Part Twenty-Five

The princesses walked with their ladies behind them, but halfway to the dining room, they crossed paths with the King.  "Well, isn't this a lovely sight," he said, staring at both of his girls.  Arms outstretched, he approached the girls who went to his side as they always did.  Any suspicions or doubts floated away as they embraced.  "What have my beautiful ones been doing all day?"

"Oh," said Blue, trying to sound casual, "you know us, Father.  A little of this.  A little of that."

"We fenced a little," offered Georgeanne which normally they would be in trouble for if the Queen had heard since fencing wasn't for ladies - especially Princesses.  But their father didn't mind and encouraged pursuit of all their interests and hobbies.

"Who won?" he asked.

Both girls answered, "I did," and the King laughed.

He looked up at their ladies and said with a pleasant smile, "You can all go," and they curtsied.  "I shall have the honor of escorting my daughters to dinner tonight."  The ladies waited until he had turned, placing one arm around each girl before scurrying quietly away.

"Father," said Georgeanne.  "Why don't you have anyone with you?"

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"We always have our ladies with us," she said.

"A king doesn't have ladies-in-waiting," he pointed out.

She poked him in his side and said, "You know what I mean."

He laughed and said, "Well, your ladies are there to tend to you and help take care of you when your mother or I are not around."  Blue's face flinched at the mention of the Queen, but she regained her composure instantly. 

"You don't need anyone's help?" asked Blue.

"A king rules alone," he said.  "I have advisors, but in the end, I make the final decision."

"Advisors," repeated Blue.  "What about guards?"

"I have guards, yes."

"But they don't follow you around the castle," said Georgeanne.

"No," he said.

"Why?" asked Blue.

"Because this is my home," he said.  "They only need to be around if I leave the castle or if we have guests."

"Like the party?" asked Georgeanne.

"Yes," he answered.

"Will you have many guards with you at the party?" asked Blue.

The King stopped and stared at both his girls.  "Why the sudden interest in my entourage?" he asked.  The girls were quiet, looking at each other from the corners of their eyes.  "Girls?" said the King, his tone slightly serious.  They looked at each other again trying to speak without speaking, but they were both at a loss.  Just as Blue opened her mouth to speak, her sister cut her off.

"We had bad dreams," she said, and Blue stared at her sister.

His focus on Georgeanne, the King said, "Bad dreams?"

"Yes," agreed Blue trusting in her sister to guide her wherever she was going with this story.

"Yes," said Georgeanne, "and ever since, we've been a little... worried."

"About me?"  The King took the girls' awkward expressions as yes.  "Oh my precious little angels," he said kneeling before them.  "They were just dreams."  He reached up and touched their cheeks in the caring way he did since they were little.  Then he took one of their hands in each of his.  "I'm sorry that you both had bad dreams, but rest-assured that I will be fine.  My guards protect not only me but my family as well as all those that live within the castle walls."  He grinned slyly and said, "I also know a thing or two myself."  Both the girls smiled at him, feeling somewhat better themselves.  He leaned in close and said, "But do me a favor angels and say none of this to your mother for she believes dreams are portents, and I will never hear the end of it.  Agreed?"  The girls agreed, and they hugged once more before the King stood and still holding their hands, continued their walk to the dining room.