Sorry it took me so long to finish it.

Chapter 10: Charlie and Ky

"Ana, what do you think of going on a ride with me?"

I looked up from my book and glared, without thinking, at Lady Alyce. I had been trying hard to read this book which was a little advanced for me. But I had wanted to please Christopher by showing him I could really read anything, maybe then he would agree to tell me stories. He had stopped when I wasn't learning much. Now I was determined to learn. It couldn't be that hard, could it?

Also it was slightly annoying when someone shortened my name to just Ana. I had never liked that name, but everyone in Dillian seemed to like it rather than Ana Maylin. It was trifling, but when you are already frustrated things bother you easily.

"A ride? In a carriage?"

I tried to imagine myself in a carriage will Alyce, waving to the people and showering them with gold. Isn't that what royalty did?

"No, silly, on horses. I've heard the country around here is beautiful. Rosie will accompany us. You do need a little break." She glanced at my book amusedly.

That sounded better.

"I think it sounds fine," I said. "Just let me get my riding boots."


It took a while for us three girls to get ready for the ride. Alyce had a hard time choosing between her five riding dresses, she ended up with a white one, hoping to land on a white mare. When we were finished and finally to the stables, we encountered a problem. The official who patrolled (yes patrolled) the castle stopped us and told us sternly that we had to have guards.

"Oh, come now," I scoffed. "Since when did people attack in the middle of crowds? And since when did young ladies become defenseless?"

"You are going out into the forest, milady," said the guard shortly. Then he addressed Rosie, "And they are never defenseless because they always have guards with them. Surely you see the reason, my princess?"

"Of course," smiled Rosie.

I scowled then brightened. "Well, if we need guards then it is a good thing you are standing around doing nothing. Grab a horse, sir, we need you to guard us."

"Me?" The man staggered back as if he had been struck. "My lady, I am just a..."

"Guard?" I finished. "Come on, I'm sure Princess Rosie will be absolutely love it if you were to come along and be her special protector. Just think, you can come back and brag to all the other guards that you were personally chosen for you skill and bravery to guard the Princess Rosella and the Ladies Alyce and Ana Maylin. Ah, the glory! You will be exalted from a simple guard to the special protector of the princess!"

The man stared at me, his eyes glistening with just the thought.

Rosie hid her giggle and tried to interfere, "Ana, I don't..."

"And while we ride through the town all the people will see you and admire you because you were chosen out of hundreds to be a guard to the princess and her lady friends. In their eyes you'll be an exceptional swordsman and a witty man. Come, now, how can you turn this down?"

I could almost see his mouth watering. I hoped I wouldn't have to elaborate more. I just wanted to hurry and get the guards and go. But someone beat the man to it.

"I can't turn it down such an enticing offer, will you really let me go, my ladies?"

I whirled around and cried, "Ky! You sneak! What are you doing here?" These were the stables and he's a stableboy, duh. "I mean... why are you standing around? Go get your sword, we're leaving soon."

But Rosie interfered. She looked Kyrell up and down and asked "Are you a guard?"

Ky immediately dropped to one knee and said humbly, "No, your highness, I am just a stable boy, if it please your worship. I simply heard you were in need of a guard and have just now offered my services, if it pleases you. I am able in arms."

I had never known he could talk such fancy talk. I suddenly bristled. He had never bowed for me; and here he was practically prostrate before a girl he'd never seen before. Or had he?

"I thank thee," smiled Rosie. She then turned to the abandoned guard who was still considering the prospect of being a chosen protector of the Princess and said, "Will you accompany us, good sir?"

Flabbergasted and in awe he only managed to nod dumbly.

Now that we had our guards, I marched up to one of the stalls to saddle my mare. I didn't know why I was in such a hurry, but I felt a sudden need to leave this palace and go someplace else. Besides I had never been to the country.

I saw Ky bridling a dun mare, obviously for the Princess who was standing there watching him with a smile. I scowled, wondering why Ky had practically ignored me and had helped Princess Rosella instead. He was my friend, and he hardly knew the princess, even though she was his mistress and it was his duty to aid her first.

My mind reeled at my own thoughts.

Jealous are we?

I shuddered. I couldn't believe I was thinking this. I wasn't supposed to care what happened to Ky. Wasn't it just a few days ago I was teasing him about other girls, encouragingly? Now here I was practically green with envy because he was doing his job. I hoped this was just a passing disease. First Charlie and now Ky, who next... Christopher?!

What was wrong with me?


"Oh! Look at that patch of flowers, such a bright, pretty blue!"

"Those, milady, are the Wild Blue Flax, one of my favorites. Would you like a cluster?"

Once again I held in my horse while Ky swung off his and bent down to pluck up the flowers for her highness. It was getting tiresome and annoying. Despite my trying, my jealousy grew until I quit trying to deny it. Why should I? So I was jealous. But now I was just disgusted and annoyed.

Rosella had taken full advantage of Ky's chivalry and had turned my stableboy would be guard into a gardener and herbalist. I knew Ky knew plenty about plants and animals, but even I had to wonder at what he told the princess. Alyce just watched patiently and smiled knowingly, while our pompous old patroller, looked around with an eye of importance, showing off to only the squirrels.

