"So you see, Lady Caitlyn acted partially in her own self-interest. She was not only trying to put me into the position of personal knight, she was trying to keep Sir Ashton out of it." Ethyn explained easily.
"Caitlyn?" Rose had never seen the lady look so flustered, not even when she had found out about the intruder that had climbed into the tower nor when Rose said she was leaving. Everything about Cailtyn told of how intimate the feeling was. 'Could it be love?' the princess gasped silently.
The brunette glanced back at the two soldiers. They seemed disinterested in the conversation as they scanned the stairs and every window they passed for signs of trouble.
Although the group had been speaking freely, Caitlyn suddenly felt that she needed the confines of her quarters to continue.
"In a moment, Your Highness," the lady felt like she might faint. Rose reversed their arms so that now she was the one supporting her friend and confidant.
As the trio reached the suite, the doors were opened and all three were admitted, although Ethyn received a raised eyebrow from the most senior guard. He ignored it, more interested in the story about to be told than the gloating he could do.
Once inside the princess's sitting room, Caintlyn sat on the couch and fanned herself for a moment as she composed her words.
"It's true. I love Sir Ashton," she said at last. "And after tonight, I know he loves me too." The woman unconsciously touched her lips where the knight's kiss still felt very fresh.
"How? When?" Rose could not comprehend how this had happened under her nose.
"I noticed him a couple of years ago at a tournament, but I had no idea he noticed me. He was assisting his mentor, and I had gone to fetch you a drink. Ashton was trying to calm a horse, but his exit from the arena was at the same time I was entering. My sudden appearance spooked the horse, which surprised me, and your drink ended up on the ground."
Caitlyn looked down, her hands dropping the imaginary cup from her hand. At the time, the lady had been so flustered that she had fallen into the dirt trying to save the spilled glass and its contents.
"The cup went under the horse, but Ashton went after it anyway. I gasped, but he ducked back out and told me it would be fine. After securing the horse and handing it off to a servant, Ashton walked me back to get another drink and made sure that I returned safely into the arena before we parted ways. By his manner, it was clear he did not recognize who I was, yet he was kind to me all the same. I got the impression that even if I had been a peasant on the side of the road, he still would have helped me. Ashton was just so genuine."
Ethyn could not disagree. While most of the other apprentices had given him a hard time, Ashton had always been polite and even kind. That and his good looks were why every woman in sight instantly fell in love with him. It seemed Caitlyn was no exception.
"I wrote Ashton a letter when we returned to the palace expressing my gratitude and revealing my identity. I felt somehow like I had fooled him before." Caitlyn bit her lip absentmindedly. "His response was most cordial and said he was honored to have made my acquaintance and that he was not worthy of such a connection.
I wrote him twice more speaking of my earnest desire to get to know him better, but received no reply. My heart ached from his silence.
But somehow I could not get over the feeling. Each time I believed I had moved on I would catch glimpses of Ashton at other events—before His Majesty stopped letting us go out as much—and even stumbled upon having a few conversations with him when he visited the palace with his mentor. But our last encounter came off so stilted that I had finally given up hope." Caitlyn paused as she peered at two confused faces.
Ethyn was pondering how close he had come to meeting the princess years before. He had been to matches with the king present, but Rose had never been with him.
If he had seen the princess before, would he have ended up like Caitlyn—pining away for someone just out of reach? Maybe. But at least he wouldn't have made the big mistake of not knowing her when they first met...
Rose on the other hand was wondering how she had been so blind. Her lady-in-waiting had never fancied anyone at court, but Rose had always assumed it was due to the fact she put duty before love. Now she knew the truth.
"So you have been thinking about him all this time and never told me?" Rose pouted slightly. How much more did she not know?
"I didn't want to tell you because it was foolish and one-sided. At least I thought it was one-sided. But when Ashton arrived to be knighted, he caught my attention and asked if he could have the honor of the first dance with me. I was shocked and barely mumbled a yes!" Caitlyn chuckled.
Rose had seen the two dance a couple of times that evening, but she had thought nothing of it. She had danced too, so it was not strange that her lady-in-waiting would as well.
"I take it the dance went well, then?" Ethyn smirked. His own dances that night had been a bit of a mixed bag.
"It wasn't at first. Ashton told me he was glad to see me and I congratulated him on his new title. He said that he hoped now we could now be formally acquainted. His words confused me. Ashton went on to explain that his mentor had told him it was improper for someone without a title to be in communication with the princess's lady-in-waiting. I was not aware there was such a rule, and I half wonder if his mentor made it up to spare Ashton getting his heart broken.
But we reached an understanding that we would at least be friends. Then all of the things with you happened, and Ashton assumed I was not interested in anything more between us. Yet business kept him at the palace after the ceremony and he called upon me.
Then we wrote letters via the palace courier--you were very sick and I could not be torn away except by the king himself. Though when I would go get 'medicine' from the doctor, I admit I would instead sneak away to see him.
Finally, tonight, when I saw how jealous Ashton was of Sir Samberg offering to escort me, I dared asked the question that had been on my mind for years. We found a quiet corner to speak privately. I asked him if he really wanted to get to know me better as more than just friends.
He answered quite enthusiastically…with a kiss. So when my love returns from his mission, we shall begin a formal courtship." Caitlyn blushed.
Ethyn did too. He did not realize that he had walked up on their first kiss. It had been a very private moment indeed.
"I am surprised you are letting him go on the mission at all. I would have wanted to keep him close if I were you," Rose wondered.
"That is where Sir Samberg's statement was truer than he realized. I wanted Ashton as far away from you as possible. I was worried he might prefer you to me." Caitlyn laughed nervously. "It seems my worry was in vain."
Ethyn and Rose burst out laughing. Ashton and Caitlyn were two of the most beautiful people either of them had ever seen. And two of the kindest also. Of course they belonged together.
"I am very glad you both find my insecurity amusing..." The brunette's face pinched. She curtsied and moved toward her room.
"We find it adorable that anyone could prefer me to you," Rose called after her, but the damage was done. Caitlyn was too embarrassed to return to the conversation.
"I cannot believe I witnessed their first kiss," Ethyn shared his thought aloud.
"I wonder what a kiss like that is like," Rose seemed to be equally oblivious to her spoken thoughts.
"If I ever find out, I'll let you know..." Ethyn blanched. "Not that I want to kiss Caitlyn. I meant my first kiss with anyone. Not that I would kiss just anyone..."
Rose reached over and touched her finger to his mouth. "I know," she told him.
They stared into each others eyes for a long time. Ethyn suddenly felt very hot. He wondered if all the flowers in the room were making it warmer than it should be. Or was it the heat of Rose's gaze?
Eventually the princess sighed and gave him a weary smile. "Goodnight Sir Ethyn."
A wave of exhaustion washed over the young man. It was very late indeed. "Goodnight, Your Highness." He stood, ready to go and find the steward in order to seek out if he should sleep in the guest quarters or elsewhere tonight.
But his mind was spinning with one question. "Was it just me, or did she want me to kiss her?"