THE PRINCESS & THE PIRATE

Chapter 15: Dark intentions...

" Shall I fetch your cloak, my lady?" Edwina asked.

" The Princess does look cold you should fetch it ..." King Sebastian ordered with his usual authoritative tone that made Edwina automatically flinch.

" I thank you for your consideration for my welfare Sire but I am capable of answering my maid's questions myself," Reanna interjected in an authoritative tone of her own that made Edwina and Gabriel raise their eyebrows at her boldness but made Sebastian smile.

" My apologies, Princess..." Sebastian said which made Gabriel and Edwina look even more confused, as they never expected a man of his reputation to be so calm about being talked back too and from a woman no less.

Reanna nodded in acknowledgement of Sebastian's apology before she turned to her maid, " I do NOT require my cloak, Edwina, I found the banquet hall rather warm and the evening breeze is pleasantly refreshing but thank you ..." Reanna smoothly lied to prevent Edwina from leaving her and Sebastian with only Sebastians man as an escort.

Sebastian turned towards Gabriel and rolled his eyes. He saw threw Reanna's motive for not wanting her maid to leave them and although he again admired her intelligence he was a little vexed that she had foiled an opening for him to commence with his plan.

He would just have to find another opportunity to get her alone so he could try and seduce her or take her maidenhead by force, trapping her into marriage.

" As you wish my lady but if you do get cold please let me know..." Edwina replied not getting the hint that Reanna simply did not want to be left alone with an untrustworthy escort and Sebastian.

" The gardens are spectacular just as you claimed Princess, it is indeed a feast for the eyes," Sebastian said as he forced his eyes to maintain eye contact with Reanna and not focus on her ample bosom that he was secretly referring to and he longed to taste and squeeze.

" Yes, they are. I often walk here and I find much pleasure in doing so and as you said to enjoy the beauty displayed," Reanna replied politely as she stepped away from Sebastian's side and stopped to admire the scent of roses. " Do you Sire? " Reanna asked innocently.

" Do I ...?" Sebastian started unsure of Reanna's question.

" Find pleasure in such activities? " Reanna clarified.

Sebastian knew Reanna was innocently referring to walking amongst nature, but he could not help but think about the display of her beautiful breasts and how he would enjoy the activity of squeezing them until they bruised prettily and sucking the n*****s until they hardened...

" I enjoy such activities very much...and I look forward to undertaking such activities with you in the future...hopefully often," Sebastian replied thinking again about Reanna's breasts and the depraved things he longed to do to them.

Reanna paused before continuing their conversation. She did not know why but she had the impression that Sebastian was not referring to walking in a garden as she was. " Maybe one day we can...occasionally, " Reanna finally said, making sure her words and tone neither sounded too eager or rude.

Princess your naive innocence is intoxicating, Sebastian thought as he nodded and began to again lead her down the cobbled path deeper into the Royal Gardens.

They had spent near an hour walking and Reanna noticed it was getting late. She still had to finish a few important hood related tasks before her scheduled secret meeting with Maurice at midnight that she had organised earlier in the day.

" Sire, it is getting late. We should start to head back towards the Palace now and we can organise a tour for you to see the rest of vast gardens before your return to Meccador?" Reanna said firmly yet politely.

" Of course Princess," Sebastian responded, trying not to show panic in his expression nor tone at running out of time to put his plan into action.

Sebastian held out his hand to escort Reanna in a gentlemanly gesture, but as he did so he peered over his shoulder to give Gabriel a meaningful look.

Gabriel nodded in response knowing what his master had planned and that he was asking for his help to achieve his goal. " What a beautiful wedding ring you are wearing Lady Edwina. I must ask your husband from where he purchased it, so the jeweller who made it can make a gift for my mother's birthday that is soon." Gabriel loudly exclaimed forcing his tone to sound pleasant.

" Oh, why thank you, Sir Gabriel. I am afraid, however, that my husband is no longer with us...he passed seven years ago. I know where the person he purchased it from lives though and I shall give you their address before you leave." Edwina replied smiling warmly despite the sadness in her voice.

