Chapter 13: White horses

''Oh my, aren't you both cute?'' her parents accompanied by the Queen of Trevia approached them leisurely. ''What were you up to?''.

''I asked prince Ferranto to teach me Trevian''.

''How come? Are you interested in foreign languages, princess?'' the prince's mother seemed surprised.

''Since I am to be engaged to prince Ferranto, it's only natural that I can speak his tongue. In the future, once we move to Trevia, I would like to be able to understand its people to proudly represent my husband's house'' the look of surprise on everyone's faces was priceless and despite loathing her herself for being put down like this, she was glad that everyone seemed to be buying it. She looked at the prince with a smile and noticed him blush again. ''He surely turns red easily, maybe he has a skin condition?'' she thought to herself.

''In this case, it is only fair that you teach my son how to properly speak your language, too''.

''Prince Ferranto is most skilled at Orlian'' Helena protested.

''You're too kind'' Helena was touched by her words for she rarely received compliments from her own family nowadays. Despite her efforts, tears started to form in her eyes. Seeing her moved, the woman added ''Why don't you show him to the library? I'm sure he will find it most instructive''.

''Of course'' Helena rose up and automatically grabbed the prince's hand; to her relief, he didn't try to jerk away. ''We shall leave immediately. Thank you for your time'' smiling, she excused herself and pulled the surprised boy with her.

They were walking hand in hand in silence and she was surprised to discover that she didn't mind it at all. She looked at him and wondered why he was so quiet. His hand felt cold.

''Prince Ferranto, are you perhaps cold?''.

''The climate in Orla is very different'' she examined him more carefully. The material of his clothes seemed thin and even though the white shirt and black trousers suited him, she had trouble understanding the simplicity of his clothing. Was it a Trevian fashion?

''I will have someone bring you a warm cape''.

''There is no need'' he looked upset.

''No way am I letting my future fiance get sick'' she looked around and called for a maid nearby, explaining her order. Despite his efforts, she carried on and guided him towards the library.

Located in one of the biggest rooms in the castle, the library looked as beautiful as ever. A familiar scent of old parchment and leather welcomed her and she couldn't help but feel comforted by it. This was her kingdom, one where her imagination could rule and all the worries seemed to disappear. Without letting go of his hand, Helena guided the boy and sat him close to a fireplace.

''Is it alright like this?'' she rubbed his arms. ''Please let me know if you require anything. I can call for more tea if you would like''.

''Do you eat and drink in the library?''.

''Sometimes'' she giggled and saw him smile in response. For the first time since she met him, she thought that they might get along well.

''About what you said earlier...'' he hesitated.

''Was something unclear? Please tell me''.

''Well...'' he looked encouraged by her words. ''How do you know it?''.

''Know what?''.

''How to treat someone as the most precious person'' Helena's heart froze for a moment. The honest answer would be that she tried to treat him as she would have treated Rion if he was in his place. Of course, this wasn't something she could ever tell him. ''Is it because you hold someone dear in your heart?'' he seemed to have read her mind.

''No, not at all'' she resisted clearing her throat. ''I just read about it in some books''.

''What kind of books?'' embarrassed, she hid her face in her palms.

''I sometimes read books meant for... adult women. You know, this kind of stories where a gentleman falls for a lady and does his best to win her affection''.

''Are you trying to imitate such gentlemen then?'' he frowned.

''I don't think gender should matter when showing one's affection. Women should also treat their partners well, don't you think?'' he didn't answer but she saw him pondering about it.

''Very well then, I would like to read such a book as well''.

''I'm sure you will find it very boring'' her palms began to sweat.

''Remember what my mother said? I need to work on improving my common Orlian. This type of book could prove helpful''.

''Alright,'' there was no point in arguing with him. She looked around and reached out to a pouf, lifting the top part and revealing a hidden shelf. She handed the book over to him. ''Please don't tell anybody about it, I would surely get into trouble'' she pleaded. He looked at her, puzzled.

''I would never do anything to get my fiancee in trouble''. Seeing his determination, she decided to go along with him.

