I choose Timmy to be my Fridays for one reason, and one reason only. I take my horse riding lesson on Friday and he is by far the company I enjoy the most. Yes, me fell off Summer that one time was unfortunate, but I love riding so much one accident isn’t enough to make me avoid the stable. Having Timmy around gives me a sense of safety, too, since he was the one who successfully tamed Summer back then. I mean, Timmy’s sweet and I’m truly grateful, but I still think my uncle’s playing favourite when he decided to knight a random stable boy out of it. He wasn’t the one with sprained ankle!

“Daydreaming again, princess?”

I slap Timmy playfully in the back. Coming from him, the way he addressed me could only be a mock. “How many times do I have to remind you? Call me Jenny when we’re alone.” I pet Summer for the last time, bidding her goodbye.

“You stink, Jenny. And sorry, old habits die hard.” From master-servant to eligible marriage partners, we’ve come a long way, huh?

“Better get used to it fast, lad.” As if in cue, Uncle Isaac emerged from our left, his entourage follows a few steps behind.

Laying it a bit thick today, aren’t we?

“Your Majesty!” Timmy quickly bows deep as I curtsy.

The lean man nods to Timmy before pulling me into a hug.

“I won’t even ask what brought you here.” I said to his shoulders.

Uncle Isaac’s laugh booms across the stable as he releases me. “I guess subtlety just doesn’t run in the family.”

“We’ll survive.” I wink at him, causing another warm laugh.

“Let’s dine together tonight. I’ll invite the whole team.” Prince Gareth and Sir Raphael aren’t exactly family (at least not yet), hence his choice of word.

Why am I not surprised? Uncle Isaac dotes on Timmy so much it hurts. Not everyday we dine together, as our schedules rarely match, but he always makes sure to hold ‘family’ dinner on Friday. I wonder why.

Can’t exactly blame him though, since Timmy and I were practically raised together (his mother was my nanny before she died of heart attack five years ago). It’s only a given his family’s been in uncle’s good book for so long. More than easily anyone else, he can be sure that Timmy won’t bear ill intentions toward me. Since my parents’ death, he has always had this certain need to know that he’ll leave me in good hands as he hands me the crown. Though I find it a bit hard on him, I know he means well, but this is the decision I’ll make for myself.

It’s fair game to have favourites, though ... After all, Anne also has one very recently—if you get what I mean.

“Timmy, that includes you.”

“Understood, sir.”

Uncle Isaac turns to me and lowers his voice, conducting a lousy attempt of being discreet. “Is it a bit much to make him call me ‘uncle’?”

“That’s too much, yeah.” I fold my arms, unimpressed. “And abuse of authorization.”

“But Raph—”

“He’s Anne’s fiancé, okay? They’re to be married this autumn.”

“Don’t remind me! That bastard, stealing away my girl when I wasn’t looking ....”

Dude. “Um, he asked for your permission.”

“He did, huh?” Uncle wears this somber expression in his face that makes me cringe all over.

“Uncle, stop being a drama queen! They’ll continue to live here, nothing’s going to change! Except maybe expect another girl ... or boy ... or both.”

“My point exactly, Jenny! I have nothing against Kevyn, but if you were to marry him, how would I bear the pain of—”

“I am not having this conversation with Timmy trying hard on the improbability not to eavesdrop.” Timmy looks relieved as he smiles weakly at me, his body shifts uncomfortably. “At least have the decency to dismiss him first.”

Uncle Isaac put his hands up, a surrender gesture. “I’m done here. You youngsters have fun, but play it safe, okay?” I roll my eyes. “Not having another ankle sprained on my watch.” He winks at me, certainly thinks he is funny.

“Don’t watch. Just get lost.”

“Ouch.” He kisses my forehead, then waves at Timmy. “See you two tonight.”

“Can I kiss your forehead, too?” said Timmy after making sure my uncle can’t hear him.

“Don’t push your luck, Sir ‘You-stink-Jenny’.”

Timmy laughs and pulls me in an embrace, his nose scrunching playfully. “I like you stinky.”

I push him away. “Yeah, very convincing.”

^^^

“So I heard your Thursday’s recently occupied.” Prince Gareth of Tomborne smiles warmly at me across the room. He’s this typical second-born prince in his forties: mature, distant, observant, warm but not overbearing. A background character, if you must. But he’s perfect for my scatter-brained uncle, so no complains here.

“I wonder where the rumour came from ....” I look at Anne pointedly.

Anne laughs. “For the record, Prince Gareth agrees with me.”

“That ...?”

“He is by far the most successful in turning your world upside down—no offense, Timmy.”

“None taken, Your Highness.” Timmy answers swiftly, though I can’t miss the hurt in his eyes.

“And how is that a compliment to Raul?”

“Whoa, time out. Who the heck is Raul??” Uncle Isaac looks at me accusingly.

Crap. I’m digging my own grave, aren’t I? “Nap, Raul, same difference.” I said, in failed attempt to feign indifference.

“Middle-name basis, already?” Not helping, Raph.

“Prince Gareth, please give your word that this conversation is over.” I plea my case to the only sensible one in the room.

“Hey, I’m the king here!” Of course Uncle Isaac would have something to say. It runs it the family, I’m afraid.

“So I heard you’ve been spending more time in the palace’s library.” Prince Gareth swiftly turn the conversation to Timmy.

“I thought you went outside!” Raphael exclaims, a genuine surprise in his voice.

Beside me, Timmy tenses. “Lady Olivia said since I’m running for Jenny’s hand, the least I could do is knowing my way around the court and not embarrassing her.” A silence, then Timmy hastily corrects himself, “Princess Jenny! I mean, Crown Princess Jennifer! Her Royal Highness!”

The mood turns somber very quickly. I mean, the countess is not wrong ... but that’s a bit harsh. “Oh, Timmy, you don’t have to ....” I move to squeeze his hand under the table. I know how he loves working in the stable, I know how he hates formalities. It’s not fair to just shove all the boring stuffs to his face.

“But, Jenny—”

Uncle Isaac nods in approval. “You can ask Jenny. She’d show you around.”

“I ... should. But, Timmy, I don’t want to overwhelm you.” I search for his eyes. “You already have your responsibility to take care of. I prefer my stable not neglected by its master.” I said jokingly, but he doesn’t laugh.

“No, I can do it in my spare time. I promise you the stable won’t be neglected, Jenny.”

Uh-oh, don’t you hate it when your goofy friend is being serious on you all of the sudden? I mean with or without Raul, Timmy is a fair distraction but never more than that. I keep him only because I haven’t met the one, so I’d like to keep my options open, and worse come to worst I’d settle for a friendly marriage. He’s my uncle’s favourite, after all. I can’t stand my uncle sometimes but I always trust his judgment.

“You don’t trust me, do you ....” Gagging my reaction, he mutters under his breath.

“No! That’s not it! I just hate the idea of you committing yourself to a decision that hasn’t even been made yet.”

Timmy clenches his jaw. “Well, I don’t mind.”

“But what if you’re only wasting your time?”

“Jenny, we’ve talked about this. The eligible bachelors will have to compete with each other eventually. He’s in a disadvantage, so let him have a head start.” Of course I have to conveniently forget about that! I act as if I’m the only one who would choose my own partner, but the truth is, the whole court will have their voices too.

I’m still the final decider, though. Uncle Isaac, bless him, made sure of it.

“Okay. I just want you to keep being you, okay?”

Timmy nods curtly in response. Yeah, very convincing.