Isabella was standing behind the rails in the stable, wearing the clothes Maggie had prepared for her: a white long-sleeved blouse, a pair of black gloves and boots, and a riding cap. Her hair was braided into a ponytail.She was getting impatient."Where is Erik?" she asked Maggie."Last I checked, he was preparing the horses," Maggie replied.Not long after, Erik approached with two horses, one black and the other white.Erik was riding the black horse while holding the reins of the white one.The pure black stallion looked majestic and regal, like the horse of a king. Erik, riding it tall and proud, emitted a kingly aura.Erik stopped just a few meters from her, alighted from the horse, and held both reins while walking slowly towards her."Sorry, my princess, for making you wait," he said with a sweet smile. "Are you ready?"Isabella, still in a daze from watching Erik riding the horse, didn't see when Erik stood in front of her and snapped back to reality."Ah? You... said?" she
Isabella felt her heart thump when Erik smiled at her."Alright then, try giving Blossom a nudge for her to move forward," Erik instructed. Isa did as she was told and gave Blossom a gentle nudge with her feet. Blossom started to move."Oh my goodness, she's moving," Isabella exclaimed in amazement. Erik stood proudly by the side, maintaining a safe distance."That's good. Don't be too stiff while she is walking. Let your body flow with the horse's movements," Erik said.Isabella did as she was told, and Blossom was moving easily."You're doing great, princess," Erik praised her."Really? Thanks," she smiled happily."Now try trotting. Give your nudge more strength," Erik instructed.Isabella gave Blossom a stronger nudge, and she started trotting."Look Erik, I am doing it. Blossom is trotting well," Isabella called out to him."That's good, princess," Erik said.He mounted his stallion and caught up with her."Let's ride together," Erik smiled. "This is Shadow. He is a very proud ho
Isabella looked at Erik, wondering why he asked her that question.Erik waited patiently for her to answer.“Well, if I am given an opportunity to travel, then I want to see the vast ocean first. I want to see those vast waters that stretch as far as the eyes can see. Then I want to see the valleys and mountains. Then I want to visit the surrounding kingdoms and get to know the people there. Then maybe also see the snowy land of Geneva,” Isabella expressed her wishes happily."Hmm, that’s such a long list," Erik teased her.“That’s not even half of it," Isabella said, smiling. “I also want to meet people from different cultures and learn many…”Isabella was not able to complete her sentence when she felt Erik press his lips on hers. Erik stole a quick kiss from her, making her freeze for a moment."You look so beautiful when you are happy that I couldn’t resist stealing a kiss," Erik flashed her a smile.She blushed, embarrassed…Trying to escape the heated moment, Isabella kicked Blo
Isabella closed her eyes and braced for impact, but to her surprise, she didn’t feel anything. All she could feel were warm hands gently holding her. She opened her eyes and saw Erik looking at her with worry."Isabella, are you okay?" Erik asked anxiously.She nodded in affirmation. She started gauging her body for any pain or broken bones, but she didn’t feel any. Subconsciously, she smiled, happy that she was fine. The adrenaline rush she had earlier lost its power, and her racing heart felt at ease at seeing Erik.“Princess, Princess!” she could hear a familiar voice calling out to her, but as if from a distance. Maggie yelled worriedly, but her consciousness was fading."Princess Isa,” Maggie kept calling out to her. Isabella wanted to respond, but her consciousness was darkening fast, until she passed out.Thirty minutes later, Erik was inside the princess's chambers, watching the doctor as he took care of her.“How is the princess?” He asked.“The princess fainted because of sh
In an unknown location, in the middle of the forest that led to the boundary between Wales and Avalon, a lady was seen tied up on a chair. Her face was covered with a sack, and she kept screaming and pleading for mercy.“Who are you people? What are you doing with me? Why am I here? Please let me go,” she sobbed non-stop.“Don’t you remember what you have done? Why are you feigning ignorance? Do you have dementia? A few hours ago, you attempted to kill the third princess of Wales. Can you recall?” the voice of Kyler pierced through the air.The lady shivered after hearing Kyler’s words. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she denied. “I am innocent.”“Oh really, you think no one saw you?” Kyler said. “Too bad you weren’t so smart. One of the servants saw you run out of the stables suspiciously.”The lady shivered even more. “I-I made an errand to the stables, that’s why I was there. Please let me go,” she cried out.“Aren’t you afraid of what we can do to you? Are you still lyi
It was early in the morning, the next day. Isabella opened her eyes slowly and looked around. It was still dark outside. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light, when she saw someone sitting by her bedside. She sat up and touched the person, realizing it was Maggie; she shook her and she woke up.“Princess, you are awake!” Maggie said worriedly.“How long was I sleeping?” Isabella asked curiously. Her head was hurting so bad.“Princess, since you lost consciousness after the horseback riding incident yesterday afternoon, you have been sleeping. And last night your temperature was high,” Maggie updated her.“So I had a fever?” Isabella thought within her. No wonder she wasn’t feeling good.Maggie felt her forehead with her hands.“You are still hot, princess,” Maggie exclaimed. “Please lie down and rest for now. I will be here to look after you, so you do not worry. I will get you some ice tea. The doctor said you need plenty of rest to regain your strength,” Maggie said. Isabella no
It was a cool afternoon. Isabella was done with her studies with Erik when Phillips came to visit."Good afternoon, Princess Isabella," Phillips greeted. "Good afternoon, Sir Erik.""Good afternoon, young Lord Phillips," Erik greeted."How are you doing, Phil?" Isabella asked.“I’ve been quite busy in the last few days, my princess. I am sorry I wasn’t able to visit you when you were sick,” Phillips replied.Isabella looked at him smiling. His eyes were really looking tired and saggy.“Oh, do not worry, I am already better,” she assured him.“That is good to hear,” he said.“But you look tired. Did something happen in the last few days that stressed you out?” Isabella was concerned, as she noticed that Phillips had eye bags under his eyes."Phillips is still a young lord, so taking care of the dukedom is still his father’s responsibility, not his," Isabella thought within her.Phillips sighed. “You remember Charles, right? Charles Danbury.”Isabella nodded. “Isn’t he Camila’s suitor,
They all walked towards the garden. Phillips was right beside Isabella, while Maggie and Erik followed behind them. Phillips and Isabella were chatting happily, while Erik sulked with a sour look on his face. Maggie couldn’t help but smile at the observation.“Sir Erik, are you okay?” Maggie asked. She could feel the coldness emanating from Erik.“I’m fine. Why do you ask?” he said with a fake smile.“Well, the princess and Sir Phillips are getting along, and they seem quite happy in each other’s company,” Maggie teased him.“What does that have to do with me?” he asked her.“You also like the princess, don’t you, Sir Erik?” Maggie confronted him.Erik became silent. His coldness turned into a sweet and soft smile. Maggie didn’t need to hear his answer. Erik’s body language said it all.“My princess is still young and naive,” Maggie explained. “She wasn’t given the opportunities a princess deserves, but she has a pure and innocent heart, and that makes her better than her stepsisters.