Innocent Fire
Moments later, Stephanie and Stevie entered Eve's room, smiling down at the
little girl. She was curled up in bed with her ragdoll under one arm and
Spot's neck under the other. Her parents sat down at the foot of the bed,
and Eve immediately piped, "Story time?"
"Okay, dear. What would you like to hear?" Steph asked.
Without a second's pause, Eve demanded, "The story about when you were
young and running away." No amount of cajoling by her parents was going to
work, either; she was dead-set on hearing that particular one.
With a sigh, Stephanie began. "A long time ago, back before you were born,
Mommy and Daddy didn't know each other yet..."
************
Andrew waved enthusiastically to Stephanie from atop his horse in the
jousting arena. He was beginning his fourth match, and frankly Steph was
rather bored of watching him win every time. She returned the wave
listlessly and turned away, looking for something, anything else to
distract her. As it turned out, she didn't have to look far.
"Kurt, for the love of God, get your thieving gold arse back here!" Chris
Jericho roared, chasing a fleeing Kurt Angle through the crowd. Stephanie
put a hand to her mouth to hide her smile as they flew by, undoubtedly
engaged in a disagreement over money. Kurt was, she recalled, notoriously
bad at paying off his debts.
She watched, amused, as Kurt lost Chris behind the privies. Satisfied that
he'd shaken the enraged blond, Kurt stepped out into the open and started
to call to the princess, but was cut off by a huge hand wrapping itself
around his neck. The Lionheart obviously hadn't been fooled by the ruse.
Stephanie was giggling at Kurt's predicament when she felt a hand upon her
shoulder. Turning, she smiled when she saw that it was her mother, the
queen.
Linda smiled warmly at her daughter and grasped her hand. "Walk with me,
Stephanie. Let's talk." They started towards the woods, away from the
tournament.
"Stephanie, dear, I know this engagement is hard for you," she began. "But
it is the best thing for the kingdom, you understand. Lord Andrew will
bring more land into our control, and ultimately strengthen our power. And
he's not such a bad man, now is he?" She patted Stephanie's arm as the
young princess tried to keep from rolling her eyes.
"Yes, Mother, he is that bad," she snapped, losing her patience with the
situation. "He slurps his soup, is exceedingly conceited, and is an overall
boor. Not that I suppose it matters... Daddy can't see any of that
through the stars in his eyes when he considers Lord Andrew's power over
the land." She flopped down under a tree, unmindful of her dress. "Mother,
can't you do anything? You know I don't love him." She turned
pleading, sad eyes to Linda, who shook her head in sympathy and took a seat
next to her.
"And you, princess, know that very rarely are betrothals among noblefolk
made out of love." Linda smiled brightly, trying to cheer her daughter up.
"You will see, it is not so hard to love someone once you are married.
Trust me. Now, come along and change your dress. You wouldn't want to miss
Andrew competing in the finals!"
Stephanie made no attempt to hide her rolling eyes this time. Joy,
wouldn't want to miss watching him do something he's been doing all bloody
day, she thought in contempt. "Yes, Mother," she muttered, heading off
to her chambers.
The princess entered her chamber and tidied her hair in the mirror. Then,
she flung open the wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear for the evening.
Pulling a lovely green gown off the rack, she was shocked beyond words when
she saw Kurt Angle hiding behind it. It did not take her long to find her
voice, however.
"KURT!! What on earth do you think you're doing in there?"
she fairly screamed, yanking him out of the wardrobe by the ear. She
continued berating him, picking up the hairbrush on her dressing table and
hitting him over the head with it. "Are you daft? Why, I am a betrothed
lady! Not of my own choosing," she added under her breath. "Imagine
what Daddy would do if he caught you!"
Kurt managed to deflect most of the blows, and escaped to arm's length away
from the princess. "But Princess, it's not like that! You don't understand,
I've got to hide from Chris Jericho, or he'll kill me!"
Stephanie crossed her arms and glared at him. "And that is my problem how?"
Frantically, Kurt grabbed her hands, sinking to his knees. "Princess, you
have to help me! I'll do anything you ask, I promise, if you'll protect me
from him." Stephanie cocked her head, an idea suddenly forming in her mind.
"Oh, all right. Get up and stop simpering. Since you seem to have such an
affinity for women's clothing," she glanced meaningfully at the wardrobe
behind him, "You may be able to help me after all. You see, I am in dire
need of a handmaid, and I think you shall fit the bill perfectly!"
Stephanie gave him a predatory smile, and the implications of what he had
just agreed to sunk into Kurt's brain. "So, you'll begin first thing
tomorrow morning. Servant's quarters are down the hall. Chris won't be
looking for you there. Now shoo! I have to change." With that, she ushered
him out of the chamber and smiled to herself. The marriage would at least
be a little more tolerable with Kurt around to make her laugh.
Out in the hall, a former gold medal jousting champion turned lady's maid
leaned his head against the wall. What have I gotten myself into?
Kurt thought morosely. Ah well, at least that accursed Jericho couldn't get
to him. Sighing heavily, Kurt turned and trudged down the hall to his new
quarters.