3 A Stroll Though the Gardens

The next day, it was sunny and bright. Light beamed through the curtains, and the wind breezed by lightly, as the balcony door was open, letting in the fresh air.

I was dressed in a lightweight rose pink dress. It was a thin long-sleeved, with loose shoulders, that I could easily move around in, at the front were light ruffles toward the bottom. Mother finished the outfit with a bow, pulling part of my hair back, and braided it tightly into a fishtail braid.

Mother and Father discussed with me, how I needed to make a good impression on the Prince since this could give us more benefits. And I hated the thought of that, getting on someone's good side, for benefits.

I decided to just be friends with him, not because my parents wanted me to, it's because he's going to be here every day, and I didn't want it to be awkward between us. Besides,  I'm not planning on using the relationship between the Prince and me, for my status.

Mother decided to doll me up, with ribbons and a fancy dress that I could easily curtsy in. Father told me what happened during the lesson, and he was worried. He even asked me to hold my tongue, next time it happens, and I immediately felt guilty.

"Mother, I just want to go to the gardens, not dress up for a party." She tugged even tighter when I complained.

"Ladies are to hold their complaints, and listen to the men." She pulled me closer, hugging me before she let out a sigh. I lowered my head and waited for her to stop with the braiding, aware that she was teaching me another lesson.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I can take the Prince through the gardens, after his lessons?" I asked turning around to face her. She smiled and helped me strap on my shoes, then she placed a kiss on my forehead, before gently grabbing my hands.

"I think your Father will allow you to go before the lesson." She walked gracefully out of the room, down to the front foyer, where all three of us waited patiently for His Highness. I looked to my father and he gave me an encouraging smile.

"Father, may the Prince and I, take a stroll through the gardens before his lesson." I peered at him with pleading eyes, and he just tilted his head. I also planned on apologizing to Prince Elias for my behavior, even if it meant swallowing my pride.

"The Prince can determine that." He smiled and I nodded my head in response.

Father left to go prepare for the lesson, and I waited until I heard the SUV arrive. When I heard footsteps, I opened the door, and the young man walked up the pathway. He steadily walked on through and looked around for my Father.

"Your Highness, Duke Willow is preparing for your lesson, would you like to take a stroll through our magnificent gardens while you wait?" I curtsied gracefully and he continued to look around.

"I suppose I could, Lady Willow." His velvet voice, sounded sweet in my ears like it was music. I smiled lightly at the young man, and he just studied me with his observant ocean eyes.

Taking the first couple of steps toward the door of the garden, we passed through the kitchen, where Mother was having a tea party. The ladies paused what they were talking about, to bow to the young man.

"Duchess Willow, ladies." The Prince greeted the ladies and my mother looked at me approvingly. Opening the door for the Prince, he slipped on through, and I followed loosely behind him.

The gardens were filled with different plants and water fountains that had dragon statues. The flowers came from various places around the world, and I just love walking through here, especially during spring, where everything is in full bloom.

I always come out here to read and just study the dragon statues. I've always wanted to meet one, even though people spoke about how dangerous they were, yet I was still fascinated by them.

Walking upon the path, to the first water fountain, Prince Elias smirked lightly at the dragon statue. The dragon was one of the elders that lived and controlled the dragon population but met death to an unknown sickness.

"Your Highness--"

"Just call me Elias." I glared at the young Prince who interrupted me, then nodded, I appreciated that I wouldn't have to call him by his title when it's just the two of us. It was a mouthful to say, and even he looked tired of hearing it.

"Elias," I paused to let his name get familiar, and I looked him straight into his eyes. "I was in the wrong when I mentioned your attitude." Elias studied me and then chuckled lightly. He sat on the edge of a water fountain, playing with the fish within. His hand swirled in circles, as he made the ripples larger.

"No, Rebecca. You were right, I said something impolite. I don't want any more glares or worried gazes in our direction, so how about we forgive each other." He paused as he looked at me, with a boyish grin. I nodded my head and sat on the edge. Careful not to dirty the dress, I also played with the water.

"Friends?" I held out my hand, I could make a compromise. It would please Father and Mother, he grasped it and shook it. His hands were soft with very few calluses, I wondered if he ever held a sword.

"Friends." He replied and I chuckled lightly, and while waiting for Father, we sat there in silence, but not eerie silence.

***

Her smile is beautiful in the sunlight, her hair was sparkling, even her bluish-green eyes were sparkling, with excitement. Shifting my attention, I looked up to the window where Duke Willow was watching us.

Rebecca hummed a lovely harmony of a lullaby, while quietly playing with the fish in the water. It was relieving that Rebecca didn't have any alternative motives, other than becoming simple friends which were rare.

Duke Willow came outside and Rebecca's face brightened even more, as she rushed to hug her father.

"Your Highness, I'm ready." He spoke as he looked down at his daughter, you could tell she was spoiled, which made sense since she was the only daughter. The girl stepped away from her father and glanced at me, with curious eyes.

"What are we planning to do?" I asked, meeting her gaze, noticing she had a raised brow. Duke Willow, understood the question and debated on answering.

"Swordplay," Duke replied and looked worriedly down at his daughter. Her bright eye sparkled, as it was paired with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at her, and she just shrugged. 'The daughter of the Duke was such a strange lady.'

"Father, can I watch?" She spoke with determination in her stance. Duke Willow looked back to the window where the ladies were watching. His wife would disapprove, but it was time for her to practice again.

"Watch or participate? Because my dear, there is a difference." She wore a tiny pout, and I understood why he was hesitant. 'She doesn't look like she could fight, why would she want to watch sword moves.' I thought to myself.

"I would like to do both." She spoke with a hint of defiance in her tone, and I realize who my partner in crime was. She was indeed a fine lady, however, she wanted independence. As the daughter of a Duke, she wouldn't hesitate and speak her opinion to any class, and I like that about her.

"Fine, go change and we'll meet at the ring." She turned around and rushed inside, as ladylike as she could.

"Is this a really good idea?" I asked looking up at the Duke. He just chuckled and started walking toward another part of the house. The ring was placed inside, which meant we had to walk to the other end of the house, where all of the extra amenities were.

"Are you worried, Your Highness?" I knitted my brows together, 'of course, I am worried. Was he not?'

'This girl won't be able to participate long in the match,' or so I thought.

There she stood with a wooden sword pointed at my neck, giving me a smirk. 

I had indeed found my partner in mischief. Who would have thought?

***

In a simple outfit, a pair of pants with a long sleeve shirt, for protection, finished with a pair of leather boots, I walked toward the ring, where both Elias and Father were waiting.

I left my hair alone, remembering how much time Mother spent on it, I even left the ribbon alone. Elias was smirking when I stepped in, and he picked up a wooden sword and pointed it at me.

"Rebecca Willow, I, Prince Elias Flames, challenge you to a dual." I smiled in response and even my father smirked. He knew that his daughter would beat this kid, with no problem, if he wanted to, he would let her participate in tournaments, however, his wife refused.

"Elias Flames, I, Rebecca Willow, accept the challenge." He looked at me with uncertainty, before he walked up to me and braced my arm as opponents do. I could tell he was sizing me up when he stood there and looked at me from head to toe.

"Let's see if you cry if you lose." He muttered while looking dead-on into my eyes. Raising an eyebrow, I smiled widely and even chuckled, 'this kid'.

"Your Highness, I think it will be you, who will cry." Letting go, we stood at opposite ends of the ring, facing each other.