The series is finished and in beta right now. After that two chapters will be postat a week.
...
Towards the end of the day, he escorted her to her chamber in order to keep an eye on her like he promised "I hope you had a good day," he offered, his tone warm and genuine as he observed her wide smile paired with a hastily nod.
"I've got something for you," he said as they stood in front of her door, reaching into his bag and pulling out the branches he had carefully hidden earlier.
The surprise in her eyes was unmistakable as he presented her the sweet-smelling flowers "For me?" she breathed, her expression a mixture of delight and gratitude.
Henry nodded, a small smile gracing his lips as he handed over the branches "A small token to brighten your room. I thought you would like it."
As her fingers delicately traced the delicate blooms, her face lit up with genuine appreciation "Thank you, Henry. It's beautiful."
"It's my pleasure, Lady YN," Henry replied, his gaze lingering for a fleeting moment. It was like time stopped for them and the surroundings vanished. He was drawn to her but didn’t move an inch before he bid her goodnight. His footsteps echoing softly down the corridor as he made his departure.
summary Sometimes the life as a simple maid isnt so simple. Duty, love and treachery demand everything from her and Sir Henry Cavill.
words 4k
warnings slight fluff, maybe angst, illness
an Changed and added some small things, please read again :D
SERIES MASTERLIST MASTERLIST
The stables. A haven of tranquility for YN, a place where the scent of hay and the soft nickering of horses provided a sweet escape from the rigors of castle life. Her days started early with preparing breakfast for the royals and even earlier when they hosted guests. Then she would assist the head of librarians with whatever he had to. Those tasks were only interrupted if the king demanded her presence and her break to eat lunch. Midday was the only time she had to herself. She chatted with the staff and exchanged the newest tittle-tattle.
She got to the box of her favorite among the noble steeds, Kal, a majestic black and white horse with a glossy coat. She ran her fingers through Kal's mane, when the rhythmic sound of heavy footsteps approached. Sir Henry Cavill entered, carrying a bundle of fresh hay "Hello, YN," he greeted her with a warm smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
Her eyes lingered on him. His smiles left her breathless and slightly unsteady on her feet. She was thankful that his locks didn’t hide his defined cheekbones and his broad form was impressive, even without the armor. But more than that, she appreciated his sense for duty and his friendly and calm nature. Over the years he became a close friend. But every time he was near her or when their eyes met, her hands got sweaty. Sometimes just from thinking of him.
"Good day, Sir Cavill," she replied, a timid touch in her voice as she curtsied halfway. Her eyes flew to his collarbone, where his untied henley allowed a glance at his chest and her heartbeat quickened. It took all her strength to look up again at his piercing blue eyes that never failed to amaze her.
“YN, please. Call me Henry.” He offered again, like dozen times before. She nodded coyly, but the rosiness in her cheeks didn’t escape his gaze.
That always took his breath away. In her unassuming manner, she put her duty to the king and queen, and by extension, the entire empire above anything else. It was a quality that he found both rare and deeply endearing. Her selflessness, her commitment to serve, sparked whishes in him beyond the expected norms of their respective roles. She was unlike the other maids and unlike the women which lad their eyes on him. She wore herself with a grace that he’d never seen before. Elegance adorned every step she took.
He knelt beside his horse, offering the hay "How's my favorite stable companion today?" he asked, his tone light.
"Oh, Kal is as spirited as ever," she replied, smiling and the horse swung his head as if it agreed. "He seems to enjoy the extra attention, especially when it comes from a knight as distinguished as yourself." Feeding the horse, the last bit of her bread, a ritual she started months ago.
Henry chuckled "Well, I reckon it's the other way around. You’re the one who brings a bit of joy to his day." He looked at YN with a glint in his eye "How has your day been? "
She blushed, feeling a mixture of surprise and delight at his attention. "Oh, the usual. And, of course, spending my lunch time with the horses."
"You know, you have a way with them," Henry remarked, casting a glance at her "Kal, in particular, seems to have taken quite a liking to you."
