MRS RÓDRÍGUÉZ - EPISODE 68

Audrielle blinked her eyes open as she perceived a sweet savour. She dabbed her eyes clearly as she tiredly stretched herself.

“Good morning…”..

Audrielle jerked. A bit startled by the voice by the prince whom she never knew was there.

She dragged her eyes to his reflection and a small smile creased his lips.

“You’re finally awake. I thought you’d sleep the entire day off. You must be really tired”…

“Oh”
Audrielle blinked hard as she had slow flashback of what happened last night. She was feeling too shy to stare back at him. Last night was never planned and yes, she won’t deny she enjoyed every bit of it while it lasted.

But right now, she can’t even muster the courage to face her husband.

“I brought you breakfast… ” He added placing the tray of food on the bed beside her which had some flowers too on it.

“The flowers are beautiful… I love daisies”.. she smiled as she picked it up from the tray.

“I figured. I fetched the flowers from the garden… ”

Audrielle gave him a suspicious look.

“Okay, I sent a maid to fetch the flowers from the garden for me. ” He confessed with a blunt smile.

Audrielle chuckled lightly.

” Still, it’s very sweet and thoughtful of you. ” .. she complimented..

She picked the tray up and placed on her laps when she suddenly noticed her change of clothes.

“I don’t remember putting any of this on last night.. what must have happened?”.

“Uh. I did that. I bathe you after.. ” he coughed slightly. “You know,.. you were tired. I washed you clean, changed the bedsheets and wore you something new. ” He admitted.

Audrielle swallowed hard.
He bathed her last night?… A big lump formed on her throat as she ate her food rather fast. She was feeling too nervous and the prince noticed.

” I hope you like the food,.. ” he spoke out, changing the topic.

Audrielle spared him a glance.
“I know you didn’t prepare this. ” Audrielle retorted.

“Well I supervised.. ”

He received another look from Audrielle and a slight cough escaped his lips.
“From the throne room. ” He confessed.

Audrielle smiled at how funny he looked.

“Thanks still for saving some stress. ”

“You like the food don’t you?..”

“Off course. It’s delicious. ” She admitted, scooping some portion into her mouth.

Antonio watched with delight as she chewed on every piece of food. She looked so innocent with him.

After a short while,.. she broke the silence.

“I was thinking … ”

“About what?”.. he jerked a little to hear what she had to say.

She dropped her cutlery and faced him.
“You’ve been very busy lately with serious affairs of the kingdom. And it must be really stressful for you. ”

“Indeed. I can not complain. It’s my duty to my people as their future king. ”
He sighed out tiredly.

“I want to take you somewhere to help you relax. It’ll help. ”

“Where’s that?”

“It’s a place I visit regularly with Tarsia’. “..

“Oh.. ”

“Yes. I want us to go before noon. ”

“As my lady wishes. ” He let out a small smile. Pulling the tuft of hair that fell over her face behind her ears.

**

” Sapphire,.. I’ve been meaning to ask about what you said few days ago..” Sally began,
Sapphire was seated on a wooden chair, busy fixing her broom mat.

“Which is?”.

” you said who told me the princess was without a seed?..”

Sapphire let out a faint smile.

“I want to know why you said that?.. ” Sally pressed her lips together.

“The princess is pregnant. “..

“And how would you know that?..” it felt funny coming from Sally considering the fact that she already knows sapphire to be a witçh.

Sapphire spared her a glance.
“I can feel a child. She is with a child. And that gives us hope.”

“But .. does that mean, the battle is over?.. does it mean, we’re safe from the red witçh and her curse.?”..

“Maybe. Maybe not. Let the cry of the Baby be the judge of that. “..

Sally swallowed hard.

” What if I go back to the palace?.. “.

” not yet. I still have some use for you. “..
Sapphire replied and went back to what she was doing.

***

The carriage rode them with the princess lead.
They finally stopped after covering a long distance.

“What is this place?”.. Antonio asked. Staring from where he sat in his carriage.

“It’s called the Montane field. A place of solitude. “.. she let out a genuine smile.

They stepped down from the carriage and walked over to a free space.
They brought with them a servant who arranged a piece of cloth on the ground and some food items too for their lunch.

They sat on the cloth as the servant served them in small bits.

” This is a good idea.. ” audrielle remarked.

