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Lady Aphros’s hovercraft flew over the deep countryside. The rolling green hills and smattering of forests were quite the contrast from the crystalline structures of the city or the endless farmland that immediately surrounded it. Aphros steered the vehicle while she hummed a chipper tune. At the same time, Serena and Orion sat in the back, adjacent to Princess Irene and Atlanta, respectively. Orion stood at attention, and Irene bounced in her seat impatiently. Serena and Atlanta slumped in their seats, a mirrored look of exasperation on their faces.
‘I cannot believe this. It’s barely been two days since the last incident, and Aphros is already dragging us out to the middle of nowhere again,’ Serena lamented. Thank the Lord, Orion is a quick healer. Poor guy was barely out of the infirmary before Aphros grabbed him to come along.’ The raven-haired maid stared out the window, hoping the sight of the country would calm her down.
“I can stand it no longer,” Atlanta finally spoke up. “Lady Aphros, for what reason did you spirit us away?”
“Like I said, Princess,” Aphros raised a finger. As princesses, you and Irene need to connect with nature and attract wildlife with your singing voices. You also need to tame the most troublesome horse with a gentle touch. As workers, Serena and Orion should also master basic animal handling, just in case. That’s why I brought you all along on my fantastical animal training program!”
“You didn’t say any of that,” Atlanta reminded her. You said, ‘Let’s go,’ threw a backpack in the worker’s hands, and physically dragged Irene and me to the hovercraft before we had a chance to say no.”
“I didn’t?” Aphros paused. “Well…now you know!” She chirped. Atlanta facepalmed.
‘Aphros gonna Aphros,’ Serena shook her head. ‘I understand the why this time at least, but I still think it’s ridiculous.’ The maid’s thoughts turned back to earlier in the day.
‘I probably wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the fact Lady Aré was conveniently called away on urgent, yet vague, business,’ Serena recalled. ‘If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Aphros was pulling one over on Aré as revenge for the hovercraft thing (even though the whole thing was Aphros’s fault, and she was rightfully punished for it).’ It was a bit of a conspiracy theory. Still, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, considering the lengths Aphros was willing to go.
‘Whatever, I like animals, so I won’t complain about spending some time with them,’ Serena admitted. ‘Wait, what did she mean by fantastical?’
\\~~~\\
II //~~~//
Lady Aphros landed the hovercraft in an open meadow and let everyone out to observe where they’d be learning. A gentle breeze washed over the area, and the light scent of flowers filled the air. The location was largely uncultivated but not untouched. There were clear signs that Aphros had scouted the area prior, but nothing more than that. However, what really caught the eye were the inhabitants.
Horses, unicorns, Pegasi, and flying unicorns littered the area. The horses gave the group a wide berth; however, the more fantastical creatures observed the gathered nobles and workers with idle curiosity. Princess Atlanta took one look at the sights and decided she didn’t like it one bit.
“Where in the middle of nowhere surrounded by wild unicorns!” The silver-lilac-haired girl complained. “Lady Aphros, when you spoke of a training program, I assumed you had an enclosed track of some sort. Not a random meadow you chose on some childish whim.”
‘You and me both,’ Serena thought as she observed the mystical creatures frolic. ‘I’ve always heard about unicorns and Pegasi, but this is the first time I’ve seen them in person. I thought they were supposed to be mysterious and elusive creatures. But nope, here they are in the middle of nowhere, sharing space with regular horses.’
“You need not concern yourself with all the animals being wild,” Aphros assured the princess. “Pegasus riding is in your royal blood. The King and Queen used to ride these babies across continents and the stars in their younger days.”
“I’m well aware,” Atlanta’s gaze narrowed at the older woman.
“Don’t be so grumpy. If you’re anything like the King, riding one should be second nature,” Aphros assured.
“Don’t bring my…ahem,” the Princess coughed. “Don’t bring the King into this!”
‘Huh, that’s the first time I’ve heard someone bring up the King since that dead-end conversation with Aphros[1],’ Serena noted.
“Fine, fine,” Aphros sighed. “Still, there’s no need to worry. I called in an expert to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“An expert?” Atlanta paled. The sight of which took Serena aback. It was rare to see the eldest princess express such dread.
“Yes, someone I’m sure you’re excited to see after so long,” the blonde noble beamed.
“Oh Lord no, Lady Aphros, please tell me you didn’t,” the princess pleaded.
“Didn’t what?” Aphros looked at her in confusion.
