But it bored him to death watching his parents do the most menial tasks a king and queen could partake in, reading through the countless local officials' reports and petitions. Which came just after their court sessions of listening and advising on the kingdom's affairs and grievances.
Queen Helena clasped her hands together in glee. "Oh, that is wonderful! And what of their dear daughter?"
"Her Ladyship Deyanira is present as well, Your Majesty."
Richard's ear perked up at the name and he internally groaned. Of course, the only reason his mother would squeal like that. The name of his intended.
The relief of escaping from the court was replaced with vexation as he said to his parents, "Please tell me I don't have to face them."
The king and queen rose from their thrones and stepped down to the marble floors. King Stephen warned in a low rumble, "Richard Franz Ellis, you will be gracious to our guests and I will hear nothing more of this tone."
His father mentioning all his names meant Richard was in trouble if he didn't follow. But that still didn't mean that he was going to behave. The whole way to the library, he had been thinking of ways how to test this girl's patience.
"Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, we are deeply honored by your invitation." The family of three all bowed to the royal family.
"Lady Alice! Lord Edmund!"
Richard watched as his parents greeted the Earl and Countess. From the looks of it, it seemed like the two mothers knew each other way before Helena even was chosen for the throne. His eyes moved to the shorter figure beside who still had her head down, wavy, flame-colored hair flowing down her shoulder.
He grinned, teasing her that that would be a good start. "Maybe about her red hair being bad luck."
King Stephen tapped his back. The older man gave him a look that spoke volumes compared to his words, "Prince Richard, why don't you show our Lady Deyanira around the garden? The flowers have already started to bloom."
But to her parents' horror, Deyanira spoke up all the while ignoring Richard, "Thank you, Your Majesty. But the books here are just too tempting that I find myself affixed to this room. I would prefer to stay here."
Richard, too, was shocked at her impudence in refusing what the King said. Granted, she was not rude but still.
The Earl went back to his knees. "Please forgive us, Your Majesty, Your Highness! It seems our daughter is reeling from our long journey that she's forgotten her manners."
The royal couple chuckled to one another. Queen Helena assured them, "There's nothing to apologize for, Lord Edmund. Youth is the best time to speak our minds, you should ask Alice how worse I was back then."
"And you, young lady, you will have all the time in the world to read every book here once you're quee- older. For now, delight in the open air while you can."
That was where Richard found himself now, leading the way to the grounds with the girl still not speaking to him. "So what would you like to see first? The garden or the stables?" He had to know a bit about Deyanira first before Richard could find ways to get under her skin.
They stopped in front of a small glass house and now that they were closer, Richard could see her features much clearer. Her pursed lips, furrowed brows, and flat gaze.
Even her voice didn't have much emotion to it, "You can leave me here, Your Highness. I'm sure there are other pursuits you favor more to do."
Her statement sounded as if it was implying something that he couldn't put his finger on. He had met other ladies before who were candidates for the queendom and no one had ever dared to be this insolent towards him.
Richard huffed in an attempt to calm himself. "If what they say is true that you are to be my wife and queen of this kingdom, I fear they have made the wrong choice."
But the young woman's reply incensed him further, "I do feel the same way, Your Highness, as it is best that I tell you now that I do not like you."
Words no one had ever told him. Richard was almost hurt had he not also loathed the thought of being married to a stranger. He scoffed, "You dare speak as though you've known me your whole life."
"I don't know you well, Your Highness. Even so, words of your indifference towards your subjects have reached even us from the farther lands. And I wish not to be a part of it. I have tried to appeal to my parents to call this engagement off but they couldn't. Maybe if Your Highness could tell the King and Queen..."
Richard was affronted but couldn't reply. Yes, he refused to take part in occasions where he had to be seen by their people. He'd rather duel in a swordfight with his teacher rather than visit their territories to learn more about who lived there. He even made sure to avoid festivities in his name if it meant having to force a smile while strangers talked to him.
But that didn't mean he hated his subjects. Is that what they all thought? And was this really a 15-year-old girl he was talking to?
Not able to think of a clever response, he straightened his back and sneered at her. "Do whatever you want. I shall make sure that you will never be a part of my life."
