Essence Of The Heart (The Royal Tutor)

by Daris Howard

  He halted and she looked at him questioningly. He removed his arms from around her and backed a couple of steps away, trying to regain control of himself. He choked, "Your Highness, I...I..."

  She wrinkled her brow, but continued to smile. "What is it now?"

  Could she sense the turmoil that was going on in his heart? Jacob was afraid she could. Was it possible that she sensed that he was in love with her? The thought was frightening. Jacob grasped for words. "It's just that, I'm..." He paused. He could not tell her how he really felt. "I'm not feeling well," he finally managed to choke out.

  The fire returned to Marie. "I dress up in this stupid getup, only for you to tell me you don't feel well? Well, I..."

  Suddenly, behind Marie, Jacob saw a man in black brandishing a sword. He jumped to her, pulling her behind himself, and drawing his sword as he moved. He barely got his sword in position in time to block the blow. Immediately two other men were beside the first. Jacob fought them expertly. Without turning to look at her, Jacob yelled, "Marie, run!"

  She ran, but not away. Since she hadn't brought her own sword she ran to the family crest on the wall and drew a sword from it. As she turned, there was a fourth assailant sneaking up behind Jacob. She yelled a warning, giving Jacob time to miss the full force of the blade, receiving only a swipe across the arm.

  Marie took on the fourth attacker. Jacob tried to go to her aid, but he was hard-pressed to deal with the other three who had blocked his way to her. He snatched glances in her direction and could see the assailant driving her to the wall.

  He fought furiously. He was not just fighting to protect the royal family as he always had before, he was fighting for Marie, and that made him stronger. But these assassins were the most expert of any he had faced, and, even with all the extra power he felt, he was still not able to help her. He was trying to fight his way through them, but he would no sooner force one to the side than another was there to take his place.

  Now, pushed to the wall, Marie lashed forward with her foot, slamming into the shin of her attacker. As he stumbled in pain, she knocked the sword from his hand. Instantly, he was after it and coming back. Like a ghost, Lord High Chamberlain was in front of her to meet the assailant. He drove the man quickly away from the princess, slashing the man's wrist and causing him to drop his sword. Then he slammed the attacker in the face with his fist and blade handle, knocking him dazed to the floor.

  In that instant, the Royal Guard, led by John, was there to surround the first three. Outnumbered, they quickly surrendered. Lord High Chamberlain jerked his opponent roughly to his feet and marched him out. Jacob ran to Marie, letting the Royal Guard escort the other three men away.

  He grabbed Marie by the arm. "Marie, are you all right?"

  "Yes, no thanks to this monkey suit."

  She lashed out with her foot, catching him hard in the shins. Down he went, grabbing his leg. "Ow! What was that for?"

  She shook her finger at him. "You said you didn't feel well! Sure! You didn't fight like you were sick." She then pointed at her clothes. "And you men are all such arrogant snobs expecting us to wear these things."

  Wide-eyed, she stopped. She saw the blood soaking the sleeve of his shirt. She gasped and knelt beside him, her voice sounding as if she were going to cry. "Jacob, you're hurt."

  He nodded, continuing to rub his leg. "Yes, I know. Someone keeps kicking me in the shins."

  She pulled him gently toward a chair and was almost in tears now. "No, Jacob. Your arm."

  Jacob looked at his arm while John and Edward stood there with their mouths wide open staring at Marie. John's voice betrayed his confusion. "Jacob? "

  Edward's voice showed his astonishment. "Princess, you're wearing a dress."

  She turned and faced him defiantly. "What's it to you, mister?"

  Edward shook his head, flustered. "Uh, nothing, I was just..."

  Jacob interrupted his friend. "It might be best if you two leave us."

  John and Edward looked at each other, then turned to follow the rest of the Royal Guard. Marie called after them. "And have someone get me some bandages."