She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her “Only because he seems to know I never come without a treat.” She commented cheekily. He chuckled, and as their gazes met, time seemed to stop. He knew his feelings for her were more than just friendship. But his affection for her could only exist in his daydreams. He was one of the knights of the king and the queen. His future held the promise of a noble woman befitting his station in contrast to her – an ordinary maid in the king’s court. It kept him awake at night, he struggled to find a way to intensify their relationship and obeying to the social rules.
Henry stepped closer to her and asked cautiously “How is he?”
She turned her head to see if they were alone before laning in and whispered “I haven’t been there today. Some days, he’s better and can get up by himself but for the last week he mostly stayed in bed and slept. I was there last night. His breathing is low sometimes and I I am happy to be able to check on him.”
Henry let out a sigh “He must be really glad that you take such good care of him.” His look was concerned “You are there most nights, aren’t you? Are you getting enough sleep, darling?”
Before she could answer, fast footsteps came closer to them "YN the King wants you in his rooms" a young servant said from behind her. It was Henry’s squire, Bate. He barely left Henry’s side and was dedicated to help him with whatever he could to make his duty as a royal knight as easy as possible. Bate also became a friend of her.
"I'm coming." She sighed and allowed herself a last stroke of the majestic stallion.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” she pulled a napkin out of her pocket and unfolded it, revealing grapes to Henry and his squire “The king gave them to me last evening. I thought you two should have them.” She smiled at them and handed each a portion of the rare fruit “He likes warm food better anyways and his hunger is low, his majesty handed them out to me before we pared yesterday.”
It became a small ritual for her, to bring the small gifts of exotic food to Henry and Bate, to share with them.
Henry took them, his warm hands brushing hers, sending a shiver down her spine “You don’t have to do this.” He said as a thank you to her. She shyly looked to the ground before she said her good byes to them.
“Thank you for your company. It was nice to talk to you Sir-“ he cocked an eyebrow at her and she quickly corrected herself “It was nice to talk to you Henry. I’ll see you this evening at dinner?” her heart bounced fast inside her chest; she couldn’t hide her longing for him.
“Pleasure was mine. Yes, I will be there to guard the queen.”
She couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Her crush on Henry made her heart fluttering with anticipation for the evening ahead.
Then she headed for the rooms of King Eldred. When she was gone, Bate turned to his knight “The grape-maid likes you, you know that?” he smirked at him with a wink. Henry deflected it quickly “First, you know her name and secondly: Don’t be ridiculous, we’re just friends.”
“If you say so…” Bate grinned at him and threw up a grape which he caught with his mouth.
YN announced herself with a knock and opened the heavy door. Dust danced through the thick air and a smell of herbals and wood stung in her nose. The dark velvety curtains only let a slit of daylight into his royal chamber.
On his nightstand was an arrangement of vials that hasn’t been there yesterday. Black, blue and one in a dirty green shone in the light of a candle. The thick smoke that creeped out of an incense burner as the heavy scent of gorse and sage danced around her.
"Your majesty." she greeted him curtsying.
"YN, I wanted to know what happens next." He petted the book that laid on his lap.
"As you wish, sir." she took the chair next to the bed and he handed over the storybook.
“How are you today?” he asked, a genuine smile gracing his features. King Eldred was known for being a kind monarch. He prioritized the well-being of his kingdom and showed genuine interest in the people he governed. During the last months his stature became feeble. YN could see the toll of his mysterious ailment in his sunken cheeks, pale and yellow patched skin, and frail form. Instead of battling foes on the battlefield, King Eldred found himself locked in a relentless struggle against illness.
Over the years, Dozens of healers, physicians, druids and priests tried to cure the mysterious disease. Whenever he seemed to recover and could leave the bed to resume his duties, the illness would return, rendering the once-effective medications useless.