“Right. Back in the States, they call it a picnic. ” He replied staring round at the field.

The servant served them and walked away immediately. Leaving the two to the company of theirselves.

“I use to come here with Tarsia’ to ease my mind. And it helps Alot. Montane is a special place where someone can find rest and peace of mind. ”

“, Indeed”.. he nodded as he took a bite from his apple.
“This is a great idea my lady. We should come here more often. ”

Audrielle nodded.

” About last night..”.. she began,.. small drops of sweat trickled down her head. She didn’t see a need to keep avoiding the what Happened.

Antonio held her hands lightly…

“Audrielle, if you don’t want to talk about what happened last night, it’s fine… I know you feel rather uncomfortable with it.”

“No.. no it’s fine. “.. she objected.

“I just want to tell you that… Last night,. Was one of the best moments of my Life .. “..

Antonio picked her hand and placed a soft kiss on it.

“Same here, my lady. “..

Audrielle smiled broadly as she picked an apple and began chewing on it.

“There’s somewhere I want to show you when we get back to the palace. It’s one of my favorite place in the palace.. “..

“Okay. ” Audrielle nodded.

**
Later in the evening***

They got back to the palace after a long time spent in the field.
“Come with me..”
The prince said immediately they got down from the carriage.

He stretched out his arm and audrielle took it without hesitation.

He led her towards the balcony.
His favorite spot.

” This is where I normally stay most evenings to watch the sunset. It’s beautiful from up here. And we’re just in time. “..

Audrielle marvelled at the sight she was seeing.
“Indeed. My prince. It sure is so beautiful. I have never thought of watching the sun set from up here. I’ve been missing Alot. ” She let out a warm smile.

Antonio stared at her with satisfaction. He was glad she loved what she was seeing. The contempted smile on her face could tell it all.

” Audrielle… ” He called..

“Yes?..” she turned to face him.

The moment she did that, he dipped his face and picked her lips.
Something he has been meaning to do all day.

It was a brief but passionate kiss.

After the kiss, they stared back at the sunset with bold smiles on their faces.

***

Lord Ashton sat on his cheifly seat when he beckoned on Mario who came to his call in a short time.

Lord Ashton has been up in thoughts the entire night and he has decided to take better precautions for the safety of his family.

” I want you to send a letter to the Duke of Ismech kingdom. Tell him I accept his son’s proposal for my daughter’s hand in marriage.”..

Mario nodded with a small bow.

He was about leaving when his master stopped him, again.

” And… Release the old Lady. Tell her she’s free to go. ”

Mario sighed out. He had expected that.
He knew his master would surely decide on this,.. but no worry’s. He had all night too to scheme up his plans. And he won’t let this chance slip off his fingers.

He nodded and left.
Leaving Lord Ashton in his own company.

In a short while, he returned with a glass of water on a small tray which he handed to his master.

“You look tired my Lord. You should drink a cup of water. ” He handed the tray over to his master who accepted with a smile.

“Indeed. I exhausted my night in deep thoughts. ” .. he exhaled sharply, gulping down the content.

“Is there anything you need?..” Mario asked paying a Keen interest on his master.

“Well. I’ll..”..
Lord Ashton stopped talking as he coughed slightly. …

“I’ll….” He tried talking but he kept coughing heavily.

His tray collapsed from him as he coughed more.

“What… Did … What.did..

Words failed him as he fell to the ground.

“What … Have you done?”..
He forced the words from his mouth as he tried holding Mario’s feet.

“Something I would have done long ago.”
Mario pushed away from him, watching his master cough out blood.
The poison is a very fast one.

Mario Walked out on his dying master. He didn’t care. He had all the night to strategize his plans.

Swiftly, he walked over to old Esmeralda’s room. He pushed the door open and met her seated on the bed.

He walked over to her and gripped her by the arm.

“I have great use for you. … You will lead me to The cave of Madonna. Across the great seven mountains… ”

Esmeralda let out a sharp gasp.

“The cave of Madonna?.. do you have any idea what that place is?..”

“Yes. I do. You’ll take me to the ancient cave. Where The red witçh was buried so many years ago. “…

“I will not!.. I will never answer to you!.. your master is..

“I have taken care of my master..! And you shall do as I say..or else ..”
He threatened, bringing out a sharp knife which he placed on her neck.

Old Esme gasped in fear.