  Left alone, they looked into each other's eyes, neither saying anything. Jacob thought of the gamut of emotions he had just been through, and a quiet exhaustion settled on him. He was forced to admit that he loved her, and he felt the desperation that he must fight it. He had felt the fear for her safety. He had never felt fear like it before. He never feared for himself, but his fear that she would be hurt was stronger than anything he remembered feeling before. They stayed there staring at each other in muted silence. Jacob wondered what Marie was thinking and feeling.

  The uncomfortable silence was broken by a servant delivering bandages, water, and some wine to pour in the wound. Marie took them from her. "Thanks, I can handle this. You may leave."

  The servant paused momentarily, surprised that Marie would bind Jacob's wound, but then turned and left.

  Marie tore away what was left of his sleeve and soaked one of the bandages in water and wine. She swabbed his wound while he grimaced. Still, neither spoke until Jacob, feeling uncomfortable, attempted another apology. He started clumsily. "Your Highness, I'm..."

  She interrupted him. "Your Highness, is it? A few minutes ago you called me Marie."

  Jacob lowered his eyes, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so familiar. It was just that I was scared they might hurt you and..."

  She took her finger and put it to his lips to stop him. She smiled kindly. "I liked it."

  "You do? I mean you did?"

  She nodded and looked down shyly.

  "And you called me Jacob," he said.

  She looked up quickly. "Is that all right?"

  He smiled as well. "I like it too."

  As the full depth of what each was saying to the other sank in, Marie unfolded some more cloth for a bandage. "Do you think we could continue that way?"

  "It's not traditional," he replied

  Marie let out a sigh. "Sometimes it seems tradition gets in the way of good things!"

  "It won't bother you, then?" he asked.

  "I don't mind if you don't," she replied.

  They again silently looked at each other for a moment, then Jacob lowered his eyes and spoke quietly, his emotions overcoming what strength he had left. "Marie, thank you for saving my life."

  She looked at him triumphantly. The feeling of fear he had for her safety returned and he continued. "But you really should have run."

  A defiant gleam returned to her eyes. "Don't tell me what to do. Besides, if I had, they probably would have killed you."

  Jacob joked, "There was a time, not that long ago, you wanted to run me through with a sword yourself. Is my life of such importance now?"

  Marie was sober as she answered, her voice choked with emotion, almost mad he would ask. "It is to me. I was so frightened when I thought they might hurt you. I've never felt that way before."

  Jacob was stunned. This was not the way things were supposed to be. He was a soldier, and she was the princess. The uneasiness of the situation was broken by Lord High Chamberlain's entrance into the room. He cleared his throat to announce his arrival. Both Jacob and Marie turned.

  He bowed. "I would have a private word with the Captain. We will probably need him for the rest of the day, Your Highness."

  To mask the mood of the moment, Marie held her head high, her voice falsely stern and proud. "We will continue the dance lessons tomorrow. I will dress appropriately. Then, after lunch, I can change and we can work on my other lessons."

  Jacob stood and bowed. She left the room. Lord High Chamberlain bowed as she passed. Both he and Jacob gazed after her.

  Lord High Chamberlain complimented Jacob. "You have done wonders with her."

  Jacob shook his head. "I have done nothing. What you see was always there. It has just taken her time to discover it."

  "That is what you have done," Lord High Chamberlain said.

  Jacob tried not to thi
nk of the love he had for her, the love that could not be because of their different stations in life. "I wonder if it was not just a matter of time. I was just the one lucky enough to be part of it," Jacob said.

  "You are far too modest, Captain," Lord High Chamberlain replied. "And I've seen her kick you more than once. I wouldn't say 'lucky' was the word I had in mind."

  Jacob changed the subject. "I presume you are here to talk to me of security concerns."

  "Yes. Those men apparently snuck in inside a supply wagon."

  Lord High Chamberlain then explained how they had come across evidence that also indicated the princess was the target of the assassination attempts, not the queen. He looked directly at Jacob. "I'm just grateful you were with her."

  Jacob could feel his heart shrink with fear for her again, but he tried to curb his emotions and hide his feelings from Lord High Chamberlain as he spoke. "I will have every wagon and every person entering the palace searched. But why would the Esconodians want to kill the princess?"

