Chapter 5
She was in the middle of reading her father’s entry - a journal the former King of England, King Nicolas III, had written dedicated to her as his only heir which served as her conduct in ruling her subjects and in protecting her kingdom. She had been using the journal as soon as she ascended the throne at such a young age of fourteen, though her mother has always been by her side throughout the course giving her advices and aides, the journal had given her insights on how to be a proper King – one that knows how to follow and lead her people with a fair amount of heart and intelligence.
A very promising King, a few years more of added age and experience and she’s in no doubt to surpass her father’s legacy and probably her grandfather’s as well. England had flourished under her reign; thirteen years of prosperity and tranquility, and not a single enemy plotting behind her back.
A true king with a legacy of her own, that she is, only if she’s not pretending all the time.
Nicole heard a commotion outside her door; placing the journal face down the table, she decided to check what it was. “Did I not say I do not wish to be disturbed?” She asked as she opened the door to a sight of Lady Wynonna Earp trying to brawl her way in with royal guard Xavier who seemed to be rather firm in executing his orders. “Xavier?”
“My apologies, my King.” He said as he casually let go of their visitor. “I’ve been telling Lady Wynonna Earp that you are not to be bothered as you’re reading, but she seemed to not mind that at all.” He added; eyeing the girl next to him who looked as equally irritated.
“It’s okay Xavier, I am almost done with my reading. I do believe I owe Lady Wynonna Earp this time of the day. She can come in.” Nicole, not missing the way the older Earp had snickered at her life guard before following her inside her office, smiled, finding it rather amusing.
Lady Wynonna Earp, as Nicole have learned, has some stubbornness and recklessness of her own, to which not all men are fond of as her mother had said in one occasion. The Queen Mother thought that a snippet of obstinacy and disregard would not bring any harm, believing that Nicole had been too perfect and lacking some flaw made her monotonous and dull. Though Nicole had wanted someone entertaining for a companion, seeing how the older Earp is in person she cannot imagine being married to her, but surely as her friend she would agree without a question; and considering how she’s not feeling anything close to what she clandestinely feel for the younger Earp, Nicole only regard Wynonna as merely acquaintances and how relieved she was that the sentiment was mutual.
Earlier, when she was trying to steer clear of Lady Waverly Earp’s beautiful existence after waking up from her pellucid dream and to avoid recalling what had happened on her bedchamber, Nicole occupied herself with the older Earp’s presence; showing her the out and about of the castle floors.
“As handsome as you are, your Majesty,” Lady Wynonna Earp stopped walking and Nicole can sense that there’s something weighing on her guest’s mind.
“Are you alright? We can go back if you want.” She insisted, seeing how the older Earp’s face did not change.
“No, I am well. I just, I have to be truthful to what I feel, if not I would be lying to myself, and lying is a sin punishable by God.” Nicole listened as her guest continued, “I do not wish to be wed to you, though I know what I am here for. You are a salient man, indeed and without a doubt, but my heart already belonged to another.”
The admission seized her by surprise, but relieved that the older Earp expressed her heart’s desire of being owned by the one it truly beats for.
Nicole found herself in a fit of laughter. “My apologies…” she started in between, “You’re not one for a serious conversation Wynonna, but I admire your bravery to try. And do believe me when I say that it was mutual.”
She stopped and looked at her sightseer, realizing what she had said, she added in defense, “Oh no, no, not the part of having my heart owned by another man, that would be scandalous. I meant your wish to not be married to me, it’s mutual. You are remarkable, but I do not see you as fitting to be my queen. I intend not to offend, my lady.”
“If any man would dare say my given name, they usually get a beating from me. Is hitting the King of England punishable by death?”
Nicole knew it was merely a humor so she engaged in recreation, “Only if you do it with an audience, then death shall be your end.”
They both laughed at that, but not without the older Earp hitting the King of England slightly on her shoulder. With amity already established between them, they both agreed to call each other their first names and act however they want in front of each other as long as they’re in the confines of a room without any audience, much like right now.
“Nicolas, I am bored stiff. I do not wait for any man to tell me what to do; you of all should know that.” The older Earp stated matter-of-factly. She picked up the book that was on the table which Nicole immediately pulled from her hand. “Is reading all the King of England does in his free time? Because if you do, Waverly is the perfect queen for you, she loves anything that resembles a book.”
She cleared her throat, feeling a heat striking her face. “I have other things that I do Wynonna, reading is just one of them.” She answered, obviously stirring away the topic from the Younger Earp.
It’s just been a day since the Earp siblings’ arrival, yet Nicole already discovered Lady Wynonna Earp’s skills in observation. Wishing that her guest did not notice the rosy patch on her cheeks with the mere mention of her younger sister’s name, Nicole turned around and wedged her father’s journal in between two more books on the shelves. “I am planning to escort my mother back to the castle, my Aunt’s manor is not that far but we cannot go there in barefoot, do you know how to ride a horse?”
“Of course I do. Can Waverly come?”
Knowing that she cannot avoid the younger Earp forever, Nicole nodded, agonizingly so. “We set forth at none.”