Prince Orion and Henry walk up to us with their horses tagging along.
Henry is looking at us a little weird and Prince Orion giggles behind him.
"My lady is just discussing some details about the competition. Nothing of importance though." Mary shoots me a look. I wasn't going to repeat myself, okay? Not in front of Henry and Prince Orion.
"We've sent notice to Queen Solana for help organizing all the different races and rewards. Besides giving out rewards for the coolest riding outfit, I thought we should also hold races of differing skills and lengths of the race. Like races for beginners, casuals, and experts." I quickly informed them of the current situation.
"Ooh, this is going to be awesome!" Prince Orion jumps excitedly.
"Do you think you'll take the grand prize?" I ask.
"I have no idea, but Henry says I'm pretty good!" Prince Orion says.
"This is a spontaneous event so hopefully we have a slight advantage over the other competitors," Mary says.
"Will you be joining in on the racing, my lady?" Henry asks.
"Ummm..no?" I glance sideways.
"Do you know how to ride a horse, my lady?" Henry looks at me.
"Ummm...not really?" I glance over at Mary for help.
"Lady Annelise doesn't do physical activities. I don't think she's ridden a horse more than twice." Mary's words are short and sharp.
"Hey, I'm not required to learn and many other girls don't know either." I try to protect myself.
"Ehh, is that why you always avoid riding with me and Bella?" Prince Orion mentions.
"Well, there's a number of reasons why I didn't go...." I said.
"Prince Orion, you invited my lady to ride horses with you and Bella?" Mary looks at him a little weirdly.
"Yeah, why, what's the problem?" Prince Orion tilts his head.
"Besides my lady's disinterest in the sport, it isn't good for someone to invite their supposed fiance to hang with their fiance's personal maid. Especially if the plans were made initially with their personal maid and not with their fiance, it can come across as very rude and disrespectful that the fiance chooses their maid over their fiance." Mary explains.
"Eh, really?" Prince Orion processes Mary's words.
"Yes, really. By inviting me after inviting Bella, it's saying that you aren't interested in me and that your maid has higher priority than me, your fiance, and a duke's daughter. Basically, you're disregarding my feelings and status in the relationship." I say exasperatedly.
After this fiasco is over, I hope Queen Solana makes Prince Orion take etiquette lessons or something. His lack of nobility's societal rules may harm Elden's future relations with their neighboring kingdoms if he accidentally offends some princess or noblemen. Was the war so time-consuming that no one realized Prince Orion never got proper etiquette training?
"Oh... I do apologize, Annelise. You know I never mean to hurt your feelings. I just thought it would be fun to hang together." Prince Orion droops sadly.
"I know, and I also didn't care much, thinking you would learn later when we were married. Didn't think you were actually serious about Bella till later." I wave it off.
"Prince Orion? Lady Annelise?" A sweet-sounding voice comes up behind us. Bella has changed from her previous maid attire to something more akin to riding wear. Simple slacks and flats, with her hair tied smartly in a ponytail, brings out her youthfulness and grace. Her bubblegum pink hair shines brilliantly in the sun's rays and her natural beauty makes even her simple clothes seem elegant and innocent. Sigh. She really reflects her heroine status.
"Bella! You're finished with your chores for today?" Prince Orion bumbles over happily to greet Bella.
"Greetings, your majesty. Lady Annelise." Bella does a short bow to Prince Orion and a quick nod towards me. How respectful.
"A servant informed me and I was able to get someone to cover some of my chores for today." Bella explains.
"Yay!" Prince Orion grabs her by the hand and pulls her into a hug.
"It is nice to meet you." Henry walks up to the couple and smiles slightly.
"As do I." Bella smiles back. Prince Orion frowns slightly.
"Sir Henry, Bella is off limits!" He puts himself between the two. I roll my eyes.
"I wouldn't think of it." Henry backs behind me.
"So, may I ask, what are we planning on doing at the moment?" Bella pops her head from Prince Orion's grasp.
"Training Prince Orion and finishing organizing the horse riding competition." Mary answers.
"The competition is at the welcoming ball?" Bella clarifies. Mary nods.
"Then we don't have much time left! Let's go ride those horses!" Bella declares, grabbing Prince Orion and dragging him to the horses. They quickly jump on and race into the fields. Flashes of bright pink and blue cover the garden, creating almost a magical sight.
"She moves fast." I hum in pleasant surprise.
"We don't have much time to waste either, my lady! Let us go and meet up with the queen to finish the arrangements!" Mary tugs on me. I glance over at Henry.
"Are you going to stay and train Prince Orion or come with us?" I ask him.
"I'll give them some time alone. We can do it later." Henry says and tags along.
YOU ARE READING
Villainess Loves
RomanceAnnelise Thornweather trips and hits her head causing her to remember her past life and that she is a villainess in a popular webnovel that dies in a carriage accident due to her family sending her away in embarrassment after the prince breaks his e...
