One thing Mother didn't know wouldn't kill her. I repeated those words over and over again in mind with each clink of my boots down the dim corridor. Daddy had arranged my freedom for the night. He wouldn't let me get caught, he wouldn't let her hurt me. I tried to make myself believe those simple words, but for so many reasons, I couldn't.

Why did Daddy risk so much just to give me a night of freedom? That I couldn't figure out. The maid could tell Mother, or another could slip into my room to check in on me, or one of the many castle workers could spot me out by the stables. The quiet clinks of my boots stopped at the end of the hall by the door. I shouldn't be doing this... I REALLY shouldn't be doing this...

But please, make sure you've returned before sunrise. I read the line again. Mother and Daddy would be back in the morning. I had to be back in my room, cleaned, and at least looking rested before the sun came up. I carefully folded the letter back up how Daddy had folded it in the box, slipping it into my pocket. I turned around one last time as my grip surrounded the cold knob of the door. The drop of a pin could've been heard in the hallway, but I still opened the door ever so slowly. I didn't want to make too much noise and draw attention.

Chilly winds pushed me back into the castle walls, but I pushed against them, letting the door fall closed against my back. I shivered as another cold gust blew hairs loose from my braid. Gloves... I quickly pulled on the gloves I'd stuffed in my other pocket. It was a rather quick walk to the stables, but I wanted to hurry. I wanted to see Rocinante as quickly as I could. I pulled Rocinante's apple out of my jacket pocket, rubbing it between my gloved hands.

I quickly tried to think over the few chapter's I had read before the maid entered my room. Mother would ask me about them tomorrow morning... She always asked. Boring lines came to mind, I'd learned to remember what I read well. Mother never liked a forgetful girl.

My light, skipping steps came to a halt as I finally stood before the stable doors. Daddy didn't think about how I struggled to open the doors... I tugged lightly at the doors, they squeaked and swung right open. Open...? Why would the stable doors be cracked open...? I smiled softly, Daddy must have remembered...

I stepped through, slowly, I didn't want to frighten any of the horses. Rocinante was kept near the back. I always like to think he felt less trapped if he was able to see out. I smiled softly as he peaked his head out of his stall, "Hey, Rocinante..." I held the apple up to his mouth, his giant lips ticking my hand as he chomped away at it.

Squeak, squeak, squeak. I'd never been out at the stables alone before, not to mention at night alone. It was dark. Other than the moon light that partially shown through the window, and a small lantern that lit the front of the small, open space of the stables. Wait... Why would a lantern be lit...? Did Daddy do that too? I heard another movement, trying not to seem frightened in front of Rocinante. Only one thought came to mind. Mother...! Was she here? Did she know I'd left the castle? There was no telling what kind of magical watch she must have on me and now she'd come back to scold and punish me. I could already imagine the feel of her magic surrounding me until I begged for mercy. "Hello...?" I whispered quietly and all noises seemed to stop. "Hello..." I whispered a bit louder this time. Another, louder, squeak.

"Is someone in here?" It was a man's voice. No... not a man. Wait... Yes. No, a boy. I coward further into Rocinante's stall, now even more afraid. Who would be here? At this time of night! "Hello?" The voice called again, "Anyone here?" The voice was soft, calming. I had to come out, I had no choice. If I didn't, this mysterious person would find me anyways. I stepped out, still partially hidden by Rocinante. "Who are you?" I asked shyly. The boy nearly jumped, although he stopped himself, placing his hand over where is heart lay beneath his chest.

He starred at me for a long moment, his blue eyes seemingly taking in my entire body, making me burrow further behind Rocinante. "You must be Regina." He finally spoke up. He had such a soft voice, but...but how did he know my name! "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. My...My name is Daniel." He seemed as nervous as I. "I'm the new stableboy..." I glanced him over. Blue eyes, messy but not dirty light brown hair, a rugged stable outfit. Stableboy? Mother wouldn't hire a stableboy. She wouldn't give me anymore reason to be able to be down at the stables. "Stableboy?" Daniel nodded briefly at my one word question, "Yes, Miss Regina." Miss Regina? Maybe Mother did hire him... "You're Father, Mr. Mills, hired me." Oh...

Daddy... My head tilted to the side as I stepped out of my hiding behind Rocinante. "Daddy hired you?" Daniel nodded once again, "Yes, Miss Regina." Daddy hiring a stableboy... What would Mother think of this? "I... You don't have to... call me that." A look of confusion crossed his features. "You can just...call me Regina." He smiled softly. Such a sweet smile. "Yes, Miss Regina." He looked down as he said it again and I giggled quietly, leaning into Rocinante's muzzle.

Daniel blushed faintly, "What are you doing down here so late, Miss Regina? Mr. Mills said I would rarely ever see you down here..." I looked down at my boots, instantly nervous. Could I tell him? This... new stableboy? "Regina." I gently corrected him, as I tried to decide what to say. "My Mother and Daddy are gone. Daddy said I could leave the castle and come down here." Daniel nodded, his eyes looked like he understood the deeper truth behind my partially informative statement.

