The Shadowman and his Queen

Notebook

ShadowQueen Ch. 7: Notebook

ENCHANTED FOREST

Quinquennial Week 2

"My dearest Diary, it's been two weeks since I've met this intriguing, handsome gentleman, Prince Baron Fusilier. I am all but completely smitten and I'm frightened. I haven't felt this way about anyone since my dear Daniel. Is it bad that with each waking moment I'm with him my heart aches less and less for my loss of Daniel? Is it completely awful that, although I'm in a loveless prison with Leopold, I care not because Baron shows me enough care and consideration as a friend to suffice for what I am being deprived by my husband? Is it dreadful that I want more from Baron than his hugs and gentle friendly touches? Is it terrible that I wish to leave this place, run away with him and have a family with him? To live my happily ever after with him? The answer to each of these may be yes, but I don't care. It has only been two weeks and I know it may be too soon, but I think I may be falling in love." Regina is called from her writings by a knock on the door. "Yes, come in" she calls as she closes her diary and hides it under the stack of pillows on her bed.

"Good evening my lovely friend" Baron greets upon his entrance, giving her what she sees as his award-winning smile, making her melt at the sight. "Hello Baron, to what do I owe this pleasure?" she asks smiling from ear to ear, "well, the old people have seemed to turn in for the night..." he jokes making Regina laugh quietly "...and I remember you mentioning you like to ride horses. I was wondering if you'd like to take a ride in the moonlight with me and have a picnic under the stars?". See, it's things like this that make her feel the way that she does, "that sounds amazing, of course I would" she answers with stars in her eyes. They exit Regina's bed chambers through the hidden passage way that leads into the rear grand staircase nearest the east wing and quietly make their way to the stables to gather their mares to ride. "No saddle?" Baron asks curiously "Nope, always ride better without one" she says with a wink of her eye. He is all but completely smitten with this woman. For the sake of his father's old friend, he smothers how he really feels and holds back on how he'd actually like to handle her. He handles her with the utmost care a friend can show but he'd like to give her so much more. He'd like to hold her close, kiss her passionately and caress her lovingly in the way she deserves to be. He wants to be her man, her love, he wishes deeply that he'd met her before Leopold and had asked for her hand instead. That way he could love her in the way that she should be loved. But he didn't and he can't without some repercussions to be had.

At the thought Baron breathes deeply, tacks the tied picnic blanket with their foods inside to his mare, mounts and canters with Regina to an open field covered in wildflowers. He dismounts first and walks over to Regina to help her down. He's well aware she can do it herself, but takes the opportunity to have his hands on her, to hold her by the waist to assist her. At his touch her breath catches and their eyes lock, the moon is shining in his eyes and she doesn't want to look away. When her feet are firmly planted on the floor, they are so close they are breathing the same air, Baron reigns himself in and puts distance between them saying "I should go spread out the blanket". When he leaves Regina immediately misses his touch, she takes in a shaky breath to steel herself before she walks over to where he's setting them up. After laying out the spread Baron sits down and reaches out a hand for Regina to invite her to sit down next to him. "Baron, this looks amazing" she says in awe, "well, didn't cook any of it, cooking's really not my forte, but I did make a point to gather your favorites." "My favorites? Baron, I've never..." she begins slightly confused, "...you didn't have to. I just took note of the dishes you normally gravitated to and brought those along for you." "Thank you, Baron, how thoughtful of you" she says, she is blown away by how much her friend considers her.

He cared enough to learn of her favorite pastime, her favorite foods and place to be, only if she'd saved his sister Brigitte not Snow. She may not have had Daniel, but at least she'd have a man that cared for her deeply, a man to truly consider and what she enjoys. "Anything for you, Regina the beautiful" he says using the pad of his thumb to caress her cheek making her blush. Their eyes lock again and she wants to kiss him, she told her diary the truth when she said she wants more of him than his hugs and gentle friendly touches. She throws caution to the wind and moves in to kiss him. Baron sees what is happening and has a split second to decide, does he toss away all his resolve and give into the desire he has to kiss her, or does he consider Leopold and what he may think if he found out. Then he thinks 'that is if Leopold finds out' with that thought had his decision is made, he moves in the rest of the way and gently lays his lips upon her soft ones.