The Prince and The Stablehand

A Horse and a Echidna

I stare outside the car window looking at the fields of white and ivory roses as we approached the castle of moonrose. "Now Shadow darling this is just a meeting with the king and queen to insure of your betrothal to Princess Azula." My mother said fixing my fathers rings on his hand. "I'm aware mother just why must I come if it is to be between you two and them?" I asked. "Well my son we thought since she is to come to our castle for your 21st birthday next week. We thought you might want to see her kingdoms as well." My father said. "I understand..." I said looking back out. "The King and Queen said you are free to roam around until the meeting is over." My mother smiled knowing that would make me happy. "Thank you mother" I nod. Once we arrived I wasted no time and head to the stables. I always admired horses how they are free to roam through the fields. I sometimes wished I could be free like that. I may be the eldest brother but I wish I could give up my crown. I don't really desire to be king like my brothers Silver and Sonic. Yet it's law and I must. As I walk through the stables I noticed a stunning dark gray horse with black eyes and main. I walk closer to it admiring it's beauty. "I wouldn't get any closer to her if I were you" a male voice said making me jump. A red echidna leans against one of the stable's poles and stands back up walking towards me. "Why?" I ask. "That's Wildstar the Princess's horse but the poor thing never gotten the love she deserves from the princess and she has become hostile to anyone that comes close to her. The only other person she trust is me." He said and starts clicking his tongue in his mouth holding sliced apples and carrots. The horse comes to him. "Hey girl it's time for your medication." He said sweetly to the horse. He grabs a apple slice a dips it in a small bottle coating it in a translucent pink syrup. The horse shakes it massive head smelling the syrup. "I know I know but it's to help keep the worms out of your system Wildstar" he said sternly but kind and the horse eats the slice huffing at the taste. "Atta girl." He said and feeds her the other apple slices. I smile mesmerized at how much he understood this horse. "Would you like to feed her a carrot" he asked handing me a carrot. I smile as I take it from him and slowly approach the horse. The horse moves a bit and I stop to bow at the horse showing I mean no harm. To my surprise it worked and the horse let me come closer to her. She takes the vegetable from my hand with her soft lips tickling my hand. "She likes you.... Huh I never thought I see the day." He smiled and I started to feel my heart race. "STABLEHAND!" A female voice shouted from outside. "Shit it's the princess if I were you I hide." He said and I hid behind one of the stable doors. I peek through the cracks and see a stunning sky blue hedgehog wearing her quills back into a low ponytail wearing a white hat, white riding pants, black heeled boots and a royal blue riding jacket. "Princess Azula what do-" "I need you saddle up Wildcat" "Wildstar your highness" "whatever saddle her up Prince shadow is here and according to his parents he loves horses so I want to impress him with my horse riding skills." "I would love too but may I suggest another horse because I had already given Wildstar her medicine and she's not allowed to be ridden for at least an hou-" "SADDLE HER UP NOW STABLEHAND!" She demanded. "Wow she's awful...." I thought as I see the worried and sadness on the echidna's face as he places the saddle on the horse. He brings out the stunning horse to the riding circle as she follows from behind putting on her riding gloves. I sneak out from my hiding spot and watch from behind the stable doorway as she gets on the horse. "Your highness please I strongly-" "hush Stablehand and go join the others" she said sternly. He reluctantly stands back. "Why is she ignoring his warnings..." I thought. She whips the horse and it started to move slowly. "Omg move faster you worthless animal" she whips it harder making her move a bit quicker. The princess groans and continues to whip this horse until it started to buck and whip around. She starts screaming trying to hold on as the horse continues it's wild bucking. I see the echidna running towards the horse trying to calm her down and the princess slides off the horse. The other stable hands along with her maids drag her away while the echidna calms the horse down but the horse starts to get weaker and almost collapses on top of him. "Shhhh it's ok it's ok." He pets the horses neck. Before I could walk up and join I hear my father summoning me. With regret I leave the stables and enter the car. The whole drive back I think about that pour horse and that stunning stablehand. We return home and I see my brothers approaching the car. "Welcome home" they said. "Thank you boys how was everything while we were gone?" "Good mother" Sliver smiled. "Dinner is ready your majesties" the maid said. "Then let's eat" the king proclaimed.
During dinner I just stare and stir my soup thinking about him. His eyes were rare and beautiful. His voice was smooth and seductive without even trying. And that smile.... Just makes me want to melt. He was so kind to me and didn't even know I was the prince so I know he was kindhearted by nature. What am I doing thinking about him I'm getting married?! Married to a cruel bitch..... sigh.... I guess I'll just have to live with seeing his eyes in my drea- "Shadow?!" My mother said bringing me back to reality. "Are you going to eat something my son?" His father asked. "Yes sorry just lost in thought father." I said and started eating my soup which was now cold. I could feel Sonic and Silvers eyes burning into my skull trying to figure out what's going on with me like always. I didn't notice sonic and sent silver and text from under the table as our main course came to our table.
Sonic: I think he's in love with the princess
Silver: me too he's definitely in love let's ask him after dinner
Sonic: ok

After dinner

"Soooooo what was the princess like Shadow?" Sonic asked. "Stunning.... So kind.... His eyes were like amethyst....." "HIS?!" They say and I realized what I just said. "I-I mean...." I sigh. "I think our big bro is in love with someone else....." Sonic said. "That's actually wonderful Shadow!" Silver smiled. "You have to see him again!" Sonic smiled. "But I'm already betro-" "who cares! Let's go!" Sonic and Silver grab me and drag me outside of the castle as the three of us sneak out. We drove back to the stables at the moonrose kingdom and we're told that we would find him at the bar next town over which wasn't to far from our kingdom. We head straight there and I started looking around until I caught a glimpse of red. My heart started to race seeing him sitting there. "That him?" Sliver asked and I nod. They push me to walk to him and go to another table to watch. "Hey.." I say nervously. His eyes look up at me with pain. "Are you ok?" I asked. "No..." he said and sips his whiskey. I noticed a few bags next to the bar stool. "How's Wildstar?" I ask sitting down next to him and I see the tears form. "She was put down....." he said. "What? Why?!" "The princess told her parents that the horse tried to kill her even when I pleaded with them that she had her medicine and I tried to tell the princess but they unfortunately took her side.... So I had to put her down...." He sheds a couple of tears. "I'm so sorry.... She was a good horse...." I felt my heartbreak. "After that I quit.... That was the final straw for me...." He finished. "Well um.... Would you like to work at the stables at my castle?" I asked. He looks up at me in shock. "Wait.... You're Prince Shadow...." He said. I look down and nod. "Knuckles" "huh?" "My name is Knuckles and actually I'll take your offer." "Great you can start tonight just follow me and my brothers back to the castle and I'll show you to your room." "Sounds good"

I smile knowing he will be closer.