Richard left her, stomping his foot on the soiled pathway. How dare that girl pass judgment on him from mere hearsay. Had their mothers not been friends, Deyanira's discourteous attitude would have led to her death already.
"Hmph! Who does she think she is?" He spent the next half hour soothing his wounded dignity when out of the hedges came a disheveled gardener, one Richard was very familiar with.
"Pray, what's bothering you, Jude?"
The man fell to his knees and pressed his forehead on the Prince's shoes. "Your Highness, I cannot find my son! I bid him to fetch me the garden tools but he hasn't been back for some time now!"
Richard sighed and was about to dispel the gardener's fears that his son was just somewhere idling around when Deyanira's resonating words replayed in his thoughts.
Wanting to prove the girl wrong, he ordered, "Get up, Jude. We'll go find him."
It was then that they heard a scream far off the west. Their heads whipped towards the direction and before he could even think about it, Richard's feet were taking large strides. No doubt, that was Deyanira just now.
"Curse that woman! She has just arrived and she's already causing trouble!"
Richard and the gardener ran until they left the field and reached the river on the side of the palace. It was mostly a safe one save for a few rapids residing in some parts.
Richard swiftly glanced around, seeking the crimson color he had begun to hate and fear. Should anything befall her, he would have to take the blame.
"Your Highness, right there!" Jude pointed to a rocky part of the river where the water flowed faster and fiercer. In stark contrast with the frothy, white water, Deyanira's hair looked like an autumn leaf adrift upon the waves.
The gardener breathed out, "Oh no, it can't be! George!" She wasn't alone. In Deyanira's arm was a smaller boy clinging on to her, pale and wide-eyed. The girl was reaching for any rocks she could hold on to but with their weight and the current, she was barely floating.
Richard, in a panic, looked around for anything to get to them. Surprisingly, a long rope tied to a tree trunk was there but was torn in the middle.
"Jude, help me tie this together then use it to draw us forth."
It didn't take more than a minute before Richard jumped into the waters and swam with the rope in hand. He slowly made his way to them, realizing how deep this part of the river was.
Once he made it, Richard grabbed her by the waist and instructed Deyanira, "Grab hold." With the help of the gardener, he and the girl were able to swim back to land with George in tow.
Deyanira began coughing up water while Jude tended to his son. George recounted to his father how he slipped on the way and was about to drown when the young woman came to his aid.
Several patrol guards have also arrived to check on them. One of the men reported, "She tied the rope steadily. Had it not been cut, the lady's rescue would have been a success." Strange, that meant it was done on purpose.
"Our deepest gratitude, Your Ladyship, Your Highness! We owe you George's life."
"What's paramount is that all is well," the young woman concluded. The three shared a merry expression until Richard, who had been quiet this whole time, vented his ire.
"What made you think to do that? You could have summoned me or the guards before jumping out there! You not only put yourself in peril, you put this child's life on the line too!"
Despite her heaving, Deyanira was still able to voice out her answer all the while shaking. "I did call for help when the rope broke, but I couldn't just stand idly. I was the only one here and was capable of doing so, I would never in my life abandon someone calling out for my help."
There she was again, insinuating something else with her speech. In his frustration, Richard stormed off and went back to the garden where their parents were sprinting towards the river having heard of Deyanira's misadventure.
Edmund and Alice dashed past him to comfort their daughter while the King and Queen covered Richard with a fur coat.
Helena cooed, "Oh, those poor children. It was fortunate you were there. But what are we to do? Deyanira now has more reason to refuse the monarchy. Her parents have told us about her reluctance, now they might just agree with her because of this incident."
"She did most of the work and I know, she told me," Richard sighed in defeat. "But you are right to choose her as heir to your place, Mother. Deyanira is more fit for the crown than I ever will be."
The royals looked at each other in surprise, smiles creeping up their faces.
King Stephen chuckled, "It seems our Prince finally met his match."
"It seems I have, Father."
Helena jumped up and smothered Richard with a hug. "Does that mean..?"
"Yes, I do like Deyanira to be my wife if she'll have me. Maybe only after I pledge to do better for this kingdom."