So maybe he is not so bad.
I glanced at Nolan's suite across mine as I recollect last night.
We danced at the center of the hall with many eyes on us. Feeling uncomfortable, I had started talking, well blabbing actually, to Nolan.
"... I just miss my mummy and daddy and my annoying brother. I mean you see yours every time. I need a little change. You are not always around. I hang with Henry all the time and your mother is so uptight. Grandmama Penelope is so nice." I sighed wondering why he hasn't shut me up yet. Meh. So I kept on talking. And talking. And talking.
The music stopped and everyone clapped.
Well thank God, I thought. I'm tired of being the center of attention.
The orchestra started another song again. Nolan had held out his hand again. Ugh not again. I took it and place my other hand on his shoulder.
I told myself to keep smiling. People began to join in the dance. After many excruciating minutes, Nolan took me away. Grateful I thanked him.
"Damn my feet hurt." I gripped the railing of the balcony and took off my shoes. I held them happy to feel my own feet again.
"What's with you? Someone tape your mouth?" I asked.
He looked at me taking me in. "You look terrible in that dress."
My jaw dropped, cheeks flushing.
Then he did the most forbidding. Laughing. He was actually laughing out loud.
"You, you slimy irritating bastard."
He grinned widely, "really?"
I nod furious. How dare he?
"Have you forgot what today means? What it represents?"
Ehn? What is he talking about?
"Today is the day of the water lilies"
Explains a lot by the national Lily symbol everywhere... but, "So?"
He groaned and roll his eyes "Historically, today is the one day in the year when you can lie without being punished"
"Oh but I thought that was 10th of July"
"Ugh whatever." he raised his hands in frustration.
"So I'm terrible in the dress huh?" I grinned
"Just a compliment. No biggie."
"I'm going to hold on to that."
"Your business."
People downstairs started to count down.
"Ten, Nine... " we joined in "seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!" The fireworks went off.
"What are you looking at?" I felt him whisper in my ear. I jumped in surprise turning around to take a look at him.
"You really should stop doing that." I saw his amused smile. I took in his loosened tie and I-don't-know-how-he-does-it-but-always-neat-white-shirt.
"It's fun for me."
"What have you been up to?" I followed him to his suite. "I'm bored"
"Working. Go look for Henry to play with." He went straight into his study.
I followed him in, "He went out for a bit." I glanced at his bookshelf. I really wouldn't mind if he had a comic or two.
"Wow, that's a first. I thought he is like omnipresent."
"Meaning?"
"It means- "
"I know what it means." I sat on his chair kicking my legs back and forth. "What you meant by it is what I mean."
"Henry is always- I'm not going to explain myself to you." He brought out a jar of chocolates from his drawer.
I squealed, "Can I have some, please?"
"I wasn't planning on sharing." He opened it and takes a wrap.
I sneered at him as he popped it in his mouth. "Just one?"
He shook his head. Grumbling, I sulk in the chair watching him grin.
But not for long.
Before he could say Jack Robinson, I snatched the jar and run out.
"Anna!"
Hearing pounding steps behind me, I turned to see his furious face as he chase after me. I kept on running yelling for the maids and guards to get out of the way. I run down the stairs to out the house. I bumped into someone.
"Sorry."
I made to run but arms grab me
"Why are you running?" It took me awhile to notice it was Henry.
"Anna?!" Nolan was behind me still running. He caught up to me and snatch the jar out of my hands.
"Nolan, please just one? Please." I gave my best puppy eyes and fluttered my lashes.
He just stared annoyed. "You know it isn't working, right?"
"No harm trying." I pouted.
"You may be able to shrug off one puppy eyes but not two" Henry said and fluttered his lashes making me laugh. "Come on bro."
We both give him puppy eyes. The son of a bitch walked away.
"Hey. Come back here you cold blooded scumbag," I stormed off after him with Henry laughing as he trailed after me.
"Leave him. Let's go play chess" Henry put his arm around my shoulders.
"Ugh. I hate that game. I always lose"
"And I thought you were the one with the great imagination."
I swat his arm away.
We sat on opposite ends of the table playing chess.
"Checkmate," I said feeling smug.
"That was a foul move" Nolan said sitting beside me.
"Was it?" I asked Henry who nodded pitifully.
"I win. Again," he said pumping his arms in the air.
"I hate this." I frowned and crossed my arms.
"Aww don't be sad. It's just that boys always win. Always," Nolan said rearranging all the pieces.
"That's- what is the opposite of feminist?"
They both laugh at me.
"You are both that word that I don't know."
They laughed even harder.
I got up and stormed off.
Soon I'm down, bored with nothing to do.
"Where are Nolan and Henry?" I asked a guard when I don't see the boys.
"They went to the stables, Your Highness"
"Thanks." I skipped all the way to the stables. I wish I had my bicycle. Maybe I could ask Nolan.
The horses neighed, some galloped, and some eating grass.
"Henry!" I yelled his name watching him mounting a huge white horse.
He waved. I waved back running to meet him. I stayed a feet or three away from the horse.
