Stables

I make my way to the stables as the stable boys bow to me I smile at them nodding as they bring out my beautiful black stallion Achilles. I go to him feeding him an apple I picked from a tree on my way up here. I take the brush from the servant boy and brish the hair mane petting. I smile and rub his fane and cheek as he nudges me. I was happy that i had brought him along as he had been my favorite horse for quite some time. I suddenly feel nervous and ask one of the men in the stables for some wine and they pour me a goblet. I drink down one quickly and then half of the next one and then sip upon it as the wine seems to settle my nerves a little. I wonder why i seem nervous and then dismiss the thoughts as I had just met this woman. I then quickly drink down the rest of my glass as the servant boy refills me yet again. I then sip from it not wanting to have too much wine and act a fool in front of this young lady. I stand there and look out at the countryside sipping my wine.....

I stand there sipping slowly my wine when I see Emilie approaching me wearing her best riding outfit causing me to instantly smile. Yes indeed I do know of the time ladies to take to ready themselves and do not worry I have not waited long my lady. Shall we go now? I smile as I go to Achilles and mount him. I run my fingers through his fine mane as I smile and await Emilie to mount her steed. The excitment at what lies ahead the rest of the afternoon causes Armand to smile. He imagines riding through the forest the wind blowing through his hair and the sights of the rolling english countryside. I immediately untie the satin sash holding my hair back allowing it to freely drop down to my shoulders. I then finish my wine and hands the empty goblet to a stable boy thanking him. My lady this is my horse Achilles. I have had him for quite some time as we have been on many a ride together.

I smile and watch as Wmilie is helped up onto the tall steed. She seems to like tha name of her horse once it is told to her.I grin at her seemingly in a daze as she speaks hardly able to take his gaze from hers. Yes well me and Achilles have indeed been through a lot together. i never travel wtihout him as I guess you may say I am a bit paranoid as I had a horse riding accident when I was but a young man and have had Achilles since then. I am nervous to ride a horse I do not know. yours does seem to have a good temper. I listen intently as she speaks of her horse and how he remains at her estate. He sounds like a wonderful steed as I am sure you are looking forward to mounting him once you return home? I nod to her and take the reigns in my hand as we depart the stables and trot slowly next to each other. The crisp breeze blows through my locks as I look back to Emilie. So I suppose you are leading my lady which is the way to this forest that you speak of?

I listen to her speak of her horse and of her time at Whitehall. She is very interesting this woman quite more interesting than any woman he had met at the English courts. He had not expected to meet someone such as her on his arrival only to speak business. I however feel himself drawn to her but was unable to comprehend what these feelings meant. I do know however that it was not the lust of her body. It was her personality and how comforting I feel in her presence. Its her knowledge and her outlook on certain things the way she spoke with such passion. Yet the beauty to go along with the personality was indeed something very rare in this day and age. He looked at her often but was sure to not do so for any long period of time for not too seem rude. She leads them to the countryside as the wind blows and the smell of her perfume fills my nostril causing me to smile. We walk slowly as I then look over at her and wink. Let us see how fast these steeds are what do you think? He winks again and pulls the reigns as he takes off down the hill at a quick pace...

Emilie feel her cheeks hot and roses a he look at her, even if he don't keep his eyes on hers for a too long, no from embarrassement but from another feeling that she don't well understand, but she feel very happy, comfortable and even slighty euphoric as she had rarely feel in a man's compagny.
She giggle as he wink on her and propose her to go faster, she nodd, the air amused, then send fastly send her horse to full gallop, laugh happily in feeling the wind in her hairs and the movements of her horse who go ahead down the hill and they disappear at horizon.

My horse rides fast as she follows close behind me. I laugh like when I was but a young man full of life. The more time I spend with this woman the more I am but attracted to her in every way, shape, and form. However not knowing what her feelings are I choose to take things slowly and carefully for I am sure she may think me of a King just wanting to fill his bed for the evening.
Or a short affair for the time I spend here in England. However I have no such intentions. She had been hurt several times before and shall wait and see how the day shall pass. After riding hard for a little bit we come upon a small stream that flows through the countryside.
I slow doen the movements of my steed grabbing the reins as I then dismount him allwojn g him to drink some water from the stream. The setting is quite glamorous as there is indeed great views from every angle of the beautiful english countryside that surrounds us. I watch as she approaches me.
Well my lady you do ride well however I think I may have won this race. I grin widely in a jokingly manner towards her laughing.

Emilie laugh happily as her horse get in full gallop, behind Armand's horse, savouring the sensation of riding horse so faslty, hearing Armand laughing too, appreciating each second of this race by his side, she would like this stroll that had just began for never end.
As he slow down his horse and tell her that he win, she laugh, slowing down her horse at her laugh and answer him in a kidding tone.

