In 1638
Princess Arellano sighs as she walks along the cobblestone road. As the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Melvina, the 18 years old member of the royal family could easily travel anywhere inside her parents' realm in a luxurious carriage, pulled by the most majestic horses. She could have columns of guards paving the way for her, with multitudes of people forced to kneel down before her procession. But that is not how she is traveling today. Very far from it, in fact, for the girl is actually disguised. And what a disguise it is, transforming the blonde royalty into a pauper, with a dirty cloak she bought from an old lady begging for alms outside a church in the village. No one would ever think that she is the King's and Queen's beloved daughter.
It's not because she wants to struggle that she's chosen this disguise to come out and travel by herself. On the contrary, this gives her more freedom, as there is no one around to prevent her from enjoying herself completely. It could be rather troublesome to have her maids and the soldiers fussing over her every movement, not letting her do anything for herself. The blonde princess is happier this way, with no limits to her movements, getting to know how her people live from her own eyes.
She has managed to hide her beauty rather well, smudging dirt across her oval shaped face and concealing her curvaceous figure beneath the baggy robes. The cloak effectively hides her huge, round breasts from lewd stares of ruffians, along with her firm buttocks, the natural result of a great deal of time spent horseback riding. Indeed, the gorgeous Princess Arellano has always been an excellent equestrian, one with great skill that is widely recognized, along with a more than capable fencer, having been trained by the best of the best in the Royal Guard Corps.
Right at the moment though, to all people concerned, she is a mere beggar. It's part of the reason she wanted to go on this little trip outside the palace walls. To see how much differently the people would treat her if they didn't know of her true status. And it doesn't disappoint, showing her how vain they are. No one has bothered to give her even a single coin when she beg them for money to buy food with. Not a single person toss her scraps when she beg for food. It distressed her to see how spiteful they often are to her because she is, as they presume from her attire, filthy poor.
It is still a fun experience for her though, getting to be outside on her own without people clamouring around her and trying to get a glimpse. She isn't disgusted by them but just doesn't like being constantly surrounded, preferring some time to herself, every once in a while. This is the perfect occasion to fully take in life outside the confines of her gilded cage, as she has taken to describing it in her mind. Oh, she loves the luxuries according to being a princess. All the Persian rugs, Chinese vases and other decorations, along with her chambers and having servants catering to her every needs. But roaming outside like this holds its own appeal.
Suddenly, a boy around her age walks up to her from behind and taps her on the shoulder. The princess spins around to look at him and finds that, to her surprise, he is holding out a loaf of bread, extending it towards her. "You can have this. I don't want you to go hungry." He is around medium height and thin, a sign of not having much to eat, and yet he is still extending food to a complete stranger, when he could be the one eating it himself. It is at this moment that Arellano, without even knowing it, falls in love with the boy.
"Why are you giving it to me?" she asks, tentatively taking it from the boy. She looks at him curiously, tilting her head to the side as he smiles lightly at her, his beautiful black eyes radiating warmth to her. It makes her feel flushed as she looks at his kind face. There is something about the boy that draws her towards him irresistibly and she doesn't know what it is. All Arellano knows is that she wants to get to know him more and talk to him, about anything. Anything would be fine, as long as he is here, talking to her.
"Like I said, it's horrible to go to bed with an empty stomach. I don't want you to go through that," he replies, about to walk off. The boy stops, though. "Where do you live?" She quickly gestures around to tell him that she lives here, in the streets, wanting to see how he would react to this lie. "Come with me. My home isn't very big. You can use my bedroom and I'll sleep outside." He looks at her expectantly as she gapes in shock. This boy just invited her to come stay at his house after she told him she's homeless. His kindness makes her heart beat wildly in her chest as she walks after him.
She follows him to his house, which is more of a shack, listening to him tell her about his family. He tells her his name is Richard and asks her to tell him about herself too, but she doesn't, not wanting him to know she is the Crown Princess. It might intimidate him and stop him from being casual with her like this, and that is something she wants to avoid. No reason to make him start acting formally and ruin what is going on right now, whatever it is. Princess Arellano still couldn't figure out exactly what she is feeling for Richard.
Minutes later, she is sitting in his tiny living room, in between his bedroom and his parents'. There is nothing else here. It makes her feel very bad for him, knowing how much he struggles out here while she's got a life of comfort and never having to worry about anything back in the palace. Being the favourite child of the monarch, she's always had everything she wants handed to her on a gold platter, ever since she could remember.
The young princess looks at him out of the corner of her eyes as he makes tea and prepares to cook a light meal for both of them. She sits down patiently, observing his every movement. Princess Arellano can't tear her eyes away from the cute teenager. Looking at Richard inspire a feeling of longing in her heart, one that feels like a gaping hole that has always been there but has only been exposed now, his presence making her feel tingles all over her curvy body.
The powerful girl smiles at him as he brings over the food. "My hand's injured from trying to carry a heavy load," she complains. He quickly rushes over to find some medicine for her. It is cheap but the gestures hows that he cares and that is more than enough for her. As a matter of fact, she is not even injured and is only looking for an excuse for them to touch. The princess finds herself very happy when he takes her right hand in his left, and uses his right to apply the ointment. After that, he also uses the spoon to feed her, making it difficult for her to resist the temptation to kiss him on the back of his hand. No, that would be moving way too soon.