younger members in the room spoke in unison.

As they turned to leave, Angela saw a playful smile hovering about Christopher’s lips while his eyes danced. She had a nagging feeling to all this but it soon vanished after Margaret immersed her with the unending discussion of dresses.