Secrets of the Heart

Chapter 7

I stay by Echo's stall for a while, inspecting him to be sure he isn't injured. Thankfully, he got out of our run in with death scratch free. If only I were so lucky.

"Do you know how long it will be until I can ride," I ask Leonardo, although I doubt he does.

"I think I overheard your mother saying it will be at least two months," he replies, causing me to groan.

I reach out to Echo, and grab hold of a piece of his mane, starting to weave a small braid into it.

"Well, I'm sure Mother is happy about that," I sass, mostly to myself.

"What do you mean," Leonardo inquires. I sigh, not wanting to burden him with my problems. But he did ask, after all, so I might as well tell him.

"My mother doesn't like all the time that I spend at the stables. She'd much rather that I sew and learn to dance and things of that nature. She won't say it, but she is a little embarrassed by me- she wishes I'd be more like she was, when she was my age," I murmur, a hint of sadness in my voice.

Leonardo stays quiet for a while, and I feel bad for making our friendly conversation uncomfortable.

"Maybe it's okay that you're not like her. Maybe it's better for the kingdom to, eventually, have a queen who cares less about etiquette, and isn't afraid to speak to the commoners, or ride horses," he softly replies, causing my face to light up in a smile.

"Do you really think that, or are you just saying it to get on the future queens good side," I chuckle, dropping Echo's finished braid, and turning to face Leonardo.

"To be honest, a little of both," he replies, his lips turned up in a smirk. I'm surprised by how close our faces are, only inches apart. Just inches...

I quickly turn away, but am taken off guard by the pain in my side. I forgot not to make sudden movements. I cringe, and grab my side with my right hand, as if that would make the pain go away.

I feel an arm slink around my waist, holding me up. The pain lessens significantly.

"Thank you," I whisper, looking up.

"Don't mention it."

"I should probably go home now- Mother said to only stay out for an hour," I say, and Leonardo gives me a curt nod.

We begin to walk back, and are silent most of the way.

"Just because I can't ride doesn't mean that I won't be going down to the stables. Be back here tomorrow around the same time," I request as we near the castle.

"As you wish," he quietly replies.

We walk to the steps that lead up to my bedchambers. I'm surprised to see Pier at the top of the stairs, as if waiting for me.

"Pier, what a pleasant surprise," I chime, forcing a smile to my face.

He looks between Leonardo and I, his eyes focused on the arm that's wrapped around my waist.

"Clarabelle, would you like to introduce me to your friend?" he asks, starting to walk down the staircase.

"Oh, sorry darling. This is Leonardo," I reply happily, gesturing to Leonardo.

Both of out voices are cheery, but you can sense the tension in the air.

"I don't believe we've met. Thank you for escorting my fiancé to see her horse today, but I'll take her from here," he says, his voice friendly, but his eyes cold and unforgiving.

Leonardo hands me over to Pier, and I give him a weak smile.

"Thank you," I whisper. He doesn't get the chance to reply before Pier whisks me up the steps, and leads me to my room.

Once we are there, he closes the door, and let's go of my waist.

"Why did you go off with him," he snaps.

"I wanted to see Echo, and make sure he was okay. I also wanted to thank Leonardo for saving me," I explain.

"That puny stable hand was the one who saved you? Are you sure? Because your parents made it sound like he was a hero, but that peasant didn't look the least bit heroic," he sneers. I gasp at his tone, I've never seen him so angry. I knew he had a temper, but I never knew it was so bad!

"How dare you! He may just be a stable hand, but he saved my life, and you should be grateful for that," I cry, tears welling up in my eyes at his flared temper.

"You're defending him now? Let's not forget that I am your fiancé," he bitterly reminds me.

"As if I could forget," I snort. "You always remind everyone that I'm yours, and act so possessive all the time! I'm so tired of it!"

"Maybe I wouldn't have to act so possessive if you wouldn't be so flirtatious with everyone," he accuses.

"Oh, now I'm the flirtatious one? I make it a point to get to know the people of my kingdom, for one day I'll be their queen. You, on the other hand, know that all of the girls in your kingdom are basically in love with you. And you don't really discourage them. Oh, don't look so surprised, gossip gets around pretty fast," I spit.

My best friend, Alice, was visiting her uncle who lives in Piers kingdom, and told me that he had been flirting shamelessly with a pretty, young brunette girl out in plain sight. I had heard many similar rumors before, but Alice had seen it first hand, and I know she'd never lie to me.

Pier's face bears a shocked expression, and he starts to storm out of the room. But before he does, he turns around and looks into my tearful eyes.

If I were younger, and more naive, I'd expect him to apologize. But I know him better than that.

He turns away, and exits, slamming the door behind him.

Leaving me standing there alone, in my room, tears streaming down my face.

And as my tears fall, I sink down to the floor, burying my face in my hands.

A/N

What did you think? I'm not so great with arguments, so I don't mind criticism.

Oh, I'm thinking of changing the name of this book. I'm not too fond of the title 'What is Love?'

Some ideas I have are-

'Breaking Free'

'Secrets of the Heart'

'The Heart of a Princess'

Which do you like more? I think I like 'The Heart of a Princess' but I'm not sure. Also, if you have an idea, please tell me!! thanks <3