“Hi ho, Alexander!” An unfamiliar voice bellowed from above. Flying down from the heavens was a pure white pegasus ridden by a young man with a silver-black mane of hair in a golden embroidered horse jockey uniform. He had a dashing smile and rode his steed with effortless grace. As he landed, he hopped from his saddle with a flip and paused as if waiting for applause.
‘I’m not going to lie, he’s quite the looker, a regular prince charming,’ Serena admitted. Said prince charming made a beeline for Atlanta and kissed her hand lovingly.
“It has been far too long, my love. Where did the months go?” He stroked her hand before he pulled in closer to her face. “Shall we pick up where we left off, or would you rather take things slow?” Serena could practically hear the ding as he flashed his pearly white smile.
Atlanta replied not with words but with a slap across the young man’s face. It was a hard one too, Serena practically cringed as the smack echoed through the meadow and scared away several of the animals. The princess then turned on her heel and marched away.
“Orion, take me back to the palace, I don’t care how!” Atlanta demanded. The butler rushed to his Princess’s side as she loudly demanded to leave. Serena found the whole exchange confusing until the prince charming bounced back from the slap and followed after the princess as though she didn’t just bruise his face.
“My, you’re being playful today,” he commented. “Then shall I recite my latest love poem and illustrate my boundless love for you, my dear, my princess, my little apple-bee.” The young man continued the ramble and acted as though Atlanta was merely playing hard to get. Atlanta slapped him again, and he tumbled over onto his back. Yet, he just laughed as though it were some kind of joke.
‘He may look like a gentleman,’ Serena noted, ‘but he acts like a jock who took so many blows to the head that he can’t understand why people are concerned for his health.’
“Ah, my dear, your love taps sting like no others. You truly are the girl for me,” he exclaimed from the ground.
‘This guy was perfect,’ Serena realized, ‘right up until he opened his mouth.’
\\~~~\\
III //~~~//
Atlanta stormed away while Orion followed close behind, trying his best to calm her to no avail. Serena and Irene watched the scene with a nonplussed look and a giggle, respectively. Prince Charming remained on the ground, a huge grin on his delirious face. Aphros sighed at the whole scenario.
“I guess I should have seen this coming,” the noble admitted. “I hoped that it wouldn’t, but I guess they’re still on the outs.” Still, Aphros began to follow the pair. “Princess Atlanta, please give it a chance.” Serena and Irene stayed behind; the former began to wonder if this was going to be another one of those days.
‘Who am I kidding? Of course, it is,’ the maid sighed.
“Oh, what a world, what a world,” Prince Charming had, at some point, jumped back to his feet and now hovered around Serena. “To think my love would still be so hesitant to embrace me. I, Bellero Phontus, the greatest Pegasus rider of the generation, have never known such troubles.”
‘Oh Lord, please no,’ Serena began to back away.
“It was destiny that brought us together in our miracle romance,” Bellero continued, “but now some other unknowable force threatens to tear us apart. Yet, I won’t let this rest. Not till I’m reunited with my dear fiancé!”
‘Fiancé? No wait, don’t engage,’ Serena turned to grab Irene and run away, but Bellero appeared in front of her.
“I’m sure you’re wondering how I became betrothed to the eldest princess, what brought us together, and what threatens to tear us apart,” Bellero exclaimed.
“Not reall-” Serena started.
“It all began nearly ten years ago,” he ignored her.
“Oh, just talk over me. How chivalrous,” Serena commented as she turned to leave again. Alas, Bellero appeared before her again and, without missing a beat, continued his story.
“Twas a day like this, beautiful in its simplicity and surrounded by horses, both mundane and mystical,” Bellero explained.
“Oh no, not one of these again,” Serena rolled her eyes. “Princess, let us take our leave.”
“Nuh-uh, this is sounding fun,” Irene refused. “I never get to hear about what my sister did before I was born.”
‘Oh Lord, here we go,’ Serena braced herself for another artsy flashback.
\\~~~\\ IV //~~~//
In that time so long ago, when the eldest princess and I were no older than the youngest that now stands before me, we both by chance attended the same Pegasus race. The arena was vast and filled with many entertainments for adults, both noble and otherwise. Alas, without the thrill of the gamble or a stake in the race, children may grow bored of simply watching from afar.
By fate or chance, both the princess and I crept away from our guardians. I slipped away from my parents, and the Princess evaded her mother. Longing to see it all up close, we made our way to the stables below to see the most majestic of creatures.
I know not what brought her to my family’s stable, but perhaps even then, she could feel the tug of the red thread of fate. Still, like a scene from the most gorgeous of paintings, we crossed paths as I was tending to my favorite horse, my noble Alexander. Our eyes met, and it was like destiny. Indeed, there has never been such love at first sight since the King and Queen.