" My apologies my lady, I did not mean to cause offence or upset you...I did not know you were widowed." Gabriel lied.

Gabriel had researched Edwina thoroughly before the banquet after Sebastian had informed him of his plan and tasked Gabriel with finding a way to separate Reanna from her.

" No need to apologise Sir no offence was given and he passed several years ago." Edwina humbly replied as a tear escaped her eye as she thought about her beloved husband and the fond memories she had of him.

" You are most gracious Lady Edwina and if I may say so your husband had exceptional taste. He must have cared for you deeply to choose such a beautiful ring." Gabriel said again with fake pleasantness.

" And I cared deeply for him too. We were married for fifteen years you know and I have many fond memories of our time together and I cherish my wedding ring still to keep him close to my heart." Edwina replied unwittingly helping to lay the foundations for Sebastian's evil plan.

" That is a very long time, I would like to hear more about him and your memories...if I may? He sounds like a nobleman and perhaps listening to your happy memories of marriage will tutor me in how to be a good husband myself...one day," Gabriel asked which made Edwina, who was always keen to talk of her husband smile.

" But of course Sir Gabriel..." Edwina said as she boldly took Gabriel's unoffered arm and began her first of many tales about her husband.

Reanna smiled at hearing her maid happily chatting away and Sebastian smiled to having an inclination on what Gabriel planned to do next, Gabriel, however, turned his face to the side to hide his pained expression at hearing Edwina's torturous babbling, and all four of them continued to make their way back towards the Palace chatting in their pairs.

Reanna nodded politely at Sebastian's words. Admittedly she was only partially listening as she was beginning to get more anxious about how late it was becoming and the huge pile of tasks that awaited her.

Reanna's anxiousness began to fade slightly, however, as they rounded the corner and the view of Palace came into sight.

Nearly there! Reanna screamed merrily in her own thoughts, ignorantly unaware of the events that were about to unfold.

Reanna eagerly sped up her pace to one that would get them to the Palace quicker but that would not be considered rude.

Just when they were about to step onto the cobbled path that would lead them out of the gardens and up the embankment to the Palace...Gabriel screamed.

" OH, DEAR!" Gabriel exclaimed making everyone turn to him in shock.

" Are you alright Gabriel, my friend?" Sebastian asked keeping the amusement he felt from his tone and acting his part in the charade expertly.

" No, Oh goodness... I am sorry it's just I looked up to again admire your beautiful wedding ring Lady Edwina and I just noticed it has gone! " Gabriel dramatically shouted.

Upon hearing his words Edwina quickly looked at her hand and realised he was correct and began to cry.

" Oh Edwina, I am so sorry! Do not cry please, all will be well we shall find it...I promise! " Reanna cooed as she took her sobbing maid into her arms to offer comfort.

" Of course we shall find it, " Sebastian exclaimed faking concern as he patted Edwina on the back and looked at Reanna with an expression of fake sympathy.

" King Sebastian and Princess Reanna speak the truth Lady Edwina, do not lose heart we shall find it...although.." Gabriel said making Edwina lift her head from the comfort of Reanna's shoulder to look at him.

" Although what?..." Edwina asked worriedly.

" Well my Lady, we shall find it but with it being dark and the ground muddy...I can't help but fear that if we all go searching for it that we might not see it and one of us might accidentally trample on it, causing it to be buried into the soil where it will NEVER be seen again..." Gabriel replied making Edwina gasp and sob louder.

" What plan do you suggest to recover it then Sir Gabriel? " Reanna couldn't help but snap... annoyed that he had upset Edwina further.