It isn't true !, it's me who win the race ! but don't be ashamed, you do ride well and will maybe win next time !

She giggle, then look around at the paceful countryside, then join him in the stream, bending back slighty and let her Bucéphale drink some water too by Achille side, she turn to Armand, smiling, her eyes shining with joy, feeling euphoric and dazzled.
At first, she attribuate it to the sensations of the race that they just had, but as she look in Armand's eyes, she feel that it isn't only it, it's him, there something in his glance, in his voice, in his smile, in what emanate from him, in what he told her when they did talk together, that make her feel like that.
She get a bit confused by theses strongs feeling, but fastly the happiness of the present moment take her out of her thoughts and she turn to her horse for to avoid to look directly in Armand's eyes for a too long time and caress her horse's neck, feeling her cheeks hots.
She look at the landscape around them and spot a familiar long path near to a stream, she turn again to Armand, smiling and point it out .

I recognize it, I think that the forest is in this direction, we should maybe join it.

Emilie joeks with me claiming she had won the race and I concede as it was too close to tell. Yes well my lady perhpas you may give some riding tips so that I may beat you next time then. I wink at her jokingly as i watch her dismount and our horses take a drink of water. Tis hard to keep my eyes off of her but for the sake of not being perceived as rude I try to occupy my mind with other things. however her sweet nature and watching as her curly locks blow about in the wind makes me feel as if butterflies are flying around in my stomach. I take my canteen and kneel down by the stream filling it to the top as I take a drink of the cool spring water delighted by it's taste. I feel there is an ackward silence between us as she then speaks of the trail and I look over and see it as well. I grin happily at her as I go to Achilles who is eating some grass next to the stream. I then turn to her So my lady do you have any idea where this forest may lead for it would be a shame to be lost here in the countryside, however you shall know that my father actually deserted me in the hills near Tuscany for three days with but a canteen, a knife, and a bow and arrow. He told me that every man should be able to survive from the land in which he lives. So for three days I lived off the land and was able to follow the atars to the countryside retreat in which he was waiting. He was quite proud of me that day. So do not worry my lady should we get lost I shall find our way. I wink at her hoping to impress her with my stories as I do still remember the ache of a starving belly as eating roots and small rabbits.

I watch her excitement mount as I finish my story. I notice her eyes are seemingly always on me which puts me at ease as I feel as if she has some sort of feelings for me even though maybe small. I do not recall enjoying being in someones company quite as much as hers. In a way I kind of hope we do get lost. I smile faintly at the thought as she speaks in her sweet tone to me. Yes well my lady it was quite scary at times as the full moon was out and you could hear the wolves howling and there was constant movement under me in the forest as it was quite scary not knowing what was below me wondering about. Luckily whatever it was could not climb trees! This is somewhat of a tradition for the men in my family as my father told me that it went back for many generations and was sort of a rite of passage from a boy to a man. I have spent so much time in nature that it no longer frightens me as it can be rather comforting knowing that you are able to live off of your surroundings. Well a pack of wolves my lady would be quite unpleasant however as I said before wolves can not climb trees! She tells me that we should not get lost as I smile at her. Well my lady it does please me that you trust with your well being in such a manner as I can assure you that no harm shall come your way when you are in my company. I smile assuringly at her. My mind races with many a thought as she speaks of the possibility of us getting lost even though I know with as busy as things are that is not quite possible. Well perhaps you and your lovely daughter may visit Italy as my most special and important guests and i may take you out to the Italian countryside for I know many beasutiful and scenic spots to get lost or camp at. Have you camped much in your childhood?

