Chapter 14: Princess of disaster

Rion approached them and bowed in front of them. Once more, Helena appreciated her hair was down on this day as she tried to use them as a fan to cover her face.

''Your Royal Highness, here is your horse, as requested. If you require my assistance, please do not hesitate to call for me'' his speech was refined, his eyes down, not daring to look at her face directly. She was thankful for his manners and all the books he has read so far - they came in handier than she would have ever anticipated. Anto looked at her, surprised by her lack of response.

''I do not think we will require further help from you''.

''Yes, Your Royal Highness. In this case, I will wait for you here'' Helena imagined him standing for hours, bored, watching them from a close distance. A shiver went through her spine.

''Go rest in the arbor back there'' she tried to make her voice sound as low as possible and almost flinched upon hearing it. ''Mariella!'' she cried sharper than she intended to. ''Please bring four servings of tea and refreshments. You can both leave'' without waiting for their response, she turned back and pulled Daisy's bridle, heading towards the plain. Her free hand reached for Anto who followed after her with his horse.

''Helena, are you feeling alright?'' Anto asked her once they gained some distance from the rest. ''Your voice sounded very weird. Are you getting ill? Or do you always speak like this to the servants?''.

''No, of course not!'' she hated to be misunderstood but struggled to come up with a believable excuse. ''There was something stuck in my throat''.

''Shall we call for a doctor?'' Anto squeezed her hand. ''Does it hurt?''.

''I'm all better'' she smiled at him and looked at Daisy. She was displeased to discover that she was going to ride a side saddle - she preferred horseriding astride, the way men do. Without further delay, she requested Anto's help to mount her horse. He bent and having a good grip on her foot, gave her a strong spring, helping her into her seat. He panted yet headed towards his horse without complaining, and to her surprise, got on it without any problem.

''That was beautiful'' she sighed. ''You're so elegant'' she gave him a simper, making him blush. ''Come on, let's ride'' laughing, she set forward with trotting Daisy.

With air in her hair, for a moment Helena felt happy and free. She laughed out loud, hasting Daisy to keep up the pace. Anto had no trouble keeping up with her and together, they rode around. Seeing her maid return, Helena asked Anto to wait for a moment and headed toward Mariella.

''Go and enjoy some tea and refreshments with him''.

''Princess?'' Mariela has never been more surprised by her request.

''If he tries to refuse, tell him that I insist. Enjoy yourselves'' with her last words, Helena rode back to Anto.

''Do you wish to have a break, Helena?'' he looked concerned. ''I saw that the tea has arrived''.

''I'm good, I'd like to ride some more. What about you?''.

''Let's do it then'' his smile reached his blue eyes.

Helena lost track of time; it's been a while since she was able to ride Daisy. Now and then, she looked back at Rion and Mariella and felt relief seeing them munch on cookies. As the sun set even higher, they decided to stop riding horses for today and enjoy their luncheon.

''You can take the horse back'' Anto handed the bridle back to Rion.

''Come again tomorrow, we shall ride at the same time'' this time, she tried to make her tone sound warmer but wasn't sure if she had succeeded.

''Yes, Your Royal Highness. Please enjoy your luncheon'' Rion bowed and headed back. Helena followed him with her longing gaze. Was it just a matter of time before he would be able to tell who she is?

After the luncheon, Helena walked with Anto, holding his arm. They played a game where they had to finish each other sentences by taking the last letter of the last word that was being said and making a new word starting with that letter. Helena giggled as Anto seemed to be losing. He grumbled and requested to play the game in Trevian next time, to which she happily agreed.

They were climbing castle stairs when she noticed his brew covered in sweat. Worried, she wiped it off with her handkerchief.

''Are you alright? Shall we rest?''.

''No, I'm fine'' he looked embarrassed. ''I just have a weak constitution'' Helena didn't know how to respond and decided to say nothing, stroking his hair instead. She could tell that he didn't know how to accept her affections yet: with his flushed face and clumsy gestures, he was even more of a child than she was. In a way, she felt responsible for him, as if he was a younger brother that she never had. Seeing his discomfort, she let her hands fall to her sides.