" Well Princess, since it is Lady Edwina's possession and she knows it best she should accompany me to look for it and you and his majesty should wait on that bench. " Gabriel knew Reanna would protest so he continued his speech leaving no room for her to argue with his plan. " My reasoning for my plan is as follows...as I have said if we all go we risk trampling the ring into the ground and it will NEVER be found again. Therefore, it is logical that only two of us should go. Lady Edwina must be one of the two as she knows the item best and the second person should be someone with exceptional eyesight... an experienced solider such as myself or his Majesty has such eyesight after all on the battlefield our very lives depend on us noticing the smallest detail. I reason it should be myself that accompanies Lady Edwina as although is frowned upon to allow a gentleman and lady to be alone together unaccompanied for risk of the ladies reputation... given the circumstances we have no choice. Besides Lady Edwina is a widow so there will be no risk to hers and since you will be in the company of King Sebastian a man of equal status to yourself there can be no gossip of any inappropriate behaviour if any servants would see us...." Gabriel cleverly said.

" We would of course only search for a short period, so not to leave you both unescorted too long and if we prove to be unsuccessful in our hunt... we can then all return to the banquet together and King Sebastian can order his private guards, who are all experienced soldiers to come and hunt for it ...but with them holding a candle to light their path as they search so they too do not risk stepping on it," Gabriel finished confident that he had successfully argued his plan was the most likely to be successful and his reasons for it was sound.

Reanna thought over Gabriel's words as she gently patted Edwina's shoulder. Gabriel's plan did sound like a good one and his reasoning was sound...

" Princess Reanna if you are uncomfortable with Gabriel's plan then we do have another option...we could all go back to the banquet now and return with the soldiers and candlelight to aide our search as Gabriel suggested. Of course, by the time we have mustered the men and returned we may not remember the exact path we took on our walk or perhaps a passing servant may find the ring and its value may be too tempting to ignore..." Sebastian declared expertly lacing his tone and contouring his expression to one of fake chivalry and concern.

Reanna did feel more relieved in hearing Sebastian's alternative plan, as she had no idea why but her instincts were screaming at her to not allow herself to be alone with Sebastian.

Any temptation Reanna felt to accept Sebastian's alternative plan however instantly faded when she glanced at her maid's sorrowful expression.

Reanna's soft heart broke at seeing anyone upset but seeing Edwina in such a fragile state- the woman who had raised her since her parent's death and was almost like a mother figure to her...it made Reanna feel ashamed for thinking about agreeing to Sebastian's plan that would possibly mean Edwina would loose her most treasured possession forever.

" I thank you for your plan that was clearly made with chivalrous intentions Sire," Reanna replied and Sebastian nearly let his chivalrous expression slip in his dismay at thinking he had failed to convince Reanna to be alone with him.

Just when Sebastian was about to turn to drastic measures of simply dragging Reanna quickly into the nearby foliage and take her by force Reanna continued to speak. " My priority, however, is to recover Edwina's ring and I can not be selfish and worry about my reputation in a situation such as this. As you have stated if we go back to the Palace now there is a risk her ring may be lost forever or stolen...and I can not risk that." Reanna said as she reached out for Edwina's hand and smiled at her with reassurance and love.

Sebastian and Gabriel inwardly screamed with victory but managed to keep the smug looks from their features. " You are selfless Princess and your kindness amazes me. My man and your Lady will not be long and I vow to be the perfect gentleman whilst they are away." Sebastian claimed.

The seemingly honest tone and expression of King Sebastian made Reanna relax and she smiled at him gratefully.

" We best go, before it gets darker...come, Lady Edwina..." Gabriel announced as he took a still sobbing Edwina's hand and after Reanna nodded her encouragement Edwina allowed him to escort her into the garden.

" Shall we sit as we wait Princess?" Sebastian asked gesturing to the nearest bench.

Reanna smiled and made her way to the bench. She and Sebastian were sat at a respectable distance and Sebastian was acting as he vowed as a perfect gentleman.... so why did Reanna feel so uneasy and almost frightened?

Reanna and Sebastian continued to politely converse, Reanna trying to ignore the voice in her head that was screaming danger and Sebastian as he thought about the smooth skin and womanly curves of Reannas body.

Sebastian's thoughts drifted deeper into all the things he would do when Reannas soft skin and curves were at his mercy and as he did his large and thick manhood became erect.

' SOON..' Sebastian thought trying to ignore his aching manhood as he waited for his opportunity to pounce.