Chapter 4: A Good Day

The morning after the ball was, for once, rather relaxing. I had no social duties to attend to, and no documentation and review of the city, Loen, another city but 2 days ride by carriage, that I am required to do. I forgot to mention that as one of my roles. Celia requested that I take over reviewing the city by reports sent from the marquis that rules it. A form of responsibility so I won't be just a typical princess who lays about, with a good image and good social abilities. It will also relief one of the duties for hers so she can have more time with the little prince.

So, the morning I spent time reading and drawing in a small sketchbook in the library. Until I received a letter. I smiled at the servant who handed it to me and looked at the seal. It wasn't Rogan's. Nor was it from one of the aristocrats. It had a plain white seal, cheap and something everyone could afford. Curious, I open it.

'To Rose.

I'd like to talk to you more. I'll be waiting outside the gates at 1pm.

See you soon,

Alexander.'

I smile at the letter. I stand up from the table and turn around. I looked at the clock. 12:57 pm. He didn't leave much time to respond. What's worse, I'm on the other side of the palace. So I run to the gates. I speed down the halls, weaving around the servants and the wondering guards. I almost trip on my shoes. Not the best shoes to run in. I pause and take them off. Then continue my running with shoes in hand.

By the time I reached the front gates it was 1:10 pm. But I don't see him through the barred gates. I sigh. I wonder how patient he is.

"Open the gates please." I request from one of the gate guards.

As the gate opens I walk out and look to my left, then the right. I see him leaning against the wall with arms crossed and a grin on his face.

"Pleasure to see you, Princess."

I smile at him and gesture to the palace. "Want to come in?"

"That'd be nice."

We begin walking down one of the halls that leads to the garden.

"How long were you waiting?" I ask.

"About 15 minutes."

"What?!" My eyes almost bulge out. "But I got your letter close to 1."

"Really? I sent it half an hour ago."

Like that makes it any better.

"Perhaps that the delivery man didn't know where you were."

I look at him scornfully. "But still. Half an hour is too short of a notice."

"Would you have gotten all dressed up to see me? That's very sweet of you." He mocks.

"Like you said. The delivery man didn't know where I was."

He huffs in humor.

He looks down as we walk and frowns. "By the way, why are you holding your shoes?"

I widen my eyes in realization. I DIDN'T PUT THEM BACK ON! Instead I've been walking with him in bare feet. I stop and put them back on. Dropping the right on the first attempt, while I'm fumbling to put them back on, he laughs.

Embarrassed and upset, I steer his attention to another topic. "So why do you want to talk to me more?"

We continue walking.

"Because I like you." He gives me a side glance. "We have things in common. Like being part of high society where it's boring and repetitive."

"I thought you were a bastard son. Aren't bastard children usually ignored by high society? You have a brother who's legitimate don't you?"

"Yes, a younger brother. I am my father's first son. And his first born at that. I can't simply be ignored as some kid. You'd be surprised how many women find me interesting because of it. Despite this, people tend to ignore me. Which is beneficial for me. You see the true faces behind the masks that way." He smiles, mischief in his eyes.

I eye him suspiciously.

We arrive at the edge of the garden that overlooks the city and admire it. The tall and short terracotta roofs almost form together in the main market and middle class district. Large ones separated by little gardens and backyards in the high class district on the other side of the city. A large enough distance to show their different environments and culture. The main line that helps separates the two is the river that leads from near the front gates of the city and to the edge of the city on the other side, where the poor live.

"But you're still provided with a comfortable life, aren't you?"

"Yes." He looks at me again. "But it's not enough is it?"

"No. It isn't."

Despite him being a bastard, who can leave his house whenever he wishes. And I a princess. Neither of us are free.

"So, what exactly do you do in your free time. I don't expect you go to every social event."

"I shoot."

"Shoot?"

"I'm somewhat a sharp-shooter. I'm very good with a gun."

"So, you just shoot things."

"Yep."

"What gun do you use."

"Every gun that you can possible think of."

"You have... quite a collection."

"Yes, I do."

I can tell he's proud.

"Princess Rose."

We snap our heads to the voice. It's Lord Howard.

I frown and resist groaning. I wasn't told he would be coming. I always get given a heads up. His surprise visits tend to annoy me.

"Lord Howard." I put on a fake smile out of reflex. "What are you doing here?"

I already feel a vein popping out.

"I have come to see you. But I see you already have company." He turns his gaze to Alexander, hiding his disgust with a gentlemanly look of politeness. "May I ask your name, sir."

"It's Alexander."

"Your family name?"

I can tell from the request that he wants to see who's status is higher.

"I'm from the house, Mormon."

"Ah. A humble and noble family."

We all know what he means by humble. Not as much money as him.

"More of a proud family. You seem like you come from a moronic family."

