The King of Rubicund

Princess Elesha arrived at the Kingdom of Rubicund while her family was due to arrive about a week later to witness the wedding ceremony. As she stepped out of the carriage with her ladies maid, Bea she was greeted by a long line of servants. The head housekeeper welcomed her by doing a curtsy and saying "welcome to Rubicund Your Highness, His Majesty sends his apologies that he could not greet you here as he has foreign envoys to attend to. He will meet with you after dinner if you are not too tired."

"Of course, thank you for informing me Ms...?"

"Greta, head housekeeper of the castle, Your Highness."

"Thank you Ms Greta."

"Let me show you to your room, follow me."

The servants disperse and she is left with Ms Greta showing her the way to the East wing of the castle where her room is situated up a flight of stairs, which reminded her a little of home. How she would miss her friends and family, for married life meant she would be separated from them.

As Princess Elesha climbed the grand staircase she felt a weight settle on her shoulders and for the first time in a long while she wanted to take a short nap before dinner. So, she told her ladies maid, Bea and she prepared her bathwater with tangerine scented soap. Princess Elesha took a long bath, her hair was dripping wet as she came out of the bathtub. She toweled it dry and Bea helped her put on a light green chiffon dress that was rather simple yet elegant with a large bow that was tied at her waist. Bea combed her hair and helped her into bed. Within seconds the princess was lightly snoring, utterly exhausted from her travel to the Kingdom of Rubicund.

Bea went straight to the kitchen and asked the cook to prepare her dinner that she would bring it up when the princess awakened. The castle cook's name was Lara and she was a plump woman with bright orange hair and bright blue eyes. She agreed to prepare the princess's meal and have it ready.

An hour went by, and Hans the King of Rubicund thought to wander into the kitchen and see what was cooking for dinner.

"Lara that smells so good, what is that your'e stirring?"

"Your Majesty! You gave me the shock of my life. I'm making your favourite chicken soup with mixed vegetables and I've made a wild berry pie for dessert later."

"Sounds fantastic Lara, thank you I'm wondering if the princess will eat with me."

"Well, I don't mean to be rude but if His Majesty must know, she has ordered that her dinner be brought up to her room."

"Well that won't do," said the king with a smile forming on his lips.

"Since our guest must eat, I shall bring it up myself."

"But Your Majesty," spluttered the cook.

"I order you to tell no one of my identity until I reveal it myself."

"Her ladies maid said she would be down any minute. What do you think you're going to say?"

"Ah I see, well then I suppose she must know then, I'm curious about the princess, surely you understand my predicament."

"I do Your Majesty, I shall prepare the tray then for you."

Bea came down to the kitchen and was startled to find a young gentleman carrying a tray filled with food. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants, he had no coat which was customary to be worn when in public.

"You must be Bea, the princess wrote of you."

It was then that Bea realised the King of Rubicund was speaking to her. She bowed gracefully and said "Your Majesty, how can I be of service."

"You may take the night off Bea, I'll see to it the princess gets her dinner," he informed her with a smile on his lips.

"But Your Majesty...,"

"That is an order Bea, I swear no harm will come to her."

"Very well Your Majesty, I shall take my leave then." She said as she left the kitchen and went straight to the servants quarters to her bedroom to retire for the night.

The sky was almost pitch black and you could see the stars if you looked out the window. The King took the princess's tray of food and went straight to her room. He didn't care to knock, he let himself in. The moment he walked through the doorway, he was hit with the scent of tangerine. He placed the tray on a table beside her bed. The whole room smelled of tangerine and he thought it was such a pleasant scent. He lit more candles so the room would be well lit.

He stared at the woman in bed, who was sound asleep and dear God she was beautiful, she had glorious long brown hair that fell in waves. Her features were sharp yet feminine and she had a lovely figure. Yes, she would make a beautiful bride he thought as he looked at her peacefully asleep. He didn't care if he was being intrusive, he wanted to get to know her and maybe see if he could seduce her. The latter thought brought a cheeky smile to his handsome face as he raked his fingers through his black hair, he settled himself beside her on the bed and touched her hair. It was soft like satin and he gently touched her head and stroked it. He didn't expect her to roll over closer to him and open those big green eyes of hers.