Color of Roses

Horseback

Chapter 5

I had awoken the next morning and attended breakfast as usual. Giles was pleased to see me arrive on time and someone I wasn't familiar with stood beside him. The young boy's golden eyes examine me as I take my seat at the table.

"Aria, I have someone I'd like you to meet. This is Nico. He will accompany you as your butler." Giles gestures as Nico bows. "Pleasure to serve you, Your Highness." His pale colored hair sways as he moves; resting against his forehead.

"It's nice to meet you, Nico," I say with a sweet tone. Once that's situated, Giles informs me of my riding lesson with Alyn. "The king has requested the princess to ride in a carriage through the town tomorrow morning. He believes the townspeople should get a glimpse at the new heir to the throne. We will test what you've learned so far in behaving as a princess," Giles says with a wink.

Too nervous to finish eating, I excuse myself before lessons. My feet drag against the stone floor as I ponder tomorrow's parade. The reality hits me that I really am going to be the next ruler of Wysteria. I lean against a nearby wall to hold myself up. My head starts to spin and I try to take in deep breathes in order to regain control.

"Are you not feeling well, my dear?"

I hadn't noticed the body standing beside me. I tilt my head lightly towards the voice and see Leo's eyes watching me with concern. "I'll be alright. I'm just a bit overwhelmed," I say. I feel an arm around my waist and I relax my body. Leo's face is inches away and his arm tightens around me. I feel myself growing weaker as our bodies get closer.

His breath is hot on my ear and I listen as his lips brush the tip as he speaks. "Shall I tend to you, Princess?"

A rush of heat takes over my cheeks and I feel myself melting in Leo's arms. "I should get to my lessons. Alyn's waiting." I try to release myself but my muscles are weak. Why was I so flustered? As I try to regain my strength, Leo's grip loosens and I force myself to stand straight, my breath caught in my chest.

As our eyes met, he smirked at me. "You're blushing, Princess."

I immediately clasp my hands to my face in an attempt to hide my cheeks. "I-I am not!" I exclaim and spin around in a rush and push my feet to speedily walk down the hall.

Once outside, I rest against the fence posts and take in deep breaths. I compose myself before stepping into the stables. Alyn is already preparing the horses for our lessons today. He notices my arrival and frowns. "You're late."

"I-I'm sorry! I got caught up." I stop myself before saying anything embarrassing.

"I was going to show you how to prep a horse for riding but it seems I ended up doing it myself while I waited."

"I'm sorry," I say repeat guiltily. I stand beside him and watch him tighten straps and loosen others. He explains a few things to me before handing the reins over. We lead our horses into the large arena. I attempt to mount the horse but have a bit of difficultly reaching my leg over the side of the large mare. Alyn presses a hand against my thigh and hoists me upward until my foot rests snug inside the stirrup.

The warmth from Alyn's hand still lingers on my thigh. I wipe my hand against it in hopes of removing the feeling. "Are you listening?" Alyn says atop his horse. I snap my attention back to him and he's looking at me with annoyance. "Pay attention!" He scolds. He shows me how to properly hold the reins. I follow his example and before I know it, my horse is trotting around the grassy arena.

"Look!" I say proudly.

Alyn doesn't seem as excited as I am. "I'll be impressed once you start galloping on your own."

We continue riding around the arena until my back begins to ache. Alyn criticizes my posture, explaining that I'm too tense while riding and if I had relaxed a bit more I'd be able to ride for longer periods of time. The sun is slowly creeping towards the horizon when we dismount. Alyn offers to help me lower myself but I refuse. I swing my leg over the saddle but the forces causes me to lose my balance. I feel myself falling backwards but someone's arms catch me before I hit the ground.

"You need to be careful," Alyn scolds me once again. "Next time, let me help you."

"How can I learn if you do everything for me?" I remove myself from his arms and cross mine.

"Well if you'd let me show you properly how to mount and dismount a horse, then there'd be no reason for me to help you."

He had a good point but hearing him say it out loud was frustrating. "Giles is waiting for you inside. He wants to go over tomorrow one more time."

"What about the horses?" I press a hand to the saddle.

"I'll take care of it. Promise to show up on time at our next lesson." Alyn grabs the mare's reins and leads both horses into the stables leaving me to return to the castle.

I find Giles in the library along with Leo. "Your Highness," Leo bows as I enter the room. "You seem to be walking a bit unusual."

I hadn't realized I was slightly bowlegged from riding today. "Ah, yes. I was riding until a moment ago," I explain. Leo chuckles but Giles' voice brings us back to the matter at hand. "I've asked you to meet according to tomorrow's parade. Leo has offered to go over various ways of greeting the townsfolk. I'll leave you to it, Leo." Giles gestures at Leo before exiting the room. Leo's eyes turn a dark shade of red and before I know it, we're completely alone.