For the next couple of nights, I did not sleep well, concerned that Richard may openly display his affection for me in some way like he had done on our picnic. It turned out that my immediate fears were unfounded. Even when we were alone on the following two gaming evenings, he behaved himself.

Knowing that Richard's birthday was approaching, I arranged a day to visit my parents. My father had taught me woodwork as well as his trade in case I should ever need to fall back on the skill when times were difficult. My parents were delighted to see me, and my father allowed me access to all the tools I needed to work on Richard's birthday present. He also insisted on helping me with the more time-consuming parts so that I could get it finished that day.

The result was a small wooden deer, around four inches in height. Pleased with the result, I thanked my parents and rode back to the castle, just in time to join Annabelle for our evening meal.

After I washed and dressed for games with Richard, I took out a large pretty green handkerchief that I had bought from the market in Garrow. I put the wooden deer inside and tied it with string, tucking it into the back of my drawer to await Richard's birthday.

With everything in order, I walked the small distance up the corridor to Richard's room and knocked on his door.

"Come in," he called as he usually did.

I entered Richard's quarters to find that he was not at the gaming table as I expected him to be. Nor was he pouring wine. I scanned the room and saw movement coming from the bed. I cautiously navigated my way across the chamber to investigate.

I found Richard lying on the four-poster bed, his head propped up on one elbow with a red rose between his teeth.

"Richard, what are you doing?" I asked, confused.

He removed the rose from between his teeth with his free hand.

"Attempting to woo the one I love," he replied, putting it back again once he had finished speaking.

"By eating a flower?" I chuckled as I looked at him sceptically.

He removed the bloom again to reply.

"It's romantic," he stated, and resumed his original position.

"It's ridiculous," I choked back another giggle and attempted to look more solemn.

He separated himself from the rose and sat up on the bed.

"Do you have no sense of romance?" he asked.

"Do you have no sense of self-preservation?" I shot back, still endeavouring to stifle a grin and conduct a serious demeanour, but to no avail.

Richard could see I was trying not to smile and leaped off the bed, landing less than a few inches from me. His amused face crept closer to mine.

"You enjoy my conduct. Admit it," he challenged. A shiver rolled down my spine.

"I will not," I replied.

Richard brought his face an inch closer to mine and my heart sped up.

"Because it is not the truth? Or because you are stubborn?" His gaze fell to my mouth before moving back to my eyes, and my groin involuntarily twitched with anticipation. I glanced at his lips in return. They were so close. It was taking every ounce of willpower I had not to kiss him. My pulse quickened and I could almost taste the static in the air. I looked back to his eyes.

I gathered my senses and turned, facing away from him completely. I did enjoy his playful nature, but I was not about to confess it to him.

"You ask too many questions," I remarked, and walked back towards the gaming table, sitting down in my usual chair when I reached it.

"Sebastian," Richard's voice was slightly strained as he continued. "Do you know what you are doing to me?"

Yes, because it is happening to me too.

I composed myself.

"And that is another question," I replied. "Are we gaming, or am I leaving?"

"I am not about to approve that you leave when you have only just arrived."

"Then sit and play, Richard," I replied. "That is why I am here tonight. I have not come to watch you consume plants."

Richard chuckled at my comment and sat down opposite me and dealt us fifteen cards from a double pack. Canasta, then.

I was well practised at focusing on our games while being distracted by my emotions, but evidently, Richard was not. He was fidgety and made some mistakes that he would not normally have made. After winning two games I really had no right to win, I challenged him on it.

"Your heart is not in the game tonight?"

"My heart has other priorities," he said, looking at me meaningfully.

A few seconds later, his hand slid across the table and found mine, making my heart skip a beat. The sensation created by his touch rolled through every nerve ending in my being, like he was touching me everywhere all at once. I concealed my reaction to the best of my ability and retracted my hand, although I suspected he had noticed the change in my breathing and the pained expression on my face.

"Why do you continue to deny yourself?" he asked.

"You know why," I responded, my frustration seeping through into my tone. "Why do you continue to embarrass yourself?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I do not feel embarrassed," he answered. "Not about who I am, and not about my feelings for you. I would still shout it from the treetops if I did not have to hide it for other reasons."

He sighed and sat back in his chair.

"However," he continued, "I do admit that my emotions are running away with me tonight and impeding my concentration. Much as I would like to persuade you to remain a while longer, I cannot focus on our games this evening. I understand if you would prefer to leave."

I was torn, as I often was these days. Part of me thought that leaving, especially while Richard was in this mindset, was probably a good idea. But another part of me wanted to spend as much time with him as I reasonably could. I started to pack the playing cards away.

"Would you like me to leave?" I asked, concluding that I would leave the decision to Richard, as I was finding the dilemma troublesome.

"Of course not," Richard replied. "I would have you stay all night if I could," he added with a mischievous smirk as his eyes roamed over me.

I was flattered and could not help but smile at his good nature.

"Then I will stay a while," I said, putting the cards back on the shelf in the correct place and sitting back down. "If you are able to keep your hands to yourself."

"I cannot promise that," he chuckled. "But I will try." He paused for a minute, before continuing. "Are you aware that my father has organised some birthday celebration for me on Sunday?" He rolled his eyes. "It is bound to be a tedious affair."

The remainder of the evening was spent talking about a variety of different topics. Richard conducted himself respectfully and I stayed until I was tired, before wishing him a good night and retiring for the evening.

The following Sunday was the day before Richard's actual birthday, and, as Richard had told me, the king insisted on inviting various dignitaries for a buffet feast. Richard had protested but softened before it caused an argument.

It was a grand affair, exactly the sort Richard hated.

Extra staff were needed to bring hot food and clear away plates. We were offered extra pay plus a hot meal to participate, but I would have accepted the opportunity regardless. It meant I was able to watch Richard look uncomfortable in his finest clothes. I suspect that to everyone else he looked relaxed and like he was enjoying his celebrations, but I had come to understand the subtleties in his body language and facial expressions that gave him away.

For the most part, our interaction was minimal. There were two occasions where Richard brushed shoulders with me, and I shivered both times. I was not sure whether the act had been deliberate or not.

As the guests dispersed, Richard and I found ourselves alone for a moment at the buffet table.

"Happy birthday, Your Highness," I said in a low voice with a grin, gesturing subtly to the extravagant party and the noble guests, before stacking together the remaining plates.

He smirked at my teasing.

"You had better be gaming with me tomorrow evening," he replied so that only I could hear. "I need a break from all of this already."

I simply nodded and disappeared from the hall for the last time that evening, delivering the empty plates to the kitchen and delivering myself to bed.