How pretty.  Her thin arms and loose strands of hair..her skirts..Motto watched in admiration as Genevieve descended into the water and gazed on her loveliness after she surfaced.  A playful splash.  The King dove down and swam to surprise her and rise up near her, but he halted mid-way.  Her skirts had risen a great deal and drifted about in the clear water..a glimpse of thigh.  Motto came up coughing and sputtering with a nosebleed.  Quickly he washed it away and turned to her.  The King swam close and wrapped an arm around her waist.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Fear not.  You are safe with me.”</span><br/><br/>He sank down with Lady Genevieve and they were in the water together.  It was silent and cool.  No need for air plagued the Princess.  Smiling at her was the dark-haired King, his eyes faintly a glow and his heart very much in love with her.  They spun slowly as they continued downward, the effect on Genevieve’s hair and dress was dazzling.  Motto touched her face gently and gazed on her with tenderness he had not shown before.  It was clear he treasured her deeply.  Even though he did not speak, Genevieve would see his want to kiss her again.  Slowly he dipped his head and touched his mouth to hers.  His kiss was passionate and long.  He held her tighter and his fingers threaded into her hair.<br/><br/>A muffled crash above them was followed by a wave of disruption.  Motto broke off from the kiss and looked up to see the oarsmen struggling in the water above them.  He blinked at Genevieve before kicking off from the lake’s bottom where they had come to stand.  Upwards they rose with graceful speed, Lady Genevieve would feel at ease without weight of waters or strained lung this entire time.  Motto took hold of the panicked oarsman and they together surfaced all three.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Easy easy now Thomas..” </span>Motto comforted the coughing servant.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “I knew it was only a matter of time before you fell in.”  </span>Why there was a royal oarsman that couldn’t swim was another story for another time.<br/><br/>“Sire!  Your Ladyship!  I thought you were drowning!”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“You are brave indeed.” </span>Motto gave him a pat.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “It is shallow enough for you to stand now.” </span>And so it was.  The trio had somehow moved to the lake’s shore in the short time.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “We shall not speak of this.  Worry not.”</span><br/><br/>“But...my Lord..I already gave alarm with a horn.”<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/ZgB90U3.jpg">[ img ]</a>