The next morning, I woke up feeling great. I felt giddy and ready for the world. Last night had gone from horrible to wonderful. All because of Prince Cornell. This morning I woke up before the ladies. They were surprised when they came in to find me already woke, dressed, and ready for the day. Even more surprising, I was dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, a white-collar shirt, and a blue jacket. On my feet were knee-high black boots.
After an exceptional kiss, Cornell and I had talked for hours. He had promised to help me get into the hang of this princess thing. The most important thing was to check my schedule every day and dress accordingly. My schedule had sat at my desk from the moment I had arrived. Today was the first time I had even looked at it. I saw all the other things I had not even done. My grandmother had been right. I was not taking this seriously, but now I was.
The first thing on my schedule was breakfast, then riding lessons. After the riding lesson, I had an etiquette class and a history class. Everything was going to be done in my apartments. Since I was on punishment and shit. My only time away from the apartment would be riding lessons. Luckily, they would be with Hayden, who was the first cutie I had met here. So that would be fun. Then it would be packing for the country visit.
I was a little excited about leaving for real. Being in the country should be less stressful. Maybe I could focus and get my life together. I smiled at Sadie's shocked face and asked. "Is breakfast ready?"
They didn't say a word, just nodded, and stepped aside in formation to let me pass to go to the breakfast room. I smirked when Olivia asked Sadie if I was okay. Was I? I think I was. For real this time. The girls talked about who they had seen at the ball and who had the best dress. I had no comments to add, so I just listened. It was entertaining, even though I didn't know who they were talking about. We headed to the stables. Soon, we were headed to the stables.
As soon as we got there, we saw Hayden. He wasn't doing anything special. It looked like he was simply moving hay around. Nothing special at all, but he was shirtless, with the sun beaming down on his glorious brown skin. He was sweaty and the tight pants he wore were dirty. Still, he was a welcome sight and a major beefcake. The girls snickered and tried to look anywhere else. Better me took a back seat to the old me, only for a second. Yeah, I was engaged, and I even liked my fiancée a little more today, but I had eyes and I did not even attempt to look away.
The girl snickering alerted him to our presence, and he finally looked up at us. A smile spread across his face, and he reached for a shirt and covered up that wonderful chest. He came towards us quickly and bowed low.
"Ladies, and Princess Royal Victoria. Welcome again to my stables," He said politely, "You have finally come for your riding lessons?"
"It was on the schedule," I replied.
I watched his smile take over his whole face. Damn it, I was getting married. I should not be thinking naughty thoughts about Hayden, but as he turned to go to the stables, I checked him out. He brought out three horses and began to equip them with saddles. Damn, he was fine. I mean, really, the man looked like he had been doing hard labor all his life and was not ashamed of it. I mean, who wouldn't be proud with all those muscles and all that sweat, all those...
"Princess," he said, looking concerned. Damn, he caught me eating him up. Oh well, no point in stopping now may as well have all the fun I can now and sham the devil. "She's ready for you."
He stepped back and I couldn't help but notice this smudge of dirt on the side of his face. I reached up and wiped it off with my hand. "You are coming with me right; I don't want to get lost around here."
He blinked once, then twice, and shook his head as if to wake himself up. "Oh, yes, I'm coming can't have you getting lost around here. What if something were to happen to you; I'd never be forgiven."
I smiled and listened intently to what he was saying, the instructions he was giving me. And I was paying attention, I really was, but I kept getting lost in his chest muscles and when I wasn't lost, I was thinking about a certain prince. I had no idea if what had started in the gardens of the ball would carry over into today. I hope it did. We had promised to do this the right way and if he switched up today, I doubt I would call a truce again.
"Ready for your first ride?" Hayden asked.
Was I ever? "Yes."
Okay, let's just say that there is nothing like riding a horse in the wind. There was a free feeling about riding. After a couple of hours, we stopped by a pond and sat down while our horses had a drink. The ladies rode as well, but they were pros and they stayed at a distance, giving us some privacy.
"How did you become a horse handler, Hayden?" I had since learned that he did not like to be called a stable boy.
"Well, I kind of inherited the title. My dad handled horses here and his father before him. I always knew I would do it one day."
I took a deep breath and looked at the clear blue sky above and I realized I was feeling an emotion that was new to me. I was jealous.... of a stable boy, err um, horse handler. It rose into my throat like bile and all I wanted to do was to spit it out. "You're lucky, you know, to have roots like that, to have grown up always knowing what you would do, where you would be. I grew up thinking I could be whatever I wanted to, only to learn that my whole life is pre-ordained or some shit like that. I learned just a while ago that I was destined to rule a whole country, marry a prince, and give him royal babies."
Suddenly Hayden was blocking my view of the sky, and his eyes were serious. "Sometimes I wish I could do more than what I am. I had dreams of becoming a doctor or moving away and doing some daredevil shit. I wanted to go to frat parties and sleep with sluts. For me, always knowing what I must do was a hindrance. I would not call it luck."
"So why didn't you go off and have a year or two of fun or go to the university?"
"Because family comes first. When my dad got sick, I had to take over. We still had to eat, and I have a little sister who will be old enough to marry soon. In this country, and in this world, we are into roots. Family and heritage are everything. I am as close to royalty as I can get and if my family is happy, so shall I be. Besides, I like horses."
I laughed and shook my hair out as I sat up. "Do you think I'll be a good queen?"
Hayden laughed softly and placed a hand on my shoulder. "No Vic, you're going to be a great queen. You're so down to earth that sometimes I forget who you really are. Arrogant princes and all, you got sparks that fly girl, and I believe you might just be what he needs, you know, and what the country needs."
"You pushing me on another guy? I thought we had something special?" I joked.
"In another lifetime, maybe. In this lifetime, he is yours and you are his, just as I am a horse handler and a stable boy. Embrace your fate, Vic. It will be easier in the end." He spoke.
I stood up, feeling even better than I would have talking to my chicks. "You know, Hayden, you have too much potential to be a stable boy. How would you feel about being my chief adviser? We see eye to eye, and you give the best advice. I even think you may have the potential to be my best friend."
"Are you serious?" he asked.
"I never talk out the side of my neck," I replied. When he looked confused, I added, "I'm serious."
He took a knee before me and grabbed my hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. "I accept."
"WHAT THE FUCK, IS GOING ON HERE?"
I turned and, looking as if he were about to bust a gut at any minute, was my lovely fiancé. His hair was in disarray, his shirt sleeves rolled back, and now he was livid. I released Hayden's hand and stepped towards him cautiously, but he never took his eyes off Hayden, who stood there looking at the ground.
I walked right up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Now his eyes were on me, and they were extremely jealous. "What's wrong boo?"