As Alexander asked, he leaned on the piano keys and the latter released a loud and discordant blare in response. The jarring noise echoing through the room, adding to the tension between them. "You are not as desperate to leave me, are you?" He demanded."Yes, a hundred times yes!" She yelled, her voice ringing out with a fierce determination that left no room for doubt. She stepped away from him, running her hand over her tidy hair. Alexander felt a pang of regret at not reaching out to pull her back, but he knew that would serve no good. "I want to leave this place!" With her back to him, she repeated in a murmur. "I never wanted to be here.""Now, now, Guinevere, you are hurting my feelings." Alexander said lowly, his tone softening as he straightened up. The protesting sound of the piano filled the air once more. "Enough of this word trade. Come, sit." He shifted to allow her room on the bench. She made no move. He angled his head. "Will you indeed not play me the piano?"Guinever
Gwen's brows furrowed. "Can you not simply give it back?"Why should he when he could gain something from it? He shook his head slowly. "No. I rule with diplomacy, and unfortunately, it has affected my other dealings. If you want it back, you must play the piano for me."She sighed and started for him. "Alright. But this once only.""You have my word." Until he would take it back. Guinevere settled beside him, he waited until she was comfortable before speaking again. "Play it for me after dinner today, my dear, Guinevere.""Yes, Alexander." She was in agreement, but in words only. The defiance in her eyes told that she would much rather not see him than sit with him after dinner. He feigned ignorance to her pertinacity.With a chuckle, Alexander secured the hostage handkerchief into his pocket. "What are you doing today?" He inquired, his tone light.Guinevere shrugged her shoulders in a nonchalant manner. "Nothing." She replied with a sigh. "As I have done in the past days, as I hav
Edmund bowed deeply. "My sincere apologies, Sire. It shall never happen again."He released a deep breath, working greatly to dispel the anger. Slowly, it dissipated and he released his clenched teeth. "Very well then. Prepare accordingly for Brand's birthday." He commanded. "It should be beyond grand, befitting his title and age. After all, it is not everyday a young prince turns twenty.""Yes, Sire." Edmund said. Alexander waved him away, and with a bow, he left the room.He kept his eyes on the closed door in deep thought. Perhaps he could wait. After all, she would be by his side for the longest of time, so he would wait. If he demanded that a ball be thrown in her honour because of a neck jewellery, knowing Guinevere, she would withdraw again from him and all would be in vain, so he would wait.Alexander turned to sit right on the bench, facing the piano. He played with each key, releasing a single note from them. Guinevere could be wilful, but he had more will and it had been su
Gwen could not believe her own audacity. What words was she saying?! "Let me alone, Lady Farrington. We can not survive together so let us live separately." She turned to the waiting maid. "Shall we, Paula?" Not waiting for an answer, she left."You will regret this I promise you!" Lady Farrington yelled after her but she did not care anymore.Paula ran after Gwen as the latter hurried to her bedchambers. What words had she spoken? She was beautiful enough to be reckless? Since when did she glory in her beauty? Since when did she care for it?And since when did people think of her as the king's mistress?!Without warning, she stopped and someone crashed into her, but it was of no concern.'…be my son's mistress.'Gwen turned, aghast, not by her maid's presence, but at Lady Farrington's words. Mistress?! She was a mistress?! How dare they think of her as one? Who was it that thought of her as one? She had been careful, had she not? Careful enough to avoid the presence of the king so as
The serving maids tidied up the table, removing the remnants of roast duck, white bread, roast vegetables and the used plates and cutleries. Alexander dabbed his mouth with his napkin and handed it to one of the maids. Lady Farrington mirrored him, passing hers to the maid too.Gwen took a sip from her cup before letting one of the maids take it away. "Thank you." She muttered to the woman who had greying hair and was courteous enough to spare her a smile.As soon as the serving maids departed the room, Lady Farrington turned to the king. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the wonderful dinner. It was amazing." She greeted as she had always done after every meal. "I must confess, your presence is such a welcome, albeit delightful change." She blinked shyly and smiled. "Much more than I had anticipated."Gwen struggled not to roll her eyes. Lady Farrington's repetitive expressions of gratitude grated on her nerves and she was to stay still at the time. Could she not think of other ways? It
***Her eyes were closed, her breathing was calm and her being was at peace.In the softly lit room, sitting, with Alexander by her side, Gwen let her fingers speak and she made her soul pay attention. Lightly, the music was birthed from the piano and powerfully, it came to her. Each note rang out clear and pure, filling the space with a melody that danced on the air like sunlight filtering through leaves. She was lost to the music, she was completely lost to its beauty.Playing the piano was more than just a skill for Gwen - it was a passion. It was the only way she could express herself. It was the only means she was allowed. With each chord she struck, she felt a sense of liberation, as if the music had the power to lift her spirits and transport her to another realm; to a much better realm.Her fingers moved with fluidity and grace, causing the music to swell and ebb, and a sense of joy washed over her. It was the feeling of contentment. Where she was or who was with her did not m
Gwen inhaled sharply, realizing she had. "I suppose."He chuckled. Then, "Can we agree, my dear, that this conversation of candour is preferable to your attempts to avoid me?""I believe my return to Westside Manor is a more preferable option."Alexander laughed lightly. "You're just as obstinate as Brand." He said, but Gwen disagreed. She was as obstinate as him. "I heard an intriguing rumour today.""What rumour did you hear?""I heard that you referred to yourself," he paused, "as beautiful."Gwen flushed, embarrassed. "That… that… was…" She cleared her throat. "It was in the moment." She had only said it to rebuff Lady Farrington and her words."It must have been quite a moment." He remarked. Gwen's flush deepened, and she averted her gaze. His voice lowered suddenly. "This is a promising turn of events.""What do you mean?""This." He murmured, brushing her cheek gently and offering her a smile. "I should make you flush more often."Alexander's smile disarmed her completely. Gwen
***A knock at the door startled Gwen from her reverie. She had been sitting by the fire, staring at it since she came to the room. "Who is it?" She called.A voice from the other side responded. "It is Paula, My Lady.""Enter."The maid entered and bowed. "Good evening, My Lady.""Good Evening." Gwen replied. Then, "I thought you had retired for the night.""I cannot, not when you have not been attended to for the evening."Gwen took a deep breath. She was not helpless, and certainly not an invalid. She could attend to herself. She had been doing so for years. "It would not be a crime if you had retired before me. What if I had spent all night in the piano room? Would you have stayed the night up?"Paula shrugged. "I suppose."Gwen stared, realizing the maid truly would stay up all night, waiting for her. "That is not entirely right. You are free to retire to bed when you ought to. If ever I need your services after, I will call for you.""Alright, My Lady. I shall help you out of yo