Early morning of the third day since the entourage’s departure, Lianne was already feeling anxious for the next day of which she knew the entourage would arrive, but she was oblivious of the prince’s subsequent premature arrival on this very day.
She knew if she would remain in her room or within the vicinity of the mansion, then she’d feel more uneasy, so she once again went to ride on her horse back to town.
She passed through the forest on the north side and took a basket of apples on her way.
The town was livelier than it was two days ago and many of the stores were open for business now.
There were horsemen riding on the streets and carriages passing to and from the market place.
A group of children and adolescents were running and jumping at the sides of the road as she passed by looking like they were happily playing some kind of game.
Lianne smiled in adoration. She never had once experienced such childhood games in the past, she thought, as a sad expression began to paint her face.
Quickly, she led Arinna up the road to Lenora’s bakery and found herself passing a certain familiar-looking table with stacked things on top of it. To her surprise, Sir Martin was standing beside the table selling the same objects he was putting on display in the market, minus the wooden frame she had bought.
Smiling, she promptly stopped in front of the old man, her horse whinnying at the same time instantly getting his attention.
“My Lady, a good morning to you,” the old man greeted joyfully as he bent his head taking off his tattered hat.
“Good morning to you too Sir Martin,” Lianne replied. “I see that you have found a new place to sell.”
“Oh, yes My Lady, it is my purpose to sell these valuables from one area to another to catch more customers,” Sir Martin explained. “But you need not worry My Lady, you’ll be getting your purchase by tomorrow morn as I have promised you. You will not need to find me in my old location if I couldn’t deliver the picture otherwise.”
The princess grinned in appreciation. “Thank you, Sir Martin. You have my trust.”
“It is my pleasure, My Lady. I am but a humble servant ready to serve you.” Sir Martin dipped his head as he said.
“Then take this.”
Lianne took out a freshly picked apple from her basket and tossed it to the old man. The latter was quick to catch it.
“I just picked them myself this morning. I thought I’d like to share them with you and Lenora.”
“Oh! Thank you, My Lady, you’re so gracious,” Sir Martin replied bowing his head at the same time.
“Enjoy!”
Lianne hurriedly rode to the bakery. When she arrived at the shop, she saw an old fat man with chubby cheeks and round belly wearing a white baker’s hat and standing at the main door.
“Good day! Madame! How may I serve you?” The baker gently bent his head in greeting.
“Good day, Sir Farrel, is your daughter, Lenora, home?”
The latter was taken aback. “My. Are you of acquaintance with her Madame? I do not think I have seen you somewhere around this town where my Lenora hangs out.”
“Oh! Papa!” Lenora hurriedly exited the main door.
“Your Highness, good morning.” She politely curtsied then looked at his father with widened eyes who in turn gave her a quizzical look.
“She’s Princess Lianne Papa,” Lenora whispered softly.
Farrel’s expression was that of surprise but with a hint of doubt and faced Lianne in haste.
It was only a matter of time when he realized the truth behind his daughter’s visitor, and by the time he did, he was scrambling to and from the house to actually clean whatever was left in their old living room.
“Please don’t bother Sir Farrel,” Lianne exclaimed who was now standing at the entrance of their door.
“Oh my, Your Highness! I am sincerely sorry for the sight of my small house.”
“Please do not fret. I am just here to give these.” Lianne handed him a basket full of fresh red and green apples.
“My! Where are your servants Your Highness? You’re not supposed to be doing these things!” The old baker shook his head in disbelief and amazement.
“Don’t worry Sir Farrell. It is of my own will to do this,” Lianne smiled sheepishly.
“I don’t know of the circumstances of your acquaintance with my daughter Your Highness, but I feel as though you both have been getting along while I’m away,” Farrel remarked, eyeing the princess and then her daughter.
“Yes,” Lenora answered quickly. “By the by you mentioned it, Papa, I thought you are supposed to come back tomorrow.”
“Well, I ain’t going to leave you here all alone for three days! Do you think I’d trust Mrs. Dally to leave you in her care?”
“Oh, Papa. I’m already fourteen. I can definitely manage on my own!” Lenora reasoned.
“Blah, nonsense!” he cried out whilst tossing his hand up midair.
Lenora’s eyes widened. “Father! The princess is in front of you!”
“Oh! My apologies Your Highness,” Farrel quickly said as he bent his head again.
Lianne watched them bond the whole time and it made her feel heartily warm inside.
She let out a sweet laugh and bade the two to just be themselves.
The baker promised to cook a quick apple pie for her as a gift and when it was done, the three of them both shared a good full lunch together.
Though Sir Farrel had several questions on his mind about Lianne’s circumstances in the mansion, he did not have the courage to ask.
