Sunlight pierced the forest canopy, creating beams of light around the couple. They sat on a fallen log, the leftovers of a small cake at their feet. The young woman felt the rough bark on her hand as she leaned toward her friend. “I have one more birthday gift for you,” she said.

  The boy stared blankly at her, not understanding.

  Deciding it was better just to show him; she slid her free hand behind his head and drew his face towards hers. She turned her head slightly as their lips met.

  The princess jolted awake, her face burning with the memory of the almost kiss. She'd had the same dream almost every night since she'd last visited the forest and met up with the tracker's son, and Rozalin wished that’s how it played out, but she hadn't been able to build up the courage. Instead, she’d sat awkwardly before her friend had commented on how late it was. The night ended with him escorting her to the edge of the woods, where they parted ways, and the princess made her way back to the castle on her own.

  But this month, she would be coming of age, and the princess knew exactly what she wanted for her birthday. She'd ask William to kiss her the next time she could sneak out to see him. This time she wouldn't let her nerves get in the way.

  “Oh, you’re already awake.” She heard her governess say as she crossed the room and threw open the curtains, allowing the early morning light to wash over the princess's bedroom. “Perfect. You have your regular duties this morning before the afternoon announcement.”

  The princess sat up, sighing. “What's my schedule for the day?”

  “After breakfast, you have piano lessons, followed by a class on foreign relations with our eastern neighbor, where your older brother is right now,” Edith stated. “That will be all for the morning. Then after lunch, your time is free for an hour until you have to get ready for your father's monthly gathering of the nobles.”

  Rozalin nodded, hiding a yawn behind her hand. “Alright. What’s for breakfast?”

  A girl about her age appeared with a pile of the night's laundry gathered in her arms.

  “I just walked past the kitchens, Princess, it looks like oatmeal with cinnamon and apples.”

  The young woman, still in bed, nodded. “Well, at least the day won’t be a complete disaster.” She rolled out of bed and walked to her closet. Opening the wooden door, she looked inside. It was situated in such a way that the morning light illuminated it perfectly.

  “Can I wear trousers this morning?” She asked hopefully. “Since I’ll be wearing a dress this afternoon,” the princess added.

  “I will allow it,” her governess agreed.

  The princess grinned and pulled a simple pair of black trousers out of the closet. She also grabbed a blue tunic and threw them on her bed. Slipping out of the pajamas and tossing them aside she stood in her undergarments, considering what she’d picked.

  “Do you need help putting the trousers on, Princess?” Edith asked.

  Rozalin looked at her, and she could have sworn she saw a smile on the woman’s usually stern face. “I can put on my own pants, thank you.”

  After a moment, the princess nodded and grabbed the trousers, slipping each leg into them. She tied the drawstrings into a loose knot to keep them up, and then pulled the tunic over her head and slipped arms into the short sleeves. She pushed her head through its slot and adjusted the garment to fit correctly. Her maid offered a thick belt, which the princess wrapped around her waist and buckled. Happy with her outfit, she gazed in the mirror, deciding what to do with the mess that was her hair.

  Her governess appeared behind her and started to put it all into a loose braid. “Have you told your father which of the trainees you fancy?” She asked nonchalantly.

  “I haven't," the young royal replied with a sigh.

  "You should consider doing that during your free period; otherwise, he'll just have to choose on his own," she advised as her fingers skillfully weaved the princess' messy hair into a braid. "You don't want to be stuck with some boy you don't like for the rest of your life."

  “Just until I’m the queen. Then I’ll get rid of that stupid tradition,” Rozalin declared, pouting her lips stubbornly.

  “I believe your brother is next in line,” the older lady stated matter-of-factly.

  “He might not want the throne. Maybe he’s with a beautiful countess right now, and when he comes back, he’ll tell father he abdicates and is going to go live in that other kingdom with that lady and be a count.”

  Finished with the braid, the governess raised her eyebrow at the princess’s reflection.

  It was something the young woman tried to do, but she could never just raise one or the other.

  “Our neighbor doesn't have any countess’. If anything, it will be...” the older lady started to say.

  “Stop! Don’t say it. It's time for breakfast,” the princess announced, standing abruptly. She left the room swiftly, followed closely by the governess while her handmaid stayed behind to fold the laundry.

  The young woman strode through hallways and down a set of stairs before she entered the dining hall. Servants were moving around, bringing food to the other inhabitants of the castle, or taking plates away as people were leaving. The princess sat in her designated chair, and immediately a servant brought her a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of milk.

