The Maid and Her Princess - Chapter 20: Chapter 20
You are reading The Maid and Her Princess, Chapter 20: Chapter 20. Read more chapters of The Maid and Her Princess.
"Nae waaaah!" Elise clutched Madoka's arm. "Why are these beasts a thing in this world? Madoka save me!"
She was terrified of horses, much to Madoka's surprise. The beast seemed to not mind the both of them on top of it. It was a huge horse, according to her, its head reaching over Lord Zeron's head. Madoka heard her muttering something about 25 hands. There was a small group of soldiers and Lord Zeron accompanying the two, yet Elise was still scared.
"Elise," Madoka barely got out before she gripped even tighter on her arm. "We've not even begun to trot."
It took her a half hour to get the princess on the horse's back and the trip's only begun. Today's the day to go into town.
"I'm surprised you are scared, Your Highness!" Lord Zeron chuckled. Madoka had a strange feeling over taking her when she noticed his horse. He was a massive beast large enough to carry a powerful man such as that, fully brimming with a stalwart pride and unbreakable bond. His ears remained perked up, attentive to his surroundings as he did not receive a signal from the heels of his rider to slow down - he just did. "Normally you are full of energy!"
"D-don't tease me like this," Elise complained. "I am a delicate maiden!"
A snort escaped from Madoka, but Elise's grip prevented her from jabbing her maid. Lord Zeron was as merciless as his full laughter.
"There's n-not enough sunlight for the trees," she tried to make excuses. "Let alone a trip like this."
Madoka was watching her own drive, but her horse was calm and patient despite the jumping fool attached to her. She felt the beast's massive neck and the mutual trust began to bloom between them. The horse was conveying its thoughts to her whenever she touched the reins.
Too hard.
Too slow.
More.
I trust you.
I will show you the way.
Gentle.
"Madoka?" Elise's voice pierced their communication. Surprisingly, the princess was calmer, wrapping her arms around Madoka.
"Hmm?"
"How did you make the horse do that?"
"Do what?"
The horse snorted, its ears observant to the changes and currents of the cool forest air. Leaves crunched and dirt clomped under the horse's hooves as she adjusted herself along the path with Lord Zeron. Madoka didn't know what she did, but it followed a bit faster when she kicked the stirrups lightly. She was grinning ear to ear when Elise's grip tightened.
"This is the worst roller coaster ride ever," she mumbles.
"You must have been riding your horse for a long time, Lord Zeron," Madoka commented. She was not used to bringing about a conversation as a slave, but Lord Zeron didn't seem to mind.
"Aye, he's carried me since I was in service," He proudly said. Madoka could guess it was true for he and his horse had nothing to hide. "And I raised him when he was just a foal. You seem to have a knack for riding, little lady. You treat Ciara well."
"I think this one trusts me," Madoka said, observing the beast's behavior. "Or perhaps there's nothing that worries me besides the Princess."
"You be quiet!" Elise snapped. "From now on, YOU get to be my chauffeur. I doubt this animal will let me ride it on my own. Madoka, my feet can't even reach the stirrup!"
Zeron was laughing, yet Madoka couldn't focus. There were many whispers in the forest they were in and none of them belonged to them. She gasped, a sudden break in her breath as Ciara's ears pointed forward and her tail rapidly swishing. A flutter of birds and screecher rodents all burst away from a spot in the pathway. Madoka could hear each one's thoughts in a cacophony of terror, though the general idea was quite clear.
Flee!
Run!
Ominous.
Stay away from me!
Anywhere but here!
Terror!
The horses neighed and snorted, some rearing and others backing away as the crowd of animals ran away.
"Whoa," Zeron slowed his horse down. There was a dark clearing beyond a bit of high bushes where Ciara did not want to go near, of which both horses and the guards did not like at all. The path bent near the darkness, but Ciara refused to budge at all. The visibility was dark, so Madoka couldn't see what was behind the bushes.
Something dreadful this way.
I am terrified.
Ominous.
Ominous.
I am fearful.
Ominous.