The Lord has shown mercy- she thought -gifting him a queen who shoulders the burdens of the kingdom. The queen, a formidable presence, ruled with rigor and spirit, and though she may seem merciless, YN held no judgment. She knew her place as a simple maid. The queen must know better and there was no way YN had an understanding of what the queen got through. She had the duty to hold the realm together. Lately, it was said that she had to increase taxes and build a new prison, because the high rates of robbery and other crimes rose up. At home she had a sick king and husband, that she had to protect. It was known but never addressed that the queen could not have children of her own. Because she could not produce heirs to the throne she had death threats on her plate. If the king died, the crown would be handed over to a distant relative. She handled death threats, because she wouldn’t fulfill her duty as ‘mother’ of the nation. Every night before bed, YN would pray to the divine lord to gift her with motherhood and relief her from her troubles. ‘Don't talk back, do what you're told, don't say what you think’ was YN mantra so she would stay out of trouble. Her surviving strategy within the castle walls.
Born to an unknown mother who passed away when she was a baby, YN even though considered herself blessed to have found a home in the castle at a young age. She had started with housecleaning and kitchen duties, where she discovered her love for singing. The Chef, in an attempt to keep the young ones focused, had them chanting or whistling while they peeled apples or potatoes. Later, Sir Carnell, the Head of the Royal Library, took her under his wings and taught her to read and write and all about the rules and laws of the kingdom. Now, she played a role in preparing letters, reading mail, and, like today, sharing the joy of literature with the ailing king.
“I’m well, Sir. Before I came here, I met your knight Sir Cavill at the stables. I shared the grapes you gave to me yesterday with him, he’s a fine man. Oh- please forgive me my lord. I did not intend to bore you with such petty bubbling of me.” She replied with a warm smile and her eyes stared to the book in her hands. Rambling about her private life and thoughts wasn’t a usual habit of her. She wished the ground would open and she could vanish in it like a rabbit in its hole.
“Do not worry, child. I am delighted that you think of him that way. I handpicked him myself. Indeed, he is a very fine man, just like his father was.”
She nodded apologizing.
“Of, before you start, I have another gift for you.” He turned to his drawer, unlocked it, and pulled out three apples “I kept them for you in my secret stash, dear YN. I know you like them, but don’t tell the chef.” He winked at her with a weak smile. She knew it was no use to reject his kind offer and took them thankfully. His gaze stayed on her as her cheeks turned red, his eyes softened “You know, you remind me of someone I knew long time ago-“ he didn’t end his sentence, shook his head and reframed “I must be fever-dreaming. Please, YN, go on with the story.”
She began to read the last chapter. Her voice, a melodic cadence, filled the quiet room, transporting the king’s thoughts to a world beyond the castle walls. He propped himself up on pillows and listened with curious attention, his tired eyes lighting up at the unfolding story of a lost child that got on a dangerous path to find their lost parents. In those moments, she became a vessel of escapism, offering the monarch a reprieve from the harsh realities that kept him like a prisoner. As the final words of the chapter lingered in the air, she gently closed the book. She looked up to find the king peacefully asleep. The lines of worry on his forehead had vanished, replaced by a serene calmness. A faint smile graced his lips, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment in providing him a moment of respite.
Silently, she rose from her seat, careful not to disturb his slumber. With the book and the apples in hand, she tiptoed out of the chamber. Making her way through the silent corridors, she returned the cherished book to its place in the Royal Library. There, she found Sir Carnell, the Head of the Librarians. He was engrossed in the meticulous task of sorting books and organizing scrolls, almost hidden between heaps of books and boxes.
"Ah, YN, back from your reading session with the king?" he greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Yes, Sir Carnell," she replied, taking a seat across from him. "He seemed to enjoy the tale. They always bring a spark to his eyes."
"Stories have a way of doing that, my dear," Sir Carnell remarked, a twinkle of wisdom in his gaze. "Here, you can assist me with that." He pointed to the huge chest with loose sheets and rolls.
“Have you been with the horses again?” he noticed the smell of hay that whirled around her.
Her nod admitted with a hint of blush "Sir Cavill's horse, Kal, always draws me in."