  "Thank you," she said to the man who served her.

  He bowed, as was customary, before leaving to tend to other work.

  Rozalin then proceeded to wolf down her food, ignoring Edith’s eyes as they glared at her.

  After breakfast, the princess had her piano lessons. She had a natural talent for music and was already learning more advanced songs to play. Making music was one of the things that brought joy to her life. Her fingers danced effortlessly across the keys, and the instructor had only a few criticisms as he listened to her play with a proud smile on his face.

  “So,” her instructor started as the lesson came to an end. “Have you chosen any of the trainees for your guard? I could tell you which ones are musically inclined.”

  The young woman sighed. “No, and at this point, I don’t think it matters. I was supposed to tell my father ages ago if I had any preferences. Despite spending some time with all the trainees, I honestly don’t like any of them. They’re all stuffy sons of local lords who think they are entitled to my time. None of them were interested in me, only the power they would have by being my guardian.”

  The music instructor nodded thoughtfully. “Is there someone you wouldn’t mind having as a guardian? I’m sure your father could be persuaded, and he could have him trained while you're in the castle.”

  “I’d want someone who treats me like a regular person like you do,” the princess admitted, “instead of like a princess or even some minor noble. I get enough of that from everyone else.”

  “I imagine so. Have you met no one who does that?”

  Rozalin hesitated.

  The instructor smiled knowingly. “Oh, there is, isn't there? Did you meet someone in one of your escapades? A boy, perhaps?”

  “Maybe,” the young woman responded, a slight blush creeping over her cheeks, “but there’s no way my father would accept him. He’s not any kind of noble, for one. And besides, he's already being trained somewhere else. Molding some random person to be a knight takes years of training, and I know my father wants me protected now.”

  Tapping his finger in beat to the last song they practiced, the instructor pursed his lips. “Perhaps you are right, but you wouldn't know for sure unless you talked to your father about it. Now, be off, or you're going to be late for diplomacy lessons. I don’t need that stuffy diplomat badgering me again.”

  The blond giggled, standing up and stretching. “Thank you for always treating me just like any other student. I really appreciate it.”

  The instructor winked. “Of course, Princess.”

  The lesson on diplomacy was just as dull as Rozalin imagined it would be. She took detailed notes on the nobles of the country, the major players who managed it without a central leader. Each noble who owned enough land had a voice, which meant it took them ages to agree to get anything done. The teacher also discussed what her country exported to theirs and what her country traded them in return. He focused a lot of time discussing the history of the two lands, which wasn’t always peaceful.

  “This is all just review,” the princess finally spoke. “I’ve learned all this before.”

  The diplomatic instructor nodded. “Of course, Princess, but I felt it would be appropriate to go over. Now that you are of age to require a guardian, your father will more than likely be sending you out on diplomatic missions, just as he does with your brother. Even more so, because you may end up permanently in one of our neighboring countries.”

  “I don’t want to hear about that. I’m never leaving home unless it's on some magical adventure. After which, I would return,” the princess grumbled.

  “As you say, Princess. But, it's still important for you to know these things since you’ll be acting on behalf of your father's name soon,” the teacher explained tiredly. “Now, take your notes and go study. You have a big afternoon ahead of you.”

  The royal girl left the small room with its blackboards and piles of books and noticed her handmaid waiting to escort her. She nodded an acknowledgment to her friend and then walked down the hall, flanked by the pink haired girl. She decided to go to her room so she could drop off her notebook and gather her thoughts before heading to the dining hall for lunch. When they reached her room, the princess tossed the notebook on her desk before flopping on her bed.

  “Sit up, please, I don't want your hair all tangled before I have to set it up later,” her governess chided, having followed her from the receiving room of her suite. “Do you want lunch brought to your room? You need to pick out a dress for this afternoon.”

  “I get to pick?” Rozalin asked as she sat up. She saw some servants coming in behind the governess, going into her closet and bringing clothes from her closet to place on the bed. Sighing, she got off the bed so they could lay the garments on it.

  “Yes, you may choose... From these three options.” Edith answered, motioning to the dresses already arrayed on the other side of her bed.

  The princess looked over the dresses. “They’re all purple,” she stated.

  “Indeed,” the elder woman acknowledged, as she sat in her chair. “It is a royal function, and purple is the color of nobility and grace.”