Again, its emotions were quite clear to her. Madoka pat its head. "We'll go around, right Lord Zeron."
"Y-yes," he signaled the guards to go a different route. "Looks like all the horses are spooked."
Elise was in shambles. "Oh great, now the big oaf is scared of something! Do you think something even bigger than you is over there?"
Ciara ignored Elise, her tail swishing in agitation and backing away. From the looks of it, the animal could not understand her words or complaints. Madoka guided her to march away from the rest of the path in an attempt to calm her down.
"Easy, girl," Madoka gently stroked its mane. The horse whined, with Lord Zeron and the others joining her. "I don't suppose we can get through here?"
"Looks like some ruins," Elise squinted at the dark outlines. Madoka could see several tall pillars. "Perhaps some bears or some other big predator live there now. L-let's head back home!"
"Nonsense, we can go around," Lord Zeron chuckled, but looked to his own horse. His horse, who once stood with confidence, was visibly shaken by whatever ruins were behind those bushes. Madoka guessed it was a predator or something rather than the ruins themselves, though she was unarmed and unsure of what would happen if it decided to defend its territory and attack. Additionally, she heard no thoughts coming from the ruins but she kept that to herself. After a bit of resistance, Lord Zeron got his own horse to move. "Follow me."
"Can't we just go home?" Elise complained. "Even the damn horses don't want to mess with this trip anymore!"
"Language, Elise," Madoka scolded her. She whispered to her horse. "Can I ask of you to move with Lord Zeron?"
A soft neigh came from Ciara, whose ears perked back up.
"F-fine, but only because you called me by my name," Elise folded her arms around Madoka even tighter. She was lucky the princess did not realize she was talking to an animal.
I trust you.
I will go.
I am afraid.
I will go.
Ominous.
I will guide you.
Carefully and slowly, the group managed to slowly go around the bushes. Lord Zeron signaled for everyone to be silent, to not alert whatever was hiding behind the bush. Together with Ciara, Madoka gathered the courage to move past it. Lord Zeron noted that they'll go the longer route on the journey back.
"What good is going into town, anyways?" Elise muttered.
"It's good for a Royal to show her Presence to the commoners and rally them, show them they love their people."
"But I hate people! Father stuffed me in a castle all by myself because of that fact."
"No, Your Highness," Lord Zeron laughed. "You have your little lady and servants. What more do you want?"
"None of this town visiting nonsense," she complained. Madoka chuckled, for she secretly felt the same about other strangers. "Back me up, Madoka!"
"Don't you want friends?" Lord Zeron asked. Princess Fiara poked Madoka.
"She's the only friend I need," Elise said. "All my other friends know I died."
It was quite odd to say, but Madoka could tell she was alluding to her fantasy world.
"Well, this will be good for you," Madoka simply declared. The copses thinned, the trail turned to the road and the view of the quaint town Madoka rode in a carriage came into view. Elise gasped audibly in awe at the sight. "See, Elise!"
Lord Zeron chuckled. "Welcome to Dehiara."
"Sounds like someone ran a fantasy name generator," Elise muttered, but after a look from both Lord Zeron and Madoka she changed her mood. She smiled widely. "Ahh it's so beautiful!"
The whole group sighed, but as they entered the town a crowd of people came to greet them. They were carrying the Royal Flag with them. Princess Fiara straightened up and behaved like Madoka taught her, waving and smiling at the commoners who came to greet her. Behind that smile was simply a lie, Madoka was pained to know the princess did not care for her own people.
"As a like, full time introvert," Princess Fiara whispered in Madoka's ear. "This is beating the hell out of me and stringing me out!"
"You'll be fine," Madoka assured her. "Just keep doing what you're doing right now."
A villager offered a gift of their crops, but as the princess was about to refuse something caught both Madoka's and Elise's eyes. Soldiers gathered at a small tavern, wearing a crest she found familiar yet did not know where it was from.
"Tch," Elise smiled at the villager but simply shook her head in a graceful and gracious manner. The villager melted away while showering her in thanks anyways. "Already here so soon!"
