The Unusual Lady

Chapter 5

The three weeks in bed finally came to an end and I was so excited that I could hardly contain myself. Knowing that I had training coming up I had secretly been stretching every morning at dawn before Christine brought in my breakfast and before I bathed. I was very weak after being in bed for so long. I sitll had some soreness from my ribs and I knew that I would have to take things easy for awhile before I could really train hard.

The first day out of bed Simon and Margret took me around the garden. Since Simon and I had become such good friends we called each other by our given names. It was nice not to have to say "my lord or Lord Simon" before every sentence. More often than not it was more like the banter I had with my brother. Things did get kind of awkward during our morning in the garden.

We had been walking around with Margret running and exploring a little ways ahead of us. She would run and then bend over to inspect a flower or a bug or even a rock if it caught her interest. We would catch up and she would run ahead more. The morning of my altercation with my father I had only seen about a fourth of the gardens and this morning was meant to rectify that as well as getting me some much needed sunshine and fresh air.

"I can't believe you have never heard the fairy tale of the Frog Prince. The frog in the story reminds me of you. All annoying and wanting to bother the sweet and innocent princess." I was being ridiculous and we both knew it but it was fun to have these funny little arguments to make the time go by.

"I will have to read it since I am apparently one of the star characters."

"Of course you will. I will lend you by book of fairy tales when we return back to the castle"

"Speaking of returning. What are your plans to head back home?"

"I am not sure. Your father has said he wishes me to stay until my brother returns and since we haven't received word back yet I am content to stay here for now. We also have our training that we agreed to start tomorrow. I can't wait for that so why would I want to leave?"

"You know you just don't want to leave my pretty face. It would break your heart."

"Oh of course. You have the prettiest face I've ever seen. Even more than any maiden I've ever seen. I guess that means you have a girlie face." After I had said that I stuck my tongue out at him.

"I am in no way shape or form girlie. I resent that and you should take it back!" He was laughing so I knew he wasn't serious.

"It's more like you represent that. But I'll let it slide for now."

As we had been bickering back and forth a lady had approached us and was staring at Simon like a piece of meat.

He dropped into a bow and murmured "Lady Cassandra"

I dipped into a curtsy as well. I worried that I looked terrible as I still had some bruising on my face.

"Who would this be Lord Simon?" The woman practically purred. I hated women like this. She had dark brown hair that was caught up in an elaborate curly configure on the top of her head. He dress was of the height of fashion and was a dark burnt orange color that reminded me of falling leaves. She was wearing some face powder and had darkened her lashes as well. She was a skinny little toothpick that men seemed to prefer. Her eyes were a lovely shade of emerald green and I could tell she knew of her beauty and used it for her own gain. She was also quite a bit shorter than me standing around five foot three inches. She was also wearing so much jewelry that I wondered if she ever worried about being robbed. She had on three gold necklaces that stacked on one another as well as two gold rings on each hand and gold bracelets dangling on her writs. I hated her on sight but I was trying to figure out if it was the woman I hated or the feelings of jealousy she stirred within me.