And They All Fell Down

Chapter Two

The Festival ended and everyone either went back to the ballroom to continue talking and drinking amongst one another or they retired to their chambers. Christopher went back to his room and asked for his own wine and stood outside on the balcony and took big sips out of his large glass. His rooms overlooked the garden and he saw the outline of the fountain and roses though the darkness. He walked back inside and sat by the fire and watched the flames, how gently they seemed to dance. For some reason he could not stop thinking about Lavinia. The sound of her laugh, the way her waist felt against his hand when they dances, her soft smile. He pictured her in his head and knew just the thoughts could get him killed. He tried to tell himself that it was just a silly infatuation and that it would surly pass, just like it had all the times before. So why didn't he feel sure about it this time? He sighed and looked deeper into the fire, hoping it would burn the imagine of her hair out of his mind but it only made it more vivid. Her hair was like flames and his heart burnt for it. 

❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦

The next morning Christopher woke up in the same chair that he had made himself comfortable in the night before. He was sore in the neck and lower back and he tilted his head slightly to the left and heard an awful cracking sound. He rubbed his shoulder as he stood up and walked over to the balcony, opening the glass doors and stepping into the cool morning air. He looked down at the garden and took in a sharp breath. 

There she was. 

She was sitting on the bench near the fountain with a book in her hands and her ladies were sitting on the edge of the fountain doing the same. She quickly put the book down and smiled, dropping to her knees and opening her arms "Charles! Lilly!" Two small children ran to her and a nurse trailed behind them. Lavinia took the two small children in her arms and smiled at them but this smile wasn't the soft smile she gave everyone else. It was big and full of happiness. "How I have missed you both!" 

She took their hands and led them inside and the nurse and ladies followed them. Christopher knew that the King and Queen had conceived two children together but he was told they spent most of their time being cared for in the countryside, far away from the eyes of court. 

Christopher got dressed and went to see what was in the kitchen. He passed several noble woman who smiled at him and flirted with their eyes but he wasn't interested in any of them. He walked into the kitchen where not a single noble was in sight and grabbed some bread and a glass of milk. He looked out the kitchen door to the green grass leading to the stables and saw a small child near the horses but he did not see an adult with the child. He moved a little closer and saw Prince Charles attempting to saddle a horse all by himself and he saw him clearly struggling. He walked to the stable "Need a hand?" 

"No," the boy said simply. 

"Well, you aren't doing it right. Can you ride?" 

"Yes, of course I can ride." 

The boy continued to try on his own but continued to be unsuccessful. 

"Let me help you." 

"No!" 

"Charles!" A distant voice called and Christopher turned and saw the Queen and Princess Lily walking towards the stable. 

"You escaped your teachers, again! Must we have this problem every time you stay at court?" 

"I just want to ride." 

"Well it would appear that you are not doing it properly and I happen to know that you have only had a few riding lessons."