And a week after that:
For a week, Makedonios's and Anna's entourage toured the countryside of Cyprus. The Princess wanted to visit the people of Cyprus and they were more than happy to have her. Since the island had been retaken from the Arabs over a hundred years ago, the people of Cyprus had felt as if they were treated like a backwater post of the Empire. Having the daughter of the Emperor visit with them helped dispel some of those hurt feelings.
But, surrounded by guards and servants, Makedonios and Anna had not had a chance to have a private talk. Tonight he hoped to change that. He purposely made sure the last stop on her tour was his a strip of land that he owned over on the northeast corner of the island. The group rode up to a gate that was guarded by members of the army units that were stationed on Cyprus. He turned to the Princess,
"Here we are your Highness. I know we've been wanting a chance to talk to each other the whole time you've been here. I've made extra precautions to ensure privacy and security. Beyond that gate is my private beach. It is guarded at all times and is private property. Being the lord of a province does have it's privileges. I have men patrolling the area and due to the terrain and landscaping, it is impossible to peer in from the outside."
Makedonios gets out of the carriage and holds out his hand to help the Princess down.
Anna took the offered hand and gracefully steeped out of the carriage.
"How thoughtful of you." She gave him a smile, waiting for Makedonios to lead her to the beach.
First Makedonios leaned over to one of his Sergeants, "Vartholomaios, your in charge of the guard. See that no one makes it through the perimeter." The Order member simply nodded in a way that showed quiet competence.
Makedonios then led Anna through the gateway. Going down a path lined with bushes, they came out onto a hill overlooking a beach. The beach was the very northeastern tip of the island of Cyprus and commanded quite a view.
"This is where I come to think. Beyond the horizon is the Holy Land."
Anna stopped to take in the view. She realized this place must be why Makedonios is always so calm and controlled, one could truly lose himself in the peaceful scenery.
"I believe I've never had the pleasure of enjoying something quite like this." She looked around, as if searching for something out of place. "It is so quite and serene here, thank you for sharing this with me Makedonios." She did not usually thank anyone, for all services rendered to her were only part of the order of things. Yet, this time, she felt it was appropriate and necessary.
Makedonios bowed his head slightly. "It is my pleasure. I thought you could use the chance to relax a little after everything that has happened."
At the mention of the attack on her person, she unconsciously moved a hand over her left shoulder, where the blade had struck her. Even though she maintained a smile, the memory of that event brought her pain that could be seen through her eyes.
Realizing what he brought up, Makedonios regretted his earlier comment.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you. I wish I could have been there. At least your scar is somewhere that can be covered up."
With that, he points to his face where a gash can clearly be seen.
At the mention of a scar she shook her head lightly.
"You misunderstand, the wound itself does not bother me. What troubles me is what it represents... How will I ever feel safe again in the Palace?"
Anna was on the verge of breaking down, but managed to hold her composure. Nevertheless, her voice conveyed sadness and bitterness. "Why would anyone wish me harm?"
The question was not entirely truthful, she had her suspicions. Yet, she found the whole thing terribly unfair. What had she done that warranted her death?
Makedonios nodded. "Your right, the real wounds are within. I still have nightmares about the day I got my scar. All you can do is face your fears. Or they will control you. As for who would wish you harm, unfortunately the list of suspects is probably rather long. For better or worse, you are seen as a route to power and leverage against your father. Those who wish to hurt him, have reason to hurt you. Those who wish to stop you from getting close to their political enemies, have reason to hurt you. I wish I had better answers."
"I suppose you are right." She sighed. "Let us forget about that, dwelling on it will do me no good. Let us enjoy the moment." Without saying another word, she led Makedonios closer to the sea.
Nodding, he followed her and watched the waves wash in for a moment. Finally he turned to her.
"There has been something I have been wanting to tell you. I want you to know I have developed feelings for you. Now I don't expect anything and I'm not asking for anything. I'm sure you have enough going on right now. But I felt you needed to know. I've come to realize what a wonderful person you are and I have started to care for you. A lot."
Anna jerked around suddenly to face him, as if someone had just struck her. Anguish was evident in her features as she slowly backed away from Makedonios in denial.
"No... not you too. No!"
While many men might wilt or plead, he just stood there calmly. He shook his head.
