A Knight's Devotion (On Hold)

Chapter 9

The next day after Lute and I danced together in the garden... My studies as a princess begin.

"When you talk to someone," Richard said, "you should stand up straight and never shake your head."

"Yes."

"Princess, you must not nod, either!" he added. "What did I just say?!"

"Oh, s-sorry."

"Don't walk with your legs so far apart! Chin up!"

"S-Sorry..."

What a drill sergeant!

Richard teaches me how to properly lay my hands in my lap, how firm my grip should be in a handshake...... the specific angle I should bow, how to smile...

T-This is intense.

"Princess, please start over from the beginning," Richard implied.

I wonder if Lute and the rest of the knights are preparing for their journey right now...

"Princess?"

"Y-Yes?! What is it?"

"What are you spacing out about?!"

"I'm sorry! I was just thinking about how the knights are leaving tomorrow... I hate just sitting around doing nothing, so I'm a little envious of them..."

"Nonsense, Princess! The Princess has her job, and they have theirs!"

I know, but it will be so lonely without them here...

As soon as my etiquette lesson is over, I have history and then geography... Sigh... I don't want to study anymore.

I go out into the hallway and gaze absently out at the well-manicured gardens. When I think every day will be like this from now on, all I can do is sigh.

I wonder what Grandma is doing right now... I miss the days of helping out at the flower shop...

"What's the matter, Your Highness?"

A maid asks as she approaches me.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, I'm taking a break between my studies. I feel relaxed when I look out at the gardens..."

I turn my gaze back out the window when... I see something flash in my peripheral vision.

What?

I look in the direction of the flash and see the maid brandishing a knife with a sneer on her face.

"I shall take your life now, Princess!" the maid stated.

"Aaahh!"

I just barely dodge her knife, but she comes at me with it again.

"There's nowhere to hide. No one is in here right now!"

Why is someone trying to kill me inside the castle?!

The maid comes closer to me, gripping the knife tightly. My mind goes completely blank and I begin to run, but the maid is chasing close behind.

What should I do? Oh, that's right! The whistle Lute gave me!

I take out the whistle he gave me from my dress pocket and blow it as hard as I can.

TWEET TWEET

Lute, please! Come save me!!!

My dress is slowing me down... I can't run as fast as I want to! But I try to run with all my might. I'm not used to running in these heels, and fall flat on my face...