''I apologize, I can't help myself when I see cute things''.

''Don't call me cute''.

''Why not?''

''Just don't''.

''But why not?'' they continued to bicker, their voices echoing in the corridor. Behind them, Olivia watched them stroll while clenching her fists. Oblivious to everyone, the children carried on without a worry in the world.

This time around, Helena couldn't wait for Rion to arrive. She was glad she got to see him, even if from a distance. Together with Anto and Mariella, they headed to the plains together.

''Mariella, please leave this book in the arbor for the stable boy'' her companions looked startled.

''Princess, I don't understand...''

''Tell the boy that he can use it to entertain himself. And bring some tea and refreshments for both of you like last time''.

''Do you think he can read?'' Anto sounded skeptical.

''It's a book about horses, it contains many illustrations'' she responded avoidantly. ''Mariella, did you enjoy yourself yesterday, or was he a rather unpleasant company?''.

''Not at all, princess. He seemed rather cheerful'' Helena would never use the word ''cheerful'' to describe Rion but had to hold herself back from requiring further about it.

''I'm glad to hear that'' she stuck to a simple response instead.

''He's quite dashing, really'' Mariella blabbed. ''His shoulders are so wide, he will grow into a fine man'' she was already drooling at a picture of him in her mind. Helena giggled.

''I can see your point'' the words escaped her mouth before she realized that Anto was still with them. Seeing Rion was already waiting for them, she quickly added ''Let's go and mount our horses, prince Ferranto''. Her companion didn't look too pleased.

Just like yesterday, Rion presented the horse to the prince, his head lowered in a respectful greeting. Helena approached Daisy and patted her side lovingly.

''Your Royal Highness, do you require my assistance?'' Rion's offer startled her. Before she had a chance to answer, Anto made his way to them.

''I shall help the princess, you can join the maid'' he sounded sour and Helena felt embarrassed that she made remarks about another boy next to him. ''That's no way to treat your most precious person'' she thought to herself. Anto helped her without a word and proceeded to mount his horse.

''Prince Ferranto...'' to her surprise, he rode off without waiting for her. She quickly hurried after him. ''Anto, wait'' trying to catch up with him wasn't easy, even though eventually, she was able to match his pace. They continued to ride their horses in silence.

''What type of men do you like?'' he asked unexpectedly, making her blush for the very first time.

''I have never thought about it. I guess strong and reliable?'' she scratched her cheek in discomfort.

''Do you prefer someone your age or someone older?''.

''I prefer age-mates'' the lies didn't stop pouring out of her mouth. Satisfied, Anto proceeded with a few more questions until he noticed Helena's shallow breathing. ''Helena, are you alright?''.

''My back hurts'' it wasn't easy to ride a horse this way for her, and the long hours on the saddle began to strain her.

"Let's stop for today then'' this time, Helena kept her distance when Rion was taking away the horse by pretending that she had to tend to Daisy. Once he left, she let out a long sigh.

After their meal, Anto made an unusual request.

''I would like to see the exercise room if you have one''.

''Well, we do have a room for the royal guards and most established knights to practice, if that is what you mean?'' he nodded in response. ''Is there a reason as to why you would like to see it?''.

''As I told you yesterday, my constitution isn't too good. I thought exercises could help'' he reached out to grab her hand and waited for her to take the lead. Baffled, she guided their way.

The training grounds and gymnasium were full of knights who looked even more surprised by seeing two children venturing on their own. Quickly, they realized that they couldn't be ordinary children and returned to their business, pretending not to notice them. Once in the exercise room, Anto requested a tour from the gym master. Smiling, she watched him listen attentively as he was attempting to lift heavy stones as per the master's instructions. Suddenly, she felt someone's heavy hand on her shoulder.

''What are you doing here with your lover?''.