Leo pov.


    She looked at therge pit in the middle of the ground. There was no way that she would have survived this. If the horse had fallen, she would have been badly injured. And with the speed the horse was running there was no way that it would not have fallen.


    "Why is there a trench in the middle of the ground? And how did you know about it in advance?" she asked, looking at the hole and then at me.


    I was still furious and trying to calm down. So I did not reply to her. I had nothing to reply to, I could not tell her that it was made by my men! For her I was just an aide, a servant who walked behind her all the time and listened to her orders.


    She took a long breath and waited patiently for my answer. I knew she would not let the matter go unless she would get an answer.


    "I keep an eye on everything around you, your highness. This is my work. The trench is made for catching the wild animals that have been recently found moving in this area. This area is not safe for now. We shall return to your chamber." I replied in a bit stricter tone, as if I would not ept an answer as I kept looking at her adamantly and waited for her to walk further.


    I could see her eyes were filled with doubts and I gritted my teeth. If she contends asking questions. I would not be able to hide the truth. She was a smart girl at the end of the day.


    I took a deep breath and was about to ask her again when she nodded and walked towards the horse. I took a breath of relief and then looked towards the shrubs and deep woods. I could see the shillouthe hiding there in the dark.


    Turning back I moved towards her and took my horse. We both climbed on each horse and then started riding back. Sometimes I do feel bad for her. She was just a vulnerable and pitiful girl trying to hide behind the mask of a strong and ruthless woman.


    But today i just called her Jose, that also so publicly. It was just my god luck that she was not in her senses to understand.


    If anything goes wrong the hard work of months would be wasted.


    "Why is your face so pale?" her voice brings me out of my stupor.


    "I am exhausted with the riding. You were too far when I increased the speed of my horse.`` I replied and guilt washed over her face.


    "I have not asked you to follow me. I would have found myself, anyway." she replied, tired to sound rude, but her voice and face gave away her true feelings.


    "It is my duty to serve you, mydy," I replied , bowing my head but she did not even look towards me.


    The whole way there was silence. I needed to keep her busy so that I could go back and warn my people before it became toote.


    Who would have thought that out of all these days, Josephine would use today to go to the woods.


    "Your ss is already missed your highness.'''' I informed her as we reached her chamber. Her master was long gone and the ce was deserted. As a royal princess, she hardly had any staff. Her all requirements were fulfilled by me. That was all of the royal family members I have chosen. She was an easy target from the start.


    She mostly stayed confined in her chamber and did not have a nosy staff. Though she tried to sound harsh, most of the time she was just a lonesome figure to wander around.


    Many times I do feel pity for her. But she was an enemy and I could not care much about her.


    "No, I would like to take some rest and then I would go and study in the library." she replied walking towards her room and i bowed my head.


    "I will ask the staff to serve you some snacks. Have a good rest, your highness ``I bowed again when she nodded and then left.


    I walked back to the kitchen staff and ordered a meal for her. I knew all her favorites by heart. I ordered all spicy food ording to her taste looking at her mood.


    "Serve her well. I am going to his majesty. He has summoned me." I informed the staff and they nodded.


    "We will take care of everything you did not need to worry, sir Leo" i nodded back and walked back towards my horse.


    But instead of going back to the royal pce, I walked towards the woods from where we had juste.


    After riding to a distance. I let my hose go and started walking. Looking around all the time, I hid in the dark to cover the rest of my journey.


    The path was narrow and full of shrubs and thorns. It was the area that was never used. Full of covered with dirt and mud I reached a ce where three people were sitting on the branches of the trees. Their bodies were covered with dark cloaks. They became alert when they heard footsteps and jumped down, but when their eyes fell on me, they rxed.


    They took a deep breath of relief. As they walked towards me.


    "Your highness" all three of them kneeled in front of me to show their true respect towards their prince.


    "What the hell is wrong with all of you? How could you be so careless? And here my father thinks that you are the best team of knights to work under me!" I was beyond agitated. I could not believe that they were fools to get caught so easily. My hard work for a year would have been wasted and worse, we could have been caught and sent to prison.