  The young woman looked at the three different dresses; a lilac dress with poofs at the shoulders, the current fashion among noble ladies. A royal purple dress, which was simple with a square neckline, and a lavender dress with a floral pattern stitched into the side.

  “How are you going to do my hair?” the princess asked.

  “A simple and tight braid. You’ll wear your princess’ circlet, and I found a matching hair clasp,” her governess replied.

  The princess nodded. “Then let's keep it simple all around. I’ll wear the royal purple dress.”

  “Very well. Good choice,” the older lady said approvingly. She motioned for the other two dresses to be returned to Rozalin's wardrobe, and the servant who brought them hustled to the bed and swooped up the other two dresses.

  “Thank you,” she replied. “I’ll take lunch in my room. I don’t want to run into any of the trainees. Their constant vying for my favor wears on my patience.”

  The governess looked expectantly at the young handmaid, who curtsied and left to get lunch, leaving the princess to sit at her desk. It faced a window giving her the same view the balcony did, to the inner courtyard.

  “Do you know who's been chosen to be my guardian?” Rozalin asked.

  The older woman, who had been one of her constant companions since she was an infant, looked up from her stitching with a sad look in her eyes. For a moment, she considered all the restrictions this young girl must live with as part of being born in a noble family. Then she schooled her face. “Your father has spoken with me on the subject,” she admitted, “in particular if there are any knights who’ve caught your fancy. But he has not told me who he has chosen. All that I know is that he has been working on since your fifteenth year.”

  “Someone has to know,” young woman whined in frustration. “My brother knew who his companion would be months before his birthday, but it seems like nothing is decided for me yet.”

  “You haven’t exactly been helpful in that regard, Princess. Your father has asked you often enough if there is someone you prefer.”

  The princess grumbled. There was one person she’d like to have as her guardian, but then he’d be forced to treat her like all the others who knew who she was. That would defeat the whole purpose. She’d just have to find a way to sneak out of the castle, guardian or no.

  Her handmaid soon returned with a platter of warm food and a drink and set it down for the princess. She thanked the maid and poked at her lunch, suddenly not very hungry.

  The princess stood erect next to her father's throne, forcing a serene smile on her face, despite feeling anything but at peace. Next to her stood the king, his royal sword at his waist. Rozalin’s hair was carefully arranged behind her and held back with a matching silver circlet and hair clasp. The dress she’d chosen earlier fit her snugly, somewhat showing off her form without being scandalous, as sure a sign of her station as her blond hair and green eyes.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “We gather here today,” her father finally said to the attending nobles. The princess had done a quick sweep and saw that only the local lords and ladies attended. “To start the celebration of my daughter's coming of age.”

  There was some polite clapping as the king paused.

  “As is the custom in our land, members of the royal family are attended to by a knight at all times once they enter adulthood. Indeed, my own guardian stands with me even now.” The king continued, motioning to a lightly armed and armored man behind him. The knight stood opposite the young woman.

  The princess worked hard to keep the grimace off her face as she thought about the young knights who had been competing for her attention and the approval of her father. None of them appealed to her as a constant companion. She would have much preferred to have her friend from the woods. He’d been very busy training the last couple of years and hadn't always been able to explore the local forests with her. When the tracker's son did have time, however, her adventures were always more exciting and the time spent with him was enjoyable.

  “As some of you know, my daughter has a tendency to be where she shouldn't,” the king stated. Some of the lords smiled fondly at this. “And so I have discussed at length with the Captain of our Knights, my guardian, as well as those who are involved in the protection of the Royal Family as to who would be the best fit for her as a guardian. Many qualified young men could fill the role of guardian and protect my daughter, whose skill at evading maids and the soldiers of the castle are peerless,” her father turned to look at her, a smirk on his face.

  Rozalin smiled genuinely at his praise, though she knew he’d rather she wasn’t so great at disappearing. When he turned to face the crowd once more, it was a little easier to keep the smile.

  “After discussion, it has been decided that while our currently training knight apprentices are skilled, none of them are what my daughter needs.”

  The princess’s chest swelled as a small bubble of hope rose within her, that she may not have to deal with a guardian at all; that her father felt she was able to take care of herself and not need additional protection.

  “However,” he continued, “after fortuitous circumstances, we have found someone capable of protecting my daughter, someone who may be even more skilled at evasion than she is, and more importantly, able to track her down when she disappears.”