She speaks as I again feel as If Im in a strange trance enamored by her. By her movements, and her smile. By the way she curls her fingers around her lovely locks when she sepaks. I did not expect to meet a woman such as her who invoked these strong feelings within me. I am aware of the pains of her past and know that she shall be careful with her feelings and with opening herself up to me or to anyone else for that matter. I decide to simply conitnue to be myself and perhaps she will see that i am not at all like these other men before as my intentions are true and good. I do however haver reservations of speaking my feelings as I had never really understood the proper way to do so. I am sure that when the time presents itself I shall reveal these feelings and these romantic thoughts that race through my mind.
Yes well my father was traditional in every aspect of the word. He believed that even though we are royalty that we still had to prove to ourselves that we were still normal. we still had to have the basic knowledge of being able to survive. Even though things were always handed to me on a silver platter I could still understand how the peasants made it day to day with a starving belly. I understood the plight from the rich and from the poor. While travelling abroad I did not have a alrge amount of coin and did adapt. I agree with you these type of things should be done more often however we both know how that may never be. I was just blessed I suppose. I do hope that my future wife shall understand if she produces me a son that this will be a part of his transition to manhood as well when he reaches the certain age. i am sure she will not agree and be fearful, but it will be the best experience of his life and one that shall shape his future as a man and as a ruler.She speaks to me of her knowledge of wolves which impresses me very much as I can not hide the large smile upon my face.
Well Emilie I am quite impressed with your knowledge of wolves as I do agree most of the stories you hear are fiction as they are beautiful creatures and I do enjoy their howls. I know sometimes in the winter i go up to the top rooms of my palace and look out upon the italian countryside blanketed in snow and watch them travel in packs looking for their prey as it is quite fascinating.
I do hope you and your daughter shall come and visit as I am sure that she shall enjoy it as will you. I do look forward to it as I may show you around and be as hospitable and kind in showimg you my country as you have been in showing me yours.
Yes I have camped many times. The best hunting is out in the wilderness as me and my father and several cousins would go and camp out regularly. i can see that a refined young lady such as yourself would not have been allowed to do such rugged things. I think however that with your sense of nature and adventure that you would enjoy it immensley. Swimming in the stream and fishing, cooking the fish over an open fire with the sounds of nature all around you. maybe someday you shall experience this.
I watch her the way she walsk and the way she looks around her. Everything about this lovely young woman intrigues me. i do look forward to knowing her better and try not to think about when I shall have to depart from her company.

the way that she looks at me when she speaks and her smile convince me to a degree that she may have warm feelings for me as I do for her. feelings of the romantic type of more than friendship. I daydream a little as she speaks watching her imagining what kissing her lips may be like. This causes me to smile and feel all warm inside as my cheeks feel flushed. i know perhaps that a time and place may come for that for now would be too soon. I do not wish to do anything that would offend her in the slightest as I leanr more about her and her family. Yes well my father was indeed a good man and one that was in touch with nature. You can say I had the privelge of being raised both as a commoner and then as a royal. My mother of course insisted on the finest education, the learning of several foreign languages, the ability to play music with numerous instruments. I did really have the best of both worlds. It does make me fearful. I fear when I may begin to have children that I could never live up to my father.
I sigh feeling foolish for worrying about such a thing as I am yet not even married and several years away from having children.
Yes well the forest rangers are quite knowlegeable and I have learned much from them. I understand your feelings towards not wanting to kill an animal. I could never imagine a woman doing such a thing. I smile as she speaks of trying out camping. I do know several beautiful spots. One overlooks a beautiful lake in Palermo and has great fishing. Im sure your daughter may enjoy it a lot more once she is a little older. As taking a young one out camping is probably not the best idea. She speaks of her family as I smile and gaze deeply into her eyes as she smiles speaking with such affection of her uncle and cousins. Yes well I must say I agree to an extent of being protective over daughters or neices. Many see the females to be more fragile than their male counterparts and that they need to be sheltered. I shall not lie and say I may feel the same way should I ever have a daughter.
The though causes me to smile a bit as the though of ever having a daughter had never crossed my mind until this very moment. I look to Emilie admiring her many qualities that have attracted me to her and wondering when the moment shall present itself for me to speak my true feelings to her.

While, listening to him, admirative of the way he has been educated and in seeing the results of it in his behaviour and culture, looking at his beautiful face, she feel soft and warm feeling toward him, getting slowly conscious that they may be love feelings.

I think it's a wonderful way to educate children, a finest education but also discover the nature, the animals and less privilegied people's life and I can see the reuslts of it in the clever, cultured, well-mannered and modest man that you are, your majesty. I understand that it had make you fear and that you fear to can't live up to your father's level when you will have children at your turn, but I am sure that you will be a wonderful father too.

She smile to him softly as he tell that he understand how she feel about hunting and propose her to show her beautiful spots in Italy and she nodd.

It's true, she is too small for now and will enjoy it better when she will be older, at last five or six years old, I would like very much to let you guide me in the italian's countryside, discover the most beautiful spots in your compagny.

Moved by his words about the way to educate and care of girls, she imagine that he will surely be a wonderful father when he will have children, she answer him.

Well, I think that I have a bit the same vision of girls's education as you, at last when it's come about my own daughter whom I want to educate the better possible and protect against all the dangers she could run, because I had a happy childhood in being educated this way.

