Princess Iris

Just then I hear a horse neighing in the distance.

"A horse!? I wonder where the noise is coming from," I say to myself.

I hear the neigh again and just then my curiosity gets the best of me.

"Oh, I hope Ri won't be mad if I step away for a little while," I say to myself.

The horse bleating comes again.

"Ri is so going to be mad at me," I say to myself.

I follow the sound to the east part of the castle. When I reach the sound, I find the princes and young dukes cheering Prince Frederick on a horse. I walk to the stable and hide behind the doors to observe them. "Alright Frederick, you have shown us how much better you are than us in horse racing. Now, will you get down?" Prince Leonard says.

"Leonard, he is really here," I say to myself.

After what happened between him and his father last time, I have been thinking about him all the time. Everyone says it's not my fault but I I feel like it was mine.

"C'mon now Leonard old buddy, you are just bitter because I am better at something than you," Prince Frederick says.

"I am disappointed you haven't cried yet," Prince Jeffery says.

"Enough boys leave Leonard alone before he cries," Prince William says.

"Ah Leonard knows we are just playing with him, isn't that right Leonard?" Prince Frederick says.

"I rather prefer you don't. I hate that word," Prince Leonard says.

They all start laughing and just then I see him in a distance. My heart skips a beat and my mouth becomes dry. Prince Jeffery, I can't stop looking at how breathtaking he is. He is exceptionally handsome today especially when he laughs. He is more handsome when he freestyles his hair. I watch him climb a horse effortlessly and he wears a serious face. I don't know what he says but everyone starts laughing. "Will you love to join them?"

I turn around frightened and find Ackley standing behind me.

"Ackley, you frightened me. Don't do that again," I say with one hand on my chest.

"My apologies Your Highness, I didn't mean to frighten you. As I was earlier saying, you can join them if you want. As a matter of fact, follow me," Ackley says.

I watch Ackley as walks out of the stable into the field. I turn to the empty stable and follow him into the fields.

"Is that horse broken?" Lord Harry of Shadeton asks

They all turn to the stable behind them and in there is a black horse at the end of the stable.

"That's true Prince Leonard you introduced all your horses to us except that one," Lord Alden says. "Is he sick or something?"

"He is a she, Lord Alden and no she is not sick," Prince Leonard says.

"Your Highnesses," Ackley says.

They all turn to Ackley and spot me behind him.

"Princess Iris what a pleasant surprise. We weren't expecting you," Prince Gregory says.

"I am sorry to interrupt..."

"What are you doing here," Prince Leonard says with a hint of anger.

I look at him surprised.

"He is really angry at me," I say to myself.

"I... I..."

"Let her be Leonard," Prince Jeffery says as he climbs down from a horse.

Both princes stare at each other sternly. Prince Frederick taps his brother on the shoulder.

"I was hoping I could get a few lessons, you know on how to ride a horse," I say.

"You want to learn how to ride a horse?" Prince Gregory asks looking surprised.

"Yes, I believe I just said that," I say

"Well, that's a first," Prince Frederick says.

I frown at Prince Frederick

"What's that?" I ask.

"He means this is the first we have seen a princess showing interest in a horse," Prince Jeffery says.

"Yes indeed, they all shy away from the topic and rather serve tea," Prince Nathaniel says.

"I have always wanted to learn how to ride one. Father never approved. But Constantine, our butler tried to teach me how to mount ones but I keep falling off." "That's to let you know, a woman has no place in the affairs of men," Prince Leonard spits.

"Oh hush you grumping troll," I curse.

They all start laughing at Prince Leonard.

"Alright Princess Iris," Prince Jeffery walks toward me. We stare at each other as he gently takes my hand into his and leads me to the black horse at end of the stable.

"No one has ridden this one yet. It's like we saved the best for you," Prince Jeffery says.

I feel my cheek getting red and at that moment I thank God I am not holding a drink. He gently places my hand on the horse so that I feel it. I look at the horse and he neighs at me. I laugh and look at Prince Jeffery and he is staring at him. He smiles and nods at Prince Leonard.

"Ackley saddle up Grenade," Prince Leonard says.

"But Your Highness Grenade isn't..."

