AN: sry it took so long thanx for all the reviews

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Chapter 10 – Warning

After my lessons the next day I walked to my room to change and sneak out to meet John. I wasn't watching where I was going when I turned the corner and bumped into someone.

"Oh, excuse me." I mumbled.

"That's alright, Princess." The figure sneered.

I looked up and saw it was Count V of Amona, a city in Ayortha. I gritted my teeth. Nobody knows what the Count's real name is, just that everyone calls him V. He is a Count in Ayortha but isn't Ayorthaian. He was recently promoted to one of the King's councilors. There's always this dark shadow on his face and I'd never seen him smile. I don't like him at all and I can tell that he doesn't like me either.

I didn't want to stay any longer than I had to, so I started to leave, but the Count blocked my way.

"Listen Princess, I know what's going on between you and that," he spat out the word "Stable boy. You better watch out."

Oh no, he knows about our meetings. I decided to test him about just how much he knows.

I pretended to know nothing and asked him "What is going on between us?"

"Don't play dumb. I saw you in the courtyard the other day talking to him." He brought his face closer to mine; I turned away for his breath stank. "Don't you know that you are a Princess? You are not to lower your status and talk to someone of his rank. To do that is against Ayortha's law, understand?"

Phew. He only saw us talking. I don't think he knew about our plans to ride and my escape route. But what a load of junk! There is no law against talking to people below rank. He just wanted an excuse to used his new power against me.

"What's wrong with talking to him?" I challenged "There's no law against that and you know it."

He didn't reply. I saw him clench his fist "If I ever catch you talking to that boy again, you'll be sorry." He turned to leave "Oh and one more thing Princess, don't ever wear those hideous trousers again. Ladies are supposed to wear dresses."

I wanted to tell him his trousers were uglier than mine, but I bit my tongue. I shouted after him "Ladies are supposed to wear dresses, but I won't." I wasn't afraid of him; after all, I am a Princess. "If you dare to threaten me, I'll make sure the King knows all about it." I wouldn't because I wasn't a tattletale, but I was mad that he would actually tell me what to do.

Bu I reminded myself to be more careful when I go meet John.

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Short chap I know, I'll make the next one longer