  Lord High Chamberlain looked very thoughtful. "Perhaps it is not Esconodia that is doing this."

  Who else could it be?" Jacob asked.

  "I have suspicions," Lord High Chamberlain answered, "but in my position it would be inappropriate for me to spread an unsubstantiated rumor. It is a feeling I have and things I sense, nothing more. You just make sure you protect the princess."

  "With my life," Jacob replied. "And I will double the guard around her."

  Lord High Chamberlain spoke sarcastically. "I'm sure she will appreciate that." He then nodded a slight bow. "I'll leave it in your hands."

  With that, Lord High Chamberlain left. Jacob liked Lord High Chamberlain, and he appreciated his confidence, but he never spoke with him but what he felt he, himself, came away with more questions than answers. He again mused about how Lord High Chamberlain always arrived first when there was trouble. Jacob didn't have long to think about it when a man, dressed in superficially austere robes of royalty, entered with two guards.

  He addressed Jacob stiffly. "I understand you are the Captain of the Guard."

  Jacob didn't know who the man was, but he could tell by his manners that the man felt he was important whether he was or not. Jacob bowed. "Yes. You know who I am, but I don't know who you are."

  "Excuse my oversight. I am Duke Elnard, protector of the district of Bernodia."

  Jacob bowed again. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

  "I understand you have had a slight breach in security," Duke Elnard said.

  Jacob thought to himself that word must have traveled around the palace quickly. This man's line of conversation, and his tone, made Jacob uncomfortable, but he continued to act as if all was normal. "It was nothing that my men and I couldn't handle."

  Duke Elnard lips curled in a strange smile. "I'm sure that's true. Your fame as a swordsman and protector of the queen is well-known."

  "You're most gracious, Your Lordship," Jacob said.

  "I only speak what I know," Duke Elnard replied. "I have inquired of the queen as to whether she could spare you to come up north to help train some of my men. Being on the border of Esconodia, we could use all of the training we could get, but she says she has you on a special assignment."

  Jacob knew the queen was referring to him tutoring Marie. He did not like the thought of working for or with this man, but even more he dreaded the fact that, someday, he would be finished with his assignment with Marie. He simply nodded. "That is true, Your Lordship."

  Duke Elnard looked at him coldly. "It is good to know the palace will always be safe when I visit."

  "I guarantee it, Your Lordship," Jacob said.

  "Perhaps we shall meet again some time," Duke Elnard said.

  Jacob nodded. "Perhaps."

  Jacob bowed as Duke Elnard and his guards left. He didn't know what it was, but something about that man made shivers run down his spine. The way he suggested that perhaps they would meet again left him feeling cold. He knew how strange that meeting was. No royalty would ever come to meet the Captain of the Guard. There seemed to be more to it, and Jacob couldn't shake the feeling nor get it out of his mind. He was gathering up his books when John and Edward returned. They had seen Marie heading back to her quarters, and they came to check on him.

  Jacob informed them that he was fine and instructed them to increase security around the princess. "I want two men to be on security duty wherever the princess is, and I want every wagon coming into the palace searched. What a lousy time to have a security breach - while Duke Elnard is here."

  John shrugged. "He is here a lot with all that is going on with Esconodia. I think he has probably been here during most of the security breaches, if not all."

  Jacob thought about that a moment, then made a decision. "We better increase the guard around visiting dignitaries as well."

  "We are very short on men," Edward replied. "I thought we were to have more new recruits than we've had."

  The trouble with Esconodia had drawn more men to the north, leaving the Royal Guard woefully understaffed. Jacob knew of the dilemma and was quite frustrated by it himself.

  "We have had had new recruits try out," Jacob told them, "but Lord High Chamberlain has taken to testing each by sword fighting them, sending some away with no explanation."

  "Were they inferior?" Jon asked.

  Jacob shook his head. "That is exactly what is troubling me. They were probably the best ones."

  "So why would he do it?" Edward asked.

