Chapter 10
During the course of Princess Robyn's visit, Leonardo has been actively avoiding her.
Leonardo was on his usual morning walks with Burnard.
Leonardo, tired, says, “She is more persistent this year.”
“I wonder if it’s because of their talk with Her Majesty.” Says Burnard.
“Yea, I haven’t been able to see Linda to know what happened.” Then he smiled, “I’ll ask her tonight.”
Burnard thinks, “This Majesty is totally smitten.” As he smiles.
Just before they start to talk about another topic, Leonardo sensed that Princess Robyn was coming their way.
Leonardo irritatedly says, “Now she’s interrupting my morning walks.” Then he sighs, “I’ll run off now Burnard… Quickly.”
Burnard nods his head then Leonardo runs off in the opposite direction of Princess Robyn as fast as he could.
By the time Princess Robyn reached where Leonardo was, he was already gone.
“Damn it! I haven’t seen a single hair of him since the meeting…” Then she says menacingly, “I will see him again.”
Later that night, Linda and Leonardo are sitting in the Seating Room to avoid being seen by Princess Robyn.
Leonardo gently hugs Linda and says, “I’ve missed you.”
Linda gently hugs him back and says, “I’ve missed you too.”
Leonardo hugs her a little tighter and says, “It’s been too long.”
Linda giggles and says, “It’s only been a couple of days… but.” She hugs him tighter and says, “I feel the same.”
Then they sit next to each other on the couch in the Seating Room holding each other's hands.
Linda worryingly says, “You look a little tired. Is Princess Robyn still bothering you?”
Leonardo, exasperated, says, “Yes, she’s at least 10 times more persistent than all the other years.”
Linda looks annoyed and says, “What is her deal? What is she trying to do?”
Leonardo says, “That’s what I’m worried about… her intentions clearly aren’t pure…”
Linda sighs and says, “Well, we only have to hold out two more days…”
Leonardo nods his head then asks, “What happened during your tea time with her?”
Linda looks down and then explains what happened during the tea time she had with Princess Robyn.
Leonardo looks at Linda and says, “Wow, you handled her lovingly.” Then he smiles and says “Linda… you just keep surprising me.”
Linda blushes and smiles.
Leonardo then says, “I can see why she’s become more assertive… she sees you as a legitimate threat.” Then in a serious tone, “But, like you said… What is she trying to do? We have a non-aggression pact between our Kingdoms.”
Linda scowls and says, “Maybe she’s trying to win your favor somehow.”
Leonardo snarkingly says, “Well, she’ll have to use magic to have me, and that’s impossible since I’ll never leave The Forest of Capet.”
Linda smiles and says, “So if I say I want to visit my hometown… You wouldn’t come?”
Leonardo then lifts her chin and says, “Well… I can make some exceptions.”
Then they kissed.
“Speaking of which, once the Bloodline’s Curse is broken. We should go visit my hometown.” Linda says smiling.
Leonardo enthusiastically says, “That’ll be the first place we’ll go, and then we’ll travel together.”
Linda hugs Leonardo and says, “I can’t wait!”
Leonardo hugs her back and says, “Me too!”
The next morning, Linda was on a walk while taking a break from learning her Queen duties. But, it was soon interrupted when Princess Robyn approached her.
“Well well well, look who we have here.” Says Princess Robyn.
Linda, annoyed, says “What business do you have with me, Princess Robyn.”
“How dare you, A Queen, talk to her guests like that. You’re lacking very much.” Says Princess Robyn.
“Really now… Then you’re lacking more than me too; for one, talking to me, A Queen, with such disrespect. And two, not bowing before me.”
Princess Robyn, realizing that she’s right, turns red from embarrassment and bows before Linda.
“Despite your rudeness, I do have a question for you.” Linda says while glaring at Princess Robyn.
Princess Robyn gritted her teeth and said, “Yes? Your Majesty.”
“Why do you want to be Queen of The Forest of Capet, so badly?” Says Linda.
Princess Robyn laughs and says, “Why wouldn’t I. This place has so much to offer. Its trades, the specialty Moonlight Watermelons, and not to mention the economics. This Kingdom has potential to be one of the greater Kingdoms that exist!” Then she smiles and says, “I can’t believe you didn’t know that much. If it wasn’t for the curse, this place would be more known and His Majesty would be getting marriage offers left and right.”
Linda looks at her with discontent and says, “So you’re just greedy. You only want to rule for your own greed… Not once did I hear you talk good about the people who work to make this Kingdom “potential” great.”
Princess Robyn sighs and says, “You sound like my father. The people aren’t that important in the grand scheme of things.”
Linda shakes her head and says, “Your father is truly intelligent, but why is it that you seemingly don’t have an ounce of it?”
Princess Robyn squeezes her fan in anger and says, “What the hell you say?!”
Linda sighs and walks away saying, “You are truly incompetent.”
Princess Robyn yells and says, “If you call me that again! I’ll make you regret it!”
Linda looks back, glares and says, “I’d like to see you try.”
On the night before Princess Robyn's departure, Linda and Leonardo took a stroll through the dense dark forest path, surrounded by fireflies lighting the darkness.
Linda sighs and says, “I ran into Princess Robyn this morning.”
Leonardo gently grabs her hand and says, “What happened?”
Linda looked down and explained what happened between her and Princess Robyn.
Linda sighs and says, “Perhaps I was too harsh.”
Leonardo says, “That might be the case, but you can’t deny that you responded properly to how she approached you. Some people need to be put in their place.”
Linda smiles and says, “Thank you Leonardo.”
Leonardo smiles and says, “At least she’s leaving tomorrow morning. Bright and early.”
Linda laughs and hugs Leonardo, and Leonardo gently hugs her back.
Linda and Leonardo walked and talked about numerous things while enjoying each other’s company. Until they were a little lost.
Leonardo worryingly says, “I believe we’re a little lost.”
“And it’s almost sunrise.” Linda says worryingly.
“This forest is dense enough to block out the sunlight, so I’m not worried about that.” Says Leonardo.
“But still…” Linda Says while looking worried.
Leonardo gently grabs her land and says smiling, “Alright, we'll head back quickly.” Then he whistles softly, “See, the fireflies will lead us back in no time.”
Linda, relieved, says, “You’re really amazing, Leonardo.”
They were walking hand in hand on their way back to the garden, but just before they enter Leonardo gently grabs Linda and asks,
“May I kiss you?”
Linda wraps her arms around Leonardo’s neck and says, “You may.”
Then they kiss. But, someone saw them, and that someone was Princess Robyn. Princess Robyn, furious, was about to interrupt them, but Leonardo looked at her with eyes full of anger, warning her to walk away and not interrupt them. Scared, Princess Robyn quickly runs away.
After they kissed, Linda asks,
“What’s the matter?”
Leonardo smiles and says, “Oh, nothing. Just saw a rat and had to scare it away.” Then he lifts her chin and says, “Now where were we?”
Just before they were about to kiss again, a ray of light no broader than a hair graced Leonardo’s skin, and the second the ray grazed him he was changed. When Linda couldn’t feel Leonardo, she opened her eyes and saw nothing but a White Dove.
Linda, shocked, says, “Leo-nardo?!”
Then the Dove sings, “For seven years I must fly about the world; every seventh step I will let fall a drop of blood and a white feather which will show you the way, and if you follow the track you can free me.”
Linda crying says, “This can’t be what the prophecy meant.”
The Dove then sings the tune again, and flies away leaving a drop of blood and feather.
Linda drops down and cries, but not for long, for she didn’t want to lose sight of Leonardo.
Linda determinedly says, “I will do as you say, and set you free.”
—End of Chapter 10
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