Nicole brought Daniela a simple riding dress early in the morning. It was cream with a light brown jacket. She braided Daniela's hair in two long plaits the way they used to at the Abbey, then wrapped each up and over her head like a crown. The castle was still quiet as they made their way to the front gate. Luckily, Paulina had insisted that Nicole learn the layout of the castle yesterday while Daniela met with Queen Imelda, or else they might not have made it.
Charles was waiting with another slightly taller and broader man. He could have been considered plain, especially next to Charles, but his sturdy build, rugged tan, and shoulder length hair left the impression of his being quite handsome. Both men wore loose white shirts tucked into dark pants with boots.
"This is Captain Thomas Phillips. He is the head of the castle guard, and a good friend of mine," Charles said.
"Come on, Charlie, you're making me blush!" Captain Phillips said brightly. Daniela's eyes widened, and Nicole stifled a laugh.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse his complete lack of decorum," Charles said, although he did not seem much bothered. Daniela was surprised that someone who adhered to every rule and custom of civil society would permit being addressed so casually.
It was a little foggy and the air was still cold, but the bright, early spring sunshine cut right through. Nicole and Daniela walked together behind the two men, but when they reached the paddock, the captain very naturally pulled Nicole away to get her a horse, and Charles and Daniela were left together. Charles led out a sturdy brown horse, nearly as small as a pony.
"Nutmeg is the calmest horse I've ever met. She listens well, too. It's like she knows where you want to go without even leading her."
Daniela tentatively stroked the gentle horse's nose. She was not afraid of horses, but had not had much interaction with them. Most horses she saw were farm horses or powerful carriage horses.
"Are you ready?" Charles asked. She nodded, so they went around to the side of the horse. As quickly and deftly as he could, Charles held Daniela's waist and lifted her up onto the animal. She was seated side-saddle, as she'd seen ladies ride occasionally.
"You can stay this way, or bring your right leg over and ride astride. Your skirts should have enough room to do that. It won't make much of a difference today; I'll be leading you the whole time."
Truthfully, Daniela was a little afraid to move at all. From the ground it didn't seem that high up, but it certainly felt high now. "I'll stay like this. Perhaps another time."
"Alright, then bring your legs forward as much as you can, and hold tightly to this here." He grabbed the horn of the saddle to show her, then stepped back and held the horse's reins. At a snail's pace, he led Daniela and her little horse in a circle around the paddock. Daniela was fixated on her hands on the saddle and not falling, but she caught a glimpse of Nicole and Captain Phillips. They were both trotting easily around the other side of the yard. When did Nicole learn to ride? There'd been no horses for them in Kernwith.
"Do you think you're ready to ride out on the path?" Charles asked. "It won't be much different than this."
No, she thought. "Yes," she said.
Charles wrapped the reins around the saddle. He waved the captain over to stay with her while he got his own horse. He also brought a long lead to attach to Nutmeg's harness that he could hold along with his own reigns.
Nicole and the captain led the way down the path, and Charles and Daniela followed slowly. Daniela would have found it awkward to be the least capable rider of the four had she not been so focused on staying aloft.
Gradually, she became more comfortable with the rocking motion of riding, and was able to look around. They had gone into the woods. The trees were large and spread far apart from one another, and the ground was coated with reddish-brown pine needles. She could hear the two in front making easy, cheerful conversation. That made her realize that she and Charles had been sitting in silence this whole time. She glanced quickly at him. She couldn't gauge from his expression whether it made him feel awkward.
"These woods are lovely," she managed.
"Yes, it is my favorite place to ride."
And they fell into silence again. Daniela almost laughed when she thought about the conversation she had had just yesterday with his mother about how Imelda and King Edmund had been able to talk so naturally on the first day they met.
"There is a lake up ahead," Charles said a while later. "We have brought a small picnic, if that suits you."
The trees gave way to reveal the clear, smooth surface of the little lake. On the shores, there was more sunshine, which allowed soft spring grass and little flowers to pop up. Nicole and the captain had spread out a large blanket, and taken a basket off the back of the captain's horse. Charles dismounted his own horse before giving Daniela a hand down. She tripped a little when she landed, and being on solid ground felt strange.
