The Princess and The Knight

The Trade Agreement

It was the first day of spring and the rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Life was waking up in the warm sunlight and everyone felt ready to make a fresh start. The just-risen sun shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it a flurry of early morning activity. Many trees were blossoming and early flowers were pushing through the earth. The palace grounds were filled with glade-green fields and the chirping of early morning birds filled the air. A horde of dandelions was spread across the enormous grounds and a host of daisies was scattered on the other side. The air was filled with a blossom sweet smell.

Princess Angela stood on the sun-deck of her bed chamber over- looking the beautiful palace gardens, she stretched herself inhaling the carnival of scents which blew in the air. The garden smelled like fresh pears and the entire scene was spirit refreshing and brought about a serenity about her. She smiled to herself humming carelessly. I hope it’s a beautiful day today! She exclaimed excitedly.

As she leaned over the sun-deck trying to get a clearer view of the tiny tulips sprouting from the soil with butterflies fluttering around them, her long shiny hair fell across her face waving in the warm breeze, she looked enchanting. Just then Christopher was passing below the sun-deck and stopped in his tracks as he saw the view above him. Angela seemed oblivious to the eyes on her and was lost in her admiration of the flowers, she had no idea what affect she had on her audience.

Christopher kept staring at her with his eyes full of approval as the princess stood on the sun deck still in her night gown and her hair to one side showing her slender neck, graceful body and petite figure. She stood on her toes and looked incredibly alluring to Christopher. He felt a lust for her, he realized how incredible Angela would feel in bed and he knew he had to have her by all means.

“Angela, you’re presence awaits at breakfast.”

Angela glanced at Christopher unaware of the sight she was presenting him.

“What are you doing here?” she called down from the sun deck.

“Walking, the palace gardens are famous for the different flora it nurtures and today is the perfect day to explore it.”

“Why aren’t you at breakfast then?”

“Another reason for me to be here is to find you and I can proudly say I was extremely lucky!” He gave her a charming smile. Angela rolled her eyes,

“Could you be kind enough to inform everyone that I’m on my way.”

“Surely not in your night gown?” He eyed her from head to toe.

Angela’s colour rose to her cheeks, “Yes, Surely not in my night gown” and she turned on her heels and walked inside.

Within fifteen minutes, she was in the huge dining room partaking breakfast with Sir James and the Queen dressed in a casual Ghost Anouk Crepe Midi blue dress looking chic and Margaret sitting next to her. Most of the guests were still in their rooms sleeping, only a handful of people had joined them for breakfast. There was a steady flow of conversation going on at the table.

“You are late?” Margaret whispered to Angela.

“Yes, I lost track of time enjoying the first day of spring. I can’t wait to walk in one of the castle gardens and take lots of pictures. I’m hearing this year the ground keepers outdid themselves.” She said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Once the breakfast was done, the two girls were about to leave and explore the gardens when The Queen called for Angela.

“Angela dear, could you please wait up, I need to discuss some matters with you.” Queen Alexandra stood with her hands firmly clasped together in front of her and a note of authority in her tone. She was still the most beautiful and graceful Queen according to the tabloids and today was no different. Attired in a beautiful azure colored gown she looked regal. It seemed as if she hadn’t aged except for some of the hardness on her face and a couple of wrinkles near her mouth and eyes.

“Yes, your highness” She replied bowing to the Queen.

Angela told Margaret to continue with the plan and also ask Christopher to accompany her.

Once The Queen along with Sir James and Angela was settled in the huge library, a stack of papers welcomed them. Angela sighed looking at them and then exclaimed, “Can’t this wait please, I was suppose to walk the gardens with Margaret, they’re looking ahhmazing! I thought my training started after the coronation.”

“Angela dear, your priority should be the people of this country and later everything else comes. These are the papers you need to sign consenting to the trade agreement between Lancebrough and Cantenbra.”

“But I haven’t even met their delegate how will I sign this agreement?”

“I’m glad you asked the right question here, we have a meeting with them in an hour so be ready we will leave in ten minutes.” Sir James answered.

“Ready when you are, Your Highness.”

There was a knock at the library door and Christopher entered.

“I hope I am not disturbing you?” Christopher asked Queen Alexandra with one of his charming smiles.

“Not at all Christopher, we were just leaving to meet a delegation from Cantenbra.” The Queen replied in a motherly way.

“Would it be okay if I join you? There’s not much to do here and I might learn a thing or two in your presence.” Christopher continued pleasantly.

“By all means why not.”

Angela groaned inwards as Christopher continued to win her parents with his antics and making those puppy faces which she wholly detested. She didn’t understand why he wanted to tag along but she knew for sure it had nothing to do with his sudden love for the country. Christopher’s intention was clear, he knew what he wanted and that was to be in the limelight and what other way then to be next to the Royals, whoever cared about a f*cking trade agreement, he thought to himself.

Sir Russell had just finished his sandwich when he saw three cars leaving the castle. He couldn’t see who was inside because of the tinted windows but he knew he had to follow them. He revved up the engine of his Harley Davidson bike and kept a steady distance behind the cars. After a short while, they reached a seven star hotel and with guards hovering around the inhabitants of the car, getting a good view was next to impossible. The Queen, Sir James along with Princess Angela and Earl of Wessex were welcomed with flowers and then taken inside the hotel from where they got into an elevator.

Sir Russell managed to enter the hotel due to the hustle bustle of people getting excited after catching a glimpse of the Royal Family. Nobody bothered to look at him except a few ladies who giggled after passing him. Not paying much heed to them he focused his attention on finding The Royals. There was a sign regarding the meeting but it didn’t say where it was due to security reasons. Sir Russell searched floor after floor but to no avail.

While the delegates from Cantenbra were delivering their presentation, Angela felt the urgency to visit the restroom. She quietly excused herself and made her way out from the dark room into one brightly lit hotel lobby. A guard started following her but she refrained him from doing so and made her way towards the restrooms.

When she was returning for the presentation, in her hurry she didn’t look at the man coming in from the opposite direction and bumped into a broad torso of muscles. She instantly put a hand on her forehead and started rubbing the tender spot. The man bent down and moved her hair away from her face wanting to see how badly she was hurt. Angela found herself looking into a pair of stormy gray eyes, she stepped backwards not wanting him to touch her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you coming. Are you okay?” he asked in a gentle voice.

“Yes, thankyou I am fine.” And Angela quickened her step while keeping her head down trying not to be recognized. Who knew he might be a paparazzi, though he didn’t have a camera but they came in all forms so one couldn’t take any risks.

Sir Russell had not seen such clear honey brown eyes, so captivating. As soon as he had touched her hair she had withdrawn. Although he wasn’t able to see her features completely but he knew she was very pretty. Her voice was so melodious and her gait, graceful. He wasn’t able to see the tender spot but hoped it wasn’t bothering her.

Once inside, Angela quickly forgot about her recent encounter and drew her attention to more important tasks. A trade agreement between the two countries had taken place and the press was raving about it. Once they were outside the hotel, they were greeted by a swarm of photographers, journalists and camera men trying to take their picture from every angle. Christopher made sure he was by Angela’s side in every picture not forgetting to smile for the camera. One of the journalists questioned the Queen, “Are you all excited for the princess’s coronation?”

“Yes, we are all looking forward to it.”

“The Earl of Wessex is also accompanying you, do you plan to make him your future son in law?” this journalists was very bold but the Queen was trained to answer such questions politely and declined saying he is our guest at the castle and thus moved towards her car.

They all rode away and Sir Russell missed them by a fraction of a second.