King of My Heart

Lucky

Taylor looked at him for a moment in surprise. "Why of course. Why even ask such questions?".

"I don't know. Word has it around the village that you like to sneak past the palace guards and go around the streets by yourself in the late hours", Travis answered.

"That is none of your business as to what I choose to do in my free time", Taylor stated, infuriated.

"Pardon me, your highness", Travis said with little seriousness.

"Do you really want to know what I do in the village? Really?" Taylor asked. Her tone was raised and her facial expression was serious.

"Yes, princess, tell me", Travis said.

"Father, stop making princess Taylor angry because she's my friend", begged Benji in his small voice.

"It's alright, dear", Taylor assured, mixing up Benji's stew in his bowl once more.

"I go around and give blankets, food and books to the homeless", Taylor answered.

"Books, you say?" Travis asked.

"Yes, books. Do you have a problem with that?" asked Taylor matter-of-factly.

"We'll, I suppose it's just because most of the homeless are illiterate and never went to school past first grade. Some have no education at all", Travis explained.

"Do you think that I'm not aware of that? Of course I'm highly aware of the fact that my father does nothing to educate the poor citizens of our country. I mostly give out picture books", Taylor answered.

Benji looked up at her with his hazel-green eyes in wonder.

"Princess Taylor, are books the things that you read to me before bed?" asked Benji.

Taylor smiled down at the boy. "Yes, you are correct. Do you enjoy it when I read to you?" asked Taylor.

Benji nodded. "Yes, I very much enjoy it. It's my favorite time of day. Will you come to read to me tonight?".

Taylor smiled. "I should hope so. I never know if my father will make me stay inside in the evenings or allow me to visit my horse".

"You mean Molly?" asked Benji.

Taylor nodded. "Yes, Molly. While she is my beloved horse, I sometimes tell lies to my father about where I am going in the evenings so I may read to you before bed".

"Oh, so you do lie to your father?" Travis asked with a grin of accomplishment.

"Only when I must. I do not enjoy lying to him but I enjoy reading to Benji so much", Taylor explained.

"Fair", Travis nodded.

Travis looked into Taylor's eyes from across the table, causing Taylor's heart to beat faster. She looked back into his hazel-green eyes, igniting a spark that both parties had been denying existence of all year.

Taylor cleared her throat. "I must apologize, but it is time for me to go. I hope to return to you, Benji, so I may read to you tonight".

"Alright, princess Taylor. Thank you for helping my foot when I fell today", Benji said sincerely.

"You are very welcome! I'm so glad you are doing better", Taylor said. She got up and set Benji down on the bench.

"Princess Taylor, can you kiss me goodbye?" Benji asked.

Taylor smiled and nodded, leaning down in her tight corset to kiss the boy's head.

"Thank you for making dinner, princess", Travis said.