"Ah, finally a day off" Audrey thought as she packed her rucksack. Her favorite winter pastime was going on snowy hikes and collecting wintergreen. But between working and the temperamental weather she hadn't had the chance. Throwing her bag over her shoulder and picking up a basket Audrey excitedly ran down the stairs. She decided to go around the back of the castle, and through the stable yard. This route was effective in avoiding the other maids, who were notorious for roping her into extra tasks. As the lithe maid strode through the stable yard consumed with thoughts her encounter with the prince.
Just then she saw him riding through the gates. "Speak of the devil" she thought. His face lit up as he saw her. Swinging down, he handed the reigns to a stable boy.
"How's the head?" he asked as he strode over.
"Oh, I feel perfectly fine now, it was just a little bump" she smiled. "Have you been out hunting again, sir?"
"I asked you to drop the sir, please, just call me Michael. And I actually had an errand to the next kingdom, a trade deal to finalize."
"I dont think ill ever get used to calling you by your first name, but ill try..... Michael."
She held his gaze as she said his name, slowly. Then breaking it abruptly, Audrey continued, "I've heard a lot about this trade agreement, it's going to benefit the merchants so much, especially since the harbors are almost closed, with all this ice."
"You know, I'm a bit surprised you take an interest in all that, Audrey"
"I find that slightly offensive....but regardless, I've got to get going."
"Wintergreen picking?" he asked nodding towards the basket. "I haven't been since i was little.... would you mind very much if I came along?"
"Uhm." she started to blush, the idea of being all alone in the woods... "Well it's your land, you can go wherever you please" she answered flippantly, hoping to distract him from her uneasy stance.
"Im quite aware of that, but I'm specifically asking for your company." leaning down to catch her eyes, just as he had that day in his chambers.
"Yes, you may" she answered quietly. The maid quickly started off in the direction of the forest before more could be said.
Tromping through the snow made slow progress. But finally they reached the wooded hillside where the wintergreen bushes were thickest. The trek had been made in silence, but it wasn't hostile.
"I wouldn't think a young prince would have much time for berrying" Audrey said, continuing to pick.
"Bold of you to assume I had the time" he laughed. "I was notorious for playing hookey"
"I was always to afraid of getting in trouble to try it"
"You mean to tell me...that you've never skipped class, work, anything?" Michael asked incredulously.
"Well, no. I really enjoyed school, and if i have work, then im committed to go. Not everyone can afford throw away their opportunities." She said with a dry look.
"Are you insinuating I'm entitled because i played hooky as a kid?"
"I'm insinuating you're entitled because you dont know what it's like not to have everything"
"You could be right Audrey, but i also think you're writing me off without getting to know me first" he said stepping towards her, and pouring the berries from his bucket into hers.
"Hmm, possibly, i wonder how we could fix that?" She said, looking up through her eyelashes at him.
"Im sure i can come up with something" Infact he had been thinking of ways to spend more time with her, and here an opportunity fell into his lap.