"It's not like that. This isn't some infatuation or play at power. And it certainly isn't a marriage proposal. This is simply how I feel. Others see you as some prize to win. I don't see you that way. But I do care for you and I thought you deserved to know."
Anna stopped and tried to swallow back her emotions while a hint of sadness crept in her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because if there will ever be honesty and trust between us, that kind of thing can't remain hidden. I'd basically be lying to you every minute of every day. And I won't do that." To punctuate it, Makedonios shakes his head while saying the last sentence.
"Yet, you know it cannot be, you with your oath and me with my duty. I appreciate you Makedonios, but I will never be able to return the feelings you have expressed."
With that Makedonios smiled.
"You might learn the hard way that feelings aren't so easily commanded. You feel how you feel. Do you think I would have chosen to feel this way? To be so conflicted with my faith? To scare someone who I have been starting to feel is a friend? As for my oath, the Order's Charter actually has a provision for this possibility but it is moot if you don't feel the same way. It is enough for me that you know the truth."
Anna looked down, almost in shame.
"Nevertheless, your candor pushes me to examine what I feel. I fear if I look too deeply into myself, a river of emotions will pour out, flooding all reason. My... my feelings must remain irrelevant if I am to perform my duty. All I can say is that I have not yet met a worthier man to marry..."
She was in turmoil, unsure of herself. These last month had overwhelmed her and have profoundly changed her life. She turned her back to Makedonios, wishing he would not see her growing distress and confusion.
With pain and sorrow evident in his voice he spoke,
"I'm sorry your duty forces you to ignore your own feelings. In some ways, I feel you have a harder job than I do. No one asks me to deny who I am."
The words made her reconsider her statements. It was not impossible for her to have feelings for someone else, but until she was married, it would make things unduly complicated.
"If your feelings are true then you should ask the Basileus for my hand. As a wife I will love you, as a princess I cannot..."
For once, something she said finally shocked him. His mouth gaped a little bit before he could speak.
"But I won't do that until I know you feel the same way. Maybe it is not important to some people. But is important to me. Your not the only one with duties. I have a duty to the Order. And while there is a provision that will allow me to continue to serve them, it would be in a very different capacity. I have started something with them and I need to follow through on it. I won't change that unless the person I care for feels the same way about me."
"If you don't feel the same way about me now, I understand. Then we move on. But if you did..." Makedonios left the sentence hanging there. It was clear that the answer from her could change both of their lives forever.
Anna looked to the vast expanse of the sea, trying to find her focus. She wanted him to ask her father for her hand in marriage, yet she owed him the truth.
"I do not know myself what I feel. I like you very much Makedonios, but I do not know what love is or if I have any. The only thing I can say with certainty, is that I would rather have you as a husband instead of any other. Isn't that enough?"
Hearing those words from her made his heart melt.
"Yes it is. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your honesty with me. That was a very brave thing you just did."
All of a sudden they were interrupted by Vartholomaios who was walking up the path. Makedonios said to him, "I thought I gave orders not to be disturbed."
His Sergeant just handed him an envelop with the Emperor's seal and walked back to the gate. Opening the letter and reading it, Makedonios looked up.
"In light of what you've just told me your Highness, you definitely need to know this. The Emperor just gave the navy orders to move my Order to Antioch... immediately. I must say, I am surprised to get the orders to move so quickly. It seems your talks with him on my behalf might have helped."
Anna faced him once more. "I told my father you would be a staunch supporter of his if he granted you that fleet. Did I err?"
Makedonios shook his head no, "No, you did not err. But I didn't think it would work. I was under the impression that he didn't like me very much."
"But I thought you had to know that I am leaving soon. I'm a soldier. If you still want me to ask your father, I will ask him for your hand. I have no idea if he'll actually agree to it. But you have been brave for me so now it is my turn."
Anna took a few steps foreward, returning closer to Makedonios. "At worst, if he denies you, things will stay the same as they are right now. You should not fear in asking him, you certainly won't be the first and I doubt he will take offense."
Makedonios nodded.
"Your right. It's better that we got this out in the open between us, no matter how it goes."
Anna looked back to the sea. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to take the time to enjoy this scenery I will soon have to leave." With that, she took slow steps towards the deep blue expanse. Once she was near the water, she sat down and simply stared into the horizon.
Makedonios followed her down, and while maintaining a respectable space in between them, he sat down next to her.
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