Chapter 11
“Are you all right, my King?” Xavier was already by her side, holding the lead of her royal horse, concerned that she does not look fit to ride it back to the castle. “I believe there’s enough room inside the carriage with her majesty, the Queen, and Lady Waverly Earp.”
Nicole shook her head. “A little nauseous but I am fine, Xavier. I can make it to the castle.” Her head pounded severely so she felt as if her surroundings were moving in a whirl, her hand immediately finding her temple, massaging it lightly. The alcohol was yet out of her system and the lack of sleep the night before does not abet her body’s function. She barely ate her breakfast and had little time to get equipped for the short journey ahead. “There’s no need for you to worry.” She assured her knight.
“But you do look pale, my King.” Xavier insisted.
Nicole’s day has not started yet but she was already feeling tired, she still had to go back to the castle and be the dutiful King her kingdom needed her to be. “I said I am fine.” She snapped, regretting it a second later. “Can we just go, now?”
Xavier lowered his head as an apology. “Yes, my King.” He walked over to his horse and mounts it as he signals the King’s entourage, waiting for the King to take the lead.
Nicole urged her royal horse to move, whipping its rear with her riding crop, and the others followed. She could feel her head pounding with every gallop; she grimaced, not liking how it is spoiling her day ahead.
Half way towards the castle, Lady Wynonna’s horse strode next to hers. “You look awful Nicolas. What happened to you?”
She groaned. She had been asked the same question by her mother and her aunt since breakfast and she’s getting rather annoyed. “Yes Wynonna, thank you for taking notice.” She looked over to the older Earp; infuriated at how normal-looking Lady Wynonna was as if she did not drank five bottles of wine down to the bottom the night before, she voiced out, “How are you not looking anything close to a wreck than I am? That is not fair, I am a little offended.”
Lady Wynonna shrugged, “It runs in the family, I presume. All my kin can hold their alcohol quite well even in the next morning.”
Nicole nodded, astounded at the newly supplemented knowledge about the Earp family; already wondering if Lady Waverly will be as keen as Lady Wynonna was when it comes to drinking once she has turned of age. Probably not, a part of Nicole’s intellect was already vouching that the younger Earp would rather spend her nights drowning in books rather than in wines.
“Nicolas, about last night,” Lady Wynonna seized her attention, pulling her out from her trails of thoughts of how delightful Lady Waverly Earp would appear sitting on the library, fully invested on a book in hand. “All that was said were all factual. Our father would marry Waverly to anyone he deemed worthy, even against on her own will. And I can tell with how your face bears resemblance to a growling whelp that had been starved to madness, you do not like that idea either.”
Nicole cleared her throat and composed herself, a little embarrassed at how palpable she has become. “Anyone would not like the idea of being forced into marriage, Wynonna.” She quipped.
“You don’t.” The older Earp insinuated with a finger pointed at her. “You actually seem like you are reveling in the thought of marrying my sister. I can tell with that dreamy smile of yours, Nicolas. And no, I do not need your confession, even a blind man can see how appalling it is to see you ogled at my sister. It is a bit disturbing, really.”
“I do not… I am not...” Nicole stuttered in a frail attempt to save her favorable repute that was gradually collapsing under Lady Wynonna’s mockery.
“Do not fret Nicolas, I do still stand my ground. I do still believe you’re an ideal husband for my sister and she would be an excellent wife for you as well.” The older Earp voiced out her approval.
Nicole’s face fell, as much as she is glad to hear that, she could still remember Lady Waverly’s opposing opinion about marriage. “She does not want to be wed to anyone, Wynonna.”
“I assure you and I think I know my sister well enough to say that she will eventually change her mind.” The older Earp tried to encourage her but when her expression did not change, she added, “I will let you on some siblings’ secrecy though. Waverly might have told me how she enjoyed your little jaunt outside the manor last night and she might have mentioned something about you being so courteous, which she finds oh so attractive, her words not mine.” Lady Wynonna smirked and raised her eyebrow all-knowingly before pulling her horse around and back to the carriage’s side to converse with her younger sister, leaving Nicole ignorant of the fact that she might have veered the truth a little bit.