A Song of Roses

CHAPTER VIII

William helped me onto the horse, as the gown was too heavy to attempt climbing up myself. He approached my side, and his hands encircled my waist. William lifted me onto the horse with ease. After he made sure I was sitting on the right seat, he swung himself up in front of me, my hands grasping onto William's waist. my small hands curling around his firm body.

The horse moved under our feet at a slow and steady pace. away from the palace, "Where are we going?" I asked as the horse kept moving forward, its pace smooth and steady. William's voice reached my ears, and I listened carefully to his reply. "To Lekhaon Lake," he answered, his voice carrying a hint of mystery to it. "And we shall have it entrely to ourselves," he added.

Lekhaon Lake?

"I have heard of it, but I never went there," I admitted, my eyes following the steady pace of the horse as we travelled through the lush greenery. The roses of Astoria were famous for their scent and beauty, and Zorro was well-known for its lush greenery, which made it an ideal place for spending time with nature. The horse's hooves crunched on the path as it walked through the dense forest. The palace had long since disappeared from view. As far as the eye could see, there were nothing but trees.

"Here it is," William announced, as we finally arrived at the breathtaking Lekhaon Lake.

The horse's pace slowed, and he stopped at the edge of the lake. The sun's light danced and sparkled over the water, like little crystals. "Oh, my word..." I uttered, mesmerised by the sight of it. The serene beauty of the scene before me left me speechless. William gracefully got down, and then he reached down to help me off the horse. "I used to come here when I felt suffocated," he said, his tone revealing a hint of tenderness that hadn't been there before. It was a side of him that I had never seen before, as if he had been hiding this softer side all along. "Suffocated from my father's expectations," he continued, his words holding a hint of sadness in them. It was clear that his father had imposed heavy expectations on him as the heir to the throne, and this expectation had caused him to feel suffocated and trapped. "That was when I was a young lad," he affirmed. "Not now, of course," he added. "I know this marriage is arranged, and you probably hate me--" he began, but I quickly interrupted him. "No, I do not hate you." Make him fall in love with you. I reminded myself,

I found myself beginning to feel something for him...though I dared not name it yet.

I took a step closer to him. I felt my heart flutter as I moved closer to him. My gaze fell on his handsome face; his gentle, dark eyes met mine. His gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips, and I felt a shiver run through my body. I parted my lips slightly, wanting him to kiss me and wondering if he felt the same urge. Our lips were an inch away from one another, and the air became heavy with the promise of a kiss.

Finally,

His lips touched mine, his gentle grasp around my waist pulling me closer as our mouths mingled.

Our lips remained pressed together, holding the kiss for what felt like hours. as we pulled away, both of us panting and breathless after our embrace. I could feel my face burning red from the passion of our kiss. A rush of emotions flooded through me.

want, confusion, and need.

I was speechless, my thoughts all over the place. I tried to speak, but my voice failed me. "W-we should.." I uttered, my voice trailing off as I searched for words. He smiled, his expression revealing his pleasure at our embrace. "Walk?" he asked. I could only manage a nod in response, still feeling a bit breathless from our kiss. He reached out and gently took my hand.

Hand in hand, we began strolling along the lakeside.

As we were eating our noon meal, I informed William of my upcoming tea with the ladies of court this afternoon. His look held a hint of amusement. "Very well," he replied. "I shall be meeting with the royal councillors and attendants this afternoon." His words held a hint of authority as he spoke them. It was clear that he was a man of duty and responsibility. "It seems that both of us will be quite accupied this afternoon," I remarked before taking a bite of the vegetable dish. "Indeed," he said, nodding in agreement.