Blistered Roses

Chapter 3: Heated Dispute

                  

The Princess rode into town with her legs hanging over the side of the horse and guards surrounding her on other horses. The main streets in the town were filled with people as they scurried around to get from one place to another. People bent over to carry baskets full of items and rose in respect of the Princess. She smiled kindly to each individual causing them to smile back at her. Her body swayed from side to side as her horse walked slower and she pulled on the reins gently bringing it to a halt and the guards do the same as well.

A guard jumped down from his horse and helped Princess Adelaide down. She noticed a small, blonde-headed, girl that couldn't be any older than 5 hiding behind her mother's leg. She smiled to the shy child and the child couldn't help but to smile. Princess Adelaide reached in a bag from the horse's saddle and grabbed a rugged doll to give to the girl. People moved out of the Princess's way as she approached the small child. She leaned over a little handing the child the doll and the child took her thumb out of her mouth smiling big.

"Thank you!" The little girl said excited and hugged the doll close to her. The Princess smiled and looked to the mother who is smiling with tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Princess." She said and the Princess nodded.

"Go back to your daily routines, everyone. I'm only here to shop and help in any way I can." Princess Adelaide said firmly.

People began to scurry around again going their merry little ways. "I don't need any assistant, guards. Wonder around for a bit, as will I." Princess Adelaide said towards each guard.

"But...the King said..." A guard interrupted and the Princess raised a brow. "Stay close by, but not too close then." The Princess said and looked around at her surroundings.

The Princess walked into the busy street that broadened and multiple shops were in sight as people covered most of the street. People often said hello to the Princess and the Princess only smiled back giving a couple of hellos as well. She noticed the wide variety of merchants that had their own little shops or wagons filled with supplies such as the richest fruits and vegetables that could be found within range of this town. Baked goods took over the scent of the Princess's nose and her stomach began to rumble thinking of how she hadn't ate much today. She looked over as another musty scent hit her nose and saw stews or soups being served to others that had bought some. Her mouth watered wanting to try everything these people were selling and she walked over to the baked goods to find muffins, bread, cookies, and cakes being sold.

"Aye, there Princess. May I help ye?" The merchant asked as it was her turn in line.

She scavenged over the baked goods thinking of what she wanted to try and decided on something, "I would like to try a piece of that bread over there." The Princess pointed to a specific type of bread she wanted.

"Alright, 2 gold pieces please." He said and walked over to get a slice of bread for the Princess.

She pulled out 7 gold pieces to give to him to help him out a little bit. The merchant noticed the extra money and felt very thankful that she would do such a thing. He handed her the piece of bread she wanted and she handed him the 7 gold pieces in exchange.

"Thank ye very much, Princess." He said putting the gold pieces in a sack.

"Thank you, good sir." She said smiling and walked off eating her delicious bread and looked around for other items or foods to buy.

Women crowded around jewelry merchants to view the rare, or so the jewelry merchants say are rare, necklaces and rings. Men often came to the jewelry merchants, but probably to get their woman something nice. The Princess headed towards the jewelry merchants to see if she could buy her mother or her something nice for the royal gathering tomorrow. As she put a piece of bread in her mouth, she lined up next to a bunch of other women yelling trying to bargain prices. The Princess took a step back feeling that one of these women would accidently hit her not realizing she's Princess Adelaide.

She watched from behind as jewelry merchants lifted necklaces and rings making the women gasp in awe or go silent. She thought maybe she would buy some jewelry some other day. She is handed money and these women work hard at home, while the Princess does nothing but practice and practice everything royals must represent. She walked away from the shop to look at other shops. She noticed a couple of children without shoes, probably orphans, but she decided to buy some shoes for the children. The children were very thankful for their new shoes and excitedly chased each other around. Even though she is enjoying her time outside, she decided it was time to go back home; her parents were probably worrying too much anyways.

Tara looked over as the Princess motioned for her to follow her. She took a deep breath in annoyance that she knows what the Princess is going to do once they are alone in a room. She put away the broom, wiped her forehead, and followed the Princess into her royal chambers. The Princess shut the door behind her and Tara turned, facing her.

"I cannot do it, Adelaide." Tara snapped at first and Princess Adelaide stared at her with her hand in her tiny bag. She chuckled and shook her head in disappointment and a bit upset that Tara snapped the way she did, especially when it wasn't the real reason she brought her to her room.

"Well.....thanks for your answer, but I really just wanted to give you this." The Princess pulled out a piece of bread that she bought before leaving the town to give to Tara, because she enjoyed it so much. "It's really good and the only safe place for you to eat it is here, that's why yer in here, Tara." The Princess held her arm out to give the bread to Tara, waiting for her to grab it, and Tara stared at the bread beginning to feel bad for snapping at the Princess.

Tara gently took the piece of bread from Princess Adelaide's hand, "Thank you....and I am sorry for going berserk."

"Eat the bread, Tara." The Princess said and sighed, sitting on her bed and putting her bag down on the ground next to her feet.

Tara began chewing on the bread slowly and stared out the window that showed the garden where gardeners were working hard to keep up with even during the winter. She hated that the Princess was now silent and wouldn't say a word to Tara. She knew she upset the Princess by saying no to pretending to be a man to get rid of suitors. She couldn't risk her life though and that's why her decision is a no. After finishing her bread, Tara hurried to get to the door; she needed to get some more things done before the day was wrapping up.

"Tara," The Princess said quietly and Tara stopped turning to the Princess.

"Yes.....Madam?" Tara asked.

"Can I ask why?" Princess Adelaide stared at the ground not making eye contact with Tara.

Tara sighed and looked away, "I cannot risk my life so you can run from your problems. I have a mother to live for."

"I promised you would not get caught." The Princess snapped now looking at Tara.

"I am sorry, but I will not risk my life for your selfish reasons. It is not worth it!" Tara finally yelled, but quietly so no one would come in the room.

The Princess's mouthgasped open at Tara calling her selfish and she stood, "Leave!" She yelledpointing to the door. Tara quickly and happily left the room slamming the doorbehind her. The Princess shook her head as tears filled her eyes. Do not cry, the Princess told herselfand wiped away a tear.

-->Author's note: Should Tara risk her life for the Princess so she can repel off suitors? Thank you for reading.
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