Hey everyone! Thank you so much for being patient with the update. I had a wonderful trip! Thank you so much for reading my story! I hope you are enjoying it so far. Feel free to leave comments, vote, and become a fan! Who's your favorite character so far? Mine is Alex :D Thanks again!!! Love you guys!!!!!

Chapter 4

The sunlight filtered through the curtains causing me to wake from my pleasant night of dreaming. It was a beautiful day outside with the sun shining, a slight breeze it seemed like, and the birds chirping outside. I slipped out from under my covers and made my way over to the water basin. I splashed the cool water on my face feeling refreshed. Today I wore a silky dress made up of blues, purples, and turquoise-y greens. I pulled my blonde hair into a loose side ponytail and proceeded out of my door into the corridor.

I noticed a figure leaning against the wall in the shadows who obviously noticed when I emerged from my chambers. They made their way towards me and I soon recognized Prince Alex’s features as he approached nearer.

“Good morning.” He gave me a smile.

“Hello.” I managed to say.

“Would you accompany me to breakfast?” He asked casually.

“Of course.” I took his arm and he led me in the direction of his dining quarters.

Since it wasn’t that far of a walk, we walked in a comfortable silence until we arrived at the huge oak doors. The guards let us pass as they had done the prior night and we took our seats next to each other. Of course, Alex pulled out my chair for me first before sitting down at his own seat. Servers brought out steaming plates of eggs, sausages, and toasted breads with jellies and butters. It all looked so delicious! We began to eat and all but two of the servers left, just in case we needed anything. As I took a bite of egg, I could feel the intense stare of someone on me. I looked at Alex to see his eyes fixed on me.

“What? Is something wrong?” I started to be concerned. Did I have something stuck in my hair? Had I accidently spilled something on my dress?

He cracked a smile. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just admiring you.”

“What about me?” I questioned once more.

“Everything.” He replied. “Your eyes, your face, your hair… your personality. You are a very beautiful person.”

I could feel the blood rushing up to my cheeks as I shyly smiled and turned my face down.

“You’re cute when you blush.” He commented as he had before.

Of course that comment made me blush even more. I continued eating wishing for the blush to fade away but I knew it lingered retained in my cheeks.

As we finished eating, a short, pudgy man with curly, caramel colored hair, wearing a footman’s uniform walked towards the table. He waited to be acknowledged by Alex and once recognized preceded in telling his news.

“Your highness, your daily training is in twenty minutes. It may be suitable to go and prepare for your training.”

“Thank you Reginald. We were just finishing up.” Alex responded.

Reginald bowed deeply and left the room quickly. Servants came and took away our plates and we rose from the table. Alex took my hand in his naturally and we walked down the corridor.

“Would you like to come watch me train up close instead of admiring me from afar?” He joked.

“Do not flatter yourself dear prince.” I giggled. “But yes I would.”

“Splendid.” He said causing us both to laugh lightly. “Wait here.”

I stayed outside of his chambers humming quietly to myself. He soon came out in a light green, challis training shirt and tan trousers while sporting his brown boots.

Grabbing my hand yet again, he dragged me off into the direction of the training yard. Walking in a comfortable silence, we soon came to the training area and Alex brought us into the practice weapon shed.

“Pick me one.” He gestured to the walls of wooden practice swords.

“Me?” I questioned almost laughing. Me? A lady? What do I know of swordsmanship?

“Yes you, you silly girl.” He laughed.

I walked over to the wall and pondered over the many different swords. I picked one at random and brought it over to him. He took it from my hands and examined it. After a few seconds he gave me an amused smile.

“Did I choose correctly?” I smiled, proud of myself.

“No, you didn’t actually. “ He laughed. I frowned, losing my pride in an instant.

“Why not?”

“For one, the blade isn’t even as long as my arm which would not give me enough range what so ever, and second, the handle is way too long to fit in my hand.” He retorted.

Grabbing it back, I hung it back in its place. Then I measured his arm next to mine and compared it with the blades. Finally, I found one with a handle a bit too big for myself and handed the practice sword to Alex. He examined it a bit and I waited expectantly.

“Better?” I asked.

“Much better.” He laughed.

We walked back outside to the area and Alex led me over to the benches.

“Be back soon love.” He quickly kissed my nose and went down to the practice area. I watched him socialize for a few minutes before starting. He went against a young man with black hair first. The black haired boy was good, but not nearly as good as Alex. Alex seemed unstoppable with every twist and turn he made with the wooden blade. He soon sent the black haired boy to the ground but, like a good sport, he helped him back up.

This happened with a few more people before they went off and did some other obstacles and activities. Soon it became hot though and I couldn’t see Alex among the people scattered around the arena. I stepped down from the stands looking out over the arena but failed to clear the last few steps. I tripped and flew forward but a muscled arm caught me before I could fall. I looked up to see Alex and I immediately blushed.

“Careful there now.” He smirked.

“Haha, very funny.” I said giving him a playful glare.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine, thank you.”

He lifted me out of the tangled mess I was in and set me back down onto the solid, dirt ground. We locked arms and walked in the direction of the castle.

“So, how about we go get lunch, then we go for a walk or something, then tonight we have a picnic in the meadow…” Alex suggested, trailing off.

“That’s sounds good.” I nodded my head in agreement.

The sound of feet running to catch up caused both Alex and I to turn around to see a young man around Alex’s age approaching. He had jet black hair that was slightly disheveled yet slicked back from the training session and you could see his muscles rippling from underneath his thin challis shirt.

“Alex! Good match today.” The boy addressed Alex. He turned to me and smiled. “And who might this be?” He kissed my hand.

I could feel Alex stiffen next to me and tighten his hold a bit.

“Victoria of Lyham. Her father is on my father’s council.” Alex spoke strained.

The boy could obviously sense Alex’s change of mood and quickly offered an excuse and went back to join his friends. As soon as the boy walked away, I could feel Alex relax a bit and I led him away from the arena, up to the castle. We made our way to the dining quarters and enjoyed a nice lunch of chicken and vegetables spread over a bed of rice. After lunch, we packed up a few food items for the night and grabbed a blanket just in case the night decided to turn frigid. We walked to our meadow in silence just enjoying each other’s company.

When we got to the meadow I skipped to the tree and sat down. Alex spread the blanket out and sat down next to me.

“You know, I never did properly thank you for saving me from Sir Edward that day.” I whispered.

“You didn’t have to. It was my responsibility that I let him take you without question. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if…”

“Why do you feel responsible?” I whispered again while laying my head in his lap and looking up at the sky.

“I don’t really know. I feel a connection with you that makes me want to protect you and make you happy and… love you.” He looked down at me and I could see the seriousness etched on his handsome, masculine face. “I love you.”

I sat up and smiled at him. He slowly leaned in towards my face, inching closer and closer until I could fell his sweet breath fanning my face. Then slowly, and passionately, he kissed me. Fireworks went off around, in, and through my body. It was almost surreal, but I knew it was. I felt him smile in the kiss before breaking it and we caught our breath. We both simply grinned at each other, certainly looking like idiots but we didn’t care a bit.

We ate an early dinner and I lay down in his lap again. He covered my body with the blanket and before drifting off to sleep for the night, I whispered. “I love you too.” I slept with a smile on my face that night.