After seeing Ethyn again back in the throne room, Rose wasn't sure what to think. Her mind and body had reacted to his presence in a way she found quite pleasant.
And that concerned her.
If Ethyn became her personal knight, he would be with her nearly every waking moment. And if Rose lost track of her thoughts when the handsome knight was around, how was she ever to keep her wits about her when Borit was busy scheming?
It was a real problem.
"I'll just have to try harder," she told herself.
"Try what harder?" Caitlyn pulled at the stays of a lovely purple gown.
The color of the shiny silk offset the gold of the princess's hair. By Caitlyn's question, Rose realized she had spoken aloud. She cleared her throat and looked at her slim skirt.
"Remind me again why I have to change dresses. I was perfectly content in what I was wearing." The princess changed the subject quickly.
"Sir Samberg seemed quite content as well from where I was standing." Caitlyn and Rabert had remained at a comfortable distance while Rose interacted with her father and the knight, but the lady-in-waiting had seen how difficult it was for Ethyn to take his eyes off of the princess.
If not for the need to speak directly to the king, Caitlyn was quite convinced that the man would have happily stared at the princess all afternoon.
"Get it all out now, Lady Cait. If you try that during dinner, I will see you out with the evening coach." Rose turned up her nose, but secretly she relished the information. She caught herself once again. 'Why should I care what Ethyn thought of me?'
By the hidden smile in the corner of Rose's mouth, Caitlyn could see that her words had done their work. She sighed.
"To answer your question, your other dress was a court dress and not a dinner dress. That wide skirt is good for giving you space among the nobleman, but it is cumbersome to sit in and would also brush up against your dinner partners who are next to you. This slim gown is tailored to formal gatherings where there is eating but not dancing. It is more functional, and quite honestly, it accentuates your figure splendidly."
Looking in the mirror, Rose had to agree. The scooped neck and cinched waist combined with the form-fitting skirt made her look like the princesses in her story books. Rose had never really thought of herself as beautiful, but right now she could not deny that she looked very becoming.
"Sacrifices must be made, I suppose," the princess answered demurely. "There are far worse things in life than following court protocol." Rose ran her fingers along the golden embroidery of the bodice.
"Indeed." Caitlyn smiled.
Putting just a hint of pink on her cheeks and a touch of red on her already ruby lips, Rose was finally ready for dinner. For some reason, she felt lightheaded.
Even as she walked down the hall, Rose felt a disconnection with the ground. Feeling her mistress falter, Caitlyn tucked her arm into Rose's elbow.
"I shall be your escort if that is alright, Your Highness," she said with a gentle nod. "Otherwise we shall be more than just fashionably late."
Encouraged, Rose moved more confidently down toward the banquet hall. It felt silly to use such a big venue for what should be a small intimate dinner. But even when it was just Rose, Caitlyn and Rhodri having an evening meal, they often took the meal at the long, grand table.
Because it was the end of the day, the halls were empty of courtiers and everyone else save the palace staff and guards. So Rose was surprised when hurried footsteps ran up behind her.
The two guards at her side put their hands on the hilts, ready to face an incoming attack.
"Halt!" one of them called.
From around the corner, a startled green-eyed knight nearly ran into the soldier barking the order. He took a step back, reflexively grasping at his own sword only to remember that it was missing from his side.
"Forgive me!" The newcomer said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I should know better than to run in the palace, of course…only…" The redhead shot a pleading look at the princess. "I thought I saw the most beautiful fairy."
The princess gave him a tolerant smile. Rose knew he was referring to the necklace whose pendant was carefully tucked away inside her bodice.
The young man had seen her and hoped to catch her before she entered the banquet hall. For what purpose, Rose could only guess. With the guards and Caitlyn there, they could hardly speak freely.
"Sir Ethyn."
Rose motioned for the guards to back away so she could have a clearer view of the runner. She could see the sweat glistening on his brow. 'How long did he run to get here?'
"You say you saw a fairy? I thought fairies were only made for children's tales. It is unwise for you to chase them in such a manner through the palace halls." Rose admonished the young man.
"Greetings Your Highness," Ethyn smiled and bowed deeply. "I appreciate your candor, but I must disagree. For I was led to you. The Fates must be looking out for me."
Repressing the desire to roll her eyes, the princess allowed the gentleman to kiss her hand. "Did the Fates make you late as well. My father has likely sent out the steward himself in search of you."
Ethyn's eyes widened slightly. He thought about admitting that he had lost track of time getting ready and had sent the herald on without him. Then he had lost track of time again trying to get his hair just right and had come sprinting full-force to make up for it.
He decided those details were better left unsaid.
"Then please do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to dinner…Since you also seem to be running behind." Ethyn wondered if the princess had been preening just like him. She looked radiant!
"I shall have to decline. Lady Caitlyn is escorting me." Rose tilted up her chin.
"I would not be opposed to having some help in the matter. I fear it is the only way to get you moving again, Your Highness." Caitlyn teased gently.
The princess smiled. "Then if Lady Cait does not object, I shall have to oblige. Sir Ethyn?"
Taking his cue, Ethyn stepped between the ladies and offered one elbow to each. Then, feeling like a prince, he reveled in the prestige of having the princess allow him to be by her side.
It was all so surreal. 'I could get used to this,' he thought to himself as he entered the ornate banquet hall.
But to his surprise, the King was not the only one waiting for them. Although Borit had been called away, two other men stood from the table to welcome the trio.
Ethyn recognized one of the men as Sir Ashton. He looked as handsome and dapper as ever.
Which meant…
Ethyn was not the only one invited to dinner.
His face barely hid his disappointment.