Thanks for the reviews! And yes, the real Adeline dies.

Chapter One

Adeline ran along the corridor to the dining room where her parents were sitting across the table eating their breakfast. "Good morning mother, father!"

Louise and Emily nodded at the same time.

Adeline happily sat on the chair to the right of her mother. Her parents like it when their daughter is happy – when she's actually faking it. The maid placed a plate of boiled eggs and sausages in front of Adeline.

Adeline looked at her parents and accidentally let out a sigh of sadness. 'I look nothing like them and they look nothing like me!'

That was in fact true. Her mother and father's hair were chestnut brown while hers was deep black. Their eyes were emerald green while hers was hazel nut and she has none of her parents' features. The only thing that was the same was their skin tone.

"Will you excuse me? I don't think I'm hungry. Thank you, Lady Cecilia. The sausages were delicious"

Lady Cecilia looked at Adeline's plate and back at her. "Are you sure, princess? You haven't even touched it yet and I made it myself"

Adeline took a bite of her sausage and ran outside into the royal garden. It was very spacious and warm. The grass was green and the flowers were blooming. She made her way to a stone bench hidden behind a big tree. "I have only a few more minutes before arithmetic" she murmured to herself.

Arithmetic was her least favorite subject. In fact, why must princesses have lessons? It's useless and tiring.

"Princess? Princess Adeline?" she heard a voice say. She looked up to see Lady Violet.

She was her maid-in-waiting. Her mother and father said she had been taking care of her ever since she was a baby. They also said she was beautiful with her golden blonde hair and young. Now, she's old and her hair became grey and dry.

"It's time for arithmetic"

"Oh! I'm sorry…"

They both went up to Adeline's chamber room. She sat on her stool and watched as Lady Violet opened some books. While Lady Violet was talking, she was dancing around in her own Dreamland.

Lady Violet turned around to see her student gazing through the window. "It's such a beautiful day outside, isn't it?"

Adeline was surprised to hear a voice and immediately looked at Lady Violet. "I really was paying attention!" she blurted out.

Lady Violet gave a little laugh. "It's such a beautiful day outside, isn't it?" she repeated "It's such a pity we have to waste it on arithmetic" Lady Violet grinned and put away her books.

Adeline looked at her suspiciously. "You m-mean…I can go?"

"If anyone asks, I've been called by Lady Olivia and Lady Larkus. Good day, your highness"

"Okay…"

"And one more thing" said Lady Violet at the door "You look so much like your father"

'No I don't! Why does she keep saying that? Has she ever seen my father at all?' Adeline just gave a weak little smile.

She watched as Lady Violet exited her chamber room. She couldn't help but to let a smile creep on her face. 'Oh what will I do today?' She looked out her window 'Plucking flowers? Eavesdropping on the maids? Horse riding? Horse riding! Of course! I wonder how Moon Shimmer is…'

She opened her closet door to see dresses, nightgowns, cloaks, tunics and skirts. They were all colourful. She wore her white hooded cloak and made her way to the stables. She saw Farris, the stable boy.

"Farris! How is Moon Shimmer?"

Farris smiled. "She's doing just fine, your highness. Would you like to ride her?"

"Well, that's the only reason I came!" said Adeline with a smile.

The happy smile on the stable boy's face turned into a look of disappointment. Adeline was confused.

"Is there anything wrong, Farris?"

"No, nothing! It's fine. Follow me"

Farris led Adeline to a bold sandy brown horse that was munching on a carrot. It neighed at the presence of Adeline. "Moon Shimmer!" cried Adeline as she flung her arms around the beast's neck "How are you, girl?"

Farris helped Adeline onto Moon Shimmer and called out his own horse. He mounted his horse and led the way.

"So, how are you?" asked Adeline when they were passing through a meadow of lavender.

"I'm just fine. Storm Strider and I always come here"

"That's nice…"

"How are you?" Farris looked at Adeline.

The princess hesitated to answer. "I don't look anything like my parents!"

"Well princess, if you looked anything like the king and queen then I'd be very confused, you know?"

Adeline giggled. "I don't…don't really have any of my parents features…an-and I keep thinking that maybe…I might be adopted…."

Farris immediately pulled his horse's reins to stop it. "Why would you ever think that?"

"I'm so different from them…"

Farris steered his horse to the left and so did Adeline. "That is called unique, princess"

"Unique? Farris, please! Even the maids say I'm different from my parents!"

"Do you really care what other people think of you?" Farris looked Adeline straight in the eyes.

"I don't know…" Adeline sighed.

It was after 15 minutes of riding then she realized that something was wrong. She pulled her horse's reins to stop it.

"Farris, this isn't the pathway we usually take"

"I have a surprise for you. Do you like swordsmanship?"

"Swords?"

"Well, I'm more interested in archery but I do love swordsmanship…" (Adeline said again)

Farris grinned and continued on. "Good. Follow me"

He led Adeline to a beautiful garden full of her favorite flowers; roses and a nice small lake. Adeline was speechless. She turned to look at Farris "This is so beautiful!"

"I found this garden two months ago…I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it earlier…"

"That's alright…Oh…This is so lovely…And the roses are so beautiful! Roses are my favorite flower"

"I know…" said Farris but the princess was to busy looking around to even hear him. Farris dismounted his horse and helped Adeline off hers. "I also planted carrots for the horses"

"Planted?" asked Adeline "I thought you said you found it?"

"Uh…I…uh… did find it. I just added the carrots"

"Oh…"Adeline's voice trailing off. She plucked a white rose and smelled it. "It's so calming here"

Farris suddenly pointed the handle of a rusty old sword at Adeline. "This is all I can afford with just ten coins"

Farris taught Adeline how to handle the sword with hands like hers. She was struggling with it at first, but then became more comfortable and understood how to use a sword. Farris almost laughed when Adeline almost tripped.

After 10 minutes of practicing, they became very tired and decided to continue practicing in two days time.


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