The Forgotten Princess

Starting a new day.

I open my eyes from the ray of light sipping through the curtains. I rubbed my eyes and look at my surroundings. I am in my room as always but I feel different.

"Good morning princess Alicia" Tricia greeted me with a smile. "This is the first time you slept in. You must have felt tired last night. Or maybe you feel more secured now that you have a personal knight."

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's half past ten princess " Tricia answered.

"What!" I instantly felt really awake. " This is the first time that I lived here in the palace that I slept in.

"Oh my, I didn't go to my morning routine."

I was worried that grandpa would scold me.

"Don't worry princess it was lord Robert who ordered me not to wake you up. It's the first time that you have slept soundly that he didn't want anyone to interfere with your sleep." Tricia smiled. She was preparing my clothes to wear.

"But still, I feel embarrassed" I said. Then I noticed the clothes Tricia was holding. "What clothes are those" I asked. It looks rather new.

"Oh lord Robert brought these for you to wear today. He said that you're scheduled this afternoon to have horseback riding lessons " Tricia answered.

"Horseback riding? me ?" I asked confused.

"That's what the lord said" Tricia replied.

I never thought I would learn horseback riding. Even my sisters weren't taught how to ride a horse. They were trained to become a lady of course.

But I was happy to know that I can learn something. I smiled to myself.

* * *

After washing my body and getting changed I headed to the dining room. Because I skipped breakfast I'm going to have to eat lunch earlier.

"Good morning my princess" I see Leon standing near the dining room door. He gave me a slight bow.

"Good morning sir Leon" I greeted him.

Today he was wearing a white long sleeve shirt, black pants and boots. His long wavy dark brown hair was tied with hairpins on the side. His smile is so bright as the sun. I instantly feel at ease with him by my side.

"I am sorry that I woke up rather late. This was the first time I slept in" I felt apologetic. I am sure he was waiting for me. I know grandpa has given him some instructions about my studies. He said Leon would be in charge of tutoring me from now on.

"It's okay princess, lord Robert specifically said not to disturb your sleep because it was rare for you to wake up late" Leon reassured me.

"That is true. I did not know what happened to me that I slept in" I sighed.

"Maybe you are at ease with me around " Leon said with a smile.

I look at him gauging if he is joking or not. His smile is rather addictive. You can't help but smile with him as well.

"I'm joking princess, hahaha" Leon said at last.

"Hahaha, I thought so" I laughed with him.

Then my stomach started to grumble. It was silent between Leon and I for a while. I felt embarrassed. My cheeks might be bright red by now.

"I'm so sorry" I said as I covered my face with my hands. "What has gotten to me today? This isn't how a princess should be."

"Hahaha, I am happy that you feel at ease with me princess " Leon burns out laughing. He held my hands that was covering my face and pulled it down. He was looking at me directly.

"I would be really happy to know the real you rather than the third princess of Alvannia"

He was looking at me straight at the eyes. His brown eyes were focused on me and I could see the honesty in his eyes. My heart started to thump hard inside my chest.