Princess Lily

Chapter 5

“I’ve heard you’re a superb horsewoman,” Prince James said to Lily, who was currently walking away from comforting Farmer Breur’s wife who was worried that her husband would be thrown in jail just like Gertrude’s.

“I’m fair,” Lily claimed dismissively as she watched the villagers begin assembling for the horse-race.

“Now don’t tell me you refuse to take part in the horse race just because of my mother?” James couldn’t help but tease her. “Especially since Karl and I are about to take part in the race too.”

“I suppose then it would only be fair to join in…” Lily began a bit hesitantly, longing to partake evident in her voice.

“Well come on then,” James casually grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the horses.

Lily eagerly began setting things up. Mischievously, James whispered something into his friend Georg’s ear before going to set up in his own lane.

Lily tensed when she heard Georg’s voice instructing everyone to get into their respective lanes.

“Now, since this race is all in good fun, Prince James has just informed me that first place winner will get a special prize!” Goerg’s voice boomed across the grounds. “A kiss from Miss Lily for the winner!”

The crowd laughed and clapped, hooting in approval.

“Now, ON YOUR MARK!” Georg instructed.

Lily dropped the reigns in surprise, looking at Prince James accusingly.

“You!” she exclaimed, rounding on him for making such an announcement without her permission.

“GET SET!”

The riders tensed, ready to shoot off.

James leaned in to whisper into Lily’s ear,

“Don’t worry, I intend to win and claim my prize.”

Lily nearly fell off her horse as a pleasurable warmth spread at his words from her stomach to her now-flaming cheeks.

“GO!”

The horses took off and it took Lily nearly a minute to recover from Prince James declaration whispered passionately into her ear. The horses had left her in the dust by the time she spurred her horse forward. Lily smirked. He thought he could beat her, the most skilled horse-woman in the area. Well she’d show him. She easily passed most of her competitors, even passing her father’s wood cutter with a wink. Prince Carl seemed surprised when he saw Lily gaining on him. He ardently tried to pick up speed, urging his horse to go forward, intent to win first place and claim the prize of Lily’s kiss. But Lily passed him too after a couple of minutes racing neck-to-neck.

Now she only had Prince James to contend with who was a few paces in front.

“Come on,” Lily urged her horse, glancing sideways at the future emperor.

He was so self-assured and confident that he smiled at her arrogantly and Lily’s eyes widened when she found herself over-taking him. Her eyes narrowed. She knew what he was doing, he was letting her go ahead on purpose. Well, she wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, especially since she could see the way Prince James was restraining his horse. He planned to let out a burst of speed at the last moment and win when her guard was down. It was a dirty trick, one that Lily had used multiple times.

Lily smirked, she’d just have to get as far ahead of him as she could as fast as possible. And that’s exactly what she did, insolently smiling at him as she left him behind. Sweat formed on Lily’s brow as she realized she was exerting herself far more than usual. But it was so exhilarating to be challenged by someone after such a long time. Prince James was an excellent horse-rider.

Lily felt triumph within her reach as she saw the finish-line within her grasp. Just a little more further…

Her mouth fell open as Prince James easily reached her side. How…? But there was no time for questions as Prince James kept his gaze determinedly on the finish line, leaning low into his horse and picking up more speed by the second. Lily’s eyes snapped down to her horse, spurring him forward with a gentle hand. They both broke the finish-line, horses still running forward as the Prince and Lily eased up on their horses. The race had finished, Prince James’s horse had been but a few inches in front of hers, breaking the finish line first.  

Both opponents were worn down, and groomsmen came forward to take their horses once they’d stopped galloping forward like the devil was after them. Chest heaving but eyes shining from the thrill of the challenge, Lily looked at Prince James who smiled down at her triumphantly.

“I suppose you want your kiss now?” Lily mumbled the words out, expecting him to lower his cheek for a kiss.

“Oh no, the kind of kiss I want isn’t supposed to be done in front of onlookers,” Prince James replied with a devilish grin, crossing his arms expectantly.

Lily’s heart thundered in her chest as she’d tried to get a grip on what he was saying. He couldn’t…reciprocate her feelings, could he? No, no, no. He was her sister’s fiance’! This was wrong!

“I’ll claim my prize…soon Lily,” James bent down, whispering the promise into her ear before walking way.

Lily felt a knot tighten in the pit of her stomach at the thought of his lips on hers. But she couldn’t…no. She needed to make these feelings disappear. It would be the ultimate betrayal to her sister to do something like that with her fiance’. Lily walked towards the stands where her mother sat with a small gleam in her eyes and Helaine looked at her outraged. She had not missed the way her fiance’ had been looking at Lily.