He chuckled in suspicion "I see you've been in good company. It's not every day we find a connection with the royal steeds." She smiled, her eyes reflecting gratitude "Kal is a magnificent creature, and Sir Cavill is always so kind. He’s attending dinner tonight."
His eyebrows raised in mild surprise "Dinner with Sir Cavill? Well, well. It seems like there's more than just stories unfolding in the castle tonight."
She blushed "He's a gentleman, Sir Carnell. And he will be there to guard and accompany the queen-“ she hesitated ”But there's something about him that goes beyond his knightly demeanor. He’s very kind.”
"My dear, sometimes, kindness is the most powerful of all virtues. Cherish those who bring it into your life."
The supposedly meanings of his words made her clueless. Sir Carnall was quick to change the subject “However…First of all we’ll comprehend the tasks and functions of the royal apparatus. Afterwards we’ll finish the first draft of the mail the queen wants to send to our neighbor-kingdom.
Rich tapestries, gleaming candelabras and a long polished table that reflected the flickering candlelight decorated the dining room. The queen surrounded herself with three close confidantes, the wives of the kingdom's most influential barons. They held court at the center of the opulent scene.
She engaged in a conversation that dripped with condescension and veiled mockery. Her gloved hands always held a glass of the finest wine. Her tone, laced with arrogance, cut through the air like a sword targeting its enemy. "Oh, did you hear about the latest blunder of Lady Erin's dress at the ball?" the queen remarked with a disdainful smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement "It's a wonder the seamstress’ head isn’t on a spike." Her friends, eager to partake in the gossip, chuckled in agreement. She continued, her words dripping with a cruel sophistication that only a select few could appreciate.
"You see them?" she patronized about the servants around her that wore frightened expressions "Honestly, it's like dealing with a pack of unruly animals. One would think we're in a menagerie rather than a castle. Their incompetence is astounding."
Sir Henry, maintaining his stoic watch, exchanged glances with the staffs, both parties troubled by the disdainful words that echoed through the dining hall. He stood guard in the room, his watchful eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure the queen's safety. Despite his focus on his duty, a sense of unease gnawed at him whenever the queen's gaze fell upon him; Her looks seemed to linger with an intensity that went beyond the usual attention directed at a knight.
The queen returned in the animated conversation with her friends, laughter and whispers filling the air. Her eyes, however, would occasionally stray to Henry, a hunger flickering in them that didn't go unnoticed by the vigilant knight. It was a gaze that left him uneasy, as if he were being assessed like prey by a predator.
Amidst this tension, YN, accompanied by two members of the castle band, began to sing. The soft strumming of the lute and the gentle tones of a flute complemented her vocal. She created a symphonic backdrop to the dinner.
Henry, momentarily forgetting the queen's unsettling glances, found himself captivated by YN's performance. One time at the stables, she told him that she’d sing for the queen during dinner. After that he opted as often as possible for the evening shift, just to hear her sing. YN, clad in her simple dress, closed her eyes as she poured her heart into the song.
The unease caused by the queen's advances faded into the background. He felt drawn to the authenticity in her voice, to the way the melodies she wove seemed to touch something deep within him. In that moment, the castle's grandeur faded, he imagined being alone with her in the woods; walking hand in hand by the riverside. The purity in her voice made his heart skip a beat and carried his thoughts to a place in his mind where he could be with her. As the dinner continued, he found himself torn between his duty to the queen and the undeniable pull of her music.
The dinner had come to an end, leaving the castle halls draped in shadows and silence. Sir Cavill accompanied the queen to the door of her private chambers. As they reached the queen's chamber, she turned to face him, her eyes lingering with a suggestive twinkle and her stiff fingers grazed his forarm "Sir Cavill," she began, her voice a seductive murmur "the night is young, and the company is scarce. Would you not care to join me for a while?"
He was familiar to the rumors about the unfaithful queen, but he never believed a word of it until now that he heard the inappropriate invitation. He responded with a friendly smile, deflecting the implied advance, her words stinging at him like poison.
