<span style="font-style: italic">"I like this one. Don't you agree, My Lord."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“I do.” </span>Motto hadn’t taken his eyes from her since entering the room.  It was charming and a little odd for him to gaze at her while she was by his side, but the young King was in a dream.  She would have him as her husband.  She would accept him.  She had kissed him and touched his hair and Motto had already made plans to move the wedding to tomorrow.  He knew Hector would object but perhaps the day after?  Surely that would be enough time.  As he resumed the ideal pose before Lady Genevieve, King Motto decided a secret wedding was best.  That way he could be her husband sooner and let them make a big celebration of their public nuptials.  He would give Gilthlore a fine wedding with flowers, and music, and joyful ado..all of it to honor them as his beloved citizens.  He would give them his Queen with all the majesty at his disposal..but perhaps he might convince Hector to be his witness and fetch a Priest after dinner.  Or Lunch!<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> "I think we should go for a boat ride after this." </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“A boat ride it is then, My Lady.”  </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> "After I change of course. I'm certain this blasted gown will sink us should I wear it." </span><br/><br/>“Sire.”<br/><br/>Motto took the handkerchief held out to him and brought to his nose.<br/><br/><br/>*****<br/><br/><br/>“Ice, Sire?”  Hector and his King stood in the King’s chambers while Lady Genevieve retired to her own room.  Motto’s eyes were closed and he stood facing his door, leaning his head against it.  She would share his chamber soon.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“I wish to marry her in secret this very night.”</span><br/><br/>“......”<br/><span style="color: #00FF40"><br/>“What?  No witty reply?  No gentle refusal?”</span><br/><br/>“My King must think me a monster.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“No no..stop with that.  I truly value your words, Hector and you know it.”</span><br/><br/>“I do, Sire.  I think it would best to wait.  It is in your eyes.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“My eyes?!  What have they anything to do with it?”</span><br/><br/>“My King.  I have known you since the day you were born.  It is in your eyes.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“I should like that ice please.”</span><br/><br/><br/>*************<br/><br/><br/>A short time later, Motto paced a little in the grand foyer while he and many servants waited for Lady Genevieve.  Word had spread through the castle and in only half an hour’s time, everyone had heard of the kiss and how King Motto carried Her Ladyship out in a fit of romance.  Nearly all of the maids just happened to be dusting the paintings in the foyer and most of the other servants had similar “tasks” there as well, all of them watching their blushing King walk back and forth in his preoccupied way.<br/><br/>Outside a carriage waited for the royal pair to take them to the lake.<br/><br/>Suddenly the King stopped his nervous walking and strode quickly towards his personal attendant and asked in a low whisper,<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“Is my appearance pleasing?”</span><br/><br/>“Quite, Sire.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“In a Lady’s eyes, not your own.”</span><br/><br/>“.....I wouldn’t know, Sire.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“Dammit Hector, you know everything do not play with me.”</span>