A/N: God, I'm terrible at updating aren't I? I'm just superr busy at the moment.

Thank you to all the people who kept me going I've found the motivation to continue this story!

On with the show!

Chapter 4

As Rick lead his horse around the bend of the road, he couldn't believe he had made it this far and hadn't been caught. His whole life he had dreamt of travelling around the world and finally he had made his escape. He just wanted the chance to find himself.

And to find someone who would love him.

He sighed in annoyance. Princess Smincess. Why was it his father's decision to decide who he had to love? The Spanish Princess couldn't even speak his language! How was he supposed to fall in love with her if she couldn't even speak his language.

Maybe Lanie was right. Maybe he had to suck it up and deal with it, because it was his responsibility to the kingdom…

Just as he lost his thoughts, he saw an olderly man walking alongside the small path. Rick brought the horse to a halt beside him and frowned at him, 'Are you lost?'

The man chuckled, 'No no my dear boy, just simply taking the liberty to lose myself in the glorious nature of the world.' The man happily whistled as he left the prince behind in his wake.

'What are you doing here in the forest?'

'Oh I have to get to the castle.'

'The castle?'

The man turned around, 'Yes the castle you daft boy.'

Rick confusedly lifted his hand and pointed in the opposite direction, 'The castle is that way.'

'It is? Oh, well I'd better get back to the back and tell the carriage driver.'

The man walked past him, then back again, then stopped, obviously confused. Rick rolled his eyes, lunatic. He sighed as he turned the horse around to face the man.

'Are you lost?'

'Temporarily.'

'Do you want a lift?'

'Thought you'd never ask.'

The man hoisted himself clumsily up onto the saddle and Rick pulled the horse into a light trot.

'What is your name?'

'Sir James Patterson.'

Rick's jaw dropped. 'Sir Patterson? The writer?'

The man grinned, 'The one and only.'

'You're the leading scribe in England! You pieces are revolutionary!'

'Ah yes, well, I do my best.'

'You must help me with my predicament! Maybe talk some sense into my father!'

The man was puzzled, 'Who are you exactly?'

The prince hesitated, 'The name's Rick. My father is forcing me into an arranged marriage.'

'Prince Richard?'

The prince was surprised as he made his way through the trees, 'You know who I am?'

He chuckled, 'Of course I know who you are boy, your family is hosting a ball for me next week.'

'Then you must know of my terrible fate.'

He sighed, 'Ah yes, the Spanish Princess. Well, I'm sorry my boy but if your father is still as stubborn as he was 7 years ago, I think you are hard pressed.'

The prince sat in silence as he pondered over this, the sound of the horses clopping feet echoing throughout the dense forrest.

'If you don't mind me asking but, what on earths name are you doing out in the middle of the forest?'

'Oh just getting some fresh air, exploring, there's always time for exploring.'

'I wish I could just get up and leave.'

'There will come a time once you're king that you will have the power to do just that.'

As the prince pondered over this, Sir Patterson exclaims, 'Ah hah! Here we are!'

They rounded the small hill, entering the clearly, in which they were greeted by a small platoon of soldiers, amongst them included the prince search party.

'Oh no.' The prince groaned and reluctantly guided the horse to stand alongside the carriage. The captain of the guard, Ryan greeted him, an annoyed tone laced through his voice.

'Rick, you promised-'

'I know and I lied. I thought I could at least try to get some freedom before my parents strap me down with a foreigner.' He growled whilst the other man chuckled.

'Why did you stop looking for freedom?' Sir Patterson turned to him in wonder.

Rick didn't answer and turned his head away.

'Well my boy, I best be on my way to the castle.' Sir Patterson slid off the steed and got into the carriage.

Rick sighed before turning to Ryan, 'Shall I lead the way?'

The man waved a hand to the road ahead, 'Be my guest.'

Rick rolled his eyes before bringing the horse into a canter.

Kate dropped the gown onto the bed, along with the best boots she owned. If she were to even get close to the royal palace, she needed to disguise herself and fit the part of someone at the royal court. She glanced at herself in the mirror, tucking a lock of hair behind her neatly braided updo.

Javier played with a small flower, 'Where did the gown come from?'

'I nicked it off Meredith, she didn't notice. She has enough gowns to fill her ego with.'

Javier snorted and Kate gave him a look before taking the gown and going to the dressing screen in the corner and started to get changed. Javier made his way to the window overlooking the marketplace and shook his head.