"I see." He petted the nose of a nearby steed. "How long will you be down here, Mi..." He stopped himself this time. "Regina." I smiled, gently scratching Rocinante's head. "I have to be home before morning, well, before sunrise." Daniel nodded. I couldn't help but stare. I never saw much of anyone, other than the castle workers. And even they were all of afraid of me because of my Mother. "Would you... umm..." I watched as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He didn't say anything more, as if taking back his offer.

I looked down at my boots again. He must know about Mother... He must know I shouldn't be down here.

Daddy sent me down here. It's my birthday. I was going to get at least a little ride in on my birthday. "I'm going out for a short ride." I stated rather quickly, matter-of-factly. My cheeks red hot, but I still proceeded to ask, "Would you like to come with me?" Daniel looked up to meet my eyes, "Yeah..." He gave me a small smile, "I'd love to come along," He admitted, then offered, "I'll get the horses ready."

He began to reach for two saddles, "Daniel..." I hated to interrupt him. "I don't like riding with saddles..." My voice trailed off, but he only gave me a kind nod. "That's right. I remember Mr. Mills telling me that." Daniel released the steed he'd been petting, walking him out of the stables toward the open field, and I did the same with Rocinante.

We both walked our steeds out of the stables, and I felt Daniel's eyes on me as I held Rocinante still while I began to mount him. "Let me help you, Regina..." Daniel offered, but just as he'd reached to help I had mounted Rocinante myself. I'd done it plenty of times before... I frowned, feeling sorry as Daniel blushed nervously and moved in a hurry back to his horse. "Ready?" I kept my voice rather quiet. "Yes. Will you be leading?" Daniel lifted his eyes to meet mine and I could feel my cheeks flushing. "Sure..." I grinned, lightly squeezing my thighs to get Rocinante going.

I'd ridden on for what felt like my own little forever, Daniel close behind me. The quiet of night with only the small chirps of crickets and other bugs made me feel as if I'd escaped... Escaped the prison of the castle walls. I always felt free when I was riding, but this was a different type of free. It was late, time was on my side. Till sundown anyways. "Let's stop right here." I called over my shoulder to Daniel. I pulled Rocinante to a stop beside the old tree that grew on the opposite end of the field. I'd always wanted to stop here. To stare out into, what was to me, another world.

I dismounted Rocinante, and Daniel was kind enough to tie both of our horse up nearby. I sat down near the old tree, leaning my back against it's cool bark. "Isn't it amazing...?" I whispered in awe, starring out to the open land. "Isn't what amazing?" Daniel asked curiously. "All of the land!" I blushed faintly as he sat down near me, still a large distance between us, and he chuckled at my enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I guess it's pretty amazing." He glanced over at me, but his eyes averted back to the view rapidly.

"Have you ever seen it before?... Been there..." I glimpsed in his direction. Why would Daddy hire this boy? He knew how Mother was. He knew how dangerous her magic was to anyone.

"Yes, I've seen some of the land. Not much," Daniel began to explain and I listened intently, "I use to live on the outskirts of the village. I've seen the inside of the village, and a few other towns, but nothing else..." Why would Daddy put another person at the hands of Mother's magic? I stared into his blue eyes. Wow...his eyes... "Haven't you seen it all before?" He asked, furrowing his brows with confusion.

"No..." I sighed softly. I wish... I wish. I wish. "My Mother, she doesn't really take me with her...anywhere. She says I shouldn't be around what's out there." Daniel's eyes met mine, and I looked away shyly. "Why doesn't she think you should see the lands?" As soon as he said it he looked like he regretted it, like he'd been impolite or asked too much. "She says royalty shouldn't spend too much time with people below us. That any time with them is bad for me." I rolled my eyes. Mother's rules were ridiculous, but I would NEVER disregard what she said. Why couldn't I go see the people? Why was it so bad...? I could never understand.

"You believe that?" Daniel spoke so quietly, almost like he didn't want me to hear his question. "No! I don't believe that at all. I-I've always wanted to see the villages. I've always wanted to see all of the world." I laughed quietly, shaking my head. I must sound so silly to him.

"Your Mother, she won't let you? Even if you told her you wanted to see the people of the Kingdom?" I laughed again, "No. And I don't think I would ever ask her. My Mother... She's not. Well. She's not someone you just ask things like that..." Daniel nodded. How did he just agree with everything so easily? It's like he knew how I felt. Like... He could read my thoughts without me even saying a word. "I see..." He said simply, "Mr. Mills told me a little about your Mother when he hired me."

When Daddy hired him... Why? Why would Daddy bring Daniel here knowing the way Mother would react? Or did Mother already know about our new stableboy? Not that I would say a word in the morning... I could never. Wait... Why would Daniel take the job in the first place? If Daddy had told him about Mother... "He-He told you about her?" Daniel nodded, lifting his gaze back to mine. Why did that make me blush...? I didn't understand. He was just looking at me, but my cheeks flushed again. "He told me a few things. He told me about your training, that Mrs. Mills didn't allow you down here much, that I would have to work hard."

