<h4>Chapter 151: Lettice York was not giving up.</h4>


    Undoubtedly, the thing that Rnd missed the most when he was in the capital were the open grasnds through which he rode his stallion at a fast pace every morning as if they were on an urgent mission. Living in Doria was lovely, in many ways but when it came to this one aspect, the capital city was less attractive.


    Rnd pushed his stallion towards the cliffs as if he had no intentions to stop. His knees drove its side, urging it to go faster and faster. His blood boiled with excitement and the air around him sung freedom songs urging him on with silent echoes of cheering.


    He could not believe how much he had missed it_the habit which grew from the desire to escape his suffocating life in his adolescent years. It was a habit that took away his pain for a moment, quietened every doubt and made him feel alive.


    He steered his steed towards the sharp bend and it galloped gloriously. Rnd opened his mouth and shouted, bellowing as if he was releasing a battle cry. While he was excited, his knights were the opposite for they were terrified. They were used to his insane horse riding and it had been a while since their prince hadst indulged in it.


    As always they were afraid when he drove himself and the horse to the brink, if he was harmed, the king would have all of their heads after all. It did not matter that they had tried to stop him from riding madly and failed.


    The stallion came to a stop near the edge of the cliff and raised its legs high, neighing loudly as if to alert the sea of its glorious aplishment or the return of its royal owner.


    Slowly, Rnd steered it back and it trotted at a slow pace, stopping to rest under a big tree. Rnd dismounted and sat down on the grass, waiting for the sunrise with his head resting against the tree trunk.


    The knights busied themselves feeding the horses and giