We rode through the main rode of the town, which wasn’t much. It was a five-minute ride with buildings that looked as if they were going to fall apart any second. There were a few businesses consisting of a woodshop and bakery; I was already thinking of ways to spruce it up in the future. I’d, of course, get the opinions of the townspeople and wouldn’t make it into a main destination. It already had a nice peaceful feeling, and I didn’t want to change that. From the conversation we had from when we stopped everyone lived on the outskirts. The woman said the townspeople were all welcoming if we ever got the chance to meet them.
Then she gave us the directions to the old man’s farm. We thanked her or more so one of the guards thanked her. I was rooted in my seat staring at them have the conversation in complete silence. I wasn’t fond of conversing, especially when I don’t have too. It may have creeped her out because she kept glancing at me awkwardly. She even waved slightly at the end, but I decided to go on with the role I was already playing and just kept frowning. No use in changing it at this point. If I see her next time, I’d have to give her a proper greeting to make up for it.
On the ride there I realized that she neglected to mention that it was another ten minutes from the town. My patience was failing me, staring at the repeated scenery of bare wilting trees would make any sane person depressed even if it was for a short amount of time. The only thing I wanted to do was relax in something that was soft and fluffy.
The old man must have heard us coming because we saw him waiting for us outside his cabin waving. As soon as we stopped, I leaped over the railing grabbing my bag with me, so I could be the first person to thank him. “Hello sir,” I said holding out my hand for him to shake. He stared at my outreached hand and then I saw his eyes drift over my outfit before rising to meet my eyes.
It seemed I must have been the problem these first meets became awkward quite quickly. I was starting to feel as if my communication teacher lacked in teaching me properly. After a while I smiled saying, “If you don’t want to shake my hand you most certainly do not have too.”
He had a puzzled expression on his face as he hastily grabbed my hand saying, “It’s not that, it’s just you’re so much different than I imagined. I hear a lot about you in the paper…I just thought…I don’t really know what I thought.” His voice was raspy, but gentle. I saw his eyes traveling back down to the trousers I was wearing and the white blouse I had borrowed. “I get that a lot. Don’t worry about it. And I just feel more comfortable tracing in these,” I replied gesturing to my attire. “I must thank you for letting us come out here for the week. I was so pleased to hear back from you.”
Well, when the princess herself sends you a letter I guess you have to reply. This was my one possibility to encounter a member of the royal family. I wasn’t going to miss such a chance. You know there’s a lot of stuff people write about you,” he said contently to me. Though, I did catch the quizzical tone he had when saying it. Was he wanting me to confirm if any of it was the truth?
I laughed dryly, “I don’t doubt it. Most of it is probably true.” His expression morphed into one of disbelief. “Yes, I really am as harsh as they say. You don’t see it, do you? Though, I’m fair and just, in most cases that is. Oh, and a tiny bit insensitive and straightforward as well.”
“Hm, I like fair and just. I suppose a ruler should use their logic over feelings in some instances.” That was one way of looking at it. I really did need to find a way to bring this old man back with me, at least he understood how my qualities could be good. Him and I would get along fine. He didn’t talk a lot, showed us our rooms, and even told us dinner would be ready in the next hour. That’s all I needed to hear. He mentioned that his granddaughter lived with him, so she did all the cooking and cleaning from what he told us. He was excited for us to meet her because apparently, she was around my age and didn’t have any friends her own age. Just some of the older women in the town as role models.
In that hour of time, I used the slightly warm water that was in the bucket in the cottage to bathe with and changed into a worn-down dress. I only brought clothes that made me look nothing more than a working-class individual. With the thanks of my servants help of course. I wasn’t sure what exactly the difference was because it looked similar to clothes they were wearing. I hung my hair in a ponytail and walked to the main house, along with a guard. They were very committed to putting one outside my door. We both walked silently towards the cabin together without saying a word to each other. And I was grateful he didn’t try to talk to me. I would have to politely decline if that happened.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jusm0z2Sc
Once we made it to the old man’s cabin, he held the door for me, and I saw everyone was already waiting for me. I searched the room as it grew deadly silent, and I raised an eyebrow. Was I missing something? Two of my guards were sitting in wooden chairs at the dinner table, while another was leaning against the counter talking to the old man. They had been laughing until they noticed the door open and me walk in. The girl around my age had just walked in carrying two plates pausing when she saw everyone sitting there quietly.
