Reveal yourself

You're not a child anymore, and neither is Pia - it seems best not to act childishly, hiding in the bushes watching while she bathes. You step out of your concealment, preparing to look surprised at having stumbled upon her...

And, your foot comes down on a thick twig, snapping it loudly!

Pia reflexively covers herself, spinning toward you. Her initial expression of surprise turns to shock as recognition strikes her, and then she smiles - the same smile that used to make your heart skip, and still has the power to do so. "Xavier!" she exclaims happily. "What - what are you doing here?"

"Truth be told, I was hoping to find you," you tell her, politely keeping your eyes turned up to meet hers. "I did not mean to intrude, Pia... especially since..." you leave the rest unsaid.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous," she says. "If you had found me in the bathing pools, I would have been wearing even less; and I am not a shy maid to dive for cover rather than show a bit of my skin." Her expression suddenly changes somewhat - she still smiles, but more subdued. "On the other hand, perhaps I forgive too readily. How long have you been standing there watching me?"

"No more than a fortnight, I swear," you tell her, and she giggles. "But in all seriousness, I only just now came around the bend. I should have realized you might be bathing, I do ask your pardon for invading your privacy."

"My, such a proper tongue you speak with... is this how Kings are trained to converse with ladies? Perhaps I should kneel, Your Majesty?"

"I hope you know that only my address and my station in life have changed, Pia... I would not have it change anything between us."

"Nor would I," she agrees. "I had thought that when I saw you next, it would be from the crowded square as you made your speech to your subjects and guests... I had not dared to dream that I might find myself alone with you." She pauses, and lets the cloth that scantly covers her drop just a bit. "Do you remember what passed between us, when we were last alone together?"

"Scarcely a day goes by when I have not remembered it," you tell her.

"Memory is a fickle thing," she whispers, as she steps from the stream and approaches you. "Memories fade when they are not rekindled... and even the taste of a first kiss may be forgotten."

"Not possible, when the lips tasted are yours," you whisper as she comes close enough that her pink nipples brush against your ceremonial breastplate. "But, I would not want to take the chance."

She closes her eyes, and raises herself on her toes so that you may reach her...

You have kissed dozens of maids since Pia... such is what it is to be a young, popular, and newly-crowned King, with no shortage of maids who would wish to become your Queen. But no kiss ever felt like the first one - until now, with Pia in your arms again. And this time, your hands stroke down her bare skin and not her rough traveling cloak, touching smooth curves which had only just begun to form when you last knew her.