My life is ever in your debt... {Private!!}

She hadn't taken her horse into the city for she didn't want to draw to much attention. Everyone in the city knew the elegant patterns of the palace horses, the golden bridles, and the hand stitched designs on the saddles. This was a day where the princess abandoned the confines of the castle, left the crown at her bedside, and strayed from the behavior associated with them. Down side streets and by the vendors out in the market she meandered, enveloped in a light cloak that brushed the ground with each step. She smiled at passing children, men, and women. The princess stopped and talked to the few that brought up casual conversation and even allowed a few small girls to braid her fair colored hair with a ribbon. She emerged herself in the city, and in return the city adored her.
Her eyes were a golden green much similar to the fields that surrounded the castle, and her hair resembled the gold of the emblem that marked the gate at the front of town. And though her vibrant hair color could be found on other members of the city, the eyes seemed to only been seen among the royal family. Sometimes a few people of the land speculated this, but more often than not, people simply saw the color as a regal mark.
Princess Ariana delved into a gathering crowd of people, her eyes sparking with light at the idea of watching a street performer. But the sight she was greeted with was no such joyful entertainment. A man was bound at the side of seemingly angry woman, one who snapped and talked about the man with a bitter tongue. Such an imagine made her chest tighten with anger, no member of her kingdom would ever be naive enough to do something so repulsing. With the exception of this lady she supposed. Ari pushed her way to the front of the crowd and watched for a moment beneath the lip of her hood.

The cold, metallic slice of metal hit the air as the blade was unsheathed, the noise making the princess cringe, not at the sight of a weapon but the knowledge of what would be done with it. Stepping past the grungy and sneering audience, her cloak swaying at her feet as she took powerful strides, just as she was taught to do growing up. One of the lessens she had been taught was simply to look like she could command anyone. Though her heart was open and warm to the people if her kingdom, she was not loose in reinforcing the laws and reminding them of her power. Pulling the hood back across the braid her hair was drawn in, Ariana unveiled her face from the shadows it had been disguised under. "I don't recommend your next move as a wise choice," her stern voice warned the mistress,"Sheath your sword," the princess demanded. Upon seeing the golden mark of royalty in her eyes, several guilty onlookers scattered down the streets in hopes of avoiding any penalties. But most merely gawked in awe, stumbling back and bowing in intimidation, gasping under their breath,"Princess Ariana, your highness."
The princess spared not even a mere glance at the spectators, her eyes sharper than the blade held to the man's throat. Without her normal entourage of guards with sharp swords and proud horses, the authority Ariana held was no less. In fact, being chastised by the princess was even more humiliating. With such warmth in the way she behaved such a snarl in her voice wouldn't have been expected, and only those who have done something completely against her morals got to hear it.
The princess sauntered calmly close to the slave and mistress. Her chin was held high and her eyes had absorbed the hatred that the mistress had emitted, leaving her gaze cold and brittle. A few strands of golden hair that had escaped her braid danced in the wind, but the princess didn't waver from her demands.

Princess Ariana dipped her head towards the slave, permitting him to rise from the ground. She didn't find his bow necessary but nonetheless accepted it, for it helped prove how much control she held over their heads. Though she wasn't always fond of knowing the people would listen to her every command, let alone comfortable with the responsibility, she had been raised to use it properly, so that she would do.
"I am utterly disgraced to be in your presence! I'm embarrassed to know I help rule over such people. In what right mind do you think you may do such a thing to another member of this kingdom? No person shall be executed unless someone with the authority approves it, and I do not remember permitting you to kill this man. And yes…he is a man, not a dog." Her hand extended from the cover of her cloak, reaching to help the man to his feet, but she did not let her eyes stray from the mistress for long. Only for a brief moment Ari let the gold of her gaze soften to comfort the slave. She wanted it to be clear that no matter how she tried to justify her poor behavior, the princess would not except the plea that the woman made.

Ariana smiled as if she were going to comply, but the singeing gleam in her eyes proposed a different notion. "You see, I'm afraid that will not be happening, with my authority I'm taking him away from your custody," she explained calmly, her eyes glittering like the gold thread that was engraved in the edges of her dress. "And, I hope you realize that the only reason you are not being tied, thrown over a horse, and being taken to live with other guilty parties is because I simply don't wish to deal with you. But shall I see you in the streets again doing such actives…don't except me to be so generous, do you understand?" It was clear the princess would not take any answer but yes, and it was also firm that there was simply not another answer choice.
Ari pulled the slave to her side to draw him away from his former mistress before releasing his hand. The soft features and contours of her face held the foreign emotion of anger, and yet the regal girl still remained calm, placing all her words carefully as she scolded the woman. Strands of her hair whipped at her shoulders in the tousling wind, and one hand held the fabric of her cloak between her fingers to bring the edge of the material from the ground. This was not the walk through the city that the princess had planned, in fact she had wanted anything but attention. And her intervention was drawing more onlookers. But attention or no attention, she was comfortable, or if she wasn't she at least didn't show it. Such a look of composure was expected from her, in the eyes of the people she could never look frustrated or panicked, for it would rouse the kingdom. "I suggest that you go back home, and I know something like this will never occur again…am I correct?" Princess Ariana pressed, her voice dry and delicate like that of a songbird.

