ROYALTY

Chapter 19

My lady Maeve came to her senses and rushed to the open door to shut it. She first looked around, making sure no one had seen me in my undergarments. "Where have you been?" Lauren asked. "I promise you this time, it was not my fault. The princess had me at death point in the stables." I popped a grape in my mouth, "So should I send her your idea of chaining her to the bed post, I am sure she will find that particularly interesting."

I was just about to pop another in my mouth, when Lauren slapped my hand and took away the fruit basket. "You know," I said as I picked up the fallen grape and ate it. After all, we were told not to waste food. "The fruits are for eating and not decorating." I made to reach for the juicy apple when she snatched the basket out of my reach.

"I still wonder why I do not have a heart attack from all your trouble?" I had managed to grab one fruit from the basket although it took a lot of effort from Lauren to pry it free from my hand, she had failed miserabl. "I think it should be because of your love you have for me Maeve." I said as I munched into the red apple, I was in heaven.

I felt hands en-circle me from the back, the behaviour felt oddly strange, but I did not complain, instead. I held onto her hand and gave her an awkward hug. She did not seem to mind about the position we were in, Lauren on the other hand was not pleased with me. "Is this horse poop on your dress?" Oh drat! I had a lot of explaining to do.

***

By the time I had reached the others they had already mounted up their horses preparing to venture into the fields, the weather was a bit fair now, with the sun shining and the warm breeze breathing down on us. Though, there was news of a storm coming, no one was certain for sure. I was given lo and behold Greg the grumpy grey horse that had almost bitten my hand off. The dear sweet horse was as stubborn as an arse, it did not want me to mount it! I tried the first time and second until finally I had tried again then he made a swift turn and I fell on my delicate behind.

"You know for a horse, you are quite annoying." It snicked and turned to the side, apparently the grass was more important than me. I walked till I stood right in its vision, stumbling on its food. "Do not think I have forgiven you, I got a really bad scolding from Lauren, about the little design you left me on my dress, I might as well be on the naughty list you know."  It snickered and turned its full body towards another horse, a female horse to be specific, its tail hitting me in the face. I looked ahead; the others were already venturing towards the wilderness with the lot trying to seduce the prince of course.

"Look," I said as I brushed his beautiful grey hair. We can either do this the easy way or the hard way. In response he fell to the ground with a groan. "Really!" I said as I stumped my foot, I was starting to draw attention from the nearby workers. "I am lady Naomi Faye Kathleen the last daughter to the archduke and archduchess Kathleen now I demand you get up!" I stumped my foot even harder, poor bones, they would have to manage for now and pushed out my chest for added effect. But the beast still did not move.

I towered above it and pulled out what I had in my pockets. "If you stand up and act as a nice little beasty I will give you this." Once it caught sight of the fruit in my hands it rose. Bribery! I was able to climb it without falling on my delicate behind. "Do not worry I said to the beast as it trotted closer to the herd of ladies in front of me. "It also caused the fall of man, or so I heard."

"Even the horse hates her." Amelia giggled. And then her horse snickered and almost threw her off its back. "At least yours shows the same affection as mine." She sent me daggers and glares straight from hell. Holding the reins with one hand and trying with all her might despite the wind to pull her hair in order. Funny enough a large distance kept on growing behind the group of ladies and I.

"Um, Naomi, we are going in this direction and not that way." Gianna pointed out. I could not help but feel the heat rising up in my cheeks and when the prince looked at me the heat rose up to my hair. Of course, I was not ashamed thank you very much, I was a proud woman with an arse for a horse.

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