King of My Heart

10. Plans

Lucy took a piece of bacon off of her plate and fed it to Kojo, who was snuggling in her lap.

Jackson reached out to pet the dog, but for the hundredth time, he just looked unhappy when the viscount touched him. "Okay, you seriously have the grumpiest dog ever. He doesn't even like when anyone pets him."

The queen snickered and took over gently rubbing her hand along the dog's back who closed his eyes in contentment. "He only seems grumpy, but he's really a sweetheart," she finally commented and her eyes found Tim's where he was walking into the Great Hall. Kojo seemed to have noticed Tim, too, and he jumped down from his place in Lucy's lap and ran over to the lord. Lucy was only a little jealous that she could not also run over to Tim whenever she saw him. Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Tim's face light up as he bent down and pet the dog while greeting the excited animal.

Jackson noticed the way Lucy was positively swooning at the sight.

"I didn't know you wanted a dog, or I would have gotten you one," Chris chimed in.

Lucy and Jackson both felt a little guilty that they completely forgot Chris was eating with them.

"I didn't know I wanted him before," Lucy answered while still staring at Tim and Kojo together on the floor, and she realized she was not actually talking about the dog- she wanted the man playing with her dog.

"Well, I agree with Jackson. We can find you a better dog that's happier and has better breeding. Kojo is a stray. I can take him to a shelter for you," Chris offered.

The queen gasped so loud that Tim looked over at her and was right in front of her with the dog in his arms within seconds. "Are you okay?" Tim asked, his eyes only focused on Lucy.

"Yeah...I...thanks for the offer, Chris, but I'm perfectly happy with the dog I have," she said as kindly as she could, even though she wanted to SCREAM.

"You want a different dog?" Tim asked defensively.

"No, I love Kojo. He's perfect," she insisted.

"He's not a very happy dog, and like I said before, his poor breeding makes him unworthy of a queen," Chris reiterated.

Tim felt a little protective of the dog he had grown to love over the last week since he and Lucy had given him a bath.

Lucy could not deny the similarities between her new dog and Tim- as someone who was not royal by blood, she knew other members of court looked down on him for his "poor breeding", and even she used to think he was grumpy and unapproachable. So, maybe she freaked out a little, because she wanted to defend both her new dog AND Tim. She rose from her seat and walked around to join the lord and Kojo, who was still being held tightly in his arms. "I said he's perfect, Chris. I want him and only him," Lucy said fiercely; though she had rarely ever stood her ground with the prince and tended to kindly "agree to disagree", this was NOT a situation she found herself able to relent.

Jackson just watched the way Lucy and Tim stood closely together while they both had their hands on Kojo, and they looked like a family...it was a little cute, he had to admit. Although he did not necessarily understand why Lucy seemed to like Tim, he had to confess that they always looked happier together.

"Fine. Keep the damn dog. Look, I have to get to the airstrip. I need to be back in Daroon soon," Chris checked his watch.

"Okay," she replied but did not leave Tim's side.

Chris stood up and moved over to Lucy. He kissed her cheek. "See you next week," he said casually and waved at the two other men before weaving through the tables set up in the Great Hall where the other residents at court were dining.