𝓛𝓸𝓴𝓲 𝓧 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓞𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓽𝓼

Your Highness..(2)

It'd taken me hours to finally slip away from Thor, previously it had been late-morning it was now mid-afternoon! I couldn't help but pout at my lighter basket, having shared the food and drink with the god as to not appear rude.

I pressed my lips together tightly as I searched up and down the golden halls. For what felt like hours I trudged upstairs through halls and rooms and still nothing... Eventually, I forced myself to set aside my basket in my room and descend the stairs once more for lunch, my mother has already been worried sick.

"Apologies for my tardiness, mother, father, Your Highness'. But I've just been busying myself and lost track of time," I said as my mother gave me an unimpressed 'mmhm'. I gave her an apologetic smile as I retrieved a small sandwich from the large silver platter in amongst a dozen other dishes. I'd found my appetite was lacking as I couldn't get my mind off of just how lonely I'd become- and to the point, I was imagining that somehow Loki had returned. I had been so excited to see my friend again that I didn't even stop to think that maybe I was projecting. Eventually, I'd dodged the topic of marriage as I finished up before my parents were, so whilst they were still mid-chew I excused myself for a late horse ride- Given how in amongst the chatter Queen Frigga had been talking about how the horses have been needing to get exercised. 

I sighed once more as I threw on a black tunic that plunged at the neckline and pulled on my black riding pants. I forced myself to brush off the feeling of lonesome, it was foolish of me to even think that I would see him again! Besides, he has duties elsewhere it was clear I... wasn't as important, whether our friendship meant something to either of us, I was a royal and he was a servant- We weren't even supposed to be friends.

With a ribbon hanging from my teeth I hiked up my hair into my fists, watching my reflection as I tucked the emerald green underneath my hair and tied it slowly. I was by no means as good at doing my hair as Gabriella was but I at least knew how to make a decent ponytail, the bow I'd made sitting atop my bound hair beautifully as the few long ends hung down by my (h/c) locks.

I took in a deep breath through my nose as I stepped outside of the grand doors, the grass blew gently in the warm breeze, the sweet smell of it carrying through my nostrils comfortingly. My hands passed along the ivy-ridden walls towards the stables, the small shacklike building was plunked to the far side of the training field- which I assumed was for the safety of the horses given how rowdy and animated training can get.

Whinnies were echoing all around the wooden walls as I stepped through the red gate. It took me a moment but I finally spotted Alastor as his black mane shined against the sunset peaking through the windows. He whinnied and bobbed his head at me as I approached, stroking the front of his head soothingly as I whispered how much I missed him. As I was caught up in the greeting of my companion I was startled by the sudden sound of a stable closing, it was farther up the large room- it resembled a semi-long hallway with horse's heads poking out of nearly every stall. But at around the middle stall, I saw a semi-shadow-covered man standing tall as he didn't seem to notice me, he turned back to the horse in which he just exited the stall of, and gave it a short pet to the nose.

I squinted my eyes slightly to try and will them to adjust to the light, but eventually, I found myself speaking up "Hello?" I said as I sidestepped from Alastors stable. The man quickly turned a glance my way, I couldn't help but slowly pull away from the stable and take a small step forward as I continued "Sir? Did I catch you during work? I apologize for the inconvenience but I was just about to take my horse for a ride," I said as he slowly began to walk towards me, his voice was booming and deep, almost gravelly but far too smooth.. and perhaps familiar? "You are aware that that is the princess' horse?" He inquired, clearly not realizing who I was, perhaps he was the man who'd been dropped off in the carriage- god help me if this was my suitor, What an embarrassing introduction!