Color of Roses

Common Interest

Chapter 4

A knock on the door awakens me and I sit up rubbing my eyes. I groggily attempt to remove myself from my bed but I can't find the energy. The door suddenly opens and I'm faced with a wide eyed knight. His face turns red as he notices I'm in my nightgown.

"Hurry up and change. Giles is coming. I suggest hiding that furball," he says with a finger pointed at the curled up ball of fluff on the pillow. I scramble out of bed and rush to the armoire. Suddenly another knock taps at the door and my eyes meet with Alyn's. He immediately scruffs the cat and shoves her in my arms and pulls me into the armoire and closes the door. I feel his warm breath against my neck as we're smooshed together.

He whispers for me to be quiet as the door to my bedroom opens and Giles' voice replaces the silence. Confused, Giles leaves and I release a breath I'd been holding. Alyn's body moves behind me and light begins to peek through as the door opens. I release the cat and she runs off and hides under the bed.

"That was close," I breathe.

"You'd better find a way of hiding that thing or get rid of it completely," Alyn says with frustration. I watch him leave the room, his body is tense as he walks. I can't help but laugh at the situation. He sure seems to find himself in my strange predicaments.

                                                                                ***

"You seem to be in good spirits, Princess," Giles' says during breakfast. His eyes look at me with suspicion lurking deep inside them. "I hope you are feeling better today?"

"Yes, thank you," I say before placing a small scone into my mouth. This morning's event flashes across my mind and I hold back a giggle. Giles continues to inform me of my new schedule. I have lessons after breakfast. So this was really happening.

When breakfast ends, I wander around the castle before I have to attend lessons. As I'm walking, a body rounds the corner in my direction. Crimson eyes lock onto mine and I feel myself blushing. "Good morning, Princess."

"Good morning, Leo," I hold out my hand as he presses his lips against it. He was such a gentleman and I couldn't help but enjoy it.

"What are your plans for the day?"

"Well, I'm actually heading to lessons right now."

"Shall I escort you there?" His eyes grow slim and his lips spreads into a devilish grin. Something about it raises my body temperature. At a loss for words, I nod my head lightly. He grabs hold of my hand and we stroll down the halls until we stop in front a wooden door. "Allow me," Leo says and opens it for me. I curtsey, something Giles had mentioned I needed to do more often, and enter the library to find Giles and Alyn waiting. Alyn glares in our direction. Ignoring his cold gaze, Leo kisses my hand one final time before excusing himself.

"Now that you're here, I have come up with your prompts for the lessons. Starting today you will learn proper princess etiquette. Tomorrow, you will be trained in the equestrian arts with Sir Alyn."

"You're not serious, Giles." Alyn removes himself from the wall and approaches the nobleman.

"I'm very serious, Sir Alyn. If I'm not mistaken, your duty is to protect the princess and in doing such you will teach her the proper way of riding a horse. I believe this will be essential in any case the princess is in danger and needs to escape upon horseback."

Alyn contemplates for a minute, his face a mess of emotions.

"Is there a problem?" Giles' voice is stern despite his smooth face.

"I'll do it, but don't think I'll go easy just because you're the princess."

"Since that's settled, we shall begin your lessons for the day, Aria. Sir Alyn, you're dismissed."

Alyn nods at Giles but when his eyes reach me he gives a look of annoyance. I watch him as he leaves.

                                                                                                ***

I let out a huge yawn as lessons end for the day. I made it past my first day and I couldn't be happier. My problem now is finding a way to pass time until dinner. Someone's voice outside catches my attention and I wander down a hallway towards the source. I escape into a vast, green field surrounding the castle. The stables are in plain view and I notice a horse trotting around a fenced in area. Curious, I pull up my dress skirt and scurry my heeled feet across the dense grassland.

The rider moves along with the horse as if they were one. I rest my chin against the wooden post, mesmerized by the two. The rider spots my presence and pulls on the reins, stopping the horse. "Giles let you out?" Alyn lowers himself from the horse and closes the gap between us, his hands still gripping the reins.

"Will I be able to ride like that?" I ask holding out my hand in hopes of touching the young gelding.

"With enough practice and discipline," Alyn pulls the reins and the horse steps closer towards my hand. My fingers brush the soft brown fur and I can't help but smile.

"You seem to really enjoy animals," Alyn says patting the gelding's neck.

I feel myself blushing at his observation. "I guess."

"You're very strange, Aria."

"That's the first time I've heard you call me by my name!" I exclaim. Alyn's cheeks begin to color and he quickly looks at his feet in an attempt to hide it.

"Don't get too used to it. Follow me," he says changing the subject. He leads me inside the stables where horses of all colors reside. One in particular catches my eye and I rush over to her.

A mare as white as snow grazes on a bale of hay. "She's beautiful!" I sing and rest against the stable door.

"Well, she's yours now," Alyn gently pats the mare's neck and she whinnies in return. I feel my smile growing wider.

"Really? I promise to take good care of her!" I pick up some hay lying on the floor and hold it out to her. Her lips tickle the palm of my hand as the hay disappears.

I feel Alyn's eyes watching me carefully. I feel as though we're sharing a common interest and the thought makes me happy. For a brief moment our eyes lock and he turns away first. "We should head back. It will be getting dark soon."

I pet the mare one last time before following Alyn back to the castle.