Early in the morning Sofia packed all the paintings and carving she and her father had made on the carriage as well has her drawing tools. She’d take them to the marketplace and hopefully sell them all. With the money they’d buy more materials but also save some for the funds that’d hopefully send her to art school. Sofia would’ve happily stayed home and helped his father, but he insisted that she’d chase her dreams as an artist.

She put on her best dress and best scarf and braided her hair. Then she got on the carriage and headed towards the town. If everything went according to plan, she’d be there right as the market opens. She could buy herself a little breakfast from the baker and eat while waiting for the first customers.

“Your Highness, Your Highness! You can’t just go out now. You need to be prepared for the quests coming this evening!”

The prince didn’t seem to even listen to his retainer’s words but continued to saddle his horse.

“Your Highness, please at least tell me where you’re going,” the young man begged his lord who sighed.

“I am going to check the town. I’ve heard that there is a market today. I’d like to see it. Yesterday’s party was so boring I need some fresh air before this next battle.”

“But you cannot go alone! It’s too dangerous. It’s against the rules! Your father would be upset if something happened to you.”

“…Then you come with me. Or it’s your fault that I went alone right?” The prince said, smiling. His retainer sighed.

“Could you wait until I’ve saddled myself a horse before you head out? And we have to be back early so you can get ready. You can’t meet the princesses looking messy.”

“But of course, I love to ride with some company,” the prince said covering his recognisable face with a cloak, completely ignoring the rest of the speech.

They day had moved forward but not many people had visited Sofia’s stall. She was beginning to feel slightly discouraged. What if no one bought anything? They needed this money and it’d be disappointing if they didn’t sell anything. She’d try the next day too but the sooner she’d sell these the better. Sound of approaching horses caught Sofia’s attention. Two very impressing looking horses along with their riders. They looked around looking very interested. Well, one of them did, the other looked very nervous and was constantly talking to the other man.

“Prince Anthony, please Your Higness, let’s go back. The party starts in three hours and you need to get dressed.

“Well, I don’t take three hours to change clothes so I think I can look around for a little bit longer,” the prince replied. He then noticed a little stall where a young woman was sitting surrounded by paintings. He stopped his horse and jumped off.

“Your Highness, what are you doing?” his retainer hissed in panic.

“Calm down Joshua. I’ll just take a quick look.” Joshua sighed and got down from his horse as well.

Sofia felt a small nervous spark in her stomach when she noticed the two men approaching. She tried to discreetly arrange her hair neatly and straighten wrinkles from her dress. Hopefully there weren’t any breadcrumbs on her face.

“Good day, beautiful lady,” the prince greeted Sofia with a smile.

“G…good day, sir,” she replied smiling. These men were clearly from the upper class and she felt nervous.

“You sell paintings?” the prince asked looking at the pictures.

“Yes, and some carvings that are made by my father.”

Joshua stayed silent but glanced nervously the girl. What if she realised, she was talking with the prince? There’d be chaos if people found out. He was actually surprised no one had noticed yet.

“You have none about lions?” the prince said.

“Uhh, no? I haven’t really thought about making any.”

“Oh really. Don’t they call the prince a young lion? That’d probably interest a lot of people…”

Joshua felt like he could’ve punched the prince. That idiot, was he trying to expose himself?

“Ah, that’s true? Do you want one? For five coins I can draw you a lion…”

“You’d draw it?” Joshua couldn’t help but comment.

“Yes. These are my drawings after all,” Sofia said smiling.

“In that case, I’d happily get one,” the prince said. Sofia pulled out her sketchbook and pencils and started drawing.

Prince Anthony watched silently her working. She was clearly a country girl but there was something in the air around her that made her more interesting than any of the princesses and ladies he had met. Something very mundane but still sophisticated and elegant. And she was quite beautiful as well. She had a fair appearance with light blonde hair and brown eyes.

After fifteen or so minutes, Sofia put down her pencil for the final time and showed the paper to the men. “What do you think, sir?” On the paper there was a majestic looking lion, roaring to the sky, wind ruffling the mane.

“That is fantastic!” the prince exclaimed. “Joshua, could you give this beautiful lady seven coins?”

“But the price is only five,” Sofia said in case the man had forgotten.

“This is definitely worth more,” he said. “But if you want, you can give your name as an exchange for the two coins, miss.” The prince’s charming smile made Sofia blush completely and Anthony couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t worry miss, you don’t have to tell if you don’t want to. Joshua, please, give the coins.”

Sighing deeply Joshua took out seven coins and put them on the counter, taking the drawing with him. “Thank you, good sirs,” Sofia said completely astounded.

“I hope you have a good day, miss,” the prince said then, getting on his horse.

“It’s Sofia, sir. Sofia Bellamy,” she said blushing again. “And good day to you too.”

The prince smiled and bowed to the girl before riding off.

“Joshua.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“When we get home, I want you to find out where that girl lives.”