As usual, lessons were unbearable to Lizzie. She had been doing the same things repeatedly since she was six years old and little had changed. It always started the same. The headmaster would have Elizabeth and her lady-in-waiting Cornelia have tea and then they would start with a geography and literature lesson that Elizabeth didn't mind. Next came the unbearable part. Learning proper party protocol or dealing with fans or dancing. None of this Elizabeth particularly enjoyed (especially dancing) but at least she didn't have to learn about the 40 different utensils for eating one meal. She gazed out the window wishing she could be doing something more interesting like experimenting with her father or reading a book on the front lawn. The hours seemed to drag by but at four o'clock the headmaster shut her book and said "Well that's enough for today ladies." Elizabeth and Cornelia curtsied to the headmaster and left the room as quickly as they gracefully could.
"She is so old and cranky" whispered Cornelia once they got to the hallway. Cornelia was Elizabeth's best friend other than her father but she couldn't help being jealous of Cornelia. She was beautiful with blond hair and bright blue eyes and she and always enjoyed the royal stuff.
"I know" Elizabeth replied. Then she straightened her back pursed her lips together and in the most ridiculous accent said,
"Ladies, straighten up your backs! You will never get a good husband that way!" Both girls bursted out laughing as they rounded out the corner and bumped into the king.
"What's so funny ladies?" he asked.
"Oh nothing father" Elizabeth replied. "Cornelia, my father and I planned to go riding, care to join us?
"Oh no thank you princess," she said. "I don't enjoy riding." Elizabeth knew this since Cornelia had a bad accident when she was younger but Elizabeth didn't get it. Riding was one of the most exhilarating and freeing experiences Elizabeth ever got.
"Alright suit yourself, Cornelia"
"Thank you for the offer though princess."
"Anytime." replied Elizabeth. She knew she would probably never get Cornelia on a horse but she like to think maybe one day she could.
"Ready to go?" asked her father.
"As always" she replied happily.
Elizabeth and her father went out to the stable and saddled their to horses. Elizabeth's was a white mare named Summer Breeze and her father saddled his old brown horse, Rusty. They made their way slowly to their favorite part of the castle grounds to ride on. It was beyond the training ring where all the trainers were making a fuss over newly broken horses. There was a fence just beyond that. It was broken in places that made it easier for them to jump over and get to the meadow they liked to ride in.
"So how was your day my sweets?" asked the king.
"Oh papa, it was awful like every other day. Mother and the headmaster don't think I'll be a good queen I can just see it on their faces."
Her father reached over to her and lifted up her chin.
"Elizabeth, you will be a fine queen one day. You're smart and kind and brave and you can do anything you put your mind to, so promise me you won't give up and let them win."
"Alright Papa." A grinned appeared on Elizabeth's face and she couldn't have been any happier than in that moment with her father.
"Now let's get some riding in before it gets to dark."
"Ok Papa." Elizabeth back up Summer Breeze and they galloped toward the fence clearing it easily.
She waited on the other side for her father to come over. The next moments happened so fast. Her father about to bring Rusty over. The branch on the ground moving and then suddenly hissing at Rusty. Rusty on his hind legs and her father soaring through the air and landing on the ground flat on his face.
"Papa!" She screamed but the king would not respond.