'Your stepmother and sisters seem to be enjoying the shopping.'

Kate sighed, 'With the money that they got from the selling of Maurice and the candlesticks.'

'Is she still putting the blame on Paulette and Eunice?'

'Of course.'

Javier shook his head and started to play with a ball of string that was lying on the table, 'I don't know how you're going to get away with this, if you get caught-'

Kate swiftly pulled the hem of the skirt over her head, sliding it over her slip dress, 'If I get caught I will be in no better condition than what I live now. This is my only chance to rescue Maurice before he is shipped overseas, and I don't even want to imagine what life is like over there.'

Javier spotted the little purse of money on the table and picked it up, throwing it into the air before catching it again, repeatedly, 'And the money?'

'If I become a woman of the court, with power, I can use that money to pay them to release Maurice, the court will have to let it go,' She smoothed out the dress' hem, 'Now don't laugh, I'm coming out.' She sighed before appearing from behind the screen, coming into full view. Javier gave her a top-to-toe glance before smiling.

Kate smoothed out the bodice, looking down at her feet, 'The shoes didn't fit, I had to go with my boots.'

Javier smirked before approaching her, lifting her chin with one hand, 'Nobody will be looking at your feet. Now remember,' She look at him hesitantly, 'You look down to no one.'

She smiled sadly, 'I'm just a servant in a nice dress.'

'With an attitude that could knock over a prince.' She laughed, Javier looking at her curiously. If only he knew the accuracy of that statement.

'Thanks Javi.' She gave him a pat on the cheek before gathering up her skirts, grabbing the money from his hands and rushing from the room. He shook his head before grabbing a small book of his worn out shelf and continuing from the last page he left off on.

The yard of the castle grounds were busy with noblemen and women, in expensive suits and gowns, the wind bustling their hair in the wind lightly. The sun danced off the shining broaches and jewellery that adorned the women's outfits and suddenly Kate felt their superiority hit her. She bowed her head low and took a deep, shaky breath.

Then she lifted her head high and entered the castle gates with her head held high. She froze momentarily as she gulped and took in her exquisite surroundings.

The people around her barely glanced at her as the guards let her through the tall, iron gates. She walked slightly in awe at how she blended so easily. As she crossed the bridge to the moat, she approached the edge and glanced over, noticing the group of guards pushing the servants into an uncomfortable metal cage. She turned her head away and took a deep breath, clasping her mother's ring on her necklace, hoping for it to give her strength.

She frowned, built up her courage, gathering up her skirt and hurried over.

'I would like to order the release of one of these gentleman at once! He is my servant and I wish to buy him back!' She jingled her purse and the slave driver turned slowly to her, Maurice glancing up at her from his place on the tightly jammed carriage.

'Sorry love these criminals are being shipped tomorro', they've already bin bought. He's the property of the Lord Carter.'

Unbeknownst to the argueing pair, Prince Richard and the procession of guards and carriages behind them had entered the courtyard. Rick looked over the dull and pompous crowd that filled the courtyard until he saw an unknown sight, a young lady defiantly standing up to one of his father's slave drivers.

'He is not property at all you ill-mannered tub of guts! I have the money-'

'And I don't care. Now 'scuse me ma'am.' His tone became more annoyed as she became more persistant.'

As he yanked on the horse's reigns, she rushed in front of them, grabbing them so he could not continue forward,'I demand to be serviced to at once!'

'Get out of my way!'

'How dare you raise your voice to a lady, sir.'

Kate froze at the Dauphine's voice as it rang like music in her ears, closing her eyes, oh no, not here, not now. She slowly turned around, keeping her head low as the driver humbly tried to apologize as Rick looked down over his horse at the arguing pair. She slowly curtseyed to the Prince as the driver continue to defend himself.

'-It's just ah- um I've been ordered to take these thieves to the coast.'

Kate frowned, 'A servant is not a thief Your Highness, and those who are cannot help themselves.'

Rick raised an eyebrow in a curious amusement, 'Really? Well then, by all means, enlighten us.'

Kate nervously glanced at Maurice before taking a deep breath and hesitantly started to move towards the Prince until she was standing directly in front of him.

'If you, suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners corrupted from infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed of them, what else is to be concluded Sir to which you make thieves and then punish them?'

Silence filled the courtyard surrounding the small scene as onlookers stood in shock at this young lady's defiant outburst, some almost looking proud at her justification. The slave driver's jaw hang open at her and she stood confidently staring right at the Prince.

