A Princess Named Harry: Book 2

Chapter 3

Harry spent the entirety of the eight hours worried about what Kaitlyn had said. She didn't know whether it was true or not, but it would certainly make sense if it was after all, Kahil and Kaitlyn were both desperate not to go.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

Caroline had been watching Harry the whole time; she wondered what had been keeping her usually lively daughter so quiet.

Harry turned to look out the window. All that could be seen were tall trees, and occasionally a bunny or two would pop out from behind them. She watched them and nervously began to answer her mother.

"Mother, have you heard anything about the crown princess?"

"The crown princess? No, I can't say that I have." Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Well . . ." Harry knew that Caroline hated hearing about rumors, especially ones that had been proven false. She didn't know how to approach the topic. "I've . . . heard some things about her." She timidly added, "Some bad things."

"Like what?"

"Like how she isn't the nicest person."

"Who told you that?"

Harry didn't answer.

"Harry."

Caroline spoke almost as if she was disappointed in Harry. "I thought I taught you better than this." She sighed heavily, "Don't believe such baseless rumors."

Harry agreed not to believe in any more rumors, but a big part of her still did. She felt a little sick as she worried more about the Taram royalty. She wondered how everyone else was faring.

•••

In the second carriage sat an angered and annoyed trio. The king didn't have anything to say to his children, and they didn't have anything to say, either. Kahil and Kaitlyn did attempt to protest again in the beginning, but the king quickly put an end to it.

Kahil instantly regretted riding in the same carriage as his father. It had been the queen's idea to make everyone pick lots to see who would be sitting where since it kept causing everyone so much trouble.

Looking back on it, he didn't think it would have mattered much if he had snuck into the first carriage with Caroline and Harry. He even thought that riding the horses would have been better than where he was now. But thinking about having to see Harry's personal knight riding beside of him did annoy him just a little bit more than his father did. He wondered how that knight was doing.

•••

Riding on horseback wasn't rough; having to ride beside the constantly talking and gossiping knights was what made the journey so tedious.

A young boy who had just recently joined the ranks of the royal knights kept sticking to Varian's side like glue. His name was Aiden, and he was very small and hyperactive. He had light hair all tied back into a low short ponytail and almost colorless eyes that watched Varian closely. He had spent the majority of his time trying to make small talk with Varian. He even rallied the usually reserved knights into being loud along with him.

"Sooooo, your name is Varian, riiiggghhtt?"

"Yep."

"Aren't you the second princess's knight?"

"Yep."

"What's that like?"

Varian tried his best to ignore the boy, but it was to no avail. He even sped up to get away from him, but of course, the boy followed him.

"Soooo what's that like, huh? I bet it's lovely!" He laughed, "I would love to be Her Highness's personal knight! She's so pretty!" He sighed, "Wow, imagine seeing that pretty face every day. Oh, Princess Harry! She's got a weird name, but her beauty makes up for it." He swooned. "Oh, my lovely Princess Harry! Do you think the princess would choose someone like me?"

"What are you talking about, kid?" The voice came from Marcus. He and Ivan both came up from behind. "She already has a knight."

"Varian," added Ivan.

They had expected the boy to back off after that, but he was surprisingly persistent.

"You misunderstood me. I didn't mean I hoped she'd pick me as a knight." He began to smile and blush. "Rather, I hoped it would be as a lover- "

Without warning, Varian suddenly pulled out a knife and held it to Aiden's neck. Marcus and Ivan were both stunned, but neither one of them helped the boy out.

Aiden laughed, "Sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers."

"It'll do you some good to stop talking now." Varian's voice sounded threatening, but it was nowhere near as threatening as the knife pointed at the kid's neck.

"Are you angry?" Aiden asked. "Why? Is it because you also like- "

"You're in love with the princess?!" gasped Marcus.

"Love," sighed Ivan. He looked love-struck himself.

Varian lowered his knife. "It's not like that. I don't- "

"Don't try to deny it!" yelled Marcus. "We've all seen how the two of you look at each other. You like Princess Harry, and I'm pretty sure she likes you too- "

"Don't be ridiculous."

Varian shook his head and put his knife away. He didn't feel like using it anymore, anyway.

"It's not like that. We don't like each other in that way."

He snapped the reins and hurried away from the rest of the knights; this time, none of them followed him. He was heading to be closer to the first carriage where Harry was.

He didn't like her in that way; at least, he didn't think he did. He was certain that Harry felt the same way. They didn't like each other, and they never would. He believed that he didn't deserve to love her. If there ever came a day where he did, no, he would make sure he would never come to think of her in that way. He would have to keep a tight control over his emotions.