  Jacob admitted he didn't know. He told them that Lord High Chamberlain seemed to have some concerns, but he wouldn't say anything more.

  "I've asked this before, but I ask it again," John said. "Why is it that Lord High Chamberlain is always one of the first ones to the sword fight? Many in the Royal Guard wonder how he seems to know it is coming."

  "And how does he know how to fight so well?" Edward asked. "Most of the stuffy advisors to the queen couldn't fight their way out of a feather bed, but he is probably superior to most of us."

  Jacob knew all of what they said was true. He had seen Lord High Chamberlain fight, and thought he might even be superior to himself. No one had ever beaten Jacob in a sword fight, except his own father, who had also been Captain of the Guard. Still, he had never seen anyone fight as expertly as Lord High Chamberlain.

  Then, too, it was uncommon for a court officer to carry a sword. None of the other advisors did. Of course, they wouldn't know one end of a sword from the other and would probably injure themselves trying to use one. Jacob felt worried for Marie. Could he truly guarantee her safety? He could post two men to guard her, but an expert swordsman could dispatch two if he were good enough.

  He reflected further about Lord High Chamberlain. Could he be part of the problem and not the answer to the solution? He pushed the thought from his mind. Lord High Chamberlain had more than ample opportunity to execute a sinister plan had he chosen to. Besides, he was kind and had always been trustworthy. But, Jacob thought to himself, that could be a ploy to catch them with their guard down. He feared no one could defeat Lord High Chamberlain if he did turn against them.

  Jacob acknowledged to himself that his love for Marie was muddling his judgement. He knew he needed to clear his mind and do the best he could. They would all just have to work overtime.

  Chapter 25

  Falling In Love With Jacob

  As Marie dressed for her Princess Ball, she reflected on the last six weeks. She had felt quite proud of herself at the conclusion of her sword fight with Lieutenant Hashner, having knocked the sword from his hand. If she were honest with herself, she had to admit that he was the superior fighter, but on a shallow level, it was easy to feel cocky. That confidence had made her brash, and she had challenged Jacob. She knew she couldn't beat him, but she could not admit it. She had felt a twinge of anger at how hard he was whacking her, but she knew he was also trying to help her understand how much she still had to learn. When the contest was over, she
had felt humbled and slightly discouraged, but his kind words of encouragement had raised her spirits.

  She thought of how he had talked about learning to dance. Immediately, the thought of disgust had gone through her mind. As a young girl she had to practice with women who had been ladies-in-waiting or tutors. As he explained what he loved about dancing, she felt a thrill go through her. She realized she would be dancing with him and the thought of feeling his touch was exciting. She had agreed. He seemed surprised.

  She could remember the exciting feeling as they had whirled around the room, holding one another. As her heart had pounded with excitement and exuberance, he had slowly come to a halt, a strange look on his face. She would never forget her feelings when he said it seemed to him as if he were dancing with one of his men. Though he didn't mean any unkindness, he couldn't have hurt her more if he had taken her heart from her and stomped on it. But more than anything, she had known he spoke the truth, and it was her fault. It could have been a perfect moment, but instead, it turned into one of the worst experiences of her life, and there was no one to blame but herself. That made her even angrier. It was her fault because she had chosen to be the way she was and dress as a boy.

  She had felt tears coming, and she didn't want to cry in front of him. She had just wanted the horrible experience to be over. He had graciously left. She could remember standing there for a moment, trembling, something inside of her wanting that feeling back - that one she had felt just moments earlier in his arms. She tried whirling around the room alone, pretending, but to no avail. She had looked at her clothes - stiff leather, gray from much wear - and felt the hard cap on her head. The image of how she must have appeared to Jacob overwhelmed her, and she could no longer contain her feelings. She ran to her room, sobbing, hoping to hide.

  After she had no more tears left, her sorrow turned to anger. How dare he say such a thing to her! She was angry and determined to make him eat his words. But how? She couldn't whip him in a sword fight; she'd tried that. She knew plants better than he did, but what was that? She wanted to best him at something that would teach him a lesson.