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As I feared, that wasn't the last I saw of Lord Michael.
The next day I dismissed my ladies-in-waiting, wanting to take a walk in my gardens without the distracting chatter. I needed to think about my search for a husband that was so far going nowhere.
Before long I sensed I was not alone. I slightly turned my head in curiosity and found, to my surprise, Michael, smiling companionably. "May I walk with you?" he asked politely.
I could not refuse. I nodded, unsmiling. "I suppose you may." But I could not resist a little smile then; he amused me.
"My deepest thanks. The perfect morning, spent walking in a garden beautiful as Eden with a woman beautiful as Eve by my side," Michael said, falling in beside me.
I shook my head and decided to get to the bottom of it...almost.
"I don't think I can marry you," I blurted, cringing at my bluntness. "Your station is not low, but not as high as would be beneficial to my throne. And..." I could not tell him outright that he was an awful player. "You flatter me," I concede, "but I'm afraid we cannot go on with this."
To my surprise, I glance at Michael and see that his face is downcast.
"I know..." he admits. "I tell myself that I am not worthy of you. I know we cannot marry. I know it, Your Majesty. It is just that I am so in love with you, that sometimes I forget who you are to everyone else. But I shall try my hardest to leave you alone, if even Your Majesty herself says that it will never happen."
I blink, and do not notice that we have both stopped walking. Was he to be deterred so easily?
Immediately I feel wretched. Though the Queen, I really have an appalling control over my emotions. This is a terrible flaw, but one typical of a woman, I suppose.
"I am sorry that it cannot be.." I murmur. "I am sorry.."
He turns to me then, a terribly mournful expression on his child-like face. He says nothing, and then, suddenly, whispers:
"Your eyes. They are...breathtaking. Like...well, there are no words to describe them..."
The situation is dangerous. I know I must escape but my silly fickle heart will not let me. And before I know it he has snatched me up and kissed me!
It is quick, but I am thrown into chaos. Half of me is appalled and ashamed, and the other half is appallingly and shamefully delighted. I can say nothing; even now I cannot reproach Lord Michael. Finally I whisper, shocked, "I could have you arrested for this." He has violated one of the most sacred rules, that no one may touch the sacred body of the anointed queen.
He makes things more difficult by turning away his head in shame. "I know. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I just cannot seem to stay away from you..." He sneaks another peek at me again, and then again he kisses me.
"Lord Michael! Please!" I cry, frightened both of the broken rule and my own feelings.
He has turned away hastily. "I am so very sorry, Your Majesty. I guess you will never change your mind. And so I must learn to control myself. You shall not see me again."
He walked away, and I took some time to compose myself before returning to my rooms.
And Michael was right. I only ever saw him a few times more, from a great distance, as it was before--either flirting heavily with one young lady, or being berated by another for his faithlessness. From a distance I could be amused, and proud, that I had come out on top, and resisted the court's biggest charmer--something that no one else had ever done.
But I must; I was queen, and the consequences of my decisions affected the entire country, so I had to take care.
However, I would not be so lucky next time.
[Yes, I switched from past to present tense in the middle. But I didn't want to change it lol. I was in a groove.
And yes, this was super weird. xD Don't worry, the other two suitors won't be that sappy. =P ]
[b:a640e1acd8] heart Love, Ali! Or is it...never mind.[/color:a640e1acd8]
[img:a640e1acd8]http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m205/ObsessiveSquareEnixFan/Art/ladycopy-1.png[/img:a640e1acd8]
[[I want to feel it once more, that vivid music, interweaved with hope amid the darkness.]][/color:a640e1acd8][/b:a640e1acd8]
 LadyAlisyn · Sun May 24, 2009 @ 07:19am · 1 Comments |
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