  The small bubble in her chest popped at these words, and the smile on her face faltered. She heard a quiet mumble as the lords and ladies whispered to each other at such an unusual precedent. Everyone in the direct line always had a knight to protect them. Who could equal the skill necessary of even the trainees?

  “Royal Scout, would you please enter,” the king called.

  Every head turned as a side door to the throne room opened, and a dark-haired man walked in. He wore a green tunic and brown trousers. He made his way up the center aisle and knelt before his king.

  “As you command, I am here, my lord,” he said in a deep voice.

  “The scouts, expert trackers and huntsman, “the king explained, “are used in times of war to scout our enemies, draw maps, and a myriad other tasks. On a day several years past, this man’s son and apprentice saved my daughter. It was at that time, after hearing the report, that I started considering a new option. Ranger, please go get your apprentice and bring him before me.”

  The man nodded. With every step he took, the princess's heart dropped. Not her friend, she prayed. He was the only person she knew who treated her like a regular girl. No titles, no deference. She might even like him, though she knew they could never be together. The ranger opened the door and motioned for another person to follow him. The princess took a deep breath and then expelled it sadly when she saw it was indeed the young boy, whose birthday she’d recently snuck out to celebrate. He was a month older than she, and he’d never had cake before. She’d asked the court baker to make something simple she could travel with stealthily without damaging. They’d had a good time in their favorite glade.

  The ranger and apprentice walked down the center aisle. They both knelt before the king. Her friend did not look at her, but she thought she saw sadness in his eyes.

  “Rise,” her father commanded.

  The princess watched the two stand up.

  Her friend looked to his master, who nodded slightly, and then he stepped closer to her father. He didn't look at her. He simply knelt again.

  “My lord, as you have summoned, I am here,” he spoke in a voice not quite as deep as his father's.

  The princess thought he might have a good singing voice, and had spent many a morning considering how she could sneak him in for lessons before he'd gotten too busy with training.

  “Young Scout, when you saved my daughter, I was unable to award you due to my daughter’s refusal to share the details of her adventures. I only later learned from my royal tracker how you saved her from a wild bear. I will, at this time, rectify that mistake,” the king explained. Then he raised his head to address the crowd. “Historically when a member of the royal family enters adulthood, a young trainee is knighted and assigned as a guardian. This title empowers the knight to have authority to act in situations where they must pull rank, as it were, to protect their charge. Scouts do not hold the same rank as our knights, currently. At this time, I will be creating a new title, that shall be equal or greater to a knight. It shall apply to all knights, or otherwise, who have the honor of being assigned as a royal guardian."

  The princess watched as her father drew and lifted his sword, touching both shoulders of her friend.

  “Young scout, you are now assigned the title and rank of Guardian, necessary to protect my daughter, Princess of our kingdom,” he decreed. “Rise, and accept your badge of office.”

  The newest guardian rose, a serious look on his face. Her father's knight, now guardian, stepped forward and placed something on the tunic, a green garment similar in shade to his fathers, before stepping away. The princess noticed it was the same type of badge her father’s knight wore, a small pin in the shape of a sword behind a shield, emblazoned with the royal crest, the symbol of a royal guardian knight. It would now represent all royal guardians.

  “Let us congratulate our newest Guardian,” The king announced proudly.

  The attending nobles stood and clapped dutifully, still uncertain of this new development. The king motioned for the guardian to turn, and he did so, bowing before the men and women. The princess clapped, as was expected, though her heart wasn’t in it.

  The king motioned for the applause to stop. “Young man, please take your place behind my daughter; it is now your duty to keep her safe from harm. You shall be an adviser and hopefully a friend, as she grows into her royal duties.”

  The guardian nodded, walking stiffly to stand behind her.

  The princess had a dozen questions she wanted to ask him but now wasn't the time. Her father had other business to discuss with the nobles who lived in and around the castle and its city.

  “I am sorry,” she heard him whisper. “I didn't know until this morning.”

  The princess moved her hands behind her and made the sign for all clear that he had taught her. It wasn’t, but she didn't want her friend to worry. There was nothing to be done now.

  ~

  The princess paced in her room. Her governess was sitting in her favorite chair, working on her knitting as she did every evening. The handmaid, her peer in age, if not station, sat next to the older woman, waiting patiently. Both of them had completed their daily duties and were waiting for the princess to go to bed before they excused themselves.