"Back from sulking already?" I spy Nolan who was smirking seated on another horse. His was flowing black.
"None of your business."
"Wanna ride?" Henry asked holding out his hand.
"On that thing? No thanks, I'm allergic to dying"
"Mayhem is very gentle" Henry smiled.
"Yeah right. Like I'm going to ride a horse with mutilation for a name." I take another step back when the horse snort. "See? He doesn't like me either. I'm going to stay in the sidelines where it is safe."
Their horses galloped away. I sat on the grass and waited for them to come back. One brown horse came over and breathe down on my head.
"Hey. Shoo, shoo." I got up jogging away but it still followed. "Please leave me alone. I don't like horses. I don't even know how to ride you."
One of the stables jogs over, "Sorry, Your Highness."
"Yes. Just keep them away".
I swear I heard him laugh as he led the horse away.
I felt the ground shake from where I stand. You would think it was a stampede but no it was the dear two princes furiously riding the horses. Nolan made for me. Or it just seems that way.
I calm myself. He couldn't possible be heading for me, right? But he was urging the horse to go faster.
Oh my God this maniac wants me dead. I run for my life. I felt them gaining speed. Curse my legs. Arms wrap around me and lift just when I thought I was going to get trampled on.
I gasped, seated on the trotting horse. I whip my head around.
"Nolan! You almost gave me a heart attack."
I felt him chuckle and his wrapped arm around my torso tighten. My heart was thumping hard against my chest, it hurt.
"Relax." he whispered.
"How am I supposed to relax?! I'm on a freaking horse!"
"If you don't calm down, I'll throw you off." his tone stern made me gulp.
"Okay."
"Good. Relax." I held his arm that is wrapped around me. "See? It's not bad."
"How about we slow down a little?"
"This is as slow she can go."
I groan inwardly but strangely finding myself lean into his chest. "What's her name?"
"Goldie."
"Goldie? Seriously who named these horses? I was thinking maybe Black Beauty or something?"
"Hyaah." He kicked the side of the horse.
"But it was going fast enough." I yelled as the breeze whipped my face. Relax Anna. I let out a small shaky sigh closing my eyes.
"That's it. Only feel" he whispered again kissing my ear.
Wait, why did he-?
I let out a small whoop. I am flying. Giggling, "faster" I yelled.
His chuckles vibrated on my back. I'm loving this. The heat from Nolan and the wind in my face.. nothing can go wrong.
Thud!
I heard myself screaming as I fall off the horse and hit the ground. Hard.
I groaned feeling my head pound. Ow! Nolan laid on the ground still holding me.
"Nolan! Nolan!" I shook him hard. He opens his eyes and sit up. "Are you okay?"
I sat up holding his face. Soon we are surrounded by guards. I heard another groan but it wasn't from Nolan. I stood up wincing looking for whoever was hurt.
Henry laid some feet away and nobody attended to him. "Henry," I ran to him, "are you okay? What happened?"
I helped Henry to his feet. His cheek was bruised and he winced when I held his arm. Hopefully it's not broken.
After seeing to it that Henry got treated, I went to our house. Nolan stood looking at the door. He was... waiting. For me?
His concerned look faded and he walked away.
"Nolan, wait." I followed him. He stopped hand hovering at the door handle to his suite.
"Where were you?"
"I was with Henry. He was really hurt-"
"Was he?" His jaw jerked. He is really angry.
"Yes?" I stared at him unsure. Are you okay? I'm sorry if I did anything wrong."
He held me, a breath away from each other. "Next time when I'm hurt you see to me first before any other person okay?"
"But-"
"Okay?" His eyes were sad in contrast to the fury on his face.
"Yes." I nod hurriedly.
"Good."
He walked into his suite and shut the door. I walk to mine. What's up with him? Henry is like his brother, not just anyone.
I am a dirty mess. I take in the dirt and mud. Queen Gabrielle must not see me like this. I take off the top folding it. Wait... is that blood?
I look at my arms but I wasn't hurt except for the pounding headache. Why was there blood?
I gasped and hurried for the door before my reflection stops me. Idiot, you want to go to him with your chest bare. I put the top back on. Oh well.
I opened the door to his room. He had a first aid kit propped open on his bed.
"You are hurt." I blurted out.
"Yay." He took a dab of cotton wool.
"This is no time to be sarcastic, Mister." I collect the wool from him. Kneeling, I begin to clean it. "Thank God, it isn't nasty."
"I can do this myself." He withdrew his hand from me.
"No. I owe you. You saved me. Please."
"Just this once."
I cleaned his wounds and dress them with a bandaid. "Who's a good boy?"
He snorted and shooed me away. "You are very dirty."
"So are you," I gestured to his body, "For the first time in forever."
He looked down at himself and smiles. Aww he's so cute. I caught myself looking at him longer than usual.
"I'm going to my room."
"Oh, you are welcome to stay. Besides my bathroom is enough for two."
"No, thank you. I'm more comfortable with mine." Before stepping out, I called, "Nolan?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I have a bicycle?"