I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to understand any of this, trying to make it make sense. I leaned my head back against the tree, my eyelids heavy. I focused on keeping them open. I tried to focus on the horizon. The toe nail like moon was getting lower in the sky. It was such a beautiful sight. This was what I'd always wanted to see. "Regina..." Daniel whispered and I lifted my head to look at him. "You look tired... You have to be back before sundown and you wouldn't want to look tired and under rested."

I smiled softly. He was sweet. "I'm alright. I want to sit here a little longer..." I didn't want to leave just yet. I didn't want this to be over. Was it just the view that I didn't want to end? No... There was something else. I didn't want to leave him just yet... Who knew when I'd get to see him again? If Mother found out about this I might never see him again. "Alright," He nodded, resting back against the tree himself.

We sat starring out at the open view for what felt like only a few minutes, but the sliver of a moon was beginning to disappear in the horizon. "Daniel?" I whispered. We'd sat silently for so long that it sounded strange. "Yes, Regina?" I hesitated, maybe I shouldn't ask, but I was dying to know. "Why did you take the job as our stableboy? Don't you have family somewhere out there?"

I could see Daniel's lips curl up into a small smile, "Well Regina, I think that's something I'll have to explain another time." I sat up. No! Why not now? "What... Why not now?" He sat up, stretching a little before his blue eyes landed on mine. "Because, it's getting close to sunrise. We have to go..." Sunrise! Mother... "Oh." I forced a tight-lipped smile.

Daniel stood and I looked up at him. His messy hair swept neatly to one side. I was a bit taken aback when he offered his hand. Mother said people like this never had real manners... She said they weren't raised properly. But here stood this kind, sweet young man that seemed to prove her words all wrong. I took his hand, standing. Gosh I wanted to know... He seemed to be able to see my disappointment in not being told. "I'll explain the next time I see you, Regina." I nodded. Next time... He sounded so sure that this 'next time' would happen, but I knew better.

We both mounted our horses, Daniel helping me mount Rocinante this time before he got onto his own steed. "I'll race you!" I teased, although way too tired for a race. "You're on!" He laughed. "One... Two..." I squeezed Rocinante's side and took off before finishing my countdown, laughing as I saw Daniel starting his horse behind me. He was an amazing rider, but Rocinante was a trained horse. It didn't help that we were all tired. I laughed loudly as Daniel began to catch up, but I kicked Rocinante's sides gently to edge him further. Come on... Come on... The long ride from the stables lasted only a few minutes going back, the two of us now racing side by side. I glanced over my shoulder as I heard Daniel's laugh close behind me.

Dang... He'd caught up just as we approached the stables. I ordered Rocinante to a stop. "Just wait..." I promised, "We'll get you next time." I gracefully dismounted Rocinante as Daniel jumped down and pulled both horses back inside. "We?" He put the steed he'd been riding away, but I took Rocinante, placing him back in his stall myself. "Rocinante and I." Daniel grinned as I lightly petted Rocinante's head. "Oh."

I kissed Rocinante's head one last time. I glanced up at the boy I'd met this evening, and looked away shyly as his eyes met mine once again. "I'll see you soon, Regina." Daniel said with the sweetest expression on his face. I grinned, walking back toward the doors of the stable that led to the castle, "I'll see you soon, Daniel..."

I placed my hand on the door to push it open, but found myself glancing over my shoulder to look at the boy once more. With a smirk on my lips I pushed the door open, stepping back out into the cold for my walk back to my chambers. The long walk home seemed even longer than usual. My legs given out from the ride, my eyelids heavy.

It seemed like an hour before I finally found myself at my bedroom door, even though I knew it couldn't have been that long. "Miss Regina! ... Miss Regina!" I heard the whisper ringing in my ears. The call was a whisper, but meant to get my attention, which it did. "Yes?" The word came out with a small yawn. "Miss Regina, it'll be morning soon." It was the maid, the young girl that had brought me Daddy's gift. "I know, I'm...," I yawned yet again. It was so unladylike Mother would say, I quickly covered my mouth with my hand. "I'm going to bed now."

The girl starred at me, "Miss Regina... It's almost morning. Your Mother and Father will be here soon." I leaned my head against the door frame which led into my room. Gosh... All I wanted was one moment to rest my eyes. "Please, I just need a little while. Would you wake me in enough time to put my dress on?" The young girl sighed softly, but knew better than to reject to my Mother's child. Even though I would never tell, Mother's punishments to the castle workers were so awful I tried not to think about them... "Alright, Miss Regina. You go get a little rest. I'll get a bath and a dress ready. I'll wake you in time." I gave the girl a kind smile and a sincere voice, "Thank you." Mother would surely scold me for that, but one more thing she never knew wouldn't kill her.

I sighed softly, exhausted as I closed my chamber doors behind me. I turned down my own sheets, all maids except the one either busy at work or off asleep, and I had no problem doing something for myself. I crawled under the covers, eyelids heavy. I stole one more glance out the window at the early morning sky. It had turned out to be best birthday I'd ever had. I couldn't hold them open any longer, so my eyes finally fell shut.

I had a friend... A real friend.