"That's hopefully that last any of us have to see of her," the princess reassured the slave. Ariana's rich colored lips curved into a delicate smile. Within the small lapse in time, the bitter, stern mien had been washed away with her gentle smile. As she turned on the edges of her heels to face the slave and the audience that had accumulated, the people who were still hunkered down in a bow got back to their feet and trailed away. Everyone near had understood the expectations that she demanded from people, simple and clear instructions that left nothing more to be said.
She cocked her to the side as she spun to face the man, causing her twisted, blonde hair to drape over her shoulder. "Of course, it's my job to see the people of the land are treated kindly. I'm only sorry I could not have stopped the humiliation sooner." Yet again the princess's voice was smooth and light, calming and welcoming as she spoke.
Her eyes meandered down his battered clothing and scuffed face, and a sympathetic spark danced at the edge of her eyes and flickered across the soft features of her face,"May I ask what your name is? And if you would be interested in a fresh pair of clothes?" Few people were let into the castle for any reason, and as innocent as bringing the former slave behind the walls would be, such an act could be dangerous. After all, the secret her family kept could not be endangered. But no matter, Ariana wanted to see that the man was seen to and cared for, even if for just a night.

Ari always made an effort to introduce herself, despite the fact that everyone in the kingdom knew her, she found people simply felt her more approachable when she did. "It's nice to be aquatinted Xylex," she dipped her head to him,"I am Ariana."
Her cloak and dress flourished as the princess spun to the direction of the elegant castle, beginning to walk leisurely towards the proud building. Again, she smiled and raised a hand in greeting to passing people. The men pressed their hats to their chest and dipped their heads. The women smiled and glanced to Xylex, but thought nothing of it, as it was not uncommon for Ariana to be seen talking with townspeople. The children giggled and blushed as the princess passed by, whispering excitedly about how fond they were of her dress or hair. A small little boy tugged on the edge of her cloak and Ari held her hand across Xylex's chest to halt him while the boy spoke. With a sheepish smile and red cheeks the young boy passed her a bundle of flowers he had plucked in the golden fields. Princess Ariana curtsied and graciously accepted. The kingdom loved her. Though she had not been looking for this attention today, she couldn't very well have what she wanted, she couldn't simply shrug off the people of the city.
So carrying along the small bundle of flowers she continued walking with Xylex, pacing her steps carefully with his. "I hope you don't mind me wondering what sort of work you did for your past mistress?" Ari asked, her golden eyes shifting into puzzle pieces of curiosity and wonder and anger. "The castle has been a little messy lately and the entire family could use someone to help tidy the place up. If you were interested." Her braided locks of hair shifted on her shoulder as Ariana twisted her head to meet his eyes.

Princess Ariana was gingerly twirling the flowers between her delicate hands, her steps light across the dusty ground. When Ari realized that Xylex was no longer in pace with her stride, she turned back to look over her shoulder. Her eyes were professional, and for the moment held very little in them other than their mere gold color. A small laughed split from the edge of her lips at his astonishment,"I do believe that is what I asked of you, is there a problem with that? You'll be paid fairly for the work you do, if that is your concern." It was no surprise to her that he seemed to hold her in high regard, but despite how well Ariana pretended to be known, it was only pretend, the kingdom knew very little of the royal family. "I realize you might not have living quarters so you may stay in the castle until you collect enough money for a place of your own, if that's what you desire."

{Sorry for the short post.}

"I would be honored to have you work with me…" she replied casually. "Though you do not have to make it anything other than a normal job offer. I'm sorry to point out that there are no real benefits you couldn't find elsewhere." But Ariana knew very well why he seemed so excited about the offer. Though it might have been merely a fair offer, he had not had a fair offer in his last conditions. And of course the fact he would be working for the royal family of all people. "There are a few rules you will have to abide by, but nothing to taxing. And you will only be required to take care of certain areas of the castle. So don't fret about cleaning the entire building." She smiled, a happy, friendly smile with her soft and light red lips. Her golden eyes danced over to Xylex, their depths enticing anyone who found themselves lost in her gaze. After all, such a compelling feature was rare to come by. "Your first task can be to find a vase of sorts to put these in," Princess Ariana passed him the flowers in her hands. "But before then you must tell me about yourself, Xylex. I'd like to know who I'm offering a job to."

"Xylex, in case I wasn't clear when I put your mistress to shame, you are no longer a slave. So there must be something to you, everyone has someone more to them than a title." Princess Ari knew all to well. Slaves were just slaves, as royalty was just that royalty. Just as vampires were just that, vampires, blood sucking beast. The girl shoved the sudden thought back into her mind, suddenly feeling weak from blood thirst. All at once she was aware of how good Xylex smelt, the smell of his blood from the small cut on his neck. Ari stopped and pressed her fingers to the temple, letting the hunger subside into the back of her mind. "Ah…sorry, headache…" she whispered before taking a few brisk steps to catch up to him.