“Your highness,” said a guard rising from his seat with the other quickly doing the same. What’d they think I was, a monster? They were nervous, but in all honesty, it was kind of entertaining, I chuckled internally at their behavior. If a spoiled arrogant princess was what they wanted I might as well give it to them. I did try not to give into the urge of doing so, but it was no use. I couldn’t resist seeing their reactions. If they thought, I was vicious I was going to play along with it. So, I acted as if I was intensely searching the room then my eyes landed on the plates in the girl’s hands. I knew it was cruel to bring her into this considering I hadn’t met her yet, but it only made it all the more fun for me. I walked over to her and stood right in front of her looking down at the white piece of meat on the plate. I couldn't tell whether it was fish or chicken. Either way I made a face of disgust making sure to shrink back as I did before looking back to the guards who were standing. They lowered their heads swiftly with their hands intertwined behind their backs. When I made my way over to them, they didn’t even try to meet my eyes. They had the nerve to be frightened now when they had so much to mumble about on the ride here.
The older guard must have thought himself the leader figure amongst them because he was the only one to speak, “Princess, it is a bit outrageous to treat her like this. Especially since she and everyone here are trying to do the best to make sure you enjoy your stay here.” He said it with so much authority others would’ve listened in a hurry; I was not one of those people. Instead, I rolled my eyes in the most obnoxious way I could muster and ignored his advice.
“If it so hard to make me feel enjoyment here then why don’t I fire you all when I get back, so you can search for easier job?” The two guards with their heads down lifted them immediately before pleading with me not to. The older one stood there shocked. The girl seemed as if she wanted to cry, and the old man was silently watching.
“That…I didn’t mean it like that, your highness.” Oh, he was changing his tune? He continued with, “It is an honor working for you. I didn’t mean any trouble by saying that.” The depressed feeling was flooding into the room. It was starting to be too painful for me to listen to all their pleading about how they were regretful for their actions, so I broke character. I know I wanted them to feel a little...tense, but they had ruined my game.
“STOP!” I had to yell it over them because they were so loud. “I was just teasing you all, I now see you all really are no fun. It felt like I was drowning from all the unpleasantness you were giving off. Anyone a mile away could have felt it,” I said taking a seat at the table. With my left hand I picked up a fork and the right the knife, waiting for my plate.
“Wha…what?” They stayed in their positions, not knowing what to do. They stared at me with their hands just hanging in the air.
“Do you not understand? MOVE! I said I was kidding. No one is getting unemployed when we get back. And hurry up I’m starving!” The girl was the first to move putting one of the plates she had been holding down in front of me. I didn’t waste any time eating it. Everyone gathered around the table shyly as if they weren’t able to sit with me. “Are you going to take a seat or not?” This set them in motion as they pulled back their chairs. The girl finished serving everyone their meal before sitting beside her grandfather.
“May I say something?” It was the guard who walked me here. I think his name was Derek. I nodded in approval. “That was a twisted and insensitive joke.” Again, everyone acted as if someone had just died. Probably thinking Derek was the one about to die. I didn’t think too much about his comment, though. Replying with, “It was entertaining to me,” and shrugged after.
I explained further once I saw how uncomfortable they were. “You all were laughing and talking when I walked in, then when you saw me, you acted as if death walked into the room and wanted to take you with him. So, I decided to let you all feel as if he did.”
“Your humor scares me,” that response came from the girl whose name I found out was Mia. She had long flowing red hair with dark green eyes. It must be nice to have such an appealing eye color. In comparison to my hazel ones. I smiled at her politely saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that. I only meant to frighten them. You just happened to be collateral damage.” That also didn’t seem to make her feel any better, I think her muttered response was “that might be worse.” She was probably right too. The old man hadn’t said a word about any of it. He just sat there quiet. I’m sure he’d speak up sooner or later. I didn't want to waste time thinking about that though, I was focused on what I'd be doing tomorrow.
“What is the plan for tomorrow morning?” I was actually really excited. I’m not sure they could tell. They probably thought I was asking to nag.
“I was thinking I would take you to have a look at the livestock. I did promise I would let you pick one out for yourself,” the old answered. I almost smiled just hearing him say it. For once, I was going to enjoy some leisure time. However long that lasted.
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