"Who are they?"
The soldiers eyed the princess, saluting and bowing to her. Madoka got a strange feeling from them, but greeted them as a commoner should. Princess Fiara ignored them. Ciara did not mind them, chewing on some vegetables that the villagers gave her. At least the soldiers were not planning on attacking.
"They are Prince Fiara's royal guard," Lord Zeron said, also tensing up. "The ones who dragged her away."
"We should move out," Princess Fiara ordered, her tone much more serious than she has been before. "I do not wish to see my Brother."
"If it is Her Highness's wishes, we shall leave with haste," To Madoka's surprise, Lord Zeron agreed and the group began to leave town. "Can you get her to gallop?"
"Aye," Madoka said, still not knowing why they were in a hurry. As a slave and commoner, she dare not ask about royal or official faction affairs.
"No, wait, we don't have to—"
It was simply too late, Madoka already kicked the stirrups and Ciara bolted into a gallop with the rest of the group. Elise was screaming and grabbing onto Madoka tightly.
Out in the rolling fields with the Northern Estate in view, they slowed down.
"Gah," Elise grunted as they slowed down. "I think I'm going to puke, Madoka."
"Not on me or Ciara you're not," Madoka scolded her.
"The horse has a name?" Elise whined. "Tch. It took me years to get you to say my name. This damn horse..."
"Don't tell me you're jealous of a horse, Your Highness," Madoka teased her as they drew near the gates.
"Nae waah! Now you're using it against me! My heart, Madoka. Think of it!"
Madoka could not hold a laugh. But she felt the princess's hands move up her waist to her chest and she felt the princess nuzzle her head in her back.
"So soft!"
"Stop that!" Instinctively, Madoka swatted Elise's hands off her breasts.
"Aww," the princess pouted. Madoka sighed but the familiar sight of someone she dreaded greeted her as he stood at the gates, making her heart drop.
It was Leopride, greeting Lord Zeron. Madoka wished to hide away from him and escape this place, even to the dark ruins in the forest.
The Cherish-man turned and smiled at Madoka, his fangs showing as he bowed.
She was terrified of horses, much to Madoka's surprise. The beast seemed to not mind the both of them on top of it. It was a huge horse, according to her, its head reaching over Lord Zeron's head. Madoka heard her muttering something about 25 hands. There was a small group of soldiers and Lord Zeron accompanying the two, yet Elise was still scared.
"Elise," Madoka barely got out before she gripped even tighter on her arm. "We've not even begun to trot."
It took her a half hour to get the princess on the horse's back and the trip's only begun. Today's the day to go into town.
"I'm surprised you are scared, Your Highness!" Lord Zeron chuckled. Madoka had a strange feeling over taking her when she noticed his horse. He was a massive beast large enough to carry a powerful man such as that, fully brimming with a stalwart pride and unbreakable bond. His ears remained perked up, attentive to his surroundings as he did not receive a signal from the heels of his rider to slow down - he just did. "Normally you are full of energy!"
"D-don't tease me like this," Elise complained. "I am a delicate maiden!"
A snort escaped from Madoka, but Elise's grip prevented her from jabbing her maid. Lord Zeron was as merciless as his full laughter.
"There's n-not enough sunlight for the trees," she tried to make excuses. "Let alone a trip like this."
Madoka was watching her own drive, but her horse was calm and patient despite the jumping fool attached to her. She felt the beast's massive neck and the mutual trust began to bloom between them. The horse was conveying its thoughts to her whenever she touched the reins.
Too hard.
Too slow.
More.
I trust you.
I will show you the way.
Gentle.
"Madoka?" Elise's voice pierced their communication. Surprisingly, the princess was calmer, wrapping her arms around Madoka.
"Hmm?"
"How did you make the horse do that?"
"Do what?"
The horse snorted, its ears observant to the changes and currents of the cool forest air. Leaves crunched and dirt clomped under the horse's hooves as she adjusted herself along the path with Lord Zeron. Madoka didn't know what she did, but it followed a bit faster when she kicked the stirrups lightly. She was grinning ear to ear when Elise's grip tightened.
