Eleanor inhaled swiftly. “I don’t either,” she replied. She turned the parchment over in her hands and bit down slightly on her lip. “Can you read it for me?” she asked quietly. She still hadn’t been taught how to read.
Sweet Eleanor,
I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you since the reception hall. Your beauty is something every man admires and every woman is jealous of.
I would like to take advantage of this trip and your company by inviting you to a lunchtime meal in the palace’s south most gardens. I hope you accept my invitation.
Sirus
Thomas nodded at the request and gently bumped his fingers against hers as he took the letter. His eyes narrowed as he read the too-smooth words of a practiced snake. “I really don't like him.” he grumbled after he had finished reading.
Eleanor licked her bottom lip nervously. She frowned slight, her soft features wrinkling as she listened to Thomas read Sirus’ words.
She slowly rose to her feet and approached Thomas again, her dress floating around her legs as she walked. “I know,” she murmured. “But I’m afraid I’ll have to go to maintain positive diplomatic relations with Blackstone…”
“I understand.” Thomas nodded. “But I don't trust him either. Especially if he thinks you're going to meet him alone.” he pointed out. “I’ll keep a respectable distance but if he tries anything…” he trailed off, unsure of what he’d do beyond keeping Eleanor safe.
“Well of course I’m not going alone,” the queen murmured. But at his faded sentence, Eleanor’s round dark eyes widened. “You think he’ll try something?” she whispered, slipping her small, delicate hands in his and lacing their fingers together.
“I sincerely hope not.” he answered softly, welcoming her touch. “But the way he was staring at you and these overly flowery words. He's trying to seem charming and overdoing it.” Thomas explained his thoughts.
Eleanor thought back to the conversation she’d had with Sirus when she greeted him. “Oh… I suppose you’re right,” she murmured. “It makes sense now that I think about it. I wasn’t paying much attention. I was trying to just remain standing.”
“It's probably better that you weren't.” Thomas admitted. “You were polite and respectful and if you had listened… Well, the meeting would have gone very differently.”
Eleanor laughed quietly. “Oh stars. What did he say to me?” It was more of a rhetorical question, so she kept talking. “I’m just not sure how to handle a one-on-one meeting with him. He seems so… dark.”
“More flowery compliments like this.” he admitted, feeling that there was no need to repeat the actual words. Thomas nodded. “I agree. He reminds me of a snake. But I'll be nearby the whole time. I’m sure you can handle him.”
Eleanor nodded, eyeing the parchment in his hands. “He said lunchtime… I suppose that’s soon. I should get ready. I don’t want to wear this out again. Something more casual should work.” She paced over to her wardrobe and sighed. “Something more covered too,” she added under her breath.
Thomas nodded, looking at the note again. He knew the south gardens well enough from when he simply walked the palace grounds. But he was still apprehensive about this whole thing. It didn't sit right with him that a visiting royal should request to be alone with the Queen in such familiar terms.
Eleanor selected a pale pink dress and held it up to her figure, turning back to face Thomas. “What do you think?” she asked, swishing the skirt around playfully.
Thomas looked back at her, glad to have a reason to not look at those sickening words, and smiled softly. “Beautiful.” he nodded.
Eleanor grinned and went behind her self-standing private area to change and slip into her new dress. “I’m glad you like it. I’d much rather wear it for you, though, than Sirus…” She reemerged, looking radiant. The pink from the dress made her cheeks glow with a rosy hue.
Thomas chuckled, blushing softly at her words. “Eleanor, I would think you were beautiful if you just wore the simple dress of a seamstress.” he admitted.
Eleanor’s entire complexion softened as she gazed at him. But would he have noticed me in the first place? the little voice of doubt whispered in the back of her mind. She forced it aside. “Thank you."
Thomas smiled softly at her and reached his hand out to hold hers. He didn't want her to go yet, but he knew it was getting closer to the time that the other man wanted to meet Eleanor. He didn't even move towards the door yet and just ran his thumb across her hand.
