Because You’re My Princess

"Ah", I say as the crisp morning breeze gently tickles my bare cheeks. Stretching my limbs and yawning the sleep away, I walk out onto the porch that sits just outside my bedroom. Ever since I was little, I've slept with those French doors opened to the beautiful moonlight and the welcoming sunlight. I catch a whiff of the roses from the garden below and the sounds of the horses just waking from their slumber. "Today is going to be a good day!" I mention to my sleepy companion who has joined me outside, her tail caressing my calf.

Sitting on my bed, I slip on my boots over my tightly fitted pants. Rolling up my sleeves, I look at my companion and cheerfully say "well, come on Schima, the horses won't take care of themselves! No matter how hard they try."

Schima hops off my bed, her paws lightly padding on the hardwood floor. The small Kitsune joins me as I enter the hallway. I'm greeted by the maids that have been working for a large part of the morning, making sure all of the tapestries and windows are spotless and crystal clear.

"Oh! Good morning Princess." One maid says to me as I pass by her.

Giving her a soft smile I say, "good morning Sasha. The windows look great today! Without your help, we could never get the sun to grace us with her light so vividly!"

Sasha smiles back, bowing her head as I continue down the hallway toward the stairs that lead to the front parlor. As I am about to round the corner that will lead me to the door that heads toward the barn, I bump into a tall, broad chested man.

"Oof," catching me before I fall backward, "well good morning Jessa!" The man says in a deep tenor voice. I laugh and hug the man in front of me, relaxing in the embrace when he hugs me back.

"Good morning Papa," Schima makes a small squeal of delight toward my father. "Silly girl, we have horses to tent to. Papa will be here when we're back." I side step my father and head toward the door, grabbing an apple off of a near by table and leave the house toward the barn.

Once at the barn, I pick up a pitchfork and start mucking our stalls and refilling toughs when I hear a voice sneak up behind me, "you know you don't have to do that. Taking care of the horses is my job."

I glance behind me and see Parker standing there, leaning against an open stall door. His black hair sitting messily atop his head. He's tall, almost as tall as father who is six foot and 3 inches. His bright blue eyes piercing into my light green ones.

Smiling at Parker while still mucking out the stall, I confidently say "I know, but I do it because I like to. I love these horses, plus Schima enjoys playing in the hay," I pause and raise an eyebrow, "do you not want my help, Parker?"

He stammers "no, it's not that! It's just that you're my princess and I don't want you to get hurt," lowering his eyes, I can see a slight blush rise to his cheeks. Laughing, I move on to the next stall, ignoring the previous comment.

Once all of the stalls are pristine and the troughs full, I lead in the horses from the pasture one by one. Being sure to give each of them a short petting session before moving on to the next. My personal horse is last to be placed in her stall. I give this particular dun quarter horse mare a longer petting session. Telling her that I will be back later to take her for a ride. I close the stall door, straightening the name plate hanging from it that reads Ameroa. I say goodbye to Parker and head toward the house to shower and get ready for the day.