  The princess continued to pace. “How can he do this! He took my only normal friend and made him my guardian. Now, I’ll never have any privacy, and he’ll see me at my best and my worst!” She ranted, not for the first time. “And he’ll have to treat me like a princess and not just like a normal girl!”

  “I don't think it will be a problem, Your Highness. He should not treat you any less than befits your station,” her governess commented, not looking up from her needlework. “Where is that young boy, anyway? He should be here.”

  “He said he was going to familiarize himself with this part of the castle,” the younger girl commented nervously.

  “I suppose that's appropriate since he wouldn't otherwise have access to the princess’s room.” The governess said, looking pointedly at the princess with her unusual red eyes.

  The young woman blushed at her unspoken accusation. “I never brought him here! I can sneak out, but it's too difficult to sneak back into the castle, let alone bring someone with me.” Then she glared at the older woman. “Besides, why would I bring anyone here? All I want is to be outside, without these walls and rules to restrict me.”

  “Of course, Princess,” the governess responded, quite familiar with the princess’s speech. “Well, it's getting late,” she continued, cutting the young woman off before she could get started. “One good thing about that boy not being here, you can get changed. Would you like assistance?”

  The princess pursed her lips. “Can you undo the back of my dress? I can get into my pajamas myself.”

  The handmaid stood up and walked over to the princess, who turned and lifted her hair. With the golden locks out of the way, the young woman quickly undid the ties at the back of the dress. While they were close, the pink haired girl whispered in her ear, “I’m still your friend.” Once they were loose enough, she helped the princess pull the long garment over her head to keep the dress from wrinkling, leaving the blond girl in her underwear. The princess squeezed her handmaiden’s hand before striding to her closet and opening the doors to look at her silk and high-quality cotton pajamas. After a moment, she pulled blue cotton pants and slipped into them. Then she grabbed the matching top, a button-up with flowers stitched along the side. She put her arms in the elbow-length sleeves and did all but the top three buttons.

  “Alright. I’m going to bed,” the princess announced. “Though, first, I’m going to get some air on the balcony, if that is still allowed, Miss Edith.”

  “Don't stay outside for too long. Cold air isn't good for your health," the governess advised as she stood up from her needlework. “We’ll be just in the other room.”

  The princess nodded, walking towards the small terrace at the opposite end from the door that exited her room. She watched them leave before slipping through the glass doors to her balcony. The sky was dark with clouds, but the still-warm fall night air felt good on her exposed skin. She turned towards the left almost immediately, looking for the familiar sturdy vines and trellis that had grown on her wall.

  “I wouldn't recommend that, Princess,” a deep voice said behind her. “I noticed the vines are getting weak for the coming winter, and they’ve damaged the wall and trellis.”

  The princess spun around quickly and caught sight of her newly appointed guardian leaning against the opposite railing.

  “How long have you been there?!” she exclaimed, immediately trying to do the rest of the buttons on her shirt. She hoped he hadn't seen anything in the dim light coming from her room.

  “I climbed up the vines and was just over the railing when you were talking about walls or something of the sort. That's how I know the vines and trellis aren’t a safe means of escape, barely made it up here myself.” her guardian answered. “Don’t worry; I looked away when you were changing.”

  The princess was glad it was dark because she could feel her face burning. “As you should!”

  They let the silence stretch for several minutes.

  “So, is this how it’s going to be now?” The princess asked quietly. “You keep me from escaping outside the castle, from having any freedom?”

  The guardian’s smirk was familiar. “No, that wasn’t in my list of duties. Mostly, I’m just supposed to keep you from getting hurt or kidnapped. The vines aren't an option at the moment, but if you find a different and safe way, well, I’ll just have to follow.”

  The princess managed a small smile, though she doubted he could see it in the dim light. “Are you going to be out here all night?”

  “I don’t think so,” he replied. “I’ll follow you inside and make sure you get in bed. Then I’ll go to sleep in a room connected to your receiving space. There are guards to cover night duty, as long as I make sure you’re still here.”

  Nodding, the young woman tried to get her face under control before they went into the lit room. “I guess that's alright.” After she was confident the warmth on her face was just the warm night and not a betrayal of her feelings, she glided back through the balcony door and got into her bed. She watched the young man, her guardian, as he smiled and then left through the front door. The princess blew out her candle, and closed her eyes, hoping she wouldn't dream.