The queen easily slipped her hand into his and felt her heartrate pick up quickly at the small motion. “I don’t want to go,” she whispered, her green eyes flickering between Thomas’s. “I want to stay here with you.”
“I don't want you to go either.” he whispered back, rubbing circles against her hand. “Nothing would make me happier than to just stay here with you all day.” Thomas sighed, knowing that was, unfortunately, impossible.
Eleanor closed her eyes. “And the same goes for me,” she whispered, lightly squeezing his hand. She, regrettably, had to drop his hand and fix a piece of her hair. “Shall we be off?” she asked quietly.
Thomas smiled softly at her words but, regretfully, let go of her hand when she moved. He sighed and gave a nod as he forced himself into the proper stance and held out his arm. “Just call for me whenever you are ready to leave him.” he told her, assuring her that he would be close by the entire time.
“Of course,” Eleanor replied, easily resting her hand on his arm. A sly smile slipped onto her lips.“Would upon first sight be too soon?”
Thomas smirked, holding back a laugh at the joke as he opened the door. “Unfortunately.” he nodded. Even though he wasn't trained in diplomacy, he knew that since the king was hosting this delegation, as Queen, Eleanor had to show a level of hospitality to all the visitors.
The queen sighed quietly. “Shame,” she murmured before her expression slipped into a neutral mask as they walked through the halls. Eleanor was suddenly very aware that anyone could be watching them or listening to them speak. So she stayed perfectly rigid (except for her gentle hand on Thomas’ arm) and kept her mouth shut firmly.
She didn’t need someone figuring the two of them out and ending the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her before it could even begin.
Thomas noticed her change and felt the same. They needed to keep everything they said and did between themselves. If anyone suspected, then word would reach the king and… Who knows what he would do to them. He let out a slow breath and kept walking causally. Well, causally for a guard, and being careful not to give anything away.
They reached the gardens quickly. Much too quickly for Eleanor’s liking. She should have encouraged Thomas to go slower.
“There she is, the flower of Versia,” a smooth voice greeted her.
Sirus approached her with a bundle of white roses in his hands and bowed his head.
Eleanor dipped into a half-curtesy of respect, and as she straightened, she noticed Sirus’ pointed gaze on her.
“You’re the most beautiful flower in this entire garden,” he cooed, slipping the bouquet into her hands.
“Thank you,” she acknowledged quietly.
“I’ll take her from here,” Sirus said, motioning for Thomas to stand down.
Thomas didn't even remember most of the walk as he was too distracted by his thoughts of how much he didn't want to do this.
His hand tightened slightly over Eleanor’s as soon as he heard the too-oily voice of Sirus. He didn't want to leave her alone with this man… But he didn't have a choice. Reluctantly he let go of his Queen’s hand so the other man could give her the flowers and gave a brief polite bow to the visitor before turning to Eleanor and giving her a more respectful one. “My Queen.”
Eleanor’s resolve strengthened with those two simple words. Her title. Coming from Thomas. She didn’t bow her head in return, however. She was many ranks higher than him, and it would cause suspicion to do so.
Instead, she studied his eyes and closed them slightly for a moment longer than a normal blink. My secret curtesy, she thought with a smile, turning back to Sirus.
“I was pleased to receive your invitation, my lord,” she greeted, lying easily. “The gardens are one of my favorite places on the castle grounds.” That wasn’t so much a lie, but it also wasn’t a whole truth either. She didn’t need to let on too much of herself for Sirus.
It was a back-and-forth game she was playing now. Royal chess. And no doubt Sirus pegged her to be a complete idiot.
She’d just have to show him differently. Walking a wire, she thought as he replied.
“Our gardens in Blackstone are not as marvelous as these,” he admitted, settling an arm around her waist to guide her.
Thomas didn't say anything. He couldn't as saying anything more would be suspicious. But he did notice the look she was giving him and it helped him to relax a little.
As Eleanor and Sirus spoke, he kept a good distance behind them but followed carefully. Wanting to be close just in case Sirus became hostile. Though he sincerely hoped that wouldn't happen.
