Chapter 2: The King and The Lady

("Urgh!!")

You look at Kendra for help but then she is whisked away onto the dance floor.

"May I have the honor of this dance, milady?" He holds out his hand. "Of course" He grabs your waist and pulls you right up against him. He always dance with you and he never keeps his distance. He always pursues you but you've always managed to keep him at arms length.

"It's a lovely night for dancing isn't it?" Lord Dobson tries to make conversation but you won't have it "Yes...."

"If you could just keep your hands for yourself, you jerk!"

The night swells and everyone dances. Sometimes you look up to the balcony and see the King just sitting in his chair, staring in the crowd. Lord Dobson has danced four times with you and you see him zoning in on you again.

"I can't dance with him again, you distract him, I'm disappearing" You say it in the run to Kendra.

"Wait, wait Melissa....what should I do?"

You walk-run through the people, looking over your shoulder to see if he's following you. You need a break, you need to get away. You see a door and decide to go into whatever is on the other side. You open the door to an outside balcony. You close the door and the view is drawing your attention. You walk closer to the railing.

"Wow, it's breathtaking...."

"It is, isn't it?" You hear a deep voice on the other side.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, Your Highness!" You bow low and move slowly to the door. "I'm sorry, I'll leave at once. I didn't know..."

"No!" He holds a hand up. "I mean, please don't go on my account"

"I'm sorry Sire, I didn't know you where here."

He looks at the view, his hands on the railing, his knuckles turning white. You notice sadness and frustration in his body language.

"Sire, I'm probably putting my life on the line but may I ask, why do you look so unhappy?" He looks up and gazes into your eyes, an expression of shock and a look of being impressed by you is playing on his face. "It's Lady Winters, correct?"

"That's correct, Sire"

"Never have I met anyone who cares about how and what I feel, or even noticed it. What a rare quality, indeed..." He smiles at you.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to step over the line. I apologize for that, Sire" He stares into your eyes and you see deep sorrow swimming in them, so much so, that you want to comfort him.

"Please, I beg you, don't apologize for something so insightful and not at all conventional...it's so refreshing to hear...I thank you for that..."

You're standing on a balcony with the King of Monaco and he doesn't want you to leave. "Are you sure, Sire?"

"Yes, I'm enjoying your company" You bow a little and nod your head. You stand and look at the view. He stares at you and then back at the view. "As you wish, Sire"

"So what is a Lady, like yourself doing out here, while, if I'm too forward to say, I'm sure every man in that room would like to dance with you?" You shallow hard as you feel his gaze on you.

"Oh, Sire, I'm just getting some fresh air, and if I might ask, what is a King like yourself, doing out here, while I know everyone wants to dance with you, Sire?" He clears his throat and he moves his hands uncomfortably on the railing as if he doesn't want to answer. "I...I...just need a little time to think"

Someone is at the door and you jump.

("It must be Lord Dobson, he never gives up")

"Oh god! I'm sorry Sire! You quickly look around you and see a nearby statue. You run and hide behind it."

"W-what are you-" He looks shocked and surprised.

Lord Dobson bursts through the door "I'm sorry, Your Highness, I'm looking for someone, I didn't realize you were out here"

"It's not a problem. Who or what can I help you with?"

("Please, please don't tell him....please")

"I'm looking for Lady Winters, Sire"

"Oh, Lady Winters?" He put his hand to his chin and a wicked smile appears on his face as he looks your way. "No, sorry, I didn't see her"

"Thank you, Sire, I'll leave you at once" He turns and leaves the balcony, closing the door. You come out from behind the statue. The King is looking at you with a wide grin. "Thank you much, Sire"

"I'm usually not a curious person but I simply have to know what this was all about?"

"Your Highness, it's really a silly story and it would be a waste of your precious time. I'll not bother you with such boring details"

"Now, come now...I'm sure I won't be bored by your story, rather, I think I might find it amusing. Please share it with me"

"But Sire, you will only laugh at me" you look away shyly. "What if I promise not to?"

"You can make no such promise, Sire"

"I am a King am I not?"

"Yes, Sire"

"Then, I have power over people and over situations to bow before my will, don't I?"

"Yes, Sire but forgive me in saying that you might have the power over a great many things but very few have power over themselves, Sire.." He once again has a shocked expression on his face but this time a bit of curiosity swims in his eyes.

"You truly are a rare commodity. I have dealt with many people before but none have shown me this kind of wisdom and compassion"

"Sire, your words are too kind"

"Now, tell me please, I beg of you. I need to know why you run away?" His eyes turn into compassion and concern. "Well, Sire, if you must know. Lord Dobson has been pursuing me for quite some time now and I've already danced with him four times and I just can't do that again tonight. So I tried to find sanctuary and then I found you..."

Immediately when you said the last sentence, you realize what you just said. He looks into your eyes and a rare smile appears on his lips. He doesn't smile much. "I'm glad I could provide sanctuary for you"

He stares at you for a moment too long. You start to shiver because it is in the midst of winter and in all your wisdom you forgot to take a coat. "Are you cold Lady Winters?" His eyes travel down your body and concern is in his eyes.

"Oh, yes. I probably should be heading inside for warmth"

"No, please stay a while longer?" He takes off his jacket and put it over your shoulders. He rubs you up and down your arms and you stare at him. "Forgive me. I...I just want you to be warm and not catch a cold" He turns and looks at the view. His hands once again hold on for dear life on the railing.

"Thank you, Sire, but forgive me, you haven't answered my question yet?"

"Your question?" He looks confused. "Yes, as to why you look so unhappy?" He moves around uncomfortably. "I'm really doing fine, thank you for asking"

He looks at you as if he wants to say more but then direct his attention back to the view again. You also look at the view and now you're only a few inches away from each other. He put his hands on the railing and his pinky touches yours. Heat, so raw and hot shoots through your entire being. He looks at you and you at him.

(".....is he feeling it too")

Someone opens the door. "Your Highness, sorry for the interruption..." You both jump at the sound of his voice. "No need to be sorry, what can I help you with?"