Forbidden Intentions

“Daydreaming, Genevieve?”

Genevieve jumped at the sound of her grandmother’s voice. She couldn’t believe she’d been caught staring at the General from the balcony of her room.

It wasn’t her fault that her father, the King, and the General just happened to have a meeting in one of the garden houses not too far from her room.

She turned to face her grandmother, leaning on the rails. Avoiding her gran’s petrifying eyes she shifted her gaze over to the tray of food.

“No. . .” Her grandmother smiled and moved to stand beside her.

They stood silent for a long time admiring the gardens. The front of King’s Fored’s castle was big but the back yards were huge. It housed the gardens, fencing grounds, stables, polo grounds, the General’s barracks and what was left beyond the stream was the Green Woods.

King Ford and General Grayson stepped out of the garden house into the heat of the afternoon sun. Genevieve backed off from the balcony rushing off to meet her mother as the men headed off to join the Queen in the throne room before the royal family headed out for afternoon tea.

She managed to make it to the steps of the throne before the great doors to the room were thrown open letting her father and the gloriously handsome General step inside. She froze at the spot as her mother took a stand beside her.

“General Grayson, it is great to have you back among our midst” Queen Layla greeted warmly.

“It is great to be back my queen, you look lovely princess”

“Thank you, General. It’s good to see you” Genevieve replied tugging at her the lace of her dress. She hoped she hadn’t sounded too breathless judging by the look her mother gave her.

“Well will you be joining us for tea? Or do you have important matters to take care of before tonight?” King Ford asked, hopefully wishing it’ll be tea.

The King liked the General a great deal and often considered him as a younger brother, the Queen also admired him but she dreaded his promiscuous ways. But all in all it was hard not to like the General. Genevieve’s feelings went way beyond admiration, that’s why she joined her father in secretly wishing for him to stay for tea.

“I’d love to, your Majesty but I have to quickly run some errands this afternoon but I will make it for the feast” he declined politely. With that he greeted the royal family with a smile and left the room.

Genevieve hadn’t wanted him to stay only because she had secret feelings for him but because he treated her well and included her in pleasant conversations which few people did, her parents for one.

Now she was stuck at a dreadfully boring tea listening to her parents talk about the economic welfare of the city and its surrounding villages.

The council had tried to put up a front that everyone was doing well equally.

But after sneaking out of the castle for a disguised tour, Genevieve saw that the city was benefiting more than the villages.

She had thought she’d seen everything she needed to know about the villages but she had heard handmaiden had mentioned Bertle to be the poorest village in the kingdom of Atriva.

“Genevieve dear, how did your day go?” her father asked.

She looked up from her scones wondering if she had fallen asleep when her father asked about her day. Her mother frowned at her drooping shoulders, she straightened and replying,

“Princess duties as usual, the only thing I’m looking forward to is the feast”

“I agree” her father said, taking a large bite out of his scone as Queen Layla sipped her tea.

As the sunset gave in, servants were preparing the formal dining room and the throne room for the feast. It was in celebrance of the return of General Grayson and his soldiers from the Middle East.

Genevieve didn’t enjoy feasts or balls or court sessions or sport events, she’d rather much be gardening or horse riding or even fencing.

Sometimes she’ll even be caretaking animals or following the head cook around the kitchen or looking after her handmaid’s children. Surprisingly, she was fumbling through her closet for which gown to wear. She scattered clothes around her before her handmaiden placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Princess, since when did you care about finding the perfect gown? For a feast?” Maria asked.

Genevieve sighed before saying, “Why wouldn’t I when the General sits second on the left hand of the king while I sit first? Now c’mon help me”. Maria rolled her eyes then joined her.

General Grayson hardly ever enjoyed these feasts, he wasn’t made to be among pompous show and high headed. He much rather preferred the lowly events that took place in the villages. If not for the king and his family, he’ll never attend these feasts at all, but he had to be here. Him and his soldiers were being celebrated.

He stood having small chats with Dukes, Lords and other people in high places whilst getting flirty glances from young women who came from rich homes. He couldn’t avoid the thought of which one of them would accompany him when the trumpet was blown and it was time for roll call.

“King Ford of Atriva and Queen Layla of Atriva”

Everyone stopped all activities and turned their attention to the King and Queen. They all stood till the His and Her Highness took their seats at the end of the luxurious table. He sat at the seat second to the right hand of the King.

“Princess Genevieve of Atriva”

Grayson lost his breath at the sight of Genevieve. She had always been beautiful but tonight she was stunning. Unlike other women, she didn’t try to show any elegance or grace yet they were radiating with every step she took towards her place at the table.

She met his gaze, her entire body flushed as she hurriedly sat before everyone finally took their seating at the table. The King raised his glass, the people seated followed his lead and the feast began.

As he engaged in pleasant talk with the King and some Dukes while savoring the meals, he couldn’t help but return his gaze to the princess who tried not to make it obvious that she had ignored every table eating manner in the book.

She wasn’t making a mess neither was she using a fork and knife at the same time or holding out her pinkie to drink wine.

So humble yet at the same time, so graceful. For once in his life he looked at Genevieve and saw a woman.

He knew it was wrong but he couldn’t stop himself from fantasizing about her womanly features.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention” the king spoke clinking his knife on the stem of the wine, all talking stopped at once as silence took over.

The king let out a satisfied sigh, he rose and addressed the people, “Some may not know but this feast was arranged in honour of the bravery and courage our soldiers have shown well led by our honorable General Grayson. So let us make a toast- ‘a toast’.”

“A toast” they chanted in return raising their glasses.

Genevieve sat wondering when this ‘delightful’ feast will end. Not long after the feast, a soldier whispered something in the Commander’s ear and he left immediately.

She almost whimpered but caught herself just in time.

The matter must be troubling because he left without even informing the king.

She glanced at her father and he was surrounded by dukes and other nobles, all laughing heartily. She looked over at her mother who was engaged in conversations with other women.

Those women always tried to get Layla’s attention and friendship so that they may try to seduce the king without the queen suspecting.

But Layla wasn’t stupid neither was there a man more faithful than the king towards his wife.

Gen could sneak out of here and no one will notice her gone. She pushed the chair back and rose, picking up some of her gown she trudded out of the dining hall.