"Ha ha." He grits his teeth. "You seem like quite the jester."

He then directs his attention to me, his eyes softer and face more relaxed.

"My Princess, may we take a turn around the garden together? I miss your presence and would love spend some quality time with you."

I shake my head with a smile and gesture elegantly to Alexander. "I'm sorry, but I will not. As you can see here, I already have a guest. It would be rude to abandon him like this."

Alexander grins triumphantly. Earning a glare from Howard.

"So, Rose. You want to continue walking aimlessly around?" He turns to me with smile.

"You do not address the princess that way! Call her by her tittle!" Howard is furious. Man, he got mad quickly. This is the most lively reaction I've ever seen. "Nor do you speak to her so casually. You are nothing but a-"

"What is he Lord Howard." I look at him with disapproval.

"He is..." he's struggling. "A impolite man whom, from what I've heard, with distasteful background. He is not worthy of your company."

Alexander arches his brow, as if he were expecting more.

"What? Do you have nothing to say?" Howard says.

No response.

"Say something you low life-!"

"How about a gun match?"

Howard's anger is replaced with confusion. "Pardon me?"

"A gun match. You see those trees over there?" He points to two decorative trees. "Whoever hits the middle of the trunk wins. The loser will leave, and the winner receives a kiss from Rose. You seem to want me gone. And you definitely like her."

Howard's face turns red. He looks at me quickly then looks back at Alexander. "Very well."

Alexander smiles wickedly.

"Wait. I didn't agree to this." I try to enter my say.

"You have a gun, right?"

"Why would someone come here with a weapon when they're only here to visit?"

"Just in case of situations like these." Alexander reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a revolver painted black, with a red wood handle. It has golden swirled patterns and the industry's name painted over the black.

Howard steps back in fright. "You dare bring a weapon here!"

"So. Do you want to do this thing, or not?"

We both know the answer.

"Yes. Because I don't want Princess Rose to be accompanied by a man like you who just carries a weapon so casually."

That's not his reason.

After obtaining Howard a gun from one of the guards, the two stand side-by-side in front of the targets. Alexander went up to the trees, two leaves in hand and stuck them there with knives he got from the kitchen. He walks back, standing beside Howard.

"Alright. We have our targets set. First to hit the target wins. Got it?"

Howard nods. He's smiling. Why is he smiling?

Now I'm really nervous. But I don't show it as I count down.

"3. 2. 1. Shoot!"

Bang. Bang!

The two lower their guns. I go up to check who won. I sigh with relief. I turn to the two. "Alexander won!"

Upset, Howard pushes his gun back into the guard he borrowed from. He sulks off. Man, he's a sore loser. It's actually funny.

Alexander walks towards me, hands behind his back with large swinging steps. "Sooo."

"So?"

"Now. For my kiss." Alexander grins and taps his cheek.

Grateful, I kiss him on the cheek.

A few hour later, Alexander apologizes and tells me that he has to leave. He says he's going to 'hang out' with his friends. That's a new term for me. I think I prefer 'spend time'. But then again, it's my first time hearing it. So of course I'd find it strange.

Dinner with the family was the same as usual. Typical everyday conversations. Except this time, everyone laughed like hell about the match between Howard and Alexander.

Dressed in my nightgown, I slip into bed and blow out my candle. My bed is comfortable and warm. But despite that, I can't get to sleep. Why can't I get to sleep? I usually fall asleep straight away in this bed. Like there was a sleeping spell on it. But I can't fall asleep. I'm wide awake. Maybe a walk will help.

I sit up and grab a match on my bedside table. Lighting up the candle I stand up and walk into the hallway. The lanterns in the hallway are dimmed. That's normal. It would be very hard to sleep otherwise. I round the corner. Strange. There aren't any guards. Usually there'd be at least two patrolling. Perhaps they haven't reached this part yet.

I stop. Something's wrong. Very wrong.

I hear something. A clashing. Metal against metal. A small cry.

I gulp. Something is definitely wrong. I should head back and lock my door.

But I can't. For some reason my feet move on their own. Towards the noise. Towards the fight.

Deeper into the castle I go. Towards my brother and nephews room. I round another corner and bump into something on the floor. A body. A dead, bleeding guard's body. His throat slit. My breathing quickens. I continue.

I want to turn back! Why can't I turn back?!

I see more dead bodies as I go. Guards and men dressed in black. The clashing getting closer. Faster. Faster. Faster my breathing becomes.

"Turn back!" A voice shouts. "We've failed. We'll try again!"

Finally, I can control my feet. And I run. But I didn't run quick enough. Something hits me on the back of my head. I grunt in pain and fall to the ground. I move my arms to stand.

"She's not out?"

"Hit her again."

They hit me again.

I see darkness.