<span style="font-style: italic"> "I can help you with your dancing, if you'd like?" </span><br/><br/>Motto’s mouth opened.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> "I've helped my siblings learn to dance, both brothers and sisters. Of course, I'm sure your fumbling is endearing."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“My Lady, fumbling is a gentle act.  I careen.  I jolt.  I...would rather you make merry with Hector than be harmed by my oafish striving.”</span>She probably danced well.  It was likely Her Ladyship was even more beautiful while dancing.  The Princess was already refined and smooth...and small.. and pretty..and soft.  And light.    The carriage stopped and he hated it.  He was gathering the courage to kiss her dammit.  If only the lake were FURTHER AWAY.  Ah her tiny hand was releasing his.  It was most unfortunate, but Motto consoled himself with an image of holding her close to himself.  Just the two of them alone in the woods.  It would be raining.  Droplets would sprinkle down upon her lovely cheeks and she would press closer to his naked chest for warmth.  She was dressed in a delicate ivory linen...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"This is beautiful!"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“Yes.”  </span>The King was still imagining her hair and her touch but he scolded himself for wasting the precious moment he had with Genevieve and blinked into the present.    Indeed the lake was a vision of bliss.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I am glad to spend some time with you, King Motto."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“and I you, My Lady.” </span>He shifted to face her better.  Soon she would be his wife.  His dear Queen.  He watched her board the craft and felt his heart sing.  Ah she was so pretty in her every movement and breath.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“Tell me something, My Lord.  Anything.  Something I don't know about you." </span><br/><br/>Motto blushed and looked away.<span style="color: #00BF40">“I am … I ...I ……..” </span>His mind was a complete blank.  He needed to say something but Motto’s panicked mind had nearly forgotten the actual question.  She wanted to know about him!  Ah yes!<span style="color: #00BF40">“I ……” </span>Oh dear.  He knew not what to say.   It was foolish and utter nonsense!   His brows furrowed and shoulders tensed.  He was losing his damn mind!<span style="color: #00BF40"> “Forgive me.  I am new to this..marrying you..business..I work hard..I take council more often than I like.. but I lack wisdom and experience.  I am mostly the boy left behind.”</span>Motto’s eyes lost a little of their light.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“My parents were good rulers and were loved.  Gilthlore pours it’s heart into the remaining soul but he is alone and lost.  He has no noteworthy skills or value aside from the blood in his veins.  I am but a small echo cut off from it’s source.  I know not how to be King.  I am afraid.” </span>The oarsman had stopped rowing and stared aghast.  Motto’s eyes cleared and he sat up taller.  His father would be disappointed in him.  He was weak and small; just a boy who lost his dear mother and father.  He was supposed to be King, but he would never be the King Gilthlore needed.  He was simply standing in his father’s castle and trying to hold it up.<br/><br/>Motto laughed at himself and unfastened his coat.<span style="color: #00BF40">  “Let us not speak of this.  It is a fine day for a swim is it not?” </span>Tossing his jacket to the oarsman, Motto lept into the water.  He was careful not to rock the vessel as he did so.  The water washed away all of his fears and sorrow.  It was cool and refreshing.  Most pleasant.  Rising up to the surface, he smiled up at Genevieve.<span style="color: #00BF40">  “Join me.  I will not let any harm come to you.”</span>