Autumn Rose, the daughter of King Miller, peeked around the side of the stable. The wild-haired boy who tended the horses turned towards the teenage girl and said in the most serious of voices, “You'll have me beheaded for sure, my lady.”
Autumn stepped into view, her petite hands held behind her back and a curious smile on her peach-toned face. “Oh, Stenson, you know my father adores you.”
This time, Stenson smiled. “You are too kind in your thinking.”
She took three slow, wide-sweeping steps toward him. Her long cornflower-blue dress dragged across the ground, the ends dirty from running around all afternoon. Her nanny must've had Autumn's long brown hair braided this morning, but a few of the braids had loosened, and wisps of hair framed her heart-shaped face. “Will you meet me by the gardens later?”
The black mare in the stall neighed, altering Stenson to finish pilling in the hay.
“Well?” Autumn said.
Stenson sighed. “You should be spending your time with the other nobles, not a peasant like me.”
Autumn frowned. “Oh, foo, foo. You know I can't stand any of those frilly types. Plus, who will teach me to catch fireflies with my bare hands.” She waltzed around him, lifting her hands above her head as she spoke. “And who will ride bareback with me, far into the meadows?”
His lip curled at her vibrant expression and the memory of the last time they rode together. Autumn had squealed with delight and held on to him tighter than she should've. It was one of the happier afternoons he'd spent with her.
She stood on her tippy toes and whispered in his ear, “And who will tell me of all the magic in the world while kissing me.”
“Autumn Rose!”
Autumn frowned at the sharp sound of her nanny's voice. “Say you will,” she begged.
Stenson took her hand and guided her to the opposite side of the barn to another exit. “Quickly, before you're seen.”
“I'm not leaving until you promise.”
He stared into her honey eyes, caving into her demands with every liquid sparkle. “All right.”
“Autumn Rose!” The nanny entered the stables, face tight with aggravation. “Where is that child!”
Stenson heard the small patter of Autumn Rose leave and walked back to his duties. “My lady.” He bowed as the nanny passed.
Her face softened. “Stenson, have you seen the princess this morning?”
Before Stenson could conjure a lie, Autumn Rose appeared behind the nanny. “Here I am, Mammy!”
Mammy jumped and clutched her chest. “Dear child, don't you scare me like that! Now, come along. You are late for your violin lesson.”
Autumn Rose nodded, then stood as straight as she could. She eyed Stenson, curtsied, and in a most polite voice, said, “Good morning, Stenson. How fare the horses?”
Stenson lowered his gaze and bowed his head, keeping up all pretenses that he wasn't completely in love with the girl before him. “Very well, my lady.”
Satisfied with his reply, she nodded and skipped off into the afternoon light.
Being a stable hand to King Miller meant there were many rules and proper etiquette Stenson had to follow, and Autumn Rose tended to make him break them all.
That girl will be my undoing. I just know it.
Picking up the rake, he shoved it into a pile of hay.
It didn't matter.
Soon Autumn Rose would meet a noble she fancied and get married, and a simple farm boy like him would be long forgotten. Though, deep down in the belly of his thoughts, he really hoped she didn't.