"This is the worst roller coaster ride ever," she mumbles.
"You must have been riding your horse for a long time, Lord Zeron," Madoka commented. She was not used to bringing about a conversation as a slave, but Lord Zeron didn't seem to mind.
"Aye, he's carried me since I was in service," He proudly said. Madoka could guess it was true for he and his horse had nothing to hide. "And I raised him when he was just a foal. You seem to have a knack for riding, little lady. You treat Ciara well."
"I think this one trusts me," Madoka said, observing the beast's behavior. "Or perhaps there's nothing that worries me besides the Princess."
"You be quiet!" Elise snapped. "From now on, YOU get to be my chauffeur. I doubt this animal will let me ride it on my own. Madoka, my feet can't even reach the stirrup!"
Zeron was laughing, yet Madoka couldn't focus. There were many whispers in the forest they were in and none of them belonged to them. She gasped, a sudden break in her breath as Ciara's ears pointed forward and her tail rapidly swishing. A flutter of birds and screecher rodents all burst away from a spot in the pathway. Madoka could hear each one's thoughts in a cacophony of terror, though the general idea was quite clear.
Flee!
Run!
Ominous.
Stay away from me!
Anywhere but here!
Terror!
The horses neighed and snorted, some rearing and others backing away as the crowd of animals ran away.
"Whoa," Zeron slowed his horse down. There was a dark clearing beyond a bit of high bushes where Ciara did not want to go near, of which both horses and the guards did not like at all. The path bent near the darkness, but Ciara refused to budge at all. The visibility was dark, so Madoka couldn't see what was behind the bushes.
Something dreadful this way.
I am terrified.
Ominous.
Ominous.
I am fearful.
Ominous.
Again, its emotions were quite clear to her. Madoka pat its head. "We'll go around, right Lord Zeron."
"Y-yes," he signaled the guards to go a different route. "Looks like all the horses are spooked."
Elise was in shambles. "Oh great, now the big oaf is scared of something! Do you think something even bigger than you is over there?"
Ciara ignored Elise, her tail swishing in agitation and backing away. From the looks of it, the animal could not understand her words or complaints. Madoka guided her to march away from the rest of the path in an attempt to calm her down.
"Easy, girl," Madoka gently stroked its mane. The horse whined, with Lord Zeron and the others joining her. "I don't suppose we can get through here?"
"Looks like some ruins," Elise squinted at the dark outlines. Madoka could see several tall pillars. "Perhaps some bears or some other big predator live there now. L-let's head back home!"
"Nonsense, we can go around," Lord Zeron chuckled, but looked to his own horse. His horse, who once stood with confidence, was visibly shaken by whatever ruins were behind those bushes. Madoka guessed it was a predator or something rather than the ruins themselves, though she was unarmed and unsure of what would happen if it decided to defend its territory and attack. Additionally, she heard no thoughts coming from the ruins but she kept that to herself. After a bit of resistance, Lord Zeron got his own horse to move. "Follow me."
"Can't we just go home?" Elise complained. "Even the damn horses don't want to mess with this trip anymore!"
"Language, Elise," Madoka scolded her. She whispered to her horse. "Can I ask of you to move with Lord Zeron?"
A soft neigh came from Ciara, whose ears perked back up.
"F-fine, but only because you called me by my name," Elise folded her arms around Madoka even tighter. She was lucky the princess did not realize she was talking to an animal.
I trust you.
I will go.
I am afraid.
I will go.
Ominous.
I will guide you.
Carefully and slowly, the group managed to slowly go around the bushes. Lord Zeron signaled for everyone to be silent, to not alert whatever was hiding behind the bush. Together with Ciara, Madoka gathered the courage to move past it. Lord Zeron noted that they'll go the longer route on the journey back.
"What good is going into town, anyways?" Elise muttered.
"It's good for a Royal to show her Presence to the commoners and rally them, show them they love their people."
"But I hate people! Father stuffed me in a castle all by myself because of that fact."