"Just do what I asked Ackley," Prince Leonard orders.

"Of course Your Highness," Ackley says with a bow.

"Let's get you out of those shoes of yours into something more comfortable," Prince Jeffery says.

"Does it matter?" I ask following him out of the stable.

He turns and I walk into him. I slowly look up at him and he is looking at him.

"He looks more breathtaking this close," I say to myself.

My eyes move to his lips. I hear him take in a sharp breath. I have dreamt of those lips kissing and worshipping me almost every night. Bridgette and the ladies never fail to tease me one of those mornings. I break out of my trance when he starts talking.

"Yes, it does, especially since you are still learning to mount a horse. A firm shoe will help give you balance."

I nod at him as he turns his back and starts walking. I stay there for a while to recollect myself before I walk after him.

It takes Ackley 30 minutes to saddle up Grenade with the help of the stable workers and finally he brings her out to the field.

"She is ready Your Highness," Ackley says.

"Oh, she looks delightful Ackley. Thank you, Ackley," I say.

Ackley bows at me and takes a couple of steps back.

"Alright, Princess Iris, this way," Prince Jeffery says.

I follow him to the left side of the horse.

"How do the boots feel?" Prince Jeffery asks.

I raise my gown to look at the boot and I look at him.

"It feels big and ugly but comfortable," I say.

I hear chuckles behind me but I don't turn. Prince Jeffery smiles at me and I feel the butterflies in my stomach floating around.

"To climb a horse, you have to put your left foot in the left stirrup and push your body up over the next. In other words, you need to lift your right leg over the horse's back gently and insert your foot into the right stirrup. Do you understand?" "Yes, I do."

"Alright let's begin," Prince Jeffery says.

The princes and lords are on the right side of Grenade watching us.

Just then the horse starts shaking its head and stomping its hoofs.

"Ackley," Prince Jeffery calls.

Ackley walks to the horse and signals to a few people and they help to keep Grenade steady. Ackley holds its head.

"May I suggest we use a different horse, Your Highness," Ackley says.

"No need for that Ackley, she will do," Prince Jeffery says petting the head of the horse.

"I got a question. Why does Jeffery have to teach the princess how to climb the horse? I would have loved to do it," Prince Nathaniel says over his voice.

"You know Jeffery always loves to be the center of attraction," Prince Gregory says walking to the boys from the castle.

"He loves being attracted to that princess in particular," Prince Frederick says teasingly.

The boys start laughing as my cheeks start to turn red. I sneak a peek at Prince Jeffery and I see he is trying to hide his smile.

Just then I hear Prince Leonard groan.

"What? What did I say wrong?" Prince Jeffery says.

"That will do Ackley. Ok Princess Iris you can try to climb now," Prince Jeffery says.

With Prince Jeffery's help, I secure my left foot into the stirrup.

"Gently," Prince Jeffery says.

I throw myself my right over the horse and just then, the horse shakes and my right foot misses the right stirrup I find myself falling and screaming, and everywhere turns black. I start to hear faint voices calling out to me in a distance. "Princess Iris, Princess Iris can you hear me?"

"Is she ok?"

"Princess Adrianna is going to have our heads for dinner," A voice says.

"She is opening her eyes."

I slowly open my eyes as it adjusts to the sunlight and I find the boys hovering around me.

"Oh thank God, Princess Iris, are you ok?" Prince Jeffery asks.

I try to sit up and I feel a sharp pain in my left rib, it disappears almost immediately as prince Jeffery helps me to my feet.

"Are you ok?" Prince Jeffery asks.

I nod at him and turn to the horse.

"What happened?" I ask.

"You fell off the horse and fainted for a moment," Prince Jeffery explains.

"That stupid horse," I say with a groan.

"I did say you didn't belong here but you wouldn't listen. She isn't called Grenade for nothing," Prince Leonard says returning with Ackley with a bow of water.

Everyone turns to Prince Leonard

"She is a smart and intelligent creature. She is also fast, strong, and very stubborn," Prince Leonard continues.

"Stubborn?" I ask.

Everyone knows what a stubborn horse means. If anything, Constantine made sure to give me a lecture about that before I ever tried to climb a horse.