Where the Two Paths Meet

Chapter Three

"Guard," I turn to address the closes guard "Will you please find a servant and send them for tea and refreshments. Have them bring it to the west garden." 

"Yes my Princess." He bows his head before exiting. I then turn my attention to Lord Frey and Lady Kenna. "Thank you for your warm visit Lord Frey and Lady Kenna. Lord Louis and I shall have a private meeting." They nod their heads and give me their gratitude.

"Lord Louis, will you please follow me?"My heart is still pounding. I wish I could tell him never mind but that would be so insulting. We exit through the same large wooden doors that I have entered from. The sound of our footsteps on the marble floors echoes through the strangely empty halls. Thank the heavens that the west garden is only a few minutes walk. 

"The architecture of this castle is exquisite." He tries to make conversation. I agree with him.

"Yes, this castle was designed by non other than Sir Hildebrand Lafayette. The same man who designed the Eminence's Palace nearly 500 years ago."Lord Louis seemed very impressed by this. Sir Hildebrand Lafayette was a famous architect, sculptor, painter, writer, and a war hero. Every child across the land who has received any kind of education has studied Sir Lafayette's life and accomplishments. He was even present when the Kingdoms Treaty of Lands was signed half a millennium ago. The kingdoms Treaty of Lands is a historical document that was signed by all the kingdoms kings, stating that they will not try to forcibly conquer already claimed land, and that the Eminence has complete authority over all of the kingdoms. The Eminence is pretty much the great king of the entire land.

Unfortunately for me, the kingdoms Treaty of Lands does not help me because only a man can claim land. With each succession, the successor must claim the kingdom's land as their own. I am the successor of Astall and since I am not a man and unmarried, I can not claim the kingdom and therefore it is unclaimed. At any moment, my kingdom can be taken from me. Many of the kingdoms around mine had great respect for my father and those kings promised my father who was on his death bed that they will not claim the land. But with every passing day the kings can change their minds and steal everything from me.

We finally arrive at the garden and it seems that the servants have not yet delivered the tea and refreshments. I must say, the west garden is the most beautiful and impressive garden of this castle. The weeping willow trees have been in bloom for the past week. The beautiful pink flowers are a wonderful indication that summer has finally arrived in Astall. Since Astall is one of the most northern kingdoms, the summers don't start until late June and last until early August. Our winters are much longer, lasting from October to March. Our spring and autumn seasons are only about a month long which saddens me because autumn is my favorite season.

The west garden also has a small bush maze, elegant bird baths, a small marble fountain with crystal clear water, and a single  large oak tree with a tree house. When I was younger my sister and I would always play in the tree house. My father would tell us all the adventures he and his two younger brothers would have in that tree house. When my grandfather was still alive, he would tell me how he and his older sister would play in it as well. This old tree house has been in my families lives for many, many generations. One day, my sons and daughters will play in this tree house.

Lord Louis and I walk over to a circular metal table and chairs that reside under one of the willow trees. The beautiful pink flowers are scattered across the surfaces. Lord Louis genitally brushes off my chair first, then the table, and then his chair.

"Why thank you." I sit down, cross my ankles and rest my hands on my lap. 

"It is no problem at all," he too takes a seat. "This garden is so gorgeous."

"Thank you my Lord. There is so much history in this garden."

"I wouldn't doubt it." The servants finally arrive with the tea and refreshments. The set down the tea pot, tea bags, tea cups, saucers, tea spoon, sugar cubes, milk, and a display of small sandwiches and light pastries. They then excuse themselves and we are alone again. I pick my favorite tea, earl grey, and put the tea bag in my cup and fill it with hot water. I use the string attached to the tea bag to dip the tea bag in and out of the water to make the infusion process to go faster.

"With all respect my princess, but I was always under the impression that an unmarried royal women can not be in the presence of an unmarried man without a supervisor." I glance up at him for a moment and then look back to my tea.

"Yes that is correct. However, I am the regent of this kingdom and soon to be the Queen. That rule is excused for me because it is nearly impossible for me to follow. I have many sensitive meeting alone with my adviser who is an unmarried man. A queen's duties comes before customs and etiquette."

"I was never aware of this, very interesting."

"It is. However, I am never truly alone. I have secret trusted guards always watching me to make sure I am safe." I take out the tea bag and put in an appropriate amount of sugar and milk. I raise the cup to take a sip of the delicious liquid.

"My lord, I must say that you're appearance is much different than any lord I have ever seen. May I ask why?"

"Well to be frank, its because I don't want servants to do everything for me. I have a hard time trusting people and honestly, they can never do anything right."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is. I chop my own wood, I hunt and grow my own food, I cook my own food, I even built my own house." That surprised me greatly. This man has so many intriguing traits. He reaches to grab a sandwich and takes a bite of it.

"My house is just a one room hut, but it is still home to me."

"Well it is still incredible that you built your own house, no matter how small it is. To me, you sound like a very resourceful man." He smiles at this. His smile sends shivers down my spine and I can't help but smile back.

"Yes I suppose it is incredible."

The rest of our little meeting went fantastic. Lord Louis is a strong man both physically and characteristically. I couldn't help but think how great he would be as a ruler. It's a shame that he has no royal blood. Once he left the castle, all I could think about is how I can't wait to see him again.

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Published July 22, 2018