Bonus Chapter

"Sorry to disturb you your highness but we just received news that Iris Beaumont is here," a servant says to me.

I've been waiting here in my study for her to arrive. My patience is running out quickly. I was told that she was to be here this morning. It's now late afternoon and she's just now arrived.

I sigh. "Of course. Make sure that she's sent to the correct place"

The servant girl nods and gives a quick crusty before running off.

I slowly make my way in the direction that I need to go. Who is this girl? I can't help but wonder about her. Never in the history of this kingdom has anyone done anything like this. My father thinks it's a great idea, but I definitely have my doubts.

Before I enter, I ask a guard why she took so long to arrive. I learn that she managed to run off with  one of the horses after being attacked. It surprises me a little.

As I enter, I turn to face the bowing girl.

"Rise," I command her. I'm not really in the mood for this.

As she straightens, I look her over. She's a rather small girl with no curves and a small frame. Her dress is tattered and dirty, and her blonde curls are a mess.

"My guards sent word that your carriage was overthrown by bandits. Is that correct?" I ask her.

"Yes, your highness," she replies in a small voice.

Is she already scared?

"And you took a horse and ran away as fast as possible?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Coward." I can't help but say this. I'm already stressed out and right now I don't want to do this.

Her face turns red and she looks like she wants to say something and is just barely holding it in. I smirk at her reaction.

Just then, my father walks into the room. Inwardly I groan. Somehow I know that he's going to do something to embarrass or annoy me. He always does. He walks up to Iris and hugs her. This is normal. My father can either be a tough, heartless guy, or a friendly man. Today he's apparently friendly.

"Welcome!" He says to her.

"Thank you, your majesty," she replies uncertainly.

Mt father crosses over and sits down in his seat next to mine. "I hope you traveled well," he says.

"We ran into some bandits along the way. They killed the man accompanying me," Iris says.

"And you managed to get here safely even though you were alone? What bravery! Aren't I right my son?"

There's the humiliating part. I just called her a coward and now my father, who has more authority than me, is complimenting her. I look at Iris and she's looking at me with a smug grin on her face.

"Yes father," I say through gritted teeth.

"Why don't you show lady Iris around the palace and take her to her quarters," he tells me.

I'm about to argue but the look my father gives me keeps me quiet.

We are walking through a corridor when I say, "I do not know why my father is treating you so well. After all, you are not a lady, you are a knight in training."

She replies by saying, "Why am I a knight in training? Any other man can become a knight if he wishes, but I must go through a whole training process!"

"First of all, all of my men have to go through a training process. You just have to prove that you're worth the time training. Second of all, girls are weak and emotional," I states. "We have to make sure that you'll be able to handle life without having servants or a shoulder to cry on. And frankly, I'm not sure that you'll be able to succeed."

I don't regret anything that comes out of my mouth. I never wanted her here in the first place. Finally, we make it to her room. I'm eager to leave her.

"I sent some servants to give you clothes since yours were lost," I say. I actually didn't, but I know that some clothing was provided since women don't own a pair of pants or breeches. "Because you are a girl, you will live separately from the men," I continues as she follows me into the room.

"Thank you for everything," she says. I can tell by the time of her voice that she's still fuming.

"Dinner will be served soon. A maid will alert you when it's ready. You don't want to be late."

Finally, I can escape.

I head back to my own chambers and plop down onto the bed. My head is full of thoughts and my mind is all jumbled up. I sigh to myself and decide to get ready for dinner. Once I've cleaned up some, I reluctantly leave my quarters and head to the much dreaded dining hall.