The sky started getting dark. The sun was setting. Leon accompanied me to my courtyard.
"I hope you don't mind Sir Leon. My courtyard is a little bit shabby." I said as I was embarrassed.
This was the second time I felt embarrassed with what my courtyard looked like. The other time was when Will visited me for the first time. Luckily, he didn't find my very normal-looking courtyard.
"It's okay, princess. I don't mind it." Leon said.
"Have you heard the stories about me?" I asked him.
We were at the entrance of my balcony.
"No, I only know that you are the daughter of king henry Heist Johns." Leon said.
"I would rather tell you my origins than rather you hear it from others." I said as I faced him.
"I am an 'adoptive' child of the king. My mother used to be a cleaner in this huge palace. My father fell in love with her." I started. "Soon after, my mother got kicked out of the palace and that was when she found out about me. I lived a simple, nice, and happy life with my mother outside the palace. Soon after, my world shattered into pieces as my mother died. My father took me in. My stepmother and stepsisters treat me as a nobody and constantly bully me. My father doesn't show me any affection. Only gGrandpaRobert and Richard have shown me kindness. I have never been seen or presented in public before my 14th birthday. I am typically called 'The Forgotten Princess'." I said.
Leon looked at me thoughtfully and surprised.
"This is why my courtyard looks shabby and very normal. I can't wear beautiful clothes. I also can't outdo my sisters in beauty." I looked at Leon's yellow eyes. "I am sorry that you have to be my bodyguard. The bodyguard of a forgotten princess." I said with a sad smile.
"My princess, even if you are the poorest of the poor. Even if most of the world is against you, please remember I will always stay by your side." Leon said confidently.
"I don't identify people by how rich, poor, ugly, or beautiful they are. What matters is in here." Leon said as he put his hand on his chest.
"As a knight with virtues to uphold, I believe what is most important in a person is how big their heart is. Leon said. "If you happen to be big by heart, then you will always stay the most powerful and the best." He continued.
I was taken aback by his words. He was the first person I had ever seen who didn't care about the power or richness of a person but about what is within. The people around me such as maids, stewards, and butlers treated me just the way my father treated me as they knew I was a neglected princess who was not loved by the king.
But Leon was different. He didn't care about what I had but who I was by the heart. I was thrilled to have him as my personal knight.
"Ummm Tricia." I called one of my maids.
"Yes, princess." Tricia said.
Tricia was a twenty-year-old maid. She was presented to me by GrandpaRobert when he saw that the old maids were neglecting me. She had been by my side for two years.
"Can you please show Sir Leon to his room, please?" I said.
"Of course, princess." Tricia said. "Sir Ledon, right this way." Tricia said to Leon.
"Thank you." Leon said to Tricia. "Princess Alicia, I will take my leave." Leon said to me.
"Good night, Sir Leon." I said.
"Good night, Princess Alicia." Leon said.