Dining Room

Richard detached from her and started lacing his doublet again, breathing hardly. Then he looked shocked at her

Anne of Cleves, you said? Oh...if you're right, we must absolutely persuad her that she saw me...with Eleanor! Otherwise german Church can create big issues to me. Are you sure that she was Anne?

He asked worriedly, staring at her

Yes, my lord. I am sure. I wouldnt suggest you any idea like this if I wasnt fully sure of it. If she thinks you were with not Eleanor, but me, she would want to leave court as soon as possible. So, I am sorry for rudeness, but my advice to you is to make her stop as soon as it is possible. Aurora looked at king and smiled
Dont worry Richard, everything will be alright...

Richard nodded, looking somewhere else

You're right. I have to find lady Anna as soon as possible. Come back into your rooms, Aurora. And don't talk to anyone. I'll solve everything...

He said firnly. Then took a deep breath and left the room, hoping to find Anne of Cleves still around castle

Aurora left room too and went to her bedchamber,breathing slowly and calming down.

I had the servants set the food up for the evening hoping not to many bystanders would come by and interrupt us. Everything on the table looked edible enough to eat in the center their was only two candle light as the evening sun was still bright enough to light up the room. I promptly looked at myself in the mirror splashing myself with some spices on my neck as I ruffled and unruffled my crisp white shirt. Clapping my hands I dismissed the servants taking out the pocket watch checking the time.

Inge came at the dinner after Maria took care of her look. She had her hairs lifted up and a golden gown. She still felt very nervous but she tried to hide it. Once she stepped into room, she saw sir Daniel sat at the table. She smiled and curtsied deeply before him

"My lord..hope I am not late.."

She whispered

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I ran my hand through my hair when I heard the sound of the doors opening. Turning I saw Inge dressed in a beautiful gown her hair was up away from her face enhancing those hazel green eyes of hers. Just on time please have a seat. As the doors closed I pulled out a chair for her gesturing for her to seat. I must say you look rather beautiful tonight Inge.

Inge smiled. Walking towards table, she took her seat after he pulled out the chair for her

"Thank you, my lord. I also thank you for this kind invitation. I really appreciate your company.."

She said smiling softly. He looked even more handsome than before. Especially, she loved the way he used pulling back his hairs with his hands. She put both her hands on her lap lowering her eyes for a moment

I smiled gratefully taking a seat across from her. The table itself was round within reach of everything you needed to reach. I wanted Inge to relax she was sitting somewhat upright and regal looking. Please relax in my company Inge I have no inappropriate thoughts towards you... yet. I added with a playful tone.

Inge giggled for his words. He had sense of humor and she loved that

"Oh..I am very relaxed, actually. And..I have no doubts that you're a gentleman, my lord.."

She paused for a moment and she looked at him

"So this means..that you could have inappropriate thoughts towards me..in the future?"

She asked almost whispering, after a moment of hesitation. She was smiling, but inside her she was anxious to know his answer

I lingered on my answer, flashing her one of my widest grins. I set down my goblet leaning my fingers across the table as I leaned in also. Yes I think in the future I could develop such feelings towards you. It would be foolish of me not to. Why do you think I invited you here Inge.

Inge blushed and smiled at the same time. Feeling his eyes on her, she decided to meet his eyes and she looked at him

"I'm flattered, sir Daniel. I..I don't know what to say. It has been a long time since a man had interest in me. I devoted myself to my son only. But..your words make me hope into a different future, my lord.."

She admitted with soft voice and staring at his handsome face. Her eyes were lost into his

Then I am glad that my words bring you some happiness. They were both so locked, transfixed into each others eyes that the only sound that could be heard was the crackling of the fire. Do you ever think about the future and accepting certain possibilities for love.

Inge tasted her soup bringing gently her spoon to her mouth. She smiled hearing his question

"Sometimes I think about it..yes. I would love finding a reliable man, someone who could  be a father for my son. But I know it's hard. Usually men are scared of starting a relationship with a single mother. But..I hope things will change in the future.."

She added staring directly at his eyes. He had a magnetic glance and she couldn't stop staring at him

Daniel stroked his beard thoughtfully. Yes but you're son is different from other children. One day he could take the throne of whichever country it is his father is from.

Inge left her spoon in the dish and she shook her head

"My son will never inherit the Tuscan throne, sir Daniel. His father..never recognized him as his son. Probably his daughter Francesca, who is now Princess and regent of Tuscany, will be Queen. Leonardo has royal blood, yes. But..I would love to raise him as a normal boy.."

She said, realizing that she was talking about Leo's father with another man for the first time. She smiled

"What about your daughter? I don't even know her name.."

Daniel wanted to be that man to help Inge raise her son to the best of his ability. He had a soft spot for Inge and it grew more by each and every second. Who my daughter is will be somewhat of a scandal. I will never reveal who she is as it would not be fair on the king.

Inge looked at him, trying to hide how surprised she was for his words. She just nodded trying to smile

"Oh..of course, my lord. As you wish. Forgive me.."

She lowered her eyes taking another bit of her soup. Daniel was much more mysterious than she thought

We all have our secrets Inge. If you had a secret that you knew could destroy their very being. Would you go ahead and tell them anyway? You see I can't do that ruin the life of an innocent person. It is not in my nature to be so cruel. A part of me wishes that she will realize who her true father is. Until that day I shall sit back, watch and guide her. Daniel liked Inge and he didn't want this certain topic to ruin any chance between them. Not feeling full by the soup he pushed it away.

Inge nodded after he pushed the soup away and she smiled weakly

"I understand your reasons, sir Daniel. You have no need to give me explainations. That's your private life..and I don't want to interfere. And I'm sure you're doing a great job with your daughter. You just want to protect her. And..she must be proud of you.."

She replied, wondering if he had other secrets in his life. She hoped that he could trust her enough to tell her everything, one day

Daniel seemed to be digging a bigger whole for himself than was already needed. He smiled as the roast pork was brought out to them. Inge I do not wish to lose you're trust already so I shall tell you the whole story. But it is the upmost importance that Richard never finds out. He might do something utterly uncalled for. He picked up the apple sauce and proceeded with his story. I rarely spent my life at the palace Ludwig was king he had queen Elsa. I went travelling not very aware that the mistress that Ludwig had. This mistress is the one who bore him his children only Valerie is not his. You see I came back and I had not been at the court so who was I to know who his mistress was. When I found out it was to little to late I felt bad but also deceived she came to me hysterical. So I left again sending money into a little trust fund for Valerie. I don't know if she is my daughter or not but I always look out for her even though she can defend herself.

Inge listened his story in silence. Servants brought them the pork, but her attention was on Daniel's words. It was an amazing story. And she almost didn't know what to say

"Don't worry, my lord. I promise that neither one word will come out from my mouth about that. I am a very private person.."

She frowned weakly looking at him

"So..if I understood well, Princess Valerie is not Ludwing's daughter. But she could be..yours. So she could not be King's niece.."

Daniel smiled a simple sigh was all that escaped his lips. He liked sharing this secret with Inge. He pushed away the plates that were in front off him. We just have to go by her words. Some women like to be mysterious. Maybe ot was a cry for help.

Inge smiled, not leaving his eyes

"Being mysterious is not such a bad thing, my lord. You are a mysterious man. And I like it.."

She admitted whispering and blushing a bit

I laughed after she had finished speaking leaning in closer to her. People dislike mysterious people. They think that they are hiding something the same thing goes for that with privacy. I have figured this out a person will go to such lengths to point out someones mysterious ways. When secretly they crave to be apart of it. I smiled broadly as the tips of my fingers laid gently upon her hand.