It had been a few days since the grand ball. My life went back to normal, except for William visiting me.
These days, William has been visiting me daily in my courtyard. We talk about many things such as politics, history, and other stuff and sometimes also include things about how's it going in our homes and other casual talks.
It was morning and I had just finished my daily morning exercise. Since I and Richard were much younger than everybody else he made us exercise daily to strengthen our bodies.
"Sister Alicia!" I heard the voice of my younger brother Richard say. As I looked backward, I found him running towards me.
"Sister!" Richard said as he launched on me.
"Whoa!' I said as I opened my arms to catch him. He was much heavier than before and I almost lost my balance. Thankfully, I managed to balance myself so neither of us fell.
"Sister, you haven't been visiting me in my courtyard recently." Richard said with teary eyes. "I have missed you so much!"
"Hush now. A prince shouldn't show his tears to others." I said as I wiped away his tears.
"But you are not 'others'. You are my sister." he said with his puppy dog eyes.
"Oh, you look so cute when you do that. That is not fair." I said as I gently pinched his cheeks. "I just finished my morning exercise. I will go to your courtyard after washing up myself." I said.
"Promise?" Richard said with his cute face.
"I promise, now go on!" I said.
"Okay, I'll wait for you." he said as he ran to his courtyard.
Richard was now 12 years old. He was nearing my height and slowly starting to lose his chubby cheeks. His body was slowly but surely transforming into a young man's. I was gonna miss the young munchkin who would always stay by my side wanting to play with me 24/7.
I was walking to Richard's courtyard. I had washed myself up and gotten into fresh clothes. They were of course my sisters' hand-me-downs.
"Alicia." someone called out to me. I turned around to see William.
"Will." I said as I smiled at him.
"One of your maids told me that you would be here." he said as he smiled back.
"I am going to meet my younger brother Richard in the courtyard today. You wanna come with me?" I asked.
"Can I accompany you?" William asked.
"Yes, of course." I replied.
William smiled and started to walk beside me.
When we entered the courtyard, not so far did I see grandpa Robert and Richard holding wooden swords. Grandpa Robert was teaching Richard sword techniques.
"Stand steady and put your feet apart. Find your balance and confidence. Hold your sword with both your hands. Think as if it is an extension of your hand." Grandpa said to Richard.
"Good morning, Grandpa Robert." I said as I came close.
"Oh good morning, Alicia." grandpa replied.
"Good morning, sister Alicia." Richard said enthusiastically. But his mood suddenly turned sour when he saw William standing beside me.
"Good morning General Robert and Prince Richard." William said.
"The morning was great and peaceful a while ago but not so much now." Richard mumbled.
"Now don't be disrespectful, Richard." grandpa said. "Good morning, William." grandpa greeted William.
"Hmph." Richard said as he made a sour voice.
"Did I do something to offend the prince?" Richard whispered to me.
"Don't you worry." I giggled. " He probably just has a sister complex." I continued.
"Ohhh." William said as he understood Richard's actions.
"Alicia, it's good that you've come here." Grandpa said.