“Yes, just a sudden change in temperature.”
She looked at me again with worry before she rolled her eyes. Letting go of me, she poured a glass of water and handed it
to me. She then pulled up the lilac dress and zipped up the back.
The dress was my absolute favourite, but sadly I rarely wore it. The cotton, ankle length dress had a beautiful sweetheart
neckline, with sheer lilac sleeves. A darker lilac velvet string hung around the waist, which Kathlyn tied into a little bow,
giving my body an hourglass shape.
“Are you sure you want your hair left down, your highness? Perhaps we could put some of it up or in a braid?”
Looking at myself in the mirror, I watched as she showed me what my hair would look like up a little and I shook my head.
Settling on two braids that joined in the middle at the back was as far as I would go. This kept the stray hairs out of my face.
Throwing on one of my lighter capes that was a light grey, and then a pair of shoes to match, I headed out the door. Kathlyn
quickly rushed behind me as I ordered Marcus to prepare a horse.
“Will Miss Kathlyn need one also?” he asked as he walked just behind me.
“No, I will not need any escort today, aside from you.”
“But, your highness, the queen will be angry if I do not attend to you and your needs,” Kathlyn objected, as I guessed she
would.
“Kathlyn, I will have Marcus. Should I need anything, I will send for you.”
I was on a mission. I knew Dorian would be here most of the day and I could not face him. My heart raced in my chest as I
thought about him and his disgusting face. I wanted nothing more than to scream at everyone for allowing him near me.
Once we reached the side door and down towards the castle stables, Marcus made quick work to order the stable hand to
prepare my horse. Within a matter of minutes, I was lifting myself up onto Juniper, my brown mare.
“I will be back in time for dinner, do not worry, Kath.”
Marcus mounted his horse quickly. Once he was settled, I clicked my heels into Juniper, and we headed out of the grounds
towards the city.
I enjoyed the feeling of the wind rushing through my hair as Juniper jumped over something in the pathway. As she splashed
through a puddle or two, I felt the thrill of it all. More often than not, I was prohibited from horse riding, it had been deemed
too ‘unsafe’ for me. As a royal, I was meant to stick to carriage rides and never put myself at risk. Unlike Norok who was
never questioned or banned from doing something he enjoyed.
I missed riding.
I knew Marcus would stick further back, giving me space—respectfully—he always had me in his sights. Even if he knew
full well that if anything were to happen to me, it would be his head.