"No, Your Highness," Lord Zeron laughed. "You have your little lady and servants. What more do you want?"
"None of this town visiting nonsense," she complained. Madoka chuckled, for she secretly felt the same about other strangers. "Back me up, Madoka!"
"Don't you want friends?" Lord Zeron asked. Princess Fiara poked Madoka.
"She's the only friend I need," Elise said. "All my other friends know I died."
It was quite odd to say, but Madoka could tell she was alluding to her fantasy world.
"Well, this will be good for you," Madoka simply declared. The copses thinned, the trail turned to the road and the view of the quaint town Madoka rode in a carriage came into view. Elise gasped audibly in awe at the sight. "See, Elise!"
Lord Zeron chuckled. "Welcome to Dehiara."
"Sounds like someone ran a fantasy name generator," Elise muttered, but after a look from both Lord Zeron and Madoka she changed her mood. She smiled widely. "Ahh it's so beautiful!"
The whole group sighed, but as they entered the town a crowd of people came to greet them. They were carrying the Royal Flag with them. Princess Fiara straightened up and behaved like Madoka taught her, waving and smiling at the commoners who came to greet her. Behind that smile was simply a lie, Madoka was pained to know the princess did not care for her own people.
"As a like, full time introvert," Princess Fiara whispered in Madoka's ear. "This is beating the hell out of me and stringing me out!"
"You'll be fine," Madoka assured her. "Just keep doing what you're doing right now."
A villager offered a gift of their crops, but as the princess was about to refuse something caught both Madoka's and Elise's eyes. Soldiers gathered at a small tavern, wearing a crest she found familiar yet did not know where it was from.
"Tch," Elise smiled at the villager but simply shook her head in a graceful and gracious manner. The villager melted away while showering her in thanks anyways. "Already here so soon!"
"Who are they?"
The soldiers eyed the princess, saluting and bowing to her. Madoka got a strange feeling from them, but greeted them as a commoner should. Princess Fiara ignored them. Ciara did not mind them, chewing on some vegetables that the villagers gave her. At least the soldiers were not planning on attacking.
"They are Prince Fiara's royal guard," Lord Zeron said, also tensing up. "The ones who dragged her away."
"We should move out," Princess Fiara ordered, her tone much more serious than she has been before. "I do not wish to see my Brother."
"If it is Her Highness's wishes, we shall leave with haste," To Madoka's surprise, Lord Zeron agreed and the group began to leave town. "Can you get her to gallop?"
"Aye," Madoka said, still not knowing why they were in a hurry. As a slave and commoner, she dare not ask about royal or official faction affairs.
"No, wait, we don't have to—"
It was simply too late, Madoka already kicked the stirrups and Ciara bolted into a gallop with the rest of the group. Elise was screaming and grabbing onto Madoka tightly.
Out in the rolling fields with the Northern Estate in view, they slowed down.
"Gah," Elise grunted as they slowed down. "I think I'm going to puke, Madoka."
"Not on me or Ciara you're not," Madoka scolded her.
"The horse has a name?" Elise whined. "Tch. It took me years to get you to say my name. This damn horse..."
"Don't tell me you're jealous of a horse, Your Highness," Madoka teased her as they drew near the gates.
"Nae waah! Now you're using it against me! My heart, Madoka. Think of it!"
Madoka could not hold a laugh. But she felt the princess's hands move up her waist to her chest and she felt the princess nuzzle her head in her back.
"So soft!"
"Stop that!" Instinctively, Madoka swatted Elise's hands off her breasts.
"Aww," the princess pouted. Madoka sighed but the familiar sight of someone she dreaded greeted her as he stood at the gates, making her heart drop.
It was Leopride, greeting Lord Zeron. Madoka wished to hide away from him and escape this place, even to the dark ruins in the forest.
The Cherish-man turned and smiled at Madoka, his fangs showing as he bowed.
End of The Maid and Her Princess Chapter 20. Continue reading Chapter 21 or return to The Maid and Her Princess book page.