Rolling my eyes with impatience, I scratched my itching envious head and stared around me. Even with the princess's frequent stops, the ride was worth it. I had been born raised, and would have died, in the city; full of smoke people and buildings. But after we got out of the city, it was a whole other world.

It was quiet for one thing. Only the twitter free birds, the chatter of angry squirrels, and our own voices. Everything was green, none of the city's grayish brown or brownish gray, and even I had to admit the flowers were pretty. But it was the trees I liked most. They were so tall and looked so solid it was hard to believe men could chop them down and make thin paper out of them.

And then there were the mountains beyond my reach; towering even above the trees at their distance. They were so far I didn't even hope of having the chance to see them up close. Besides the mountains were where Evif was and Evif wasn't exactly a Dillian's idea of vacation. Still, it was a nice thought.

I suddenly realized my horse had wandered away just as my thoughts had and I was in the forest, and not in the meadow of Wild Blue Flax. I looked around and strained my ears, but I was utterly alone. And lost.

At this realization I had to stop and puzzle a bit. I had never been lost. How can you get lost in a kitchen? Or in a market place or orchard you've practically grown up in? I had almost gotten lost in the castle but there were so many servants willing to point confused snobs the way I don't think that counts

What are you supposed to do when you are lost?

My horse snorted and took another bite of clover. Relax and enjoy your freedom, was obviously his answer.

Of course! I was free! Why hadn't I thought of this before? Hadn't it been my plan all along to run away from the castle to be rid of this forced marriage? Now Charles could fall in love with Alyce and Rosie could have Ky and I'd be far away to cause any problems. All I had to do was go over to Evif and the mountains and...

Here my fanatic insensible thoughts stopped.

I couldn't leave Da and the kitchen. Or Christopher. Or Charlie, and I could hardly live without Rosella and Ky. What had I been thinking? I couldn't make a home in Evif. I was a girl who only knew how to cook and...clean. I sighed as my hopes fell rock bottom. For once I did not like common sense. It ruined everything.

"Why, milady what is the matter?"

Instinctively I grabbed the first thing I could find, which was my horses' mane. I think I even gasped, but I was too surprised to remember as I almost toppled off my mount. My horse bristled and I eased my grip as I saw who it was.

It was Prince Charlie, and he had a falcon on his arm. He was hunting. His eyes had cold mirth in them as he watched me regain my posture and nervously tuck a stray strand behind my ear.

"Matter?" I repeated. "Nothing is the matter. The question is, why do you keep sneaking up on me like that?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was sneaking," he suddenly retorted. He might've even rolled his eyes.

I don't think he was in a good mood. Bad hunting again I suppose. I was trying to decide if I should shoot back or try to calm him down and get him in a good mood when his demeanor suddenly changed.

"I'm sorry, Lady Ana Maylin. I shouldn't be rude to you when I have not been successful. I was not far from here when I saw you wander from the group you were with. I'm sorry if you wanted to be alone. I'll leave now."

"No, that's fine. You startled me is all. Where is the rest of your hunting group?"

"Who knows?" he said shrugging glancing around him. "They are nothing but a bunch of conniving tortoises."

I raised an eyebrow. "Prince Charlie, watch your tongue, those poor old turtles might be around and watching us at this very second."

"If they are they are sorely disappointed," he muttered so softly I almost didn't catch it. I realized he didn't want me to catch it so I didn't say anything.

Now came the awkwardness.

My favorite part.

We both dared not look at each other because then the other would look and then we'd have to say something. And because we didn't have anything to say in the first place we'd say something lame and that would just add to the situation.

Normally I would have something to say, but now I didn't. I hadn't really talked to him since Alyce's arrival and frankly I didn't want to. I had tried to keep the same feeling I had told Alyce I had. I didn't love him. Maybe like, but was that all?

"Ana Maylin!"

I started from my thoughts thankfully when Ky's voice interrupted them. Charlie caught sight of him first and a strange look came over his face. I couldn't quite put a finger on it. He watched the stable boy canter up to me and swing off as easily as if he were born on a horse. He bowed slightly to the prince, acknowledging him, then turned quickly to me.

"Ana we've been looking for you."

"We?" I repeated looking behind him. He was alone. "Where are the girls? You left the princess and Lady Alyce by themselves with that...old guy?"

Ky shrugged. "Sure. When I noticed you were missing I told them to stay put and started looking for you."

Was I supposed to be flattered?

"Lady Alyce is among your group?" asked Charlie suddenly. He looked stricken with...I didn't know, it certainly wasn't love. Something more like horror or fear.

When I confirmed this he muttered a farewell and rode off.

Ky watched him and asked, "Is he always so cold and jumpy?"

"No, of course not. He is very polite and princely."

"And handsome I suppose," mumbled Ky under his breath.

I don't think I was supposed to hear that either.

"Anyways, we should be getting back and finish our ride," I said. It was then I realized Ky had the same look in his eyes as Charlie had had in his when Ky had ridden up. This was so strange. And now I recognized it.

It was jealousy pure and simple.

Now I was really flattered.