Chapter 3

My smirk at Anastasia's departure was wiped off when my father said, "Go follow her, Lance."

I stared at him in utter surprise and dismay, but obeyed when I saw the sterness in his grey eyes.I swung the door open and caught sight of Anastasia gliding quickly down the hall. I groaned reluctantly and hurried after her. She didn't even pause in her steps she heard me coming.

"Hey, Ana," I said.

She stopped at that and swung on me. "Don't you ever call me that."

I halted and put up my hands in defense. "Woah, there, girl. Sorry, Princess. I didn't know you disliked nicknames."

"I dislike you and don't you dare treat me like a horse." She looked fit to kill, and I was enjoying it. Though I did not like how she was still beautiful even if her face was filled with anger.

I cocked my head. "I guess you don't think much of horses do?"

"Just as much as I think of you," she snarled.

"Hey, it's not my fault my kingdom has more to offer than yours."

Her eyes widened in shock and she began to stutter, "Your...plot of horse manure has nothing to offer!Those filthy beasts are good for nothing. Protection indeed! Your wild, coarse knights will most likely kidnap me, or stubbled in thier own stirrups rather than protect me."

Ouch. Those were hard words on a young man who was very proud of his horses and knights. But I didn't lash back. I wondered what she would be like if I was nice? I hadnever really tried because she had always been so darn rude. Really, she had been the one who started this feud five years ago when she had rudely distained my offer of dancing with her. I had been very nice to her, until then. Then I retorted back and...well we didn't attract much.

Hopefully she really wasn't as bad as she seemed. I forced smiled and said, "I'm sorry the knights displease you, your majesty. But you must admit they are very well trained and could easily whip any man you chose for them."

She lifted her head and was about to respond when I continued, forcing to keep to a gentle tone rather than using my normal sarcastic one, "And as for our noble steeds and mares, you'll first have to learn how to ride before realizing their value. Do you know how to ride a horse, Princess?"

"No, nor do I wish to." Her voice told me she was going to give one more lecture before stamping off. "Let me tell you this much, Prince Lance of Adelfos. When we are married I will expect you to be a king, not some prince running of with his mailed comrades and oh so wonderful animals. I will stop the trade with the horse with Gaul. There will be no more of them coming here to pollute this land. Understood? I can, and I will." She smirked and said, "After all. I'll be queen."

She gave a little bounce as she turned and strode away.

I clenched my teeth. Ok, so niceness didn't work with her.

She may become queen, but she would still be my wretched wife, and my wife would never do such a thing. Did she really think she could do that when horses were one of my obsessions? Foolish girl. She sure could talk big, but none of it would do any good. King Mordred and King Augustine were both liars. Princess Anastasia was anything but wise.

"Hey, Lance, how are you?" asked my younger sister Carrie as she nearly bounced into the room where I sat frowning at a picture of my grandfather.

I didn't even grunt in response.

"Oh, you must've just come back from that meeting, huh?" she said in a very sympathetic tone. She shares my grief about having to marry the shrew, one of my reasons of putting her as my favorite sister. At fifteen she was already rather pretty, without the tons of make up Elain would plaster on her face ever day. She was very modest and the only thing that she did that irked me, was her refusal to learn how to ride a horse. 'They really were too big for her,' she'd say.

"Brilliant observation, Carrie," I said. "I'm wondering why all the story books end with 'happily ever after'. That's the biggest lie in the hisorty of the world."

"The stories are about princesses, Lance," she pointed out. I grunted. "I just hope my story will end happily ever after," she said quietly.

I looked up at her half turned face and saw she was very worried. "Why do you say that?"

She shrugged. "I'm dreading the day when father and mother will decide who I will marry. I've been looking for years, but there is no one I could imagine living with the rest of my life. I guess I'm thinking of you, and hoping I don't end up the same."

"Hey, I'll probably be king in a couple years and I'll let you marry who ever you want. I'll just make Elaine marry the royal baker."

She laughed. "Ooh, she'd have a fit."

"Just as long as it's not as bad as Anastasia's then I'll be fine." I glanced out the window and asked, "How much time do I have before that ball starts?"

"Enough time visit the stables, and see your favorite horse, and perhaps ride just a bit," smiled Carrie. I wished she would come with me and get over her fear of horses.

I grinned. "Good. Then I will do just that. Will you please tell me when I need to come in. Mind you, I only need an hour at the most."

She hesitated just as I remembered her quiet dislike for the stables. But then she nodded and smiled. "Of course, Lance, I'll do that."