The next day. In the first crack of dawn, still in my nightwear with a big and thick royal robe on which reaches the floor, I went to the palace kitchen. Not expecting me to visit this part of the palace, the kitchen staffs (yes I call them staff in my head because I'm not used to calling them, servants) stopped what they were doing and lined up in a row, simultaneously bowed with their heads looking down.
"Good morning, Your Imperial Highness."
"What can we do for you, Princess?" An elderly woman who looks like the head of the kitchen stepped forward with all smiles.
"Hi, Grandma! Can I use the kitchen to prepare something? Oh! All of you may continue what you were doing! I apologise for disturbing you." Uncertain of what they should do, they hesitantly made their way back to their stations.
"Grandma~ I want to prepare the foods we'll eat at the mountain, for me and the princes and also, the horses!" As I said that, I was clinging to the elderly woman's arms.
"Ahh~ this child. You could have told us what to prepare, instead of going here and preparing it by yourself."
"It's a lot, Grandma. Thats why I want to prepare it on my own. Puh-leaseee?" She, then, lead me to an empty kitchen station with all the staffs taking glances at me.
"What do you need, my child?" She asked me while fixing my hair and looking at me, lovingly.
"I can get it myself, Grandma~"
"These two uncles will get what you need."
"At your service, Princess."
"Thank you, uncles!!" After I told them the ingredients I needed, I asked them a favor.
"Uncles, could you cut two whole chickens into parts then please roast them? Thank youuuu!"
"Of course, Princess!"
I used a Ciabatta bread for sandwiches I've prepared; stuffed with cooked seasoned chicken meat in strips, cheese and lettuces; put inside a traditional pizza oven. Then, I asked Granny how to make a freshly squeezed orange juice. I also prepared different fruits-- grapes, apples and strawberries. While the chickens-- one whole chicken was only seasoned and coated; after roasting the other chicken, it was divided into two groups to dip in one out of the two sauces-- classic buffalo sauce and honey bbq sauce. I taught them how to make those sauces which I learned back on Earth and told them I just thought of it.
I wouldn't be able to finish preparing all of that, if it wasn't for them, helping and assisting me, even if they have their own duties to do. We prepared a lot more than what we're supposed to, so I told them that they could eat the rest of the foods we prepared. I was so happy seeing how excited they were to try the flavored roasted chickens. I expressed my gratitude to all of them before I bid farewell to them.
...
It was still early in the morning when I arrived at my chamber to take a bath and changed into a horseriding outfit. I was able to persuade my mother to let me bathe and clothe myself, especially if I won't be wearing any complicated clothing that I can't wear by myself and there's no special occasion. Today, they just prepared my bath and clothes, then stayed outside my chamber if ever I need some assistance.
I wore a burgundy color coat which is long on the back that reaches the back of my knee and short on the front and inside is a white turtleneck, then, a white fitted pants and a black long riding boots. I'll put a charcoal black saddle on my grey Andalusian horse, Andy who is very loyal to me, he's a beau and has long hair. As I was getting ready, the princes were informed that I've invited them to go horseback riding and to meet me at the stables.
I was the first one to arrive at the stables and decided to make use of the time to prepare my horse, by myself. It's been a while since I last visited him so I'll make it up to him; they've already groomed him earlier so I'll just use a wide tooth comb. I brushed his mane and tail outside the stable and tack up my horse.
The princes arrived together just before I finished tacking up Andy. They all looked great, by the way, its like watching an international fashion show. They're like idol groups or boy bands that I feel like shouting! But, I have to maintain my composure.
*screaming internally!!*
...
This is my first time to see them from afar so I can look at them clearly; because I avoided looking at them for too long in our first meetings. Now, that I'm looking, all I can say is 'Wow, holy moly'. Three of them were walking in the middle with two princes on both sides a little bit behind and it's like looking at a painting. Prince Leo was in the middle with his straight long messy ginger hair that reaches just before his chest and his hazel eyes.
By his sides were 2nd Prince Egon with his blonde streaks hair in a man bun and his dark brown eyes; and, Prince Theo with his dark brown messy shoulder-length hair and blue eyes.
4th Prince Henri with his messy comb over with classic tapered sides, platinum blonde hair and brown eyes; besides Prince Jihan with thick medium-length dark blue hair and black eyes.
While Prince Romeo with his dark ash brown long hair, braided on the left side and his green eyes; who's trying to have a conversation with Prince Jung about his black hair in a half-up man bun and if his eyes were black or brown.
...
When they first arrived in the palace, only Prince Theo brought his agile and elegant black Friesian horse that matches his red horseriding coat. The rest of the princes will choose their horses in our stables. The first one to choose was 2nd Prince Egon wearing a royal blue coat with our wild Mustang black horse.
Both Prince Romeo and Prince Jihan chose a dark bay Holsteiner horse, one was wearing an emerald green riding coat that matches his green eyes, another was wearing a burgundy color coat just like me.
Prince Leo wearing a french blue coat chose a chestnut Haflinger horse. Lastly, 4th Prince Henri wearing a black coat and Prince Jung wearing a navy blue coat, both chose a blood bay Hanoverian horse, a small horse with a sturdy build.
While the stablemen was preparing their horses, 2nd Prince Egon turned to me and my horse.
"Princess, are you going to be alright riding on your own?"
I swiftly climbed up my horse and showed him a confident smile. "Absolutely. Lets race up to the hills just before the nearest mountain." We'll have to go through the thickness of the woods before we could get to the hills. So, I have to start earlier than them whom more experienced in horseriding.
I squeezed both of my legs' calves and shift my weight forward to make Andy walk, then made a click sound with my tongue.
"Hiyah!" I rode first with a slight speed then rode as fast as I can. While the princes just looked at me riding away.
"Should we give the princess, a headstart?" 2nd Prince Egon asked.
Remembering how brave and confident the princess was, yesterday, Prince Jung made a shocking statement as he yawned.
"If I weren't as sleepy as I am today, I'll go after her right away. You don't want to take her so lightly or she'll surely beat all of us."
As far as Prince Theo knows, she has never beaten him before in horseback riding, but that was a few months ago and he doesn't know how good the princess is, right now. With that in mind, right after the stableman finished preparing his horse, he took the reins, climbed up then rode after the princess. Seeing this, 2nd Prince Egon followed suit and the other princes did the same. Leaving Prince Romeo and Prince Jung, the last riders.
"Urgh, you again. Stop talking to me about clothes and my hair!" That was Prince Jung dashing away with his horse from Prince Romeo.
On the lead was Princess Laurana riding as fast as she can with her dark red long hair flowing in the direction of the wind. Not that far from her was Prince Theo and 2nd Prince Egon trying to outrun each other. With that happening, Prince Jihan who's behind them can't get pass them. While, Prince Leo and Prince Jung were teasing each other by blocking each other's horses so no one could follow the leading riders. Contrasting to the princes on the front, 4th Prince Henri and Prince Romeo were leisurely riding their horses and not joining the race; one prince's reason was because he couldn't outrun his brother in horseriding, the other prince's reason was because his hair might become a mess.