Lord Samuel (1)

Sharp rapping on the door stirred Aliana awake. She groaned and looked at the window that early morning light was spilling out of.

Edith and Janie peeled back the covers of Aliana's bed and she sat up stretching her arms over her head.

After a quick bath to help tame her hair Aliana was sitting in front of the vanity in her room watching Edith perform her magic on her face and hair. The maid had a serious talent for hair and makeup.

Edith pulled half her hair up in a halo braid with a silver tiara that was encrusted with sapphires and diamonds. It stood out against her striking deep auburn hair. She had light makeup on that made her cheeks look rosy and lips plumped and full.

Princess Rylia sent Aliana another dress to wear for her day with Lord Samuel and it wasn't nearly as scandalous as her ball gown from the night before.

This bright blue dress had several layers and required a half corset to be shaped correctly. It was sleeveless and had sapphires and lapis lazuli stones beaded into the bodice of it. It puffed out slightly with the fullness of the petticoats underneath the main layer.

A knock on the door revealed Sir Galien and Sir Arthurus. They bowed to Aliana and waited for her to be ready to be escorted to breakfast.

"How do I look, men?" Aliana asked amusedly.

"Amazing as always, Your Highness," Sir Galien said smiling widely. Sir Arthurus ever the quiet one nodded in agreement.

Aliana smirked and walked out the doors with her knights following behind her.

Pryja and Louie appeared down the hall and joined the princess walking towards the dining room set up for Aliana.

"Who are you spending the day with, Princess?" Louie asked excitedly.

"Lord Samuel is the man of the day," Aliana said with a mischievous smile.

"He was the blonde one right, very handsome?" Pryja asked with a knowing smile.

"I am quite interested in getting to know him today."

"What about Lord Lucien?" Louie inquired.

"Oh his day will be quite interesting I think, we have a sparring match set up at some point," Aliana grinned.

Her ladies looked at her like she was crazy. "Couldn't he hurt you though?" Pryja questioned worriedly.

"I don't think Lucien would intentionally hurt me," Aliana said with confidence.

The ladies nodded reluctantly to their princess and they had arrived in the dining room and Lord Samuel was already seated at the table and was drinking something red in a crystal mug. He stood up and bowed to Princess Aliana.

"Welcome, Your Highness," Lord Samuel greeted warmly. "I have prepared a traditional Eddis breakfast for us this morning." Pryja and Louie curtsied deeply and left the room. Lord Samuel pulled a chair across from him out for Aliana and once she was seated he pushed the chair in for her.

"So I have you all to myself today?" Lord Samuel asked with a deep rich timbre to his voice.

"You do, Samuel," Aliana said with a grin. "Do you have anything in particular planned?"

"I have quite the day planned out, Aliana," Samuel said mischievously.

A small shiver went down Aliana's back, Samuel's voice did things to her nerves.

The breakfast consisted of fine fruits only found in Eddis, bacon, poached eggs, and diced potatoes.

"How do you find your meal?" Lord Samuel asked before taking a bite of fruit. Aliana watched Samuel eating the fruit in curiosity and subconsciously licked her lips.

"It's quite delicious, thank you," She said blushing. Samuel had caught her staring at him and he smirked.

Samuel poured some of the red drink he was having into her glass. "I think you'll like this summer wine, it's light and sweet."

She looked at him surprised, it was quite early to have some wine. Aliana took a sip of the wine and gasped. It tasted more like candy than wine, this was dangerous.

"This is amazing," Aliana said wide-eyed.

"I'll be sure to send you a cask of it then," Samuel grinned. "My family makes this wine from our vineyards." Aliana finished the glass and Samuel poured her more summer wine.

"That's very kind of you."

By the time they were done with breakfast Aliana had a pink flushed face and was feeling rather tipsy from all the summer wine Samuel had given her to drink.

"Would you like to accompany me to some hot springs near the castle?" Samuel asked playfully.

"Hot springs sound wonderful," Aliana purred.

"Do you have something you can wear in the water?" He asked.

Aliana thought for a moment and she shook her head.

"I have something you can wear," Samuel smirked.