Meanwhile, at the mansion, the escort of Prince Ruen arrived.
They actually rode the whole night just to arrive quickly.
Paul took the reins of the prince’s stallion in a flash when he arrived at the front entrance to the foyer.
Ruen felt supremely anxious as to whether Lianne had left or not, but all of it was washed in an instant when he inquired to the caretaker.
“Has the princess left?”
Paul nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. Princess Lianne left early this morning.”
Unaware of the vague answer of the caretaker and feeling dejected, thinking that Lianne had really left for good, Ruen darted out of the mansion’s entrance hall and climbed up the stairs quickly en route to his chamber.
Lord Jared managed to interrupt his ascend bringing with him an important message.
“What is it, Jared?” Ruen asked whilst sporting an irritated face.
“Your Majesty, the council has asked for an audience with you this moment. They felt a meeting would be needed this time since you are not yet busy.”
“Hmf,” Ruen scoffed. “Already? Then, tell them to wait at the study room. I need to change my suit first.”
The majordomo gently bowed in response.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
“It was such a good time talking with you, Sir Farrel,” the princess exclaimed just as they exchanged hugs.
“I am delighted, Your Highness. Please don’t hesitate to visit us anytime you need to,” the baker replied.
“Thank you for the apples again, Princess,” Lenora stated as she curtsied again.
“Welcome, Lenora. I should get going then, it might rain soon.” Lianne stepped forward and took the reins of her horse.
“Goodbye, Princess!” The young girl said just as Lianne mounted Arinna.
“Yes, have a nice evening to both of you,” she replied with a wave of a hand and a smile.
The princess headed back to the mansion hurriedly as she passed the north forest hoping the rain would not catch her up.
Just before she reached the front gate, Lady Faye’s carriage turned the west side of the mansion where the horses’ stables were kept, and by this time, the escort of the prince had already left leaving no trace for Lianne to notice the arrival of the man who causes her unease.
She tossed an apple to the caretaker on her way to the stairs of the foyer which alleviated the man’s gloomy expression.
By the time she reached in her own chamber, a small wagon owned by Sir Martin entered the main gate bringing with him a letter from the princess for a free pass on the guards.
But, to his dismay, the front guard of the foyer dismissed him lightly because of his decrepit appearance believing the letter as just a joke.
Lady Faye noticed the commotion and approached the two men.
“Madame, I am but a humble servant in your mansion,” Sir Martin started when asked by Lady Faye on his reason for the visit. “This letter is proof that Lady Lianne has sent me here to deliver her purchase.”
Lady Faye’s formal expression lightened in disbelief as she heard the princess’ name, but her brows cringed after she remembered that the princess had already left the mansion.
“Let me see the letter,” the Head Servant instructed as she lifted her hand, palm up.
Sir Martin without hesitation presented the letter to her and followed it with a small box wrapped in silk cloth.
“My Lady, this box contains Lady Lianne’s purchase, as is written in the letter,” the old man said.
She stared at the man as if scrutinizing his authenticity, then her attention went to the two objects in each of her hands.
For some reason, Lady Faye chose to open the box first instead of the letter and peaked at the content inside. The wrinkles on her face stretched as her eyes widened in surprise.
“My God.” Lady Faye covered her mouth in disbelief. “You say old man that the princess herself purchased this picture in town?”
The vendor gawked as he heard the word ‘princess’.
“I… I am truly honest in every way My Lady.” Sir Martin began to stutter. “But I tell you, I am innocent as to her standing in this mansion. I daresay I didn’t even know she was the princess.” He reasoned quickly as he began to recall those many times he had informally acted in front of the princess.
“But… but without a doubt, My Lady, she is the one that purchased it.”
Lady Faye took a deep breath as she digested every word he said. “I am not one who plays pity games. Surely, you know the consequences of your claim if they are not true?!” she declared, still unable to believe his claim.
“Yes, of course, My Lady. But, I swore on my grave, I am not lying,” Sir Martin answered nervously.
“When did you last saw the princess?”
“Just this morning. Her Highness even gave me an apple to suffice my hunger.”
Lady Faye instantly was at a loss for words. She was sure to remember Lianne made her plans known that she would immediately leave the mansion if she were to become free. But, for some reason, the princess stayed, and Lady Faye knew it would be great news for the prince.
She was immediately ecstatic of the revelation.
She quickly dismissed the vendor and took off bringing with her the small box in her hand.
Just in time, Lord Jared passed by the foyer descending down the stairs.
When Lady Faye saw him, she quickly revealed the news.
“Unbelievable,” was all Lord Jared said.
“Yes, truly.”
“Aren’t you going to tell His Highness now?” Lord Jared questioned her hastily.
“No. They need to talk to themselves. Anyway, he will know eventually and quite very soon.”