Chapter Two - A Day in the Gardens


After breakfast was finished, I softly excused myself from the table and hurried from the room. I bumped into Martha, the laundry maid, causing her to drop her basket. Another thing I picked up from my aunt - clumsiness. But, unlike her, I had my fairy magic.

"Sorry Martha," I said with sincerity as I pointed at the pile of wet clothes and lifted them into the air. They spun quickly for a few seconds, before landing in her righted basket, folded, cleaned, and dried.

"Gosh miss, you just saved me an hour of work!" she said with a smile before continuing on her way. I picked up my meandering walk to a run as I blew by Aric (Air-Rick), our butler and pushed open the front doors. I ran down the rocky path and turned right, into a small maze made with pricker bushes. I had been in there so many times, I knew just the way to go, turn right at every turn. Simple! When I reached the center of the maze, I smiled at the familiar sight that faced me.

In the middle was a small pond, complete with lily pads, fish, and geese. The pond was lined with large rocks and around them; green grass flowed over the ground, ending at the pebble-covered pathways for the maze. I walked over to the pond and sat on one of the rocks. I peered into the pond and saw my reflection.

A tanned, lightly freckled face stared me down with brown eyes. Her defined cheekbones and small nose added to her beauty. A few strands of straight, fine, silky, brown hair fell into her face. Hair that always bothered her, but was adored by many. Her pink lips curled into a smile, exposing her white teeth as she thought of seeing Lord Goodwin.

I could really show him this time that I meant to have nothing to do with him. I stood from the pond and walked to the opposite side then I had entered and followed the maze out to the other side of the castle gardens. I walked for a few minutes across fields of green grass and finally reached the Candle Tree Grove at the Old Castle – my favorite place in Kyrria. It was my place to come when I wanted to be alone.

After all, who ever came to the Old Castle anymore? After my grandfather, King Jerrold grew up and ascended the thrown, he built the castle I live in now as a wedding gift for my grandmother, Queen Daria. They still live at the castle with us, and after all these years, they are still as healthy as can be. Now the Old Castle is just a place for fancy balls and a tourist attraction. But the gardens are off limits to the commoners, and I'm the only noble who is bizarre enough to enjoy a bunch of strange looking trees to come here.

I walked over to the nearest tree and plopped down, very un-princess-like. I spread my skirt around my legs and curled up under the crooked branches. After watching the birds fly through the tress for a while, I laid back and swiftly fell asleep.

I dreamt of my future conquests. Flying over the ocean with the birds, meeting a handsome knight in one of my uncle's armies, ruling my land with nothing but a smile and a kind heart, and finally, dumping a pail of slugs on Lord Good-

Cough, "What are you," gasp, "doing?!" I said as I looked up into Peter's eyes. He laughed as he knelt down to my side with a water bucket in hand.

"I saw the perfect opportunity to get you back for filling my trousers with bees from the other day," he said as he set the bucket down and stood up. "I also wanted to challenge you to a bit of a sword fight before you have to get ready for dinner. Another formal one for the head knight and his family."

"Oh, the one with the handsome son and adorable daughter?" I said as I slowly got to my feet. Peter just sent me an annoyed look before tossing me a foil. I expertly caught it by the hilt and swished it around for a few practice swings. I placed my footing and held up my skirts with my free hand.

"En Garde," I said as I leaned forward with my foil outstretched and a crooked smile. In a flash of steel and echoing clangs, Peter and I moved back and forth across the grove. Every once in a while I had some close calls, but I retaliated with even more heated strikes. After about ten minutes of continuous fencing with no winner, we paused for a break.

"I swear, you get better by the day. You should use sword fighting to your advantage, not your fairy magic," Peter said in between deep breaths.

"Yea right, not when I can do this." I conjured up a tray of sandwiches and lemonade and began snacking. Peter joined me, but hesitantly. He learned not to eat my fairy food before when I masked rocks as cupcakes and he broke a tooth when he bit into one. I, of course, had to fix his tooth, but the look on his face was priceless.

We eventually went back to the castle to get ready for the formal dinner with the knight and his family. I was grumbling the entire time Sylvie was getting me ready. This time, she picked a white satin gown, with little pearls sewn into the bodice to create miniature flowers. The sleeves went to my elbows and the skirt wasn't too puffy; something I hated in a dress.

When I got to the main staircase, I could see the knight's handsome son standing erect, next to his father, speaking with Uncle Char. His little sister was right next to him, tugging on Peter's pant leg to get his attention. The knight's wife was deep in conversation with my mother and Aunt Ella.

I started to walk down the steps when Uncle Char elbowed the knight's son. He responded by rushing up the steps to my side, where he bowed. A good feat for him, considering we were on a staircase. Kudos for him! I took this time to examine his features. Tan skin, muscular, a few freckles, and short brown hair. His eyes were the most beautiful green color; they practically made me melt.

"Good Evening, my princess," he said. He made me smile at the thought of being with him all night. "My name is Nicholas, Sir David is my father."

"Yes, I rejoiced this afternoon when my cousin let me know of your company at dinner. It's a pleasure to see you again Nicholas." Ok, so I was being too sweet. Hey, if I wanted to get some action out of this guy tonight, I had better start early, right?! He obviously fell for it, because right there, on the steps, he took my hands and kissed each of them gently. He was blushing a little bit when he looked up at me, noticing my blush as well. He chuckled as he led me down the steps and into the dining room.


Hope you all liked that...thanks to the reviewers...

Fairypixie3, tayk, fairybells, lady gwen, Samantha, lilsakura, watrfairie, and Mellem

Once again....10 reviews, even tho I only waited for 8 on this one, im totally serious this time!

Lol...until next time,

RiLeY