A king's desire

Chapter 5

Cassandra

I tried to ignore the stares I got as I climbed out of the carriage. I got my bag from the saddle as the horse I had been riding was brought into the stable. I kept my head down as I was led to my room. I flopped back on the bed and stared in disbelief. How was any of this happening? Why was it happening?

I had tried to pretend that last night was some weird dream but then today happened. I touched my lips lightly with my fingers. Had the king really kissed me? What did this mean? He didn't look at me as one might expect a lover to look at you. He looked at me almost as if I was a pretty doll for him to toy with. Not that I had any right to complain about how the king wanted to look at me. I was a nobody and he was the king. I shut my eyes with a sigh.

"This was all a mistake. Once we get back to the castle I will just forget all about it and so will he." I said to myself. No one has to know. I am sure the king wanted it that way too. He had many suitors who were far and away the best choices for him. This probably meant nothing to him. Or did it? Was he punishing me somehow?

I sat up suddenly and looked down at the poorly fitted men's uniform. I didn't have enough money to get one tailored for me as a woman. It's why I wore a compression bra and shorts so it fit better. Was he trying to show his displeasure with my clothes by asking me to be naked? That must be it. Then last night was just a mistake. He didn't like me or feel anything towards me. It was just his body's reaction to a woman. Then today was his way of reminding me. I would have to get myself a new uniform then. At least to wear around the king.

I had won that bet with the captain recently. With that and a couple of extra silvers I had saved, I could afford it. The palace knights didn't have any female uniforms. I would have to speak to some people when I got back to get one made. Ugh. How could I have put this off for so long? The king must be furious with me.

The meeting was well guarded and so I was left to pace my room slightly anxious. What if I angered the king further on the trip back? I expected the meeting to go on all night and joined the other guards at dinner. Though that was cut short as the captain of the personal guards entered the servant dining hall.

"Finish up and get packed. We are heading back tonight." He said with authority and left just as quickly as he had arrived. Everyone looked at each other but no one dared question or gossip about such a thing. Before I knew it we were saddled back up and travelling through the night. It wasn't long before our pace increased. Before I knew it we were galloping through the landscape. What could have happened at that meeting?

We didn't stop at the manor this time. Instead, after several hours, we pulled into a field for the king to rest while the guards rotated shifts. He slept in the carriage and I never saw him again on the whole trip back. Before I knew it we were back home and the king was almost running into the palace. I stood dumbfounded with the rest of the guards as the captain followed the king.

Not knowing what else to do, we unpacked and dealt with the horses before returning to our quarters. We had arrived back in the middle of the day due to our fast pace on the way home, so the knights were shocked to see me as I walked to my room. Once I put my bag away, I figured now that I had part of the day free it was a good chance to speak to people. I was directed to the foreman and blacksmith before long. While I didn't want to bother them, I figured it was official enough of a matter. As I walked to the foreman's office he was pouring over paperwork. He looked up as he saw me.

"Ah, Cassandra. How may I help you?" He said in a cheery tone as he pushed the paperwork to the side. I sighed softly internally. The foreman was the type to use any distraction to keep from doing paperwork and now I felt worse.

"I was wondering if I might be able to commission a uniform to fit me." I said plainly and I watched as his smile dropped. He looked over my current uniform and his brows furrowed. He stood from his desk.

"Who gave you this one?" He said as he walked around me briefly.

"My commander when I was appointed here. He gave me a few that would be about right. We have no female uniforms after all." As I said this, he nodded slightly and then sighed.

"I suppose we let this slip away from us. A palace knight should dress properly. I'll call the tailor and set up an appointment. I apologize." He bowed his head softly and I waved both of my hands softly in a fluster.

"Oh no. I didn't mind it. It was just pointed out to me recently. I have saved enough to get them made." I watched as his eyebrows lifted so high they almost disappeared into his hair and then he laughed.

"Cassandra, you are a palace knight. Getting your uniforms is my job. I have a budget for this." He pointed to one of the papers on his desk. "For new uniforms for any knight. The treasury will handle the cost. Just wait for me to get you an appointment to get your measurements." I felt instantly relieved and also terrible. I had always pulled my own weight and paid for anything that was for me alone. Having the foreman pay for uniforms for me felt wrong. Yet I knew this was how things were done. I clenched my jaw softly.

"Thank you, sir. I'll do that." I bowed softly and left the room. This was a good thing and a bad thing. Yet somehow my gut felt uneasy about all of this. Something told me that I might have opened a gate to hell. I was now in further debt to the crown. Could this come back to bite me? Or worse, did it mean I could never truly pay them back?