Black Forest

I've lived here all my life so I can take you anywhere you wish but, first things first. The nearest chapel is this way she held tightly to his hand as her heart filled with excitement.

The very next day Isabella awaited for him wondering whether to banter with him or talk royal things

Richard rode his horse through the Black Forest until he reached Isabella. He saw her on her horse and stopped, bowing with his head

My lady...hope you're not waiting since too much...

He said smiling and staring at her beauty

Isabella laughed kindly

"No not at all i was just taking in the scenery I am glad that i get to spend some time with you again i rather enjoy our talks."

Isabella felt like a young girl in lust she had come to admire him greatly for his openess when he spoke with her she caught his eye and smiled.

"You go first you're majesty you know this forest better than i, is their any secluded parts of this forest."

Richard laughed and shook his head

Not at all, my lady. I'll never allow you to walk behind me. Like...you were not my equal. You'll ride at my side...

He gestured her to follow him with a gentle movement of his hand and kept on riding slowly along forest. He turned towards her with a smile

You look surprised. Did you think that...after yesterday, I was not a gentleman?

Isabella moved her horse along side his

"Well you're majesty i do like surprises Jewels i am not to fond of unless they have sentimental reason. I do like flowers picked for more and i do desire a husband who has gentleman aspects to him. You must think me picky"

Richard laughed softly and shook his head while riding

Oh no..I don't think this. On the contrary, I find you a very romantic woman. I just hope your husband will be worthy of you...

Hesmiled and kept on looking around forest

Isabella smiled and blushed a little

"Thankyou for such kind words and how does it feel to be king? One day i might be a queen and who ever i marry i hope our countries can be allies or maybe be on friendly terms at the very least i would like that. It would be nice to have a husband who would like to come to me when he is troubled as it will be our kingdom and i hope whom might be my husband shall take great comfort from that."

Richard took a breath but smiled at the same time

If you want a sincere answer, my lady...sometimes I would like to be a common man. I never know if people who surrounds me are interested in man or in King. Especially ladies. Until I met Eleanor...And yes, I hope strongly that our countries will be allies, like we're friends...

He added showing her an enigmatic smile

"You can be anyone you want to be in my company i shall not complain."

Looking over at him i wondered if our lives could be different.

"Was i ever on you're list I mean did you ever consider me as your partner or am i too much of a handful? "

Richard had to stop his horse after her sentence and looked at her a bit confused. He smiled

Well...I admit I was not prepared to such question. My marriage with Eleanor has been arranged very quickly by her spanish family. But...yes, I thought about other possible partners. And the beautiful Princess of Portugal was one of them..

He answered finally. He tried to catch her eyes while talking

Isabella smiled at him amused.

"You always look taken back by my questions that i ask i was simply curious to know whether you would of picked me."

She avoided eye contact with him looking at the trees instead.

Richard noticed that she avoided his glance and sighed

It has been an hard choice...between Spain and Portugal, I mean. I met Eleanor only few days before wedding. So...I had no idea about my possible wives's outlooking. But after all it's better. Because it would have been harder if I met you before...

He sighed again, trying to catch some emotion on her beautiful face

"Yes i know what you mean if i was arranged to marry you i would not of loved you like i love you now."

She stopped her horse and looked at him lowering her eyes here and their

Richard sighed as she stopped and looked confused at her

What do you mean...Isabella? Please, talk freely with me...

He said trying to catch her eyes again. He wondered why she was avoiding his glance

She looked at him having just told him what she did at least he would of noticed.

"Richard i just told you that i was in love with you i would at least thought that was a good enough explanation!"

Richard took a deep breath and smiled weakly

No...no need explainations, of course. But you said "I was". Are you not in love anymore?

He asked, without removing his eyes from her

She looked at him with solemn eyes

"I speak nothing but truth i am very much in love with you! This i understand from the pit of my heart could cause you great grief as you are married but know this i do not come to cause trouble for you. In time we must both hope that these feelings of love that i have for you will soon vanish or dissolve."

Isabella sighed feeling very tired closing her eyes she let the horse lead the way.

"So can i at least enjoy my final days with you until we part on good terms i hope in peace and when you are free from being a king those are the moments i wish to see you"

Smiling she leaned across touching his arm.. well the clothing of it anyway

Richard looked at her hand on her arm and hold her horse's reins with the other hand, stopping it. He looked deeply into her eyes

Isabella...how could you hide this feeling inside you for so long time? I'm married, yes. But it was my right to know the truth about your feelings towards me...

He took a breath and grabbed her hand while raising his eyes

Laughing a little i pulled my hand away from his.

" Am i not a woman? We learn to put aside our thoughts and feelings for the mrn we love their is nothing that can be done you did not marry for love. Does it really matter how i feel for you really? I have told you my inner most secrets now i can leave now that you know"

Isabella bit her lip wanting to jump of her horse qnd just run away and cry somewhere

Richard listened her in silence. Then he dismounted by his horse and helped her to dismount from hers, grabbing tightly her waist. Once he saw her deep eyes in front of him, he sighed

Of course it matters. What kind of man do you think I am, Isabella? I knew nothing about your feelings. But now that I know...

He whispered, still holding her in his arms

Isabella stared straight into his eyes placing a hand on his chest.

"Richard i did give you little clues in our conversations. Now that you know their is nothing you can do! Do not give me a taste of paradise with you then take it away. I am to late you are married and i have to live with that burden i also like to think that you respect me enough not to make me you're mistress"

Resting my head on his shoulder i wrapped my fingers round his neck gently tickling him this was as close as i would ever get to him. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him.

"I was thinking that in the morning i should go back to portugal how long i can have you on my own no one knows. I was wondering could i just spend the night in you're arms nothing phsyical..."

Richard wrapped his arms around her. He sighed deeply while listening her words

You're a royal Princess. You deserve more than being my mistress. But...I'll keep you in my arms, tonight...

He whispered, lost into her deep eyes

"Wait what did you have planned I am open to suggestions."

Moving closer to him she gently kissed him gripping on to his waist.

Richard kissed her back. Although he felt surprised by her sudden kiss, he smiled

Let's come back to the Palace and I'll show you...

He whispered into her ear