Thread: A Prince and his maid [Kaziel and Ashlee_babe]

Reaching behind him, deftly untying the back of his apron, then pulling it up and over his neck, he set it up on a hook, the muscles in his arms and back flexing under his skin as he did so. Looking over his shoulder as she sat, he replied casually Thar weren't any prollums with tha makin' of His Majesties blade. His voice thick with the accent he had gotten from his parents who were not natives of this land. I'da say that it be me finest piece o' work ta date. He turned to her smiling with pride as he walked over to where he stored his completed pieces, picking up an intricately designed, sheathed longsword. As lovingly as a father would care for it's child, he drew it from the scabbard and held it's glimmering length in his hand, giving it a few experimental swings. While Col was not high enough ranked to be worthy of receiving sword lessons, the natural balance of the blade made him look the natural. As she began to speak of marriage, he turned away from her as flashes of images of the two of them together, her in a stunning gown, him in his best outfit at the altar of the local church getting married. He turned back just in time to see her blush as the Prince and his latest consort came into sight. Bending over next to her, even crouching he was taller than she was sitting. Before he had a chance to respond about what type of man he thought she could be with, she asked him about his interests. He knew the answer, but it shocked him that she was asking so directly. Glad she was still looking away as his cheeks reddened, he stuttered softly before regaining his composure. Well, ah... I do have a lass tha' has taken my fancy... he replied after a moment, looking away from her. It's just hard voicin' my feelin's. It's not simple ta me, like forgin' a sword or fixin' some armor. Those always go tha way ya expect them to, but what if she rejects me? He felt very akward talking to Marguerite directly about his feelings for her, without naming her as the object of those affections. The Prince let out an small sigh as he stepped into the courtyard, before quickly covering up his feelings with a mask of dignity and poise, beaming smile as he headed out to the practice fields. Lady Kataline had decided to surprise him arriving early. She had been waiting for him when he came downstairs into the throneroom, his subjects sent home to prepare to celebrate the arrival of their new queen. He was not amused. First off, while yes he was expected to, he had not yet married her and that gave her no power her. She had no right to order his subjects around. They had needs that he needed to resolve, and by dismissing them meant that over the forthcoming days he would have a backlog of people who needed to be attended to, which meant problems which compounded themselves, or worse fights between his people. Second off, she wasn't due to arrive until well into the afternoon. The sun hadn't been up an hour and she'd already arrived. His father, Gods rest his soul, had always taught him to be punctual. Never late, but not too early either. As much as he played the part of unwilling to wake, he was very glad for Marguerite waking him every morning to ensure that he was up and out by the appropriate time. By showing up early, any plans they could have made to make Lady Kataline's arrival a more suitable one for a lady of her position were shattered in an instant. Finally, upon meeting her, she practically demanded that he show her around. She had phrased it as a question, no doubt, but her wording was in a way there was little doubt what she expected him to do. Well, are you going to show me around my new home? she had asked. No honorifics, her new home, along with the way she phrased it made him practically bristle. Somehow he had maintained his self-control, but even minutes later he was still not sure how he did it. No... he was not amused. But thinking again about Marguerite, he wondered how he would survive if she married. She couldn't very well remain his maid after marriage. She would have duties to her husband, no the least of which would be to bear him children. And... no... there was little point going down that train of thought for the dozenth time. Glancing over to the Blacksmith's shed, he saw Col and Marguerite, his smile softening from the forced one to his true smile as he waved to them.