A Walk in the Park {Part 1}

This should be easy. At least that was what Anastasia had thought when entering her first Spring Season all those years ago. All she had to do was find a suitor whose prospects were admirable and would service her kingdom as their needs arose. However, now in her fourth Spring Season, this seemed a near impossible feat. Furthermore, her time had all but run out. She could no longer drag her feet and hope that the next Spring Season would find her better prospects. Now, four years in, she was seeing duplicates of old unwedded prospect, and attending the christenings of children born from unions formed from former prospects.

She needed to find a King for Karthia, for her people, but she was failing to do this seemingly simple task. Dragging her feet seemed to be what had gotten her in this place now. Instead of being able to happily find a suitor, she was facing the most volatile situation she had yet to face as queen. Enemies surrounded her, some with the guise of marrying her, while others lied in wait near waiting for her demise. What was worse, was she knew not which enemy was greater.

She had only one solution; Forward. Her advisors could not give her anymore answers at this time, but they all knew that the outcome of a war would be very bad. This was in her hands to deal with, but it felt dreadfully beyond her.

So she did one of the few things that was in her control, she got dressed. Today, she wore an ivy green satin dress that hung in loose drapes across her body. Billowing sleeves gave way to a draping bodice, which fell to an end at the waist where a sash was tied and pinned in place with a big golden broch. The skirt itself was fairly simple, falling straight down until it barely reached the floor. A gold comb matching the broch that pinned her dress was placed into her hair as it was loosely tied up into a delicate knot. Instead of heels, she wore a flat of sorts that were of the same ivy green and embroidered with little daisy's.

She decided to keep everything casual as it was early in the morning. She hoped that this would help keep the Prince less on guard, and would give her some more humanistic characteristics sometimes not noticed behind the billowing gowns she normally wore. The last thing she put on was concealed beneath the folds of her gown and hidden in one of the unseen pockets. A dagger, small but sharp. She prayed she would never have to use it, but she knew better than to not be prepared, even with guards surrounding her.

Now feeling as ready as new born fawn might be to stand, she gathered herself and began the walk down to the gardens where she had arranged the event to take place. The magnolia gardens was where she had decided to take this morning stroll with the Prince. It was a beautiful garden, but seldom used. There were just enough hidden spots that guards could easily keep a watch on things, but give enough seclusion that one might be willing to divulge their plans to a seemingly helpless and innocent maiden.

As she walked to the gardens, she couldn't help but shudder at how quiet everything was. It was early in the morning for the court considering the fact that there had been a smaller ball hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Bradford last night. The halls were eerily quiet, as many were still fast asleep. However, there was a part of her that was happy at how quiet the castle was proving to be. She had chosen this time intentionally knowing that the court would be unable to keep as close an eye on them as they normally would. With less eyes on them, there was less of a requirement to preform and a more honest conversation may take place. Secondarily, it would test his willingness to compromise. If he was unwilling to get up early enough to discuss matters with her, than he was unwilling to discuss what needed to be discussed at all.

However, no matter how quite the castle seemed, someone was always awake. Today, she had hope that she might run into anyone else, but the face of Duke Phillip Vern nearly danced before her as he bowed upon crossing her in the halls. Not one to simply walk past someone who she was friends with, she paused, knowing it would make her late.

"Good morning, Duke Phillip."

"Your highness, I hope this morning finds you well."

"Quite well. I was just on my way to have a stroll in the gardens."

"They are especially beautiful this year." He paused, and for a second dread seemed to pour over him, but then he continued, "Your highness, you know I would never speak against you or the requests made of you unless for a good reason."

"Yes, I am aware of that trait within you."

"Please, keep that in mind when you listen to what I am about to say. I hope you do not intend to take an audience with Prince Taren of Dreterra even if it is t return a favor for the help he provided you after during the Planting Ceremony. I do not think it safe or wise to entertain his audience any longer than necessary. I understand that there are tensions present between are kingdoms that no one save for a select few in this castle are privy to knowing about, but this is not your battle alone to fight. So, I hope you don't fight this alone."

"I thank you for your advisement, but I must do what is best for my kingdom. If that means a few hours of pleasurable company, than so be it."

"Your highness, please just keep in mind what I have said when the time comes. I want nothing but what is best for you."

"As I said, thank you for the advice. I hope you have a productive day Duke Phillip."

"You as well your majesty." He bowed, but she walked on. Any strength she thought she had to face today crumbled and she was scared. The confidence she had in her plan was quickly deteriorating as she continued her march forward.

When she made it to the magnolia gardens, nearly an hour before the time that had been appointed for the stroll, she was met by Baron Weston, her Advisor of Troops. They had intentionally wanted to be able to walk through where guards would be stationed before she was with Prince Taren. Anastasia had requested that only two knights be actively present by her. One would be stationed before her and the other behind. However neither would be allowed within ten steps of the pair as they strolled.

Prince Taren would be asked to do a weapons check before he left the castle and the stroll began, but he was still significantly taller and stronger than she was. She could easily be over powered by him if she did not keep her wits about her.

However, this seemed a better chance then if there were to many guards around them. She feared he might not confess to his true intentions if they were surrounded. So, there would be guards stationed every twenty or so feet along their path, but hidden within the shrubbery. The two that would guard her would work as markers of the queens coming and going from a location.

She felt relief as walked along the path with Baron Weston and he pointed out where each guard was stationed. She knew that her guards would see to it that she was safe, and if not... it was better not to think about it.

Baron Weston spoke as they strolled along, "The safe action should you need immediate assistance is to step out of your shoe as if it was too lose. If you are simply needing a way to get out of the conversation, simply work the word Ivy into the conversation and we will come to your aid."

"I understand."

"Good. There will always be a guard near by, but be on the lookout. He is dangerous and an experienced war general."

"I will do my upmost, thank you Baron Weston." She nodded to him as he bowed, feeling the knots twist into pretzels and other shapes within her. They had come back to the beginning of their walk, and now they would part ways.

"It is my honor, your majesty."

He then left and she took a seat, deciding that would be a more becoming way to find a queen than to see her pacing ruts into the newly raked gravel. She sat facing the entrance to the garden from the castles. That way she would see him when he approached, and would not be caught unaware when he arrived, which he hopefully would do soon.