The Banquet 1

"So what's going on between you and the King?" Kendra looks at you winking.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, don't be ludicrous. I see the way he looks at you and you at him?"

"I honestly don't know what's going on with the King. I think he likes me but his betrothed so I don't know what to think"

"He seems like a complicated man but also a very hot man" She laughs as she gives you a little shove. "Yeah he just seems so sad" Suddenly you hear the trumpet sound for the next event.

"We better get going before we miss the sword fighting"

"You mean before you miss Lord Harrison?" She giggles like a little girl, grabbing your hand and drag you to your chair next to the King. Lord Harrison and the Kings aren't there yet. You just sit down when they walk in. You both stand up and bow before the King.

"Please, have a seat. It's good to see you here again, miladies" The King smiles at you. "It's good indeed" Lord Harrison adds. They sit down next to each of you and the next event is about to start. The knights comes out and then one knight moves closer to where you're sitting.

"I'll win this for you, Lady Winters!!" It's Lord Jackson. He points at you with his sword and you gasp in surprise. "Oh!" you gasp. He bows to the King and returns to the opponent. The King looks at you and you see the frustration in his eyes. "Lady Winters, do you know Lord Jackson?"

"Actually we've just met during the interval, Sire"

Lord Harrison looks at you "He seems to be quite taken with you, Lady Winters. It's seen as a great honor to win a game for a Lady" The King clenches his jaw when he speaks. "Yes, he must be very confident in bestowing such an honor to Lady Winters, because when he loses, it will be a great embarrassment." You watch as the tournament begins.

"Yes, that's true James, but Lord Jackson is very good with the sword" Lord Harrison adds.

The King mumbles something under his breath. "We'll have to see..."

With one foul sweep, Lord Jackson's opponent is out. The crowd goes wild and you stand to clap your hands for him. He turns to you and lifts his sword in victory, nodding to you. "For you Milady!!"

You smile and take your seat again. You see that the King's hand is clenched again around his armrest. "He's not so bad after all"

Lord Harrison laughs "What do you mean? He has done something very few knights has done before"

"Of course...yes" You see the King closing his eyes and laying back on his chair as if he doesn't want to admit the truth. Then he moves closer to you.

"Are you having fun, here...on the balcony?"

"I'm enjoying it very much, Sire. Thank you for inviting me up here" He smiles as if he's relieved.

"I'm....I'm very happy you're here" He looks deep into your eyes and you see a flicker of happiness.

Princess Catherine walks in. "Are you still here watching these boys playing with their toys?" The King snaps out of his trans and turns around to the princess.

"Yes...princess and I'm quite enjoying it." He looks at you and then back to her.

"I think we'll have much more fun back in the palace with afternoon tea, don't you think?" The princess smiles at the King. "I would like to see who the winner is of this event"

"Very well, let's take our leave after this event?" He clenches his jaw and then nods.

"As you wish, princess" She takes a seat next to him and laces her hand in his. You can't help your eyes traveling to them holding hands. He sees you looking at their hands and then his eyes turn soft. The smile on his face is gone and the sadness is back.

(What's going on with you, Melissa, he has someone...)

"Your Highness, If I may have a word with Lady Melissa?" Lord Jackson bows before the King.

The King nearly chokes out the words. "You're most welcome, Lord Jackson"

"Thank you, Sire" He walks towards you and takes your hand, kissing it. You feel the King's gaze burning through you. "Lady Winters, may I be so bold as to ask you to accompany me to tonight's banquet?" Your heart nearly jumps out of rhythm as you answer him, knowing the King is watching you. "You may, Lord Jackson. I'll be honored to join you"

The Kings stands up abruptly. "We're leaving princess, at once!" His voice is stern and demanding. Everyone stands and bows as they make their leave. The princess obeys and follows him.

Lady Kendra looks after the King "What was that about?"

You watch them as they leave and you see him turning around to give you one last look. You look back at him and see hurt flash through his eyes.

(Yes... I wonder too...)

The games carry on. You and Kendra are enjoying the company of Lord Jackson and Harrison. The banquet is beginning soon and you greet them. You return home to change for the banquet.

Stacey walks in on you as you finish dressing "You look gorgeous, Melissa"

"Thank you, I still need to tell you about the King, but I can't now. Will do it tomorrow. I better get going, did you get the carriage ready?"

"Yes, it's outside. Have fun!"

"Thank you!"

"Wait!!" She runs after you with a blanket in hand.

"What??"

"Take this with you, the snow is coming in"

"What would I do without you?"

"Probably, struggle to survive"

"You got that right! I see you later!" You run downstairs to your carriage.

You get the driver's attention "Driver, please take us to Lady Kendra"

"Yes, Mam"

You arrive at Kendra's estate. She comes outside as you drive up to the door. "Well, well, well, look at you! Dressing up for a certain Lord?"

"Of course, I am. We said we're going to look for husbands this season and I think I might have found mine"

"I think so too"

"You don't look so bad yourself. I'm just wondering about something..."

"....and what could that possibly be?"

"For who did you dress up? Lord Jackson or the King?" You laugh and let your head fall against the cushioned wall, looking outside the window. "We all know the King never attend the banquet aaannnnddd even if he were there, he's already taken"

"Okay, if you say so...Sooo, Lord Jackson..."

"Yes and he's a knight. Just for that his, very high up in my book" You laugh and chat as you arrive at the banquet hall. There are candles everywhere and the silverware's beauty shines through.