History and math lessons with Leon were done for the day. He was a rigorous teacher but I liked that. It was a good thing that I was listening to Richard's tutors when they were teaching him. Luckily, I could keep up with Leon's lessons because of this.
What I mostly liked about the lessons was the history part. Aside from the history of Ethiopia, Leon taught me about two other neighboring kingdoms. Around Ethiopia, there were two kingdoms. The kingdom of Grandcest was in the southwest of Ethiopia and a few small new domains were in the northwest and there was the kingdom of Jaimaina in the far north. And in the east of Ethiopia was the great Atlantic ocean.
Grandcest was the biggest and the most powerful kingdom among the three. Because of their geographical location in the south, there were many places in the kingdom where there would be summer for the whole year! The weather conditions also made it easy and good to grow crops. The people in the southwest were able to raise farms and animals easily. Their geographical location is attributed to their flourishing economy.
Jaimaina on the other hand was the smallest and least powerful kingdom. Most places there had very cold weather and there would be ice. It was very hard for the people living there. They were able to grow fruits that needed cold weather. As for their economy, their country was the least flourishing as they could barely grow enough food and crops for everyone there.
Ethiopia was the second largest and second most powerful kingdom. We have four seasons every year which helps grow crops and fruits and raise animals. And because our country is by sea, we have shipping docks that have big merchant ships. Trades with other kingdoms across the sea went right through and the taxes we got made our country flourish.
After my history and math lessons with Leon, I sat near the fountain on a bench in the palace's garden to take a break. Soon after, I had horseback riding lessons with Leon.
"Princess Alicia, I brought some snacks." Tricia said entering the palace garden. She was holding a tray of biscuits and fruits and a jar of juice.
"Thank you, Tricia." I said.
"Where is Sir Leon?" Tricia asked as she looked around.
"He went to the stables to prepare the horse for my horseback riding lessons." I answered.
"Oh, I prepared these snacks for him too." Tricia said with a sad face. "Hey princess, what do you think of him?" Tricia asked me enthusiastically. She started putting juice in my glass.
"Who?" I asked. I took a biscuit and took a bite from it.
"Sir Leon." Tricia said. I saw both of you earlier. "He kissed the back of your hand. You know what that means." Tricia said as she giggled.
I was surprised. I almost choked on my biscuit.
"Ahem. Ahem." I said as I coughed.
"Princess be careful when you are eating." Tricia said as she handed me some juice. I drank the juice till my throat cleared.
"Were you eavesdropping?" I asked Tricia.
"Well... I didn't intend to eavesdrop. I was passing by when I heard you two talk and I didn't want to disturb so I just stood nearby and hid." Tricia said as she looked apologetic.
"Eavesdropping is not good." I said scolding Tricia.
"I'm sorry princess. I didn't mean to." Tricia said as she knelt.
"Rise, Tricia. Just don't do it again." I said to Tricia as I sighed.
"Thank you, princess." Tricia said. "But I'm still curious. What do you think of Sir Leon?" Tricia said.
"Sir Leon is a good man. I have learned that he is brilliant and knowledgeable from his tutoring lessons. I can also tell that he is a very kind person." I answered.
"Not those things. I mean he is so manly. He is so handsome. And look at his body." Tricia said as she was making a dreamy face.
"W-Well." I said. I blushed hearing Tricia's definition of Leon. " He is rather good-looking. But what I l like the most is his smile. It is so addictive that I can't help but smile too." I said as I started smiling just thinking about it.
"Oh my god princess you're smiling and blushing."Tricia said a bit too enthusiastically.
"Huh? No, I'm not." I said denying it. I held my cheeks with my hands.
"Princess, you should always smile. You look so beautiful when you do smile." Tricia said.
"Really?" I asked.