"Princess Zinnia wake up! It's morning!" Adelaide shouted, shaking me vigorously.
"Mmm." I responded.
I opened my eyes and felt a tear run down my face. As I sat up, my heart felt heavy, and for some reason I wanted to cry.
Did I have a bad dream?
I couldn't remember.
"Princess, your bath is ready. Please go ahead and wash up." Adelaide said, bowing down.
I stared at her for a few seconds, and she tilted her head in response.
"Is there any problem, Princess Zinnia?"
I stood up, walked in front of her, and clasped both her hands.
"Please stop calling me Princess, call me Zinnia." I earnestly said to her.
"B-but I can't do that. I'm your maid, and I have no right to talk to you like that," she sternly replied.
"I consider you as my friend, not just a mere maid, Adelaide. I want us to be closer."
She blushed at my words.
"I... I really can't, Princess Zinnia. Saying that would stain your great name," she explained.
"Then, only when it's just the two of us, you can call me Zinnia."
"But, why?"
"You're the only one I can trust. I don't want you to think of yourself as someone of lower status," I said as I hugged her tightly. "You're all I've got, so be my friend... Please, Adelaide." I tightened the hug, seeking her reassurance.
There was a moment of silence, and then she sighed heavily, patting my back.
"Yes, I understand, Zinnia. Please let go," she gently requested.
I released the hug but held onto her shoulders, beaming with delight at her response. "Really??" I questioned enthusiastically.
"Yes, really," she replied with a smile.
I chuckled, "Oh, and please don't hesitate to scold me if I'm doing anything wrong. I would appreciate it if someone would correct my wrongdoings."
"Okay, I'll take that into consideration Prince- I mean Zinnia!"
"That's the spirit! Now let's think of a way to kidnap Zemis!"
Her smile faded away, and I could see her starting to sweat. I wanted to tease her for a bit, so I made that remark.
"Eh?" she said, clearly dumbfounded by my words.
"The last kidnapping went wrong so let's do it right this time okay?" I said cheerfully.
She was in a befuddled state, not knowing how to react.
"B-bbbut-" She stuttered.
"Pfftt hahahahah." I burst out laughing.
"Eh? what?"
"Sorry sorry, I was joking hahaha." I laughed again, holding my stomach.
"You're so cute Adelaide! You had quite an expression." I said, wiping the tear coming from my eye.
"Geez! You scared me!" Adelaide shouted, lightly punching my back multiple times while pouting.
"Sorry, I just wanted to test what you would do with what I said." I chuckled.
"Gosh, I honestly don't know if I should be honest or obey you. Please don't joke about that in the future!" she pleaded.
"Alright alright, I promise. Well, maybe." I smirked and she pouted back.
"Sigh, go take a bath; the water is getting colder!" she said and pushed me towards the bathroom.
"Fine, I get it, Adelaide."
"And also, since we're friends, you can call me Ade," she said with flushed cheeks while looking away.
"Okay, Ade~" I smiled.
After that, I got into the tub. Ade helped me dress up afterward, and then we headed towards the dining hall.
Ade and I happily chatted and giggled to ourselves while I had my breakfast.
Due to what happened earlier, I could feel that we had become closer, and the awkwardness between us had disappeared.
After breakfast, we decided to take a walk together, and Ade walked beside me as we headed towards the stable to check on the horses.
On our way there, I spotted a blond beauty, I believe she's heading inside the palace.
"Zinnia, that's your fiancé Euphemia." Ade whispered.
Ade bowed down, and I greeted Euphemia with a smile. However, she appeared displeased upon seeing me. She didn't even return the greeting, merely rolled her eyes and walked away, showing no concern.
"Tsk, pathetic." She mumbled.
It irks me to hear her say that, but I decided to let it be because I don't want any unnecessary drama.
Ade looked at me with concern, but I smiled at her, assuring her that I was okay.
After that encounter, we finally made it to the stables. There were a lot of horses freely roaming around the gated stable, and I became ecstatic.
"Ade, do I have a horse?" I asked, looking at her with glimmering eyes.
"Err yes you do have one but-"
"Yes! Is it a boy or a girl horse?"
"The horse you have is male but-"
"Oh, where is he? Do you know what he looks like? Does he have a name?" I bombarded her with questions, but for some reason she was not happy about it.
"Is there something wrong, Ade?"
"I'm happy you feel excited, Zinnia, but it pains me to say that the horse you have is quite peculiar, you were unable to ride him because he wouldn't budge and would just stand in position."
"You also didn't give him a name yet because you got quite angry at what happened."
"I see, was that horse usually like that to everyone or only to me?"
"He's like that to everyone, I'm afraid he was given to you because no one liked him."
"That's fine, can you tell me where he is?"
She looked around, but she shook her head, saying she didn't know.
I turned my attention back to the stable and noticed an old man refilling the horse's water. I walked up to him to inquire.
"Good day! Do you know where the other horses are?" I greeted him warmly.
He looked at me and flinched, seemingly surprised to see me.
"P-Princess Zinnia! Good day to you too! W-what are you looking for?" he greeted me back, bowing down respectfully.
"I'm looking for my horse do you know where he is?
"Your horse? Err yes, he doesn't usually follow anyone, not even me. I'll walk you towards him, please follow me." He said and walked towards the horse's direction.
"There he is," he pointed.