I aided the Princess in growing closer to our equestrian friends and then dazzled her with my own riding skills. It wasn’t even an hour before we became friends, and within the next, perhaps something more. On that day, our fates were locked in place, and soon, we had many more secret rendezvous throughout the following year.
Our bond grew so unmistakably strong that it wasn’t long before the obvious occurred. The Princess had yet to be matched to a fiancé because no other was good enough for her until destiny played its hand. It was quite the beautiful day. We were so young yet so in love. We knew we were meant for each other.
The years that followed were among the happiest in our lives. We faced every day together, and our bond grew stronger for it. To spin the tale of our many adventures would take ten days and ten nights…
So, our first adventure-
\\~~~\\ //~~~//
“Please get to the point,” Serena interrupted him.
Apologies *ahem*.
\\~~~\\ //~~~//
Then, one day, two long and cold years ago, my dearest love suddenly and without reason broke off the engagement. I was left alone, heartbroken and shattered. Fate was a fickle mistress indeed, as she saw fit to bring us together and tear us apart on a whim. But I knew, in my heart of hearts, this was but a test of our love.
\\~~~\\
V //~~~//
Bellero shed a single, dramatic tear at his own plight as if waiting for his close-up. Serena watched this performance with the same empathy and consideration she would for one of Lady Aphros’s performances. That is to say, not at all.
“Thus, you have heard my tragic story,” Bellero clenched his hands to his chest in an exaggerated display of heartache, “so I ask of you, maid, will you aid me in my quest to regain the Princess’s favor?”
‘Not in this lifetime or the next,’ was Serena’s immediate thought. “I apologize, but such things are beyond the station of a maid.”
“No, help him, Serena,” Irene begged her caretaker.
“Princess?” Serena turned to Irene with a look of betrayal.
“I love fairytales! And I want to see how this one ends,” the Princess declared.
“Princess Irene, it is not my place to involve myself-” Serena began.
“Please, please, please,” Irene stared at Serena with big puppy dog eyes.
“Princess, I can’t…” The maid tried to avert her gaze but caught a hint of something in her ward’s eyes. ‘No, it can’t be,’ Serena noticed that glint of mischief in the young girl’s eyes. ‘She knows exactly what she’s asking me to do!’
“Thank you, fair Maid,” Bellero sprang to his feet. “I shall never forget this moment of kindness.”
“But I haven’t even-” Serena couldn’t even get a word in.
“Now to enact a plan to bring me and my dear Lanti back together,” Bellero declared. “Oh, here they are now.” Aphros had managed to (forcibly) drag Atlanta back with Orion in tow. If the Princess had not been enthusiastic before, she was downright hostile now.
“I’m sure we can come to an understanding and keep this all strictly professional,” Aphros assured, but Atlanta wasn’t buying it.
“Follow my lead,” Bellero winked at Serena and immediately jumped to the Princess’s side. “My sweet Lanti, even minutes apart has done damage to my poor heart. Let us begin the Pegasus riding immediately. I’ll give you some personal one-on-one lessons to start with.” Even Aphros was taken aback by his boldness.
“Yeah, no,” Atlanta swiftly put Orion between her and the madman. “Orion, do your job.”
“What?” It was Orion’s turn to be taken aback.
“Ah, I see,” Bellero nodded as if he understood. “To earn your hand, I must best your strongest servant in battle or a contest of their choice.”
“No, that’s not-” Atlanta tried to correct him.
“I see, he has stolen your heart,” Bellero continued to make assumptions. You, servant boy, I challenge you for the princess’s hand in marriage!” Everyone was shocked by the sheer insanity of the statement except Irene and Aphros. The former was practically giddy as the drama unfolded before her, and the latter cupped her hand over her mouth as if she seriously considered the statement.
‘Oh Lord, here we go again,’ Serena resigned herself to another day of absurdity.
To be Continued…
>>>~~~~<<<
Rekindling an old romance has its share of advantages and disadvantages, but it's important to remember not to bring the drama of the past into your present affairs.
Author's Note: Back in the saddle, with a shorter chapter than usual. Today's chapter is a breezy affair, less drama and hardship, more comedy and reactions. Bellero was a fun character to write, but we'll get more into that next week. I don't have much else to say really, other than Serena has the worst luck, she can't even go a week without running into a new breed of crazy person. How will she navigate this mess (something, something, snarky comment, violence, everybody laughs, the end...maybe)?
Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
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