In the basket were bottles of spiced honey water and apple cider, and small, flaky pies filled with pork and apples. The weather had warmed, so in the sun it was not too cold to be sitting still. The amiable personalities of their friends brought Daniela and Charles out of their silence, and they chatted a little more freely as they ate.
"I'd like to get a better look at that interesting grove of trees on the other side of the lake," Nicole said suddenly. Before Daniela could say anything, the captain hopped up.
"I'll walk with you, Lady Nicole," he said quickly. "These two can manage on their own for a while." They disappeared quickly among the trees.
Charles's company was not unpleasant to Daniela, but she was nervous to be alone with him. They would end up sitting in silence again!
Thankfully, Charles began to speak. "I have wanted to ask about Kernwith Abbey. How was your time there? Was it-"
"Comfortable?" Daniela anticipated. "Yes, very much so."
"But no replacement for home, of course." Charles said seriously. Daniela could not respond. Eventually he continued.
"As much as I want our marriage to go forward as planned," he said, sounding practiced, "I cannot continue in good conscience without giving you the chance to... the option to... back out. Refuse. Today is the last chance that you have to break the engagement, if you choose to." He waited.
Daniela thought hard before responding. "I have had a lot of time over the last ten years to think about whether or not I want to marry you. Never once did I question that I will marry you. Tell me, what do you think will happen if I were to break the engagement?"
"Truthfully?" Charles hesitated. "I believe that Brasador would attack as soon as they could, likely in the Eastern Territories."
"And many people would die on both sides. Whoever managed to win, and I could not predict who, would gain a useless chunk of land where no one lives and nothing grows." Daniela faced Charles and spoke a little more firmly. "I have spent half of my life in each country. I consider Aramdeau as much my home as Brasador, if not more. Believe me when I say, I truly want to prevent this war, and the two of us may be the only people who can."
Charles looked into her eyes. "I am grateful you see the situation that way, and I admire your sense of duty." He shook his head. "But to force a little girl away from her home and family was a heartless thing to do, no matter how necessary. Surely you must resent me for it."
"Perhaps, when I first moved to Kernwith Abbey, I had feelings like that. But they were not directed at you. If my father had wanted me to stay, all he had to do was not go to war. My brother and mother, or my other relatives for that matter, could have tried to convince him, or could have found a way for me to stay. Not one of them did. As far as I know, not one even tried. The only resentment I carry, and the only blame I place, is for them."
Daniela was surprised at her own directness, but it felt good to speak honestly, and it was important that Charles not question her commitment. She continued, "It has been a long time since then, and honestly, I do not even see being sent away as a bad thing anymore. Just because Brasador was my home does not mean that I was happy there. I didn't even realize how unhappy I was there until I got to Kernwith. The last ten years at the Abbey were the happiest of my life. No matter what happens in the future, I will always be grateful for my time there. Trust me that I do not resent you. In fact, I should thank you."
Charles looked down at a blade of grass in his fingers, and smiled a little. "I am relieved. For a long time, I thought... Never mind, it is behind us." Then he frowned. "Your brother... he will be staying in the castle for a while after the wedding. I thought you would be happy to see each other, but I saw for myself that is not the case. Should I try to get him to leave earlier, or perhaps..."
"No, he's here to officially represent Brasador. Don't change any plans."
"Still, we could-" He was cut off by the return of their intrepid friends.
"Your Highness," Nicole started excitedly. "You would never believe the heron we saw over there. The size of that thing-"
"Lady Nicole, I believe we are interrupting," the captain said, grinning impishly.
"No, indeed, we were just thinking of leaving." Daniela stood up and gave Charles a small smile.
Nicole and the captain picked up the picnic while Charles followed Daniela back to the horses.
"Will you show me how to ride astride?" Daniela asked. "I think I should like to try it."
Charles held the stirrup steady for Daniela. "You can push down here on the saddle, and put your other hand on my shoulder."
"Oh, um, alright." Daniela tentatively rested her hand on his shoulder, then found she had to lean on him quite a bit to lift herself onto the horse. It took longer than when he lifted her up the first time, and Daniela was keenly aware of their proximity. She got her right leg over the top and did her best to adjust her skirt. Charles mounted his own horse, and when Nicole and the captain were ready, they returned to the castle.