Getting to know the princess better(2)

Tricia was leading Leon along the hallway outside my courtyard.

"I'm happy that Sir Robert found a bodyguard for princess Alicia." Tricia said as she was walking down the hallway.

"I feel happy to be serving princess Alicia." Leon said as he smiled.

"I hope that the rumors don't get to you. Princess Alicia is a good-hearted girl. Even though the queen and her stepsisters are bad to her and constantly despise her she never shows ill intentions or thinks badly about them. She always stays silent and listens to whatever they say to her or make her do." Tricia said.

"Do they always bully princess Alicia?" Leon asked.

"When they feel like it, they just search for her and bully her. I always feel sorry for her but I can't do anything about it. I am just a lowly maid." Tricia said as she sighed.

"Why can't I see any other maids around here?" Leon asked.

"We are just a handful of maids here in the third princess's room. The queen doesn't want her to have as many maids as the other princesses have." Tricia said. "And many also do not want to work here as they know the pay here is low." Tricia continued.

"I never thought they would do this to a descendant of the royal family. Even if this was born to a cleaner and of low birth she is still the king's daughter. The royal blood is still flowing through her veins." Leon said.

"I know, right?" Tricia said as she sighed. "I can't wait for crown prince Richard to take the throne. He would for sure make her life better. Or better she would be married to a good young man. Take for instance, Lord William Johnathan. He is the future Duke of Johnathan. I am sure our princess would be well off with him." Tricia said enthusiastically.

Tricia didn't notice Leon's face turn dark when she started praising William.

"Is William courting the princess?" Leon asked with darkness in his eyes.

"What I know is that he does have that intention but they are starting as friends and getting to know each other." Tricia answered. "The only problem is that second princess Lisa has set her eyes on Lord William. I hope nothing goes wrong between Lord William and princess Alicia's friendship." she said.

After a long talk, Tricia and Leon reached Leon's room.

"Sir Leon, this will be your room." Tricia said as she opened the double doors.

Inside was a spacious room with a queen size bed. The room was rather grand to be a knight's room.

"Is this the correct room?" Leon asked curiously. "Isn't this a little too spacious and grand for a knight like me?" Leon asked.

The princess specifically asked me to give you the grandest room possible on this estate." Tricia said.

Leon looked at Tricia with confusion.

"Doesn't the grandest room belong to the princess?" Leon asked.

"It is said that the first time the princess slept here in this spacious room she couldn't sleep. So she chose a smaller room to make her permanent room." Tricia said. "The personal knights of the other princesses live in luxury. I don't think she wanted you to feel left out." Tricia further continued.

"Well, I'll take my leave now. Please rest well." Tricia said. "And thank you for accepting princess Alicia as your sworn lady. She is like a little sister to me so please take care of her and also protect her." Tricia said as she bowed her head.

"Don't worry. I am sworn to protect the princess from any harm. I will make sure to keep my promise." Leon said.

"Thank you." Tricia said. A tear dropped down from Tricia's eye. She quickly wiped it and ran away from Leon's room closing the door.

Leon was left alone in the spacious room. His luggage was put in the room earlier.

"Dimitri." Leon said in a low voice.

"Your highness." a voice came from the balcony door. Dimitri emerged from the shadows.

"How'd it go?" Leon asked. His friendly smile had turned into the proud demeanor of a crown prince.

"We're still under investigation your highness. It looks like it will take a while. They have a good job hiding. They're not leaving any evidence." Dimitri answered.

"It's alright. I can take my time here. I am enjoying my time here, to be honest." Leon's said as he smiled.

Dimitri was taken aback by surprise. This was the first time he had seen the crown prince smile with brightness. In the past, he had either seen the crown prince smile sarcastically or darkly.

"It looks like the future queen has a tough life here in the palace." Dimitri said.

"Now that I'm here I won't let anyone bully my future wife." Leon said as he smirked. "But I'm rather interested in getting to know my future wife better." Leon continued.