''Of course'' she quickly lifted his feet and put them on the pouf, covering them with a blanket. Afterward, she sat on the floor and placed her head on top of his legs. ''Feel free to ask me anything if there is something you don't understand''. The boy didn't respond and she gradually felt her body grow heavy. She hasn't been this active in a long time and the fatigue was surely catching up with her. She decided to close her eyes, just for a while.

''Prince Ferranto, shall I draw a bath for you?'' upon hearing the voice, Helena suddenly woke up. She didn't open her eyes and instead, listened to the conversation. Out of nowhere, she felt a hand land on her head gently.

''Alright. Does princess Helena have a habit of slumbering in the afternoon?''.

''I do not know, your royal highness. Princess Helena spends most of her free time in her chamber''.

''Very well, you may leave'' Helena heard the maid's steps grow weaker and weaker. The boy stroke her hair and she thought it couldn't be a nice sensation: in Orla, hair was worn high, trapped in a tight knot that often caused her headache. Just as if he was reading her thoughts again, he took out a hair tie, his hand brushing through her curls. She felt the smell of rose oil seeping through - she applied it every evening in an attempt to make her hairdo shine. She was afraid that he would get his hand greasy and become upset.

''Prince Ferranto?'' the boy flinched. ''I'm sorry for troubling you, I must have fallen asleep''.

''You could have told me you were tired'' she raised her head and looked at him. Suddenly, he snorted. ''You look so silly'' she could tell her hair was all over the place.

''I apologize for this ungodly sight, prince Ferranto'' her hands were patting her hair yet she couldn't tell if her attempt at containing them was effective.

''Anto''.

''Pardon?''.

''You don't need to address me so formally when we are alone'' he grumbled.

''Alright, then please call me by my name, too'' she grabbed his hand with a smile. He looked at their joined hands and then back at her hair, his smile returning.

''Do you prefer seeing me with my hair loose?''.

''Does it matter to you?'' he still seemed to doubt her intentions of pleasing him.

''Of course, I would like to suit your personal taste the most'' his eyes sparkled.

''Then... wear them like this tomorrow. I will look forward to seeing it''.

''Very well, although I am not sure if I can imitate this exact look'' he laughed. ''I shall arrange for our horses, too'' prince Ferranto nodded in response, seemingly pleased with her. Things were going a lot better than she has ever anticipated.

The next day, her maids were horrified once they heard that today she wouldn't be styling her hair. Instead, she combed through them and examined her reflection. Her hair was long and wavy, making her face look tender. Even her nose seemed to be smaller and straighter this way. Who would have thought that breaking a tradition or two could be in her favor?

Her family almost choked on their breakfast as she walked into the dining room. Before they were able to react, Anto stood up from his chair.

''Your highness, you look beautiful'' his statement left everyone speechless. For a moment, Helena felt taken aback as she didn't expect him to compliment her, yet decided to accept his gesture with grace.

''Thank you, prince Ferranto, I am glad it is to your liking'' she sat down across from him and he too rested back on his seat. ''Cesare, would you pass me the platter with sausages?'' her brother gaped at her.

''Let me do it for you'' Anto grabbed the dish and handed it to her.

''Thank you''.

The breakfast continued and her family resumed their previous conversations. Helena was smirking inside: there was nothing that they could complain about since their guests have approved of her behavior. Just as she thought, they would have to go along with her if she were to receive Aranto's backing. Now it was time to make sure that she has him eating out of her hand.

After breakfast, they headed to the fields where the butler informed them that the stablemen would soon deliver their horses. From a distance, Helena recognized her white mare Daisy dressed in a red saddle. She looked around but couldn't spot a second horse. With a sudden sense of dread, she turned back in the direction in which she usually headed to the farm and saw a figure guiding another white horse. There was no mistaking it: she would recognize this person anywhere in the world. His raven hair was scattered by the wind, revealing his pale complexion which easily turned tanned in the summer. His head was facing downwards and there was no telling when their eyes would meet. Trembling, she covered her mouth with her hand. What has she done?