Blushing slighty of emotion, she look deep in his eyes and read in his glance, air and gesture that he may have soft feeling for her too that don't belong to friendship.
She feel very happy and troubled at the same time from it because she recall of how much she has been happy while her only guenine love story, with Olympe's father, but also that she have learn from this experience have learn from this story that love may mean suffering a lot.
Smiling, she chase chase away these sad memories for enjoy this present happiness in this amazing man's compagny.

I am very happy to can spend such sweet time with you, your majesty, you are one of the most amazing and charming persons whom I had ever encounter around court.

I look into her eyes enjoying the way that she glances me at as I speak. The smiles she gives towards me warms my heart and sends tingly feelings throughout my being. Never had I anticipated meeting someone as genuine, honest, beautiful, and trustworthy. Most of the other women I had feelings for now I realize that it was not quite as strong as these I feel at the present moment. I then am unsire how to deal with these feelings. I feel sad knowing that I shall be forced to leave soon and return to Italy for there are many matters at state that I have yet to deal with. I wonder if these feelings shall follow me back to Milan and if they shall also still be as strong. It's hard to imagine being away from this lovley young lady but having to be so far away as there is much distnce between England and Italy. I try to put these thoughts at the back of my mind and simply enjoy this time with her. I have had a problem for quite a time at thinking too far ahead and always trying to have a plan for everything. Her kind words make me more attracted to her as she speaks of me being a good father. This is the one thing in my life I hope that I shall be good at aside from being a good ruler and a fatihful and loving husband.

I believe your daughter shall have quite an education as being reared by a mother as wonderful as you her future shall very bright indeed. Your words are very kind my lady as you have no idea how a simple kind word from you makes me feel and the way it makes me smile. I must be blunt and speak openly as there are many feelings racing through my mind and I must get them out in some way, shape, or form.

I sigh suddenly feeling shy in her presence and fearful of rejection. However I continue on as her attention is focused entirely on me now. I know how the world works and how there are certain things put in our paths by god as ways to navigate life. There are stresses, heartbreakes, illness, and many other things. i must say though everything like that disappears when I am with you. all the worries everything seems to simply float away. I must know is there a possibility that things between us may not be simply friendship but something more? Something special? I have these feelings towards you and must know if you feel them towards me as well. If you do not I understand for I know you keep your heart and feelings closely guarded due to the past. I do hope perhaps you may have a place for me in your life and inside your heart?
I feel my palms sweaty and very nervous as I await her answer. I feel quite clumsy at first for speaking my feelings so freely, but i know realize that it is what needed to be done and said. i look at the ground as the breeze continues to blow about. As the air around us feels different this day as if there is something special floating in it.

As she speaks her words to me I feel my heart melt and my body go warm as the most special feelings flow through me. I immediately see our future as if it is already set in stone. Never have I felt this way for a woman I had only just met. I move closer to her and reach for her hand taking it into mine. I hope I am not being too bold but your words have touched me in so many wonderful ways. Everything about you is what I never knew I always wanted in a woman, a friend, a companion, a lover, a wife. I stop and swallow hard as i knew that I had went a little far, but felt that it was all or nothing. That I would spill to her my whole heart as I had never done before. She made me feel this way. So open and free to express my thoughts and emotions to her.
I then again move closer to her and take her other hand into mine as I look down into her eyes and smile as i had never smiled before upon a woman. Your daughter is beautiful as you are. I know I can never be her father nor do I choose to replace her father in any way. I would however be honored to be a part of her life and ensure that your visions for her such as education shall be fulfilled. I know you have just recently been hurt. I can ensure you more than I have promised anyone else anything that if you let me into your heart I shall care for it as it was my own. I hope that i may mend your broken heart and that you may only have to love another once again the rest of your life my lady. I take a deep breath never being so honest around a woman and hoping that she shall not break my heart as I feel I have opend myself to her more than any other.

Her words nearly move me to tears as she speaks of a love that I had only read about it books. Now I had that as she felt the smae for me as I do for her. I am so excited for what lies ahead as me and this lovely young woman embark upon our lives together. I squeeze her hand tightly in mine. i look deeply into her eyes feeling the love radiate between us. Yes perhaps it is rather early to speak of marriage but never have I found so many great and interesting qualities in a woman as I have found in you. I move my face close to hers and massage her cheek with my thumb as I kiss her soft lips. It seems as if the world stopped spinning and my hear quit beating if only for an instant. The feel of her soft lips against mine warming my heart and soul. I love you Emilie and do look forward to the many adventures that await us. He sees a few tears form in her eyes as he smiles wiping them away. He leans in and kisses her soft lips once more. I shall be that father figure for your daughter and care for her and treat her as if she is my own. You shall always be in my hear for I want to do everything with you I want to eventually make you my wife and queen and I want you to be the mother of my children. What are your feelings on that my dear?