[b]"If it will make you feel better you can watch. It will make us even, yes?"[/b]

[i]Did she really have to say that....and in that tone?[/i] Not the usual of her lady, Crystal's jovial and often deviously cheerful voice that would be utilized to punctuate such a demeaning thought to Irina, of course to deliver it as only a joke of sorts. No....to the woman it sounded as if the Princess was more sincere and perhaps....actually serious about Irina taking a peek upon the more...unexpected side of the girl, and naturally out of due respect to not just the Princess but also the royal daughter of His Majesty the King, Irina would refuse greatly such an offer, but of recent....this offer seemed rather tempting to decline...but of course she must. No way...never in any way would the honorable knight look upon her lady...with the most licentious and volatile of lustful intentions. In other words, accepting a chance to see Crystal disrobe before her....[s]maybe later on[/s]. But damn were her cheeks ever reddened, blushing brightly at this notion of the Princess. "I assure you, M'lady, I would never do such a thing." She sighed in reply to Crystal. "And besides, twas only an accident. I'll be sure to keep my door locked next time." Gathering from her wardrobe a small, jewel encrusted [url=http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/images/Category/medium/13.png]dagger[/url] and slipping the blade scabbard and all into her belt, perched firmly next to her sword, she trailed behind the Princess, cautiously of course, from her room and out into the hall again, making sure that once the two arrived to the chamber door of Crystal, she would plant herself firmly against the wall outside her lady's room and dare not to peek in....that is if Crystal kept her door open, and Irina be damned if such didn't happen. [i]Ugh![/i]

There were times, yes...a few times when her curious eyes would try slyly to stray over to the small sliver of light between the wall and the precariously cracked door, just to gain a small glimpse of Crystal...without clothing, but Irina was sure to snap her eyes back to their appointed place, facing the wall opposite of her, with a firm, mental slap upon the wrist. [i]Stop it![/i] She scolded herself, a quick squint of her troubling eyes and a huff of irritance. Finally after only a few minutes...which seemed much longer to the again flustered knight, the Princess emerged from her room, beautiful as always and that delectable scent of lavender ever present upon her, charming the knight... 

"A walk does seem rather relaxing for today, M'lady. It is quite beautiful outside." Irina replied calmly as she could, straying close beside the Princess in her more protective and authoritative manner. "Where shall we go then? Possibly to the eastern forest? It would be very-" But in the most unfortunance for the knight, she was crudely interrupted....by none other than the idiots. [i]"Hate to spoil yer morning plans, lady knight, but the King wishes to see ye."[/i] The King...wishes to see...her? But whatever for Irina wondered, alerted greatly by Pindel's abrupt cutting-in of his boisterous voice. "Me?" Was the only response the knight could seem to give, bewildered such and a tad nervous as to what particular reason His Majesty would call upon her. Could it have been.... [i]Dear Goddess....I knew it would have repercussions, yet why did I even agree to such? I never should've considered once sharing a bed with M'lady Crystal. Oh....such a punishment I will endure for this most foul of acts...[/i] "Ah...r-right then. I shall go then, but...who will keep watch of M'lady in my absence?" 

[i]"Ahh don'tcha worry 'about that, lady knight!"[/i] The fat one guffawed, followed behind by that walking stick Versetti. [i]"Versetti and me shall keep good eye on the Princess. Why, me lad here's been training his arse off to be a better guard. Versetti! Defensive position!"[/i] And with that quick command, the stick snapped into action, so to speak, rather humorously and indeed inexpertly taking up what Irina considered in her own personal knowledge of the martial art....the worst fighting position imaginable. "Well.....it's a start I suppose." Rather sly did she slip by that insult, though not much in the jesting manner, as the anxiety of this ill fated meeting with His Majesty was commencing to claw at her. "I shall leave M'lady Crystal in your care then, Sir Pindel and Sir Versetti, but if anything is to happen to her.....I swear we shall be having the most harsh of words. M'lady, will you be alright with these two until I return?" As much as she wanted to await her lady's response, time was of the essence, and such a dishonor it would be to ruse impatience from His Majesty. "Right then. I must be off." Turning heel, she made her way, gradually but with a firm step, towards the throne room of the King.