Royal Flower

Chapter Fifteen

"Going riding again, Violet?" Amber called as she made her way over to Violet's closet.

Violet nodded behind her changing walls. "Yeah," she said.

"You've been riding a lot, more than usual," Amber grinned.

Violet didn't answer. Amber just chuckled to herself before draping Violet's clothes over the changing wall. They disappeared on the other side and was replaced by Violet's nightgown. She emerged from the changing walls, moving to her mirror to tie her blonde waves in a ponytail. She muttered a thank you to Amber before grabbing her helmet and leaving her room.

"Have fun!" Amber called.

It was the third day in a row that Violet went to go riding. She wasn't stressed out or anything. No, she was going riding for a different reason.

When she got to the stables, Julian was there waiting for her outside Acorn's gate.

"Julian!" she beamed.

Julian turned. When his eyes fell on Violet he opened his mouth in agape.

"Wow, you look..." he then caught himself and bowed slightly. "Good morning, your Highness."

Violet unlocked Acorn's gate and tugged the reins.

"You ready?" Violet asked.

Julian nodded. "Let's go, then."

Julian ran ahead to the stable entrances and grabbed the reins of a horse that were wrapped around a hook. He hoisted himself up just as Violet came out on Acorn.

"Lead the way, your Highness," Julian gestured.

Violet's eyes lit up and she went ahead. Julian looked at her in admiration. He then patted his horse shyly. Lately, Violet had been asking him to go riding with her. He didn't know why she asked him, but he couldn't refuse a request from the princess.

Julian followed her, giving a yell as he signaled his horse to catch up. It was the perfect weather, early morning where it wasn't so hot, and a slight breeze.

They eventually stopped on top of a hill and dismounted. They were still within the Azalea castle grounds. Besides the main castle, the fields and grasslands that stretched for about a fifth of a mile were part of the Azalea grounds. Its main use was for the horses to roam before returning to the stables to be tended to.

Violet sank to the floor, sitting down and gazing out into the villages.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Julian asked, sitting down next to her.

Violet nodded. Why didn't I go riding this much when I was younger? I missed this glorious view.

Julian took in the village view. It was truly a beautiful sight. They saw the roads, cottages, and tiny people from far away. He suddenly felt a warm touch on his left hand. He looked over curiously to see that Violet had moved her right hand to hold his.

Violet turned and smiled lightly. "Julian... I think I'm in love with you."

Julian widened his eyes in surprise, but he didn't recoil back. "W-What are you saying, your Highness? I'm just a stable boy."

Violet shook her head and looked down at their hands shyly. She then said with certainty. "I don't care. I love you. I've never felt this way about anyone before..." She then withdrew her hand and glanced back at the village view. "I'm sorry for saying this so suddenly. I understand completely if you don't feel the same way."

She gasped when Julian suddenly grabbed her hand.

"I love you too," Julian stared intensely into her green eyes. "I'm so glad you feel the same way. I never said anything because it would be inappropriate of me to say such a thing, but now..."