Edmund invited me to take a walk in the royal garden. I needed some time with him and he probably was eager to let go of his frustrations. It seemed like he is turning into his old self. I feared and hoped that this anger will not come out on me. It was not so easy to abandon his role and neither his problems that came with it.

He is holding my hand tight, body close to mine as we slowly walk down the steps. The white gravel path is covered in small puddles, grass is wet, full with fresh droplets of rain. Air smells nice. My heart flutters like a small bird being trapped in my chest. I enjoy the feeling of being so close to him, feel his arms and warmth of his body, the comforting feeling he gives. I miss him whenever he is gone for longer time. Edmund has become my family, which I never had and I will never let him go.

The same way as by the dinner table, his mind seems to be occupied with thoughts. Is it about Maria? Did she cause more problems for him or is it just the simple fact we are together. I had never wanted to ruin someone's happiness, even Maria's, but Edmund...

Edmund is more important than anyone else in my world and if he chose to leave Maria, than it must be for his own good.

I want to ask him, what he was talking with Maria or anyone in that matter, but at the same time I feel afraid to disturb his thoughts and sway him away from the little time of peace he can afford.

The beautifully sculptured garden is so big, that I cannot see the other side of it. When I was here with Sophia, I got a glimpse only of the front section. There were no big trees or lush grass. Everything was trimmed, green and planned out to perfection, but nothing of it seemed real or natural.

"Who is this friend of yours?"

"It's a secret." Edmund smiled and flashed his bright eyes towards me.

"Do I know this person?"

"No. You have never heard about or seen my friend. The only thing I will say, is ... , you have never met a person so different and ... out...worldly..."

"Are you telling tales?"

"Haha! Might be. You will see tomorrow." Edmund laughed.

"Do you want to come and sit down by the pond for a minute?"

"Uhmmm, but the grass is wet. It will ruin these beautiful shoes." I looked over my dark grey footwear, which were sewn with silver threads and few white pearls.

Edmund bent down to his knees and slightly lifted up my puffy dress. He took my foot in his hands and elegantly took off my shoe. On the contact his fingers tickled my skin and I couldn't suppress the small laugh. He did the same with other one and now I stood on a gravel with my naked feet.

"I will carry you." He lifted me up with ease.

"Than why did you take my shoes, if you were planing to carry me all the way?"

"Because... your feet must be tired."

Edmund seemed to have lost the previous grumpiness and now acted almost like a child – carefree and playful.

I adored this side of him and hugged my husband tightly.

"What was that for?" I felt his chest ruble.

"I ... I just ... love you so much."

I could hear Edmund let out a subtle laugh. "I do too."

He let me go and at the moment my feet touched the ground, I let out a small scream of surprise. He had put me in tall grass, which reached up to my knees – wet and cold, covered in drops of rain. It sent a wave of shock over my sensitive skin.

I looked at him, but Edmund was just smiling silly.

"That was not nice." I smiled shyly and gave a light slap on his chest.

For the moment it felt like being all alone in this world with Edmund. No one was here by this pond. Just me and him.

***

I waited in anticipation for this mysterious person to appear. Edmund has gone to spend some time in library and I have been wandering around the castle, exploring more rooms and corners, which I had not laid my eyes on. Often I caught myself dazing off and becoming lost in this huge house.

After some time I found myself on the stairs leading up to the second floor. Somebody was coming my way, but I didn't recognize this person. It was a man – tall and slim with dirty blond hair, which formed slight curls. He was oddly dressed. He had a normal male suit, brown in color, almost matching the shade of his hair. But His creamy white shirt had puffy lacing on his chest area as well as the end of his sleeves. I had never seen anybody dressed this way.

His steps were light, but manly at the same time.

He spotted me and flashed his teeth in sheepish grin. I didn't know what to think. Does he know me? Is this a friend Edmund talked about?

In few swift strides he had climbed up to me, bowed deeply and then reached out for my hand.

"Is this our new queen?"He looked me over, while I stood completely dumbfounded. "May I introduce myself..."

He placed a light kiss on my hand, a grip on my fingers was firm and made me little bit uncomfortable.

"I am William Blanchard. I am so honored to finally meet you."