CHAPTER 3

“Miss, you are in the restricted grounds of the forest.” The voice dripped like honey, yet it had a sharp edge to it. “Miss?”

I pinched myself and stood straighter. “I am here on the princess’s order. She had requested for these flowers.”  I said trying to keep my voice calm. I could not let anyone know that I go out into the woods on my own without the guards, Father will never let me out again.

“Why does she need the flowers?” Why couldn’t this man just leave?

Backing myself towards Trixie, I took the flowers and placed it in her saddle. “You aren’t supposed to question the princess’s intentions.” I said, getting back on my horse, while I heard him do the same.

Even though I wasn’t facing the man, I could feel his intense stare on me. “Who are you?” He asked, his voice lacing with curiosity. “You are not just a maid in the palace, my lady.” My silence made the man continue, “A maid wouldn’t be wearing those boots and I have heard of the remarkable horse of the princess, on whom you are riding.”

Sitting straighter on my horse, I smiled at his observation, but I couldn’t reveal my identity to him. “I am just an ordinary lady maid, sir. The princess was in a hurry which is why she let me ride her horse. Now if I may leave… my lady waits for me. If I delay any further, she will not be pleased.” I heard him scoff and then remain silent. “Is something wrong, sir?”

“Just not surprised that your Lady will be angry if you are late in getting her flowers. It is not like she can do anything better than just sitting in her chambers and preserve the unrivalled beauty of hers.” This time his voice held pity and disappointment, but I felt the sudden urge to defend myself in front of this man.

“You are speaking of the princess, sir. You can get arrested for the disrespect you hold against her. You cannot judge her for things in which she has no authority over. You don’t see what happens inside the palace, sir.”

I heard his horse neigh, as if tired of this conversation and wanting to go back to riding, well I am not feeling too inclined to keep this going either. “I have only spoken the truth, that the people of Valadora do not see. Putting me to arrest is a decision you will have to make, Your highness.”

He knew I was the princess all along. I turned my face slightly to look at the flowers one last time before I left. “You are wrong about her.” I said pulling Trixie’s reins as she pushed off into a start.

“I do not think I am wrong at what I see, your Highness. And ride carefully, the kingdom shouldn’t lose its precious princess.” He yelled after me, making me kick Trixie harder than I intended too. I should have looked at his face, so that I could send a guard to arrest that arrogant man.

Is this what the people of Valadora think of me? That I am just an arrogant beautiful princess? A tear slipped off my eye before I could stop it making me angrier at myself. I looked at the sundial and knew that my time was up for the day. I thought I would be returning in a better mood today than when I left, but I have only come back feeling worse about myself.

Guiding Trixie back into the stable, I went through the backdoors of the kitchen and changed back to my original clothes as Gwen helped tie my corset, as guilt twinged at my heart. “I apologize for using my title on you, Gwen.”

She smiled at me as she fixed the bracelet on my wrist. “I forgive you, Erza. Did you have an enjoyable time?”

Shrugging, I took the flowers and went into the gardens before finding the perfect spot for the new ones and then picking up a spade to create a bed for the roots. “You can always ask the servants to help you out with this, Izzy.”

Closing my eye, I pressed a finger to my temple. “I am fine, Emerson. I like doing this, and this does not require your intelligence.” I said snapping at him while placing the flowers.

He sighed, “Izzy, are you feeling better? Your lady maid said that you were not feeling good. You even missed painting lessons.” I got up from the ground and brushed the mud of my dress when I saw him waving towards the guards, who brought me a cloth to clean my hands.

“Thank you for your concern, brother but I would like to be left alone for a while.” I left him staring behind me and went back to my chambers after I called Sera, “Why did you tell my brother that I was not feeling well?”

She trembled in her spot, “The prince came to see you after breakfast, and you didn’t want anyone to disturb you.” Getting mad at her isn’t the best solution to all this mess and I will only be proving the man in the forest right. “My lady, should I draw you a bath?” I looked at the frayed ends of my hair, and the dirt on the hem of my dress at the mirror and nodded.

She bowed and left the chamber to prepare my bath and once she returned, she looked like she wanted to spill a secret. “What is it, Sera?”

“Prince Erwin is back.”