"Your Majesty, I am truly honored by your invitation, but duty calls. I must check on the king before I retire for the night." His flight instincts kicking in.
Her disappointed gaze shifted into a gracious smile and she lifter her chin "Of course, Sir Cavill. Duty always comes first, like father like son. Perhaps another time."
With a respectful bow, Henry bid her goodnight and left her. He strode down the dimly lit corridor and was thankful to be released from the tension the queen had sat on him. Passing by the king's chambers, he approached the door but refrained from knocking as he heard the arguing voices of Sir Carnell and the king, strained to catch every word of the conversation.
"What were you thinking, Carnell? All these years, keeping her true identity hidden," the king's voice was broken by a cough, but his anger was very present.
"Your Majesty, I did what I believed was in her best interest. And foremost to protect you, my lord. The kingdom is fraught with dangers, and the less known about her lineage, the safer she would be – the safer you would be."
"She deserves to know the truth. I've been living a lie, and she, unknowingly, has been part of that lie. It's not fair to her," the king's tone softened, revealing the weight of the burden he carried.
"But, sire, the castle walls have ears. There are those who would exploit this information. I sought to protect YN from the machinery of the court. If this knowledge reaches the wrong person, it could be used against you and against the crown. It would put her in grave danger" Carnell pleaded.
Henry clenched his fists, his jaw muscles feathered as he heard the revelation. YN, the kind, innocent and unassuming maid, was entangled in a web of secrets far more intricate than he could have imagined.
Since the first day he saw her, he thought of her like she was holy creature of a mystic tale. It was a warm day of spring. Before he saw her, he heard her sing. She sat at the stables and sung a sweet melody, enchanting all the horses. Their friendship developed quickly. She adored to hear all of his adventures as a knight, and he admired her vast knowledge of all kinds. Sometimes she read to him during her lunch break or if she had the afternoon off, other times they discussed what hairstyle would suit the horses best. He thought he knew her through and through. Was he wrong? Could it be that she was a spy from another kingdom? Was she the one reason the king and queen got threats from? He questioned his knowledge of human nature.
Just as he pondered his next move, the chamber door swung open, and he found himself face to face with Sir Carnell. His usually calm demeanor wavered for a moment as he looked at Henry, assessing the situation.
He pressed through the door into the corridor, the king hasn’t noticed the knight’s presence "Sir Cavill! Did you hear anything?"
Henry, deciding to be truthful, nodded "Enough to know that YN is more than she seems. What is this about?" his hand flew to the handle of his sword.
“Calm down Sir Cavill, no need for overhasty conclusions. I will tell you everything you need to know, but not here.” He said in a whisper. At that Henrys curiosity took over and he followed the librarian to another room where nobody could hear them.
Carnell carefully checked all corners and behind the curtains if they were alone. He sighed, acknowledging the need for transparency "You might not remember, but long time ago, there were tales, rumors, that there was a lost princess of the realm. She is the secret daughter of the king. She truly is the lost princess. Since she was born, I've tasked myself with keeping her safe, and with recent threats to the throne, I fear she may be in danger."
Henry's brows furrowed in a mixture of shock and concern "Danger? What kind of danger?"
"There are those who would see her as a threat, a potential claimant to the throne.”
“Her mother isn’t our queen?”
“No, she isn’t. I will tell you about that when the right time comes. But now I need your help, Sir Cavill. I have to do dome investigation and I need you to fulfill your duty and look out for the princess. Protect her discreetly but let no one know of her true lineage. The less attention drawn to her, the safer she will be." Carnell begged.
Either if she was a maid or a princess, he had a soft spot for her and nodded solemnly "I'll do what it takes to keep her safe. But, Sir Carnell, secrets have a way of surfacing. What happens when the truth unravels?"
Carnell 's gaze was steady "We'll cross that bridge if we come to it. I’ll arrange that her service will take place within the stables and the grounds, where you can have an eye on her. For now, focus on ensuring YN's safety."
