Affair with the King

Part 18

Sarah met Manuel as agreed, following him to the stables, where Juan waited. He took her hand, leading her inside, telling her of the new purchases he had made. As he suspected, she delighted in seeing the new horses. 

She made her way through the stalls, visiting each horse, patting them and stroking their manes. Juan followed behind her, watching her. When she finally came upon the white stallion, she gasped.

"Oh, Juan", she sighed, "He's stunning". She put her forehead against the horses snout, patting either side of his neck.

"He's yours", Juan said, simply.

She looked at him in shock, her mouth open. "He isn't!".

He laughed. "He is, my love".

She clapped her hands happily, running to him and jumping in his arms. She showered his face with kisses saying "thank you", over and over again. He spun her around, delighting in her reaction. When he placed her back on the ground, she went back to the horse, loving scratching his snout. "Does he have a name?".

He moved behind her, one hand on her waist, the other patting the horse. He kissed her shoulder. "Anything you wish, m'lady".

She turned in his embrace, stroking his face. "You are too good to me. You spoil me so".

"I will give you the world", he whispered, his lips grazing hers. "Should you allow me too".

"Can I ride him?", she asked, kissing him sweetly.

He pushed a stray curl from her forehead, kissing it. He opened the stall door, leading the horse out. He picked her up, with ease, placing her on the horse. She quickly lifted her skirts to sit astride. He grabbed a blanket from a pile nearby, laying it over her lap. He then got the stool, stepping on it and hoisting himself onto the horse behind her. He took the blanket, wrapping it around the both of them. She leaned against him as he reached around her to gather the reigns.

As they trotted from the stables, the page boy ran to them. He had fallen asleep and did not see them enter the stables or mount. He looked afraid of reprimand. "My lord! Apologies. I did not hear you approach".

"I could have been a man of enemy, come to steal the Kings finest steed", Juan said, feigning sternness.

"Stop it, Juan", Sarah chided. She knew Juan was teasing , but the poor boy was terrified. She looked down on him, kindly. "Go, sweet boy. Rest your eyes. Your Lord Prince knows how exhausted you must be after keeping us all safe from harm all this time. You must be so very brave to do so".

The boy puffed out his chest, full of pride, before going to his knee to bow. "I shall be happy to serve you, m'lady. I will one day be the bravest knight in all of Navarrese and I shall win many battles for you and my Lord Prince".

Realizing the boy assumed her to be the princess, she spoke to correct him. "Oh, I am not your -".

"What is your name?", Juan asked, cutting her off.

"Carlo, your highness".

"Well, brave Carlo", he said, wrapping an arm around Sarah's waist. "You must do as the lady says, and take your leave for rest. I am quite worried my love has been taken by the bravest knight in all of Navarrese, and we must make haste to leave, so I can reclaim her heart once more".

Sarah smiled widely as the boy giggled, covering his mouth. He stood, bowing deeply. "M'lady. My Lord".

They both nodded to him, as though he were a man of great importance.

"Stay brave, sweet Carlo", Sarah said as Juan spurred the horse on. Once they were out of the stables, she asked why Juan allowed the boy to think she was the princess.