14

Chapter 3

"I'm going to start teaching you how to fight!" He announced loudly. "Come and meet me in my chamber later today!""Alright!"Marigold smiled brightly and nodded.She turned and ran out of the chamber and down the hallways of the palace.As she got closer to her room she noticed a few guards standing by her door waiting for her to pass."Good morning Lady Marigold," they greeted her in unison.Marigold stopped suddenly and glanced at them."Morning. Did I forget something?" She asked curiously."No, My lady," one of the guards replied respectfully."I just have a few questions I'd like to ask, if that's alright with you?" The guard clarified."Oh, alright,"Marigold answered and turned back around, starting her journey back to her quarters.She was surprised to find Henrique waiting for her in her room."Hey, welcome back!" He said cheerfully."Did you need something?" She asked, stepping inside.Henrique took a book from the bedside table and put it down on the table next to her."Read it," He ordered."What is this?" Marigold questioned."Just read it," Henrique insisted impatiently."Okay, okay,"Marigold responded annoyed, taking the book.The cover depicted a white horse with a black star on its forehead, surrounded by five stars, and underneath was the title 'How to Fight a Horse'. Marigold flipped the pages slowly and saw a lot of pictures of horses running and flying, attacking and being killed. She didn't understand most of it.Henrique watched her curiously and waited for her reply, hoping that she'd like it.After a couple minutes, Marigold closed the book."It's beautiful!"She finally said with a smile.Henrique smiled back at her and nodded.Marigold walked around to sit on the bed and opened the book again.This time, instead of focusing on horse fighting, Marigold turned her focus to horse anatomy.Henrique chuckled quietly as he observed the young noblegirl who was trying her best to learn what she should know about horses.Henrique was intrigued by the young woman and decided he wasn't really planning to teach her anything yet.Henrique would give Marigold some space to figure things out.Henrique would also allow her some freedom and he wouldn't stop her from talking to anyone else, except herself.That day, however, he had made a mistake.Marigold talked to her maid about the horse anatomy book and she quickly told her about the rules governing it.Marigold learned all of those rules and practiced them everyday.The young girl also read about horses and how to ride them without a horse saddle.The lessons only lasted for a couple months.Henrique wasn't sure when he planned for another lesson.But he knew that he wanted to show Marigold something amazing and magical before leaving her.A few days after the first lesson, Henrietta came into the princess's bedroom, carrying a letter.She smiled politely as she handed it to Marigold."Princess, Your Majesty is waiting for you," Henrietta said politely."Thank you, Henrietta."Marigold took the letter and read it quickly.Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped slightly.Henrique smiled as the young woman opened the letter and read it."He says you'll be going to see the King tomorrow morning. Is this fine?"Henrique was confused. He didn't know what his daughter had been doing these past few days, since she hadn't spent any more time with him than necessary.But he decided to trust her judgment.If she thought it was alright, he would accept her decision.Henrique nodded."Okay, thanks," Marigold said and gave Henrietta a curtsy.She walked out of the room and headed downstairs to the dining hall where the King and his guests were having lunch."Father, Mother, the King has invited me to go visit him tomorrow," Marigold informed them