Among little trees

"Few days after Margaret's funeral, Charles decided to leave finally his room to take some fresh air. He was forced to join to party for King and Queen of Bavaria, just because it was his duty as King's best friend and his ex brother in law. But he needed to stay alone, and spent three days in his room in silence, without seeing anyone. But now it was time to leave Palace. It was evening. He walked among little trees in the garden with slow steps. Suddenly he noticed a female figure walking not too far from him. Maybe she was a new lady in waiting who lost herself. He approached her slowly"

My lady...can I help you? Where...

"He stopped suddenly as he recognized Nan. He felt his heart about to stop"

Oh...Nan...

"Charles remained silent for a little while, surprised to find her there. Then he he shook slowly his head while smiling"

Oh...Nan! I'm sorry...I didn't want to disturb your walk. I...I just thought it was a new lady who lost herself among trees. I find you in good spirit...I'm glad...

"He added with a little bow of his head. Everything was silent among them, and moonlight seemed be more bright on her beautiful face"

"Charles frowned a bit after her words. After thinking for a little while, he shook fastly his head with a silent laughter"

Oh...don't misunderstand my words, please. I didn't mean I had intention to flirt with some young ladies, Nan. I just...wanted to offer my help....

"He took a breath, before adding"

You know that I'm still in mourning. I'm not in mood to think about ladies, actually...

"He said, raising slightly his eyebrow"

"Charles nodded silently. Nan's sentence touched deeply and crossed himself"

Rest in peace...indeed...

"He looked around for a while, then turned to her with a weak smile"

Shall we walk? It's not safe for a lady walking alone by night...

"He suggested, offering her his arm gently"

"Charles kept on walking slowly along garden with her. He nodded with a smile"

Yes...the King is fine. Even if still sad for his sister, as you can imagine. I haven't seen him recently...cause I rested in my room for some day. I didn't want to see anyone. Rather you...I heard you went to Emilie's house...

"He added with a surprised expression, remembering that they were not so friends since a long while"

"Charles smiled, amused by hearing that"

Well...I'm very glad to hear that, Nan. Emilie was not so friendly with you, recently. Since I came back from Portugal, I mean. I always hoped she could be rasonable, finally...

"He smiled warmly, happy to hear that she had great time with her"

I...I'm trying to have some distractions too. Did you know about my pupil, Nan?

"He asked, looking careless around"

"Charles turned to her, raising his eyebrow"

Ah...you still heard nothing about that, then. Well...I have a pupil. Her name is Catherine Willoughby. And...I am her tutor. Her mother, lady Maria de Salinas, wrote to me. It seems that her family has some difficulty after her father's death. Lady Maria is a close friend to Queen Katherine. But now she is in Spain for some family's reason. So...she asked me to give her daughter an education...

"He explained, curious to see her expression"

"Charles looked surprised at her and couldn't avoid to smile for her reaction"

Do you find it funny, Nan? I assure you that it's not easy teaching her everything about history, literature, good manners and other things. She is a very clever girl...but I'm not a teacher, after all. I have no choice...I have to do that. Why are you surprised?

"He asked curiously, trying to catch her eyes in the darkness"

"Charles stopped and looked curiously at her. He was smiling and frowning at the same time"

Uhm...are you saying... that I could flirt with that girl during our lessons, Nan? Well...I know it's hard to believe...but I don't. I do my best for teaching her...good manners, even if you find it so funny. And lady Catherine is a virtuous girl. I...I'm more serious that you can imagine, Nan...

"He added with a teasing smile, noticing that she turned her glance somewhere else. He made his throat clear and waited silently for her reaction"

After hearing of Elizabeth's death, I walked into an area among some trees to gather my thoughts and compose myself. There was where I let tears stream from my eyes. I didn't know what I was going to do now. I leaned my arm up against the trunk of tree and lowered my head.

I heard someone and immediately cleaned my eyes and stood up straight. No one was to ever see a Prince in a weakened state. "No, of course not" I said recognizing her Spanish accent.

I was mesmerized by her elegant beauty, which made me smile. "Good day my lady. Its great to meet you, im prince William Stuart of Scotland" I said as I kissed her had.