𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Frist Secret (part 1)

As we entered the town, I could see the people were already looking towards the carriage as if it were made of gold. We were headed straight to the richest part of town - where the right men would see me.

As the carriage pulled to a stop, my stomach lurched with nervousness. I clutched my gloves and stared straight ahead, unaware of my surroundings. Could I live how mother lives? Could I do what everyone tells me to do and cause no problems? Could...

"Hilda!" It was Mother's frosty voice that bought me back.

"I'm fine." I muttered and made to move from the carriage to the cobbled street.

Harlow took my hand and helped me down, then he did the same for mother.

"Take my arm, dear," Mother said under her breath, "and smile." She finished.

"Where are we headed?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I thought we would see some friends of mine and just take a walk around the town, pop into some shops, you know..."

Great, I thought. How interesting. And men are going to ask for my hand in marriage from this one afternoon? Oh I doubt it!

My first thoughts were all but a dream. It wasn't long before men came towards us, bowed their heads, took Mother's hand, placed a kiss on her knuckles and asked permission from her to do the same to me. They would then turn their snobby gracious head to me, introduce themselves, bow their head and brush their lips on my hand. All that time I was thinking about when we could go home and I would be out riding my gorgeous snowy white horse, Storm.

As Mother steered me into a dress shop, I could feel myself becoming faint.

"Whatever's the matter, Hilda?" Mother muttered.

"It's- it's nothing." I replied "I just might wait outside for you."

"Well, you can't do that, who knows what ghastly peasant might try to talk to you."

"Mother, I will be fine." I shook myself out of her grasp and turned the door knob. As I left I head the dressmaker say:

"Well, a lovely young man might walk right up to her, now your not there, and she'll fall in love."

With that the door swung shut with a bang.

A wave of dizziness passed over me. I tried to grab a nearby post for support but missed. Just before I hit the ground, however, I felt warm hands wrap around my body. I fell lip against the person and he shouted for help. I opened my eyes slowly and saw beautiful hazel ones looking back at me.

"Princess Hilda?" He spoke in a soft low voice that warmed me to my bones. I recognized his face to be one of the Hunters.

"Hilda!" This voice was not warming. It was a familiar shriek. "Get away from my daughter, you filthy-"

"Mother!" I only just had enough energy to sound strong a defensive "don't you dare say anything against this young man!"

Mother stopped short of us.

"What did you say?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "What did you say?" It was getting louder so it was time to move. The Hunter helped me to my shaky feet.

"I think it is time to go home." Mother said matter of factly.

I thanked the boy and took mothers arm again. It was a blur going back to the carriage. All I know is that many men checked that I was alright and they were making sure of the day for asking my Father for my hand in marriage.

***

I don't know how we made it back. My vision was hazy and my head was pounding. At least I was back, lying in my homely bed and dreaming about the Hunter. I recognized him of course: his chestnut brown hair that's always slightly ruffled; his voice that I hear every time I walk downstairs for breakfast; the only thing I don't know is his name.

Oh well, I thought, at least I'm feeling better.

At that, I rose from the bed, changed into my leathers, raced downstairs and rushed to the yard where I grabbed my tack and found Stormy waiting expectantly. As I unlatched the stable door, I heard footsteps from behind me.

"Oooh!" It was Lena. "Hilda. Tell me. How did it go?"

"Oh! Brilliant, Lena." I replied, making no effort to hide the sarcasm. I then carried on at a faster pace: "other than the fact that my corset was so tight I couldn't breath and collapsed in the street, and who would catch me? But a Hunter. A Hunter that Mother then went on to criticize for holding me and breaking my fall. What was he to do? I just collapsed in font of him!" I took a deep breath and waited for my little sisters response.

"Oh! Well, are you sure you should be riding now?"

"Yes I feel much better now I can breath!"

"Did you meet any nice men?" Was her next question.

"Only the nice Hunter boy." I said and turned away to put on Storms saddle and bridle.

"Ah! Well, let's hope you don't collapse again or we'll both be hoping he will be there to save you again!" She said, a little too loudly, as she walked back towards the house.

I'm not sure what she meant by that. Was she thinking the same as me: that neither of us want a man who is like the men our parents want us to marry? Or was she simply thinking that if he were there, if I was to fall, he would catch me and I could go on to have a peaceful wedding with one of those horrible men?