WITH RIFTAN'S HELP I FELT LIKE THE TIME PASSED FASTER and the work was much easier. He helped me inspect the whole stable area and check the horses. They didn't need much, only some wood to keep the horses warm till the end of the winter, which wasn't too far away.

Riftan made sure to check his horse first and give him food, water and to brush him. I love watching this side of Riftan-the more caring and gentle side. I can't stop thinking how my future queen is going to see this side of him every day.

But for someone, who's about to experience the best thing in life, which is marriage, Riftan didn't look to happy about it. It was written on his face-he was troubled. He way he was brushing his fingers through his horse's hair and just stared at its eyes made me worry so much for him. I put my notes to the side and I walk closely to Riftan.

"Do you wanna talk about something?", I ask and I sat on a upside down turned bucket to rest for a little. Riftan chuckled a little bit, but he didn't took his eyes off of the horse.

"Do I look like I have something to say?", he hits me with a question back.

"Yeah, you look like you have a lot to say".

"How do you know me so well, Eleanor?", he finally looks down on me and smiled, but it was a pretty weak smile. Nothing to major.

"Because I've been by my Lord's side for so long, I know how you usually act".

Riftan bends down to get the brush for the horse's ruff and continued to brush it gently and carefully. I watched him closely and observe his face, while he tried everything in his power to avoid my gaze.

"It's about that marriage", Riftan finally began to talk and he lets out a deep sight, like he was about to get all the pain out and his chest let the bad air out, "I can't believe I have to marry a woman I don't even love, just to bring peace between Anatol and Duke Croix. I mean..I've never had a woman by my side, what am I suppose to do with her?".

I keep forgetting, that this marriage was actually arranged by Duke Croix not long ago, actually..it happened exactly after Riftan won the battle against the dragon, but Riftan was avoiding it for so long. He eventually had to give in and marry that woman. It hurts me to know my Lord's destiny.

"I'm sure madam Maximilian Croix is going to be a wonderful wife..and a wonderful queen to us too", I stood up from the bucket and I walk past him to continue writing the last details down, "and what it comes to what you can do, there are certain things women don't like".

"And they are?", Riftan asked.

"Well, first thing..you need to be more gentle with a woman. She's not one of your knights, you can't scream at her, you can't treat her like she's as strong as you. You have to treat her like she's the most gentle flower in the garden".

"What else, Eleanor?".

"You can't force yourself on her. One lady can never sleep with a man just like that, you have to find a way to make her comfortable enough to agree on sleeping with you, my Lord".

"But...she'll be my wife? Isn't that enough to make her be intimate with me?".

"No", I looked back at him and I furrowed my eyebrow together, "she's still a human being and if she doesn't want to be intimate with you, you have to accept it".

"Gee. Anything else?", Riftan rolled his eyes and got back to brushing the horse.

"Just be yourself, but less meaner, less louder and less hornier", I chuckled a little bit and I heard him cracking a chuckle too, "I'm sure you'll fall in love with her the same way she's going to fall for you. You can expect to get and give love to anyone", I explained.

"Wow, you sure know a lot about love. Are you sure you aren't the one, who wrote the love letter to me?", Riftan chuckled.

His words rang in my ears and I got so scared, that he caught me. I tried to turn to him and tell him it wasn't me, but I got trapped in a rope next to the bucket I was previously sitting on and I almost fell. I knocked Riftan's horse bucket with water and it fell right on Riftan's head. I was shocked. Riftan removed the bucket from his head and he looked at me. But to my surprise he wasn't mad.

"Oh, my Lord! I'm so sorry", I quickly got my leg out of the rope trap and I ran up to him and took the bucket from his hands, "Please, let me bring you some dry clothes, I'm sorry".

"It's okay, Eleanor, don't bother. I'll just remove the shirt and cover with my cloak", he explained and before I could say something to him he was already undressing.

Riftan removed the wet shirt off him and his now wet dark skinned body was right in my face. His abs and chest only millimetres away from me. If I try to reach it..I can touch it. I felt my saliva was about to start dripping from my mouth and my eyes fell on his hard abs. His body is amazing. Knights sure have amazing structure of their bodies. Incredible.

Riftan might've noticed the way I was staring at him and leans closer to my face. I immediately stepped back and I look away hoping he won't notice my red cheeks. I was blushing so much, only the thought of touching his body makes me so excited. I tried to turn around, but he caught my arms and turns me around to face him. Then my hands touch his chest.

"What's wrong, Eleanor, do I make you nervous?", Riftan slowly said next to my ear, his voice was low, but he wasn't whispering. I felt goosebumps running down my spine.

"M-My Lord, please..put your cloak on, you're going to catch a cold", I pushed him back and I gave him his black cloak with the symbol of Anatol on the back. He took it from me.

"What, if I wanna stay like that?", he smirked and held his cloak in one hand, "Aren't you enjoying the view, Eleanor?", he winks at me.

"Riftan, please", I turn around and I tried to calm myself down. I heard Riftan laughing at me and I see his shadow moving.

"You know, Eleanor, you're telling me, that forcing myself on my wife is bad, but you should try it. I see, that your basic needs are calling", he explained.

"RIFTAN!", I turn around and I smack him across the biceps. He laughed once again.

"What? Ain't no shame in that? Plus, you are a beautiful woman. I doubt there's a man, who will reject your body, Eleanor".

You're going to be surprised how you are that man, Riftan, I thought to myself, but I didn't say anything. Instead I just took my stuff and I walk off the stables. Riftan ran after me and he apologised for his behaviour. I pretended like I don't like it, but secretly I love, when he teases me. It makes me feel butterflies.

UNEDITED