Prince Leonardo's' Virtues

Chapter 14

I woke up earlier than anticipated, now here I sit looking out at the beautiful view in front of me. Is it wrong that I want this? Even though I didn't want it to begin with?.

Every girl's dream was to become a Queen or a princess, while mines were to move far away from this autocratic condemnation, if you aren't rich or of some importance you become nothing but a measly speck of dust from up here in this palace.

"Julianna are you awake?" I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a knocking.

I quickly head to the door to see him standing there looking to perfect for a early morning. "Did I wake you love?"

"No, I've been up for quite some time".

"Breakfast is ready if you wish to eat-" he said eyeing me."- Are you alright? You look a bit down".

"I'm alright I say brushing past him".

We headed to the dining room with a strange silence between us. As we sat to eat the silence grew wider, only little eye contact.

"Why must the towns people live in poverty? I mean look at this place how can we sit and enjoy this when our people suffer".

He put his fork down slowly and I heard a sigh leave his mouth." Is this the reason for your silence?-"

"Yes" I answer quickly.

"Look, there are some things that even I can't paint in to a pretty picture love but we just have to accept the fact that we can't change the way the world has been built".

"That's complete ludicrous, you can provide more jobs, increase minimum wages, build more houses-"

"I get where you're heading with this but this motion will create one hell of a riot when all of the wealthy people get the idea that you're trying to make them all equal".

"And what could be more right than that, we all deserve to be equal not some rich some poor and it crude that you don't see it my way". My voice becoming a little hoarse.

"I see what your on about Julianna but there are some things that should not be tampered with, your heading in to dirty waters love".

"I grew up in it" I say as I got up and excused myself from the table and strode out into the gardens.

I thought he would have came after me but he must have thought twice. I strolled to the garden enjoying the cool wind and leaves that were being blown everywhere giving evident that the winter will be upon us soon.

I saw one of the servants trying to neaten up the mess the leaves were causing. " Hello" I said to her softly.

I must have caught her off guard because she jumped a little as the broom fell out of her hands.

"I'm sorry" I immediately said to her.

"Forgive me for my clumsiness" she said softly.

"Would you mind if I ask your name?" I said to her. She didn't look that much older than me with her brown eyes and blonde hair pulled up in to a ponytail.

"Cecilia madam" she answered wryly.

"You shouldn't be out here sweeping those leaves their just going to keep falling every time the wind blows". I said boldly.

"It was the task given to me madam" she replied as she continued sweeping.

"I can see that, leave it let it pile up I'll help you sweep it up, come with me let us go look at the swans, I've never seen them up close" I say to her as I held my hand out.