Freedom Thieves

Barefoot

~Chapter 1~

"Melina!"

I hear my mother calling from somewhere near us. She's looking for me, her voice kind and worried, yet I don't want to be found just yet.

I'm barefoot in the giant courtyard, swinging on my very own swing, hidden in the giant sycamore tree's leaves and branches. Brogue set this swing set up for me two years ago, and I love using it. My mother is always scared the ropes are going to snap, that god forbid the princess might have a broken ankle or a bruise. She says a swing or the woods are no place for a princess, yet I beg to differ.

"Melina?" I hear her voice again. Closer this time.
"Princess, I think we better go. Your mother is looking for you." Brogue speaks beside me. He's been pushing at my back, helping me swing higher and higher, but now he's stopped. I tilt my head back and stick my tongue out at him. It's nice to get some fresh air once in a while. It's the most fun I ever get in the castle grounds and I want to remain here.
"Princess..." He tries again.
"Okay, okay. Let's go." I don't argue with him too much. Brogue is a great bodyguard, and I don't want my mother to be cross with him. I've gotten him into trouble more times than I can remember, and he's too kind to deserve it.
The problem is, in the past few weeks he's always been sticking to my side, escorting me everywhere I go if I happen to be by myself. I don't get any privacy unless it's in my room, which I prefer to be out of.
My mother requested it of him, I'm sure of it. She asked him to keep a close watch on me. She's always been quite paranoid about my safety, but lately it's been getting a lot worse.

Brogue and I walk together, leaving the swing set behind.

"There you are," Mother looks at me as I try to hide my feet beneath my long dress. She doesn't like it when I'm barefoot, and it's a good thing she has no idea that I almost always am. She nods at Brogue and he slightly bows his head.
"Your Majesty," He says. My mother always tells him there's no need to address her in such formal matter anymore, but he insists.
"Come along now, Melina." She says. "It's time for pottery class, don't you remember? You requested that I take you with me."
I did request it, because I love my mother's work. Her gentle hands can create beautiful craftsmanship. Her vases are scattered all around the castle as ornament. I'd love to create them too, and get my hands dirty while at it. It sounds fun enough to me, but I'm not as good as her thus far.

"Right... Sorry, I forgot. Shall we?" I say.
"Brogue, I'll take her from here. Thank you." My mother says. Brogue nods as my mother and I walk off. I start to wonder if Brogue's annoyed with spending so much time with me now. I'm used to seeing him around the castle, he's been my bodyguard and one of the king's knights for a while now, but never has my mother ordered him to keep such close watch on me. Usually he only escorts me while I'm outside the castle, or checks up on me every now and then.

It takes a few minutes until my mother and I reach the castle grounds. The courtyard is quite big and especially beautiful in summer days like these. I like to spend my time out here, reading books by the swing, feeling the grass beneath my bare feet. The thought reminds me to keep covering my feet with the dress while taking my steps. My mother won't like it one bit if she found out I am barefoot. I'll recieve the same lecture I've heard many times already.

I look around on our way to the art room. My heart flutters somewhat as I search for a certain person, thinking that maybe I'd see him.
Sebastian. He traveled here all the way from the far kingdom of Jerossa in the north. He arrived a week ago, with a delegation of royal guards to escort him of course, as he is the First Prince of his kingdom. Sebastian's been doing a lot of business meetings here, sometimes with my father, sometimes with my brothers or different dukes and lords. Our two kingdoms have very well built relations, so this formal visit with the future king of Jerossa is quite important to my father and to the kingdom. Especially nowadays.
I know our kingdom has a lot of rebellion threats and sparks of an upcoming civil war. My father and brothers have to worry about it all the time. The kingdom of Jerossa sends out aiding troops to help us, so that everything will be under control. Unlike my mother, I'm not worried at all. I know nothing will happen.
It has always been this way. The weak rebels will never win.
My eyes continue to search for him. Prince Sebastian or Jerossa.