Betrothed

Chapter Nine: The "Flattering Game"

Audrianna bounded down the staircase, down the hallways, and out the door to the courtyard where she met Rupp, sitting on a bench and polishing one of his broadswords.

"Your Highness," he greeted her excitedly. Audrianna was embarrassed by her meltdown, as she lowered her head to the ground and folded her hands.

"Lord Rupp, I am sorry for how..." Rupp stopped her when he realized she was trying to apologize.

"No, Your Highness!" he scolded her as he stood to his feet. His scolding alarmed her as she stopped and looked up at the imposing man. "Do not ever apologize to the likes of me, or anyone else."

"What-" Audrianna began to ask. She had been raised to always apologize for any wrong doing. An emotional meltdown seemed to fit into that category. Rupp cut her off again.

"You are the crowned princess, Princess Audrianna the Tenderhearted. You don't need to tell anybody you're sorry for having a bad day-save the king! If what we're doing is too much, and you need to stop and clear your mind, do so! Your Highness is going to be the queen someday. You have the right. I don't have the right, nor a need of an explanation."

Audrianna looked up at Rupp. His face displayed a firm resolution, but his words were compassionate and gentle. Audrianna's heart began to strengthen. Rupp looked around the courtyard, then bent down on one knee to look eye to eye with the princess.

"The next time you leave and come back, don't say, 'I'm sorry.' Just look at me, or whoever else and say, 'Lord Rupp, I am ready to continue my lesson.' Can you say that to me?" Audrianna straightened her shoulders and tugged at the bottom of her vest.

"Lord Rupp," she repeated with an air of authority. "I am ready to continue my lesson." Rupp quickly stood to his feet and snapped to attention.

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied. Audrianna beamed a wide grin. "Shall we try to curtsy, or shall we practice with the baton?" he asked the princess. By this time Rozelle and Ethlyn had caught up with Audrianna.

"Don't you think that ladies are best equipped at teaching the curtsy?" Rozelle asked, volunteering their services.

"Perhaps. If you want her to curtsy like a lady," Rupp teased. "But the king wants her to curtsy like a queen." Rozelle scowled at Rupp, completely aware that he was teasing. "Please," Rupp offered. "Show her how a lady curtsies."

Both Rozelle and Ethlyn stepped forward like a rehearsed presentation of synchronized curtsies. They pulled back the one side of their dresses, placed their foot behind them, and bowed gracefully at the knees, without bending forward.

"Wow!" Audrianna exclaimed, wide-eyed at their talented agility.

"Almost, ladies," Rupp criticized. "That was a superb effort. But there was an important detail that you two missed."

"What did we miss?" the two chorused.

"Watch me and see if you pick up on it," Rupp answered as he pretended to pull up his dress, he wasn't wearing, placed his foot behind him, bent his knees, rested his finger on his chin, and bowed his head. Audrianna applauded as he stood straight again.

"Nicely done, Lord Rupp," Ethlyn commended.

"Very nice, indeed," Rozelle agreed. "However, I find it necessary to bow the head only in the presence of the king or queen. Princess Audrianna will one day be the queen. What need does she have to bow the head?"

"That's a good point, Your Highness," Rupp replied, looking at little Audrianna. "Disregard the head bow. Let us see Your Highness do a curtsy."

Audrianna rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. She really embarrassed herself the day before in front of the entire royal court-including Henry. But, not wearing a dress at that moment, she pretended to pull her dress up slightly, then slid her left foot behind her.