Renisannce Romance

Forbidden

    The next day Lucas and Rhett stood in front of the King and Queen in the throne room after the King had called them for a meeting.  "Rhett, it's good to see you back again, what a handsome young man you have become."  Rhett met her eyes nervously, "Thank you your majesty I am happy to be back."  Lucas looked between his son and the Queen, "Your majesties, I have worked here at this castle for over 20 years and I don't believe I have ever been called for such a formal meeting.  Is something not to your liking?"

    The Queen looked to Rhett, "I have heard that you spent the day with my daughter...alone in the woods on her horse, is this true?"  Lucas turned to his son with wide eyes.  "Yes ma'am it is true.  She wanted to ride Marigold and I did not see it to be fitting for her to ride alone unaccompanied so I rode with her."  "I do appreciate your concern son, however my daughter seems to be quite taken with you.  I am sure you are aware that she is announcing her engagement tonight?  It does not seem quite appropriate for a married lady to be out with a man who is not her betrothed now does it?"  "All due respect my Queen, she's not married yet."

    Lucas turned to his son, "Boy, you will not correct the Queen.  You will watch your tongue when speaking to their majesties."  "I apologize Father and Your Highness however, the Princess is quite lovely and now that she has come of age I am sure I'm the least of your worries.  I would never harm her or force her to spend time with me, I would not come to her unless called upon."  The King spoke up, "A man's word is all he has son and I expect you will stick to yours.  Your father is a highly favored worker here and I expect you to follow his lead and maintain respect of the Princess and her virtue."  The King was often silent and soft spoken, but when he did speak it was with great authority so much so that you were forced to listen and obey.  "Absolutely Your Majesty you have my word."  "You are dismissed then, thank you for your time."

    The men walked walked in silence until Rhett spoke up, "Father I'm sorry I know it wasn't appropriate behavior."  Lucas looked at his son with sympathy, "Son, I know you have always cared about her and you're educated now so you think you can have her.  I didn't work hard all these years in the palace to be let go.  I'm sorry it has to be this way boy, but she is not men like us.  We can only dream of women like the Princess. I want you to stay away from her unless she needs you for something."  Rhett nodded, but he knew what they had felt that day and he knew she would be more than a dream to him.  

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    "Darling, I wanted to check in and see how you are today?"  Saphirra smiled at Christopher's sweet voice coming in her room as she had just risen for the day.  "I am feeling wonderful today," she learned in to kiss him.  "I just wanted to make sure you're ready for the engagement announcement tonight?  I know yesterday was challenging and you may have had second thoughts and needed an escape."  She truly felt she did not deserve him, she goes off with another man and he is only concerned about her and if she still wants to marry him.  "Christopher, I have no second thoughts.  I want to marry you now just as I always have."  She loved how his eyes always lit up when he smiled, it always made her feel so appreciated.  "I just wanted to remind you that I love you. I will let you get ready for the announcement today.  I cannot wait for the kingdom to know that you are to be my wife."  He kissed her forehead and left the room.

    She walked over to her vanity and sat down, if her mother wouldn't allow her to see Rhett, she would write to him and thank him for yesterday.  She grabbed a paper and quill pen with ink.  A letter is innocent enough she thought.  

Dearest Rhett,

I am writing to tell you how thankful I am for all that you shared with me yesterday.  I enjoyed seeing your secret garden and hearing about your mother.  I long for the days when I was younger and my mother did not pressure me so.  I heard through the maids that she called you for a meeting, I do hope she was not too harsh.  I thoroughly enjoyed your company and I would like to see you again.  I know it is forbidden, but I cannot help but think there is something here that cannot be forgotten.  I hope you will write me back soon.

Yours,

Saphirra

    She sealed the letter in an envelope with her royal seal so it would not be opened.  She thought of who would be the best secret keeper to deliver the letter.  Saphirra walked down the hall to her sisters chambers and went in. "Sister, good morning!  You always look so radiant in the mornings, I am so envious of you!" Avianna always was cheerful in the mornings. She always talked about Saphirra's beauty, but she thought her sister was so beautiful.  Her blonde curls were messy hanging down her back as brushed them.  Her eyes were wide as if she had been awake for hours. "Oh Avi, you are so foolish!  I'm here because I need you to do something for me.  I have a letter I need you to deliver to someone."  Avianna looked at her skeptically then smiled michieviously, "I can presume who this letter is for.  You are going around Mother's rules are you not?"  "Well, the letter is for Rhett just thanking him for his company yesterday, nothing more."  "Sister, be careful there is a lot at stake here.  You do not want to loose Christopher for a handsome stable boy."  "Do not worry sister, I know what I am doing,"  she said the words, but she thought, do I truly know what I am doing?