He sat in shock before coming to his senses, 'Well, there you have it. Release him.'

'But Sir-'

'I SAID,' The Prince tore his eyes away from the beautiful, emerald-eyed lady in front of him, to look at the driver, 'release him.'

Kate took a sigh of relief and a smile filled her face, which made the Prince feel quite happy about himself. Suddenly finding out he'd made this lady happy made him feel good.

The driver reluctantly let Maurice out of the cage, and the old servant fell into the hands of Kate who helped him of the ground.

Maurice whispered with tears threatening to fall from his eyes, 'I thought I was looking at your mother.'

She smiled at the elder gentleman before assuming her role, 'Meet me at the bridge, prepare the horses at once.' As she started to walk around the carriage of servants, she lifted her skirt from the ground to not tear her dress. Incidentally, Sir James Patterson had silently pulled up his horse, sliding off it to see what the commotion was about. Being the observant man that he was, he noticed her dirty cloth boots and was puzzled but he chuckled humorously.

He left to hobble towards the bridge to wait for her and she smiled at him before returning to her spot before the Prince, 'I thank you Your Highness.' She hurried around his horse and he looked after her, puzzled. He swiftly jumped off his horse and hurried to follow her. This girl intrigued him, found him questioning his own morals and caught up to her, chasing a girl like he'd never done before.

Kate smiled to herself but her thoughts were quickly interrupted, 'Have we met?'

She rolled her eyes before continuing to try and outwalk him, 'I don't believe we have Your Grace.'

Rick cocked his head in confusion as he hurried to keep up with her, 'I couldn't have sworn that I knew everybody in the court.'

Kate thought quickly, 'I'm simply here visiting family.'

'Whom are you visiting?'

She paused and obliviously replied, 'My family.'

Rick chuckled, 'Yes and who are they?'

Kate didn't answer so he nudged further, 'Come on, a girl who stands up for what she believes in can't be seen every day. Standing up for a mere servant of all-'

Kate halted and turned to face him, a look of rage filled her face, 'How dare you call them mere servants! They are the foundation of this country and work tirelessly only to be treated poorly. They are the legs you stand on and that position deserves respect-'

Rick cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms, 'Are you calling me arrogant?'

'Yes!' She hissed through her teeth to avoid causing a scene, 'You gave one man back his life,' She glanced back at the servant cart, 'But did you even glance at the others?' He pondered on that and she gathered up her skirts but he reached out and grabbed her arm.

'I pray you, a name. Any name.'

Kate frowned before answering, 'I'm afraid the only name I can leave you with, is Johanna.'

Rick looked at her in disbelief, 'You don't look like a Johanna.'

Kate bit her lip, 'Fine, Beckett.'

'Beckett? Is that your name?'

She gave him a cheeky grin before, 'That's for you to find out.'

They were interrupted by his mother's entrance from the garden maze, 'Richard, your back!'

Rick sighed and smiled lazily at his mother, 'Hello Mother.'

Kate saw her chance to escape and quickly ran through the courtyard gates to meet Maurice, vanishing from view.

Martha waved her hands as she approached her son, 'The King would like a word with you!'

Rick muttered in annoyance, 'He usually does, I'll be right in once I-' He looked back towards his mystery girl only to find she had disappeared from thin air. He looked around wildly to try and spot her again but failed to see her. He shook his head in disbelief, she had to be one of the only young women he'd known that had run away from him instead of smothering him.

The sun was beginning to set and Maurice and Kate began to make their way onto their home land. Having changed into her original servant gown and apron, she strolled lazily and caught Maurice up on all the dreadful events that filled their everyday life at her household. Picking up random flowers to make a bouquet, she dropped them in surprise when she heard a loud shout but smiled when she realised that it was Eunice who in shock had slowly run down the steps from the castle into the pasture and ran towards her husband who caught her in his arms. Kate smiled at the pair and left them to reunite.

She glanced back at them, silently wishing that somehow, however it might happen, she would find a love like that. She shook her head at that thought and continued on. She was merely a servant and finding someone was not something one of her status had the indulgence of.

A/N: HELLLLOOO PEOPLE Long time no read eh? (punny puns lol) anyway Pretty PLEEASSEE R&R about what you thought of this chapter and also,

Who saw the DOCTOR WHO 50TH ANNIVERSARY?! WAS IT NOT THE GREATEST THING EVER!

R&R!

C xx