I had been up since before the sun had risen in the stables. I was too nervous to sleep and decided that laying there would only make me more anxious. The maid had left me deep blue riding attire and black pants. The stables weren’t too far away and in them were four horses who had tack already next to them. I assumed those were the horses we were taking. In the stall on the left I spotted the horse I had ridden here on. “Long time no see” I patted his neck and gave him an apple that I had taken from the kitchen for the journey. To the right of my horse was a black stallion who was freshly groomed, extremely large, and looked extremely powerful. I walked over to a black horse who stole my attention. He huffed as I walked over to him and stomped his foot. He paced in his stall as I walked closer kicking the door. “Hey hey… It’s alright, i’m not here to hurt you.” His eyes were bulging so far out of his head I thought they would pop. I sighed, “Fine, I won’t pet you today, but by the end of this journey I will make you like me horse, mark my words.”

“Talking to the horses I see?” I jumped and turned around and saw that Reo had said that to me with a smirk plastered on his face. To his left was what I assumed to be Eun-ji. Her hair was a silky black and she radiated beauty. Her eyes were a dark green and she looked as if she was a fighter of some sort. Finally to his right was Prince Kazuto. He didn’t acknowledge me and his mouth was pressed into a firm line. He was dressed in all black with a sword strapped to his side. He truly was intimidating. The rumors about his looks also lived up to expectations. Seeing him in a more casual attire instead of suit was almost shocking.

“Reo!” I smiled as I walked up to him and the other meeting them in the middle of the stables. “Your majesty” I said nodding then turned towards the girl, “My name is Kana, thank you for escorting us on this journey, it’s a pleasure to meet you”

She bowed, “The pleasure is all mine Princess, it is an honor to escort the Future Queen back to her homeland.” So serious. Her and the prince were truly a match made in heaven.

I waved my hands and laughed, “Please don’t be so formal, I am a regular person just like you, titles have always made me very uncomfortable.”

Prince Kazuto suddenly walked towards the black stallion and placed the saddle on him without hesitation. The horse stood perfectly still as he mounted the giant with ease. “We will head out now. Saddle up. The journey should take about the same time it took you to get here.”He said looking at me sternly. He yanked the reins and the previously insane horse walked out of the stables without a single step out of place.

I think my mouth had dropped in surprise because Reo responded, “Kazuto is the only one that Tanis will allow to touch and ride him. The bastard almost took off my finger one time when I tried to feed it.” I laughed.

Before I could even pick up my saddle Reo had put it on my horse for me and Eun-ji was on her horse following the prince already. “Thank you.” He nodded and we set out to go follow the prince.

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We were nearing the edge of the village when suddenly we passed the dress shop that Gennovette and the little girl Orella had gave me the dress and allowed me to keep my belongings there.

“Kazuto?” That earned a harsh glare from Sun-ji. I suppose she really didn’t like me speaking informally with the prince.

He halted his horse and faced me. “Do you mind if I could stop in-” before I could even finish my sentence Orella came running out dragging my sword and cloak along with her. I smiled and jumped off my horse as she hugged me tightly.

“I thought you were going to forget to come get your things!” She looked around and noticed that the commotion had stopped and I suddenly realized everyone was staring at Kazuto. Her jaw dropped and she tried to curtsy but was tumbling around. “Your majesty” She stuttered” Kana why are you with the prince?” She yanked on my sleeve slightly hiding behind me. Kazuto was staring at me. I felt like he had been analyzing my every move since I had arrived.

Reo leaned down. “Did she not tell you that she was a princess?” Orella’s face dropped and she looked at me with an open mouth.

“You’re a PRINCESS? Mama mama Kana’s a!” She began running back inside to tell her mom the news but I grabbed her hand and kneeled down.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay for too long but I want you to have this,” I handed her 80 schillings. “Now you can keep some of the bread for yourself instead of selling it”. She suddenly started to cry. She lunged her arms around me sniffling into my shirt.

“Are you ever coming back?” She looked up at me with sad eyes.

“I promise I will come back to visit you. It may not be soon, but I will bring you back a Northern delicacy when I return” I smiled at how much that had cheered her up.

She handed me my sword and gave me one last hug. I squeezed her tight. This little girl was too pure and kind to be struggling this much at such a young age. I hopped back onto my horse. “Don’t forget about me Orella okay?” I grinned. She waved her arms in the air back and forth as we started to leave. It could have been my imagination, but I could have sworn that I saw the faintest smile on Kazuto’s lips as we turned to leave.

Reo turned towards me, “You made her extremely happy.” I looked towards Kazuto who was now riding in front of us.

“Well she really did help me more than you would think. You’re people are extremely kind and generous Kazuto. Everyone that I had talked to treated me warmly.”

He kept looking forward but said, “The Northern princess is just filled with surprises.” That may have been the first almost compliment he had said to me this whole time.

After walking the trail the prince headed off into a direction that I didn’t come from. I ignored it and followed him however because I didn't’t want him to get irritated at me. I figured it was an easier or shorter path that I just wasn’t aware of on my way here. Eun-ji and the prince were ahead as me and Reo trailed shortly behind them. I decided I would get the prince to warm up to me more when we had been riding for a longer time.

Up ahead of me I noticed that the prince was taking off his coat and handing it to Eun-ji.

“It’s cold.” He monotoned. I couldn’t see her face very well, but I could tell she was blushing profusely.

I whispered to Reo with a raised eyebrow, “So he has a heart after all?” Reo laughed which earned a glance from Eun-ji who seemed to have noticed our eyes on them. Her dark green emerald eyes lingered on me for a second, but as I began to smile at her she quickly turned back around.

Reo lowered his voice, “Eun-ji and Kazuto have been… well complicated for a long time. I think Kazuto has trouble sorting out his own feelings for her” he chuckled.

“I see”. Such a stern and seemingly cruel man caring about her being cold in this spring weather seemed quite odd. I wondered if that side of him would come out at the end of this journey when he had to make a decision. At least I hoped.