*Violet's POV*
The trees around us are amazing.
I see many more places to grow sugar cane and many more plants to grow.
Like Honey Suckle, Shrubs, many herbs, Roses, and so much more.
"I need to expand my business." I started a conversation between us again.
"How do you plan on doing that?" She questioned me.
"Well, for starters, I need to buy the seeds, make more signs, grow them, and there is much more to be done. It is not an easy process." I explained to her, not to thoroughly.
"Well, I know that it is somewhat problematic. My father and I have to sort out rations for the army and we have to cut some sections short to make sure we have enough for everyone who serves."
"I couldn't imagine doing that. Sounds heartbreaking." I flashed her a simple smile.
Her face turned red for some odd reason.
"If you don't mind me asking, why do you seem to be flustered when I smile at you?" I asked in the most respectful way possible.
"P-Pardon me?" Her face became an even darker red.
"Does the queen favor me in some sort? Very scandalous."
"What if I did?" She could not fight the smile making it's way to her face.
"That is enlightening. Imagine this scenario. Your father goes away to a kingdom for almost a week, in the castle is you and I. We spend time together, nothing too serious. Or I can just offer to become a knight for the castle and pretty much live there like the others. Clearly, they aren't capable of serving you protection because you snuck out while they were on duty." I started thinking of ways to get closer to her.
I didn't expect it to work, but she was interested.
"You're a knight?" She gave a confused look.
"Well, kind of. I know it is supposed to be forbidden, but I grew up with my friends, mostly males, and they wanted to be knights when they were older, they got me interested in the career, only I took it seriously, trained myself, and now I face daily challenges. You may ask 'What daily challenges?'. Well, I mean like dealing with thieves, people who attack me because I'm an orphan, assassins, people who threaten to kill me because they know I don't follow the female agenda which is to take interest in men and so much more."
"You are a very interesting person. You just never got the opportunity to take advantage of all the hard work you've put into your life."
"Yes. That is exactly what happened."
"Well, come to the palace with me. The guards will be fired and removed from the palace and you can take their place." She made an offer that was hard to decline.
"Well, if it doesn't become a problem with you or invades your time, then I will gladly accept that offer. I can leave the shop with my friends. I know that they are responsible enough to attend to it while I am elsewhere. They will be so proud, even if it doesn't go as planned." I humbly accepted her offer, trying my hardest not to be too excited.
"We're here." She looked at me, then back at the wall.
"I hope you know how to climb rocks."
"Are you joking? I was made to do this."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once we got inside, I admired the beauty of her room.
The guards still haven't checked on her yet.
It's been about an hour now.
So, she decided to approach her father with the issue.
She swung the wide door open and noted that there was no one patrolling the halls.
How safe.
No wonder the assassinated her mother, these guards do not care.
"Father?" The queen's voice echoed throughout the long hallway.
"Yes, my love?" The king came out of his room without his crown and regular clothes like his daughter.
His smile dropped and he frowned his face harshly.
"Before you speak, I want you to know, I snuck out and snuck back in and the guards were not doing their jobs. And I brought a knight with me. One that will do her job to actually protect us. I take interest in her and with all respect, recommend she works here at the castle instead of these imbeciles you call knights."
"You snuck out? Where were the knights?" He exclaimed, calling out for them.
"Not on duty." She scoffed.
She has confidence.
No one would ever dare to speak to the king like that.
"Well, they'll be taken care of. I understand you want to explore sometimes, but please, do not sneak out Clementine. You know I hate that. You do not know what can happen when you are not being protected properly. You know what happened to your mother. I should punish you, but I cannot. I trap you inside the castle all day, what else should I have expected. It has been 22 years. Just ask next time." He took a deep breath after speaking.
"And she is a female. What do you mean she is a knight?" He averted his vision to me with a curious look.
"Well, father, she has a history in extensive training in self-defense, she worked hard for years, but never earned the opportunity to put it to the test, she is selfless and genuinely cares for others, which the other knights do not... Shall I go on?"
"Nothing further. May you introduce yourself?" The king gave me his undivided attention.
"Good afternoon sir. I am Violet Adlon. From nothing but the heart of the village itself. I have many talents, I am resourceful, confident, outgoing, hardworking, determined, and soon to be a knight in shining armor. I would sincerely appreciate if you give me a chance to prove my worth and dedication to you and your daughter. That is all." I bowed to him, giving him the respect he wanted.
He's smiling.
He must like me.
One of the knights walked around the corner and ran into us.
Lee glanced at him and nonchalantly said, "Tell the chef to make a dinner for us, we have company, and you're fired." Lee gave him the cold stare after those last words, daring him to challenge him.
"Yes, sir." The knight did as asked with hesitation.
"You will be joining us for dinner. I want to get to know you better. I have a great feeling about this. You have my trust, you have the queens... is there anything else you had in mind you may need?" He cocked an eyebrow.
"No thank you sir. And thank you for listening." I nodded my head gratefully.
"You two go have fun." He shooed us off playfully before going back into his room to do whatever it was he was doing.
"We can wait in my room. The Knights will get us when the food is ready."
With those words, she dragged me back down the hall where we started and shut the door behind us.
"You need to get cleaned up. I will have a change of clothes for you. There are extra towels and cloths in there to use." She pointed to the restroom.
(Yes, there were bathtubs in the 1800s. I googled it loser.)
"Thank you, for everything." I grabbed her hand and held it gently.
The soft touch of her skin was enough to send my mind wandering.
What would her lips feel like?
What would it feel like to kiss her?
She just stared into my eyes.
I didn't realize hers were honey gold until now.
I looked down at her lips and back up to her eyes.
It may be too fast, considering I only met her about 4 hours ago, but I really want this.
"Your welcome." She whispered, allowing me to feel the warmth of her breath on my lips.
I leaned in and closed the gap between us.
When her lips reciprocated, I almost fainted.
I pulled back to look at her who had a smile plaster on her face.
"That was enchanting... I want to do it again." She giggled a bit.
My heart was not in the right place.
In shock is an understatement as of now.
She leaned in and kissed me this time.
I pressed my lips against hers and smiled in between.
This is the start of something new.
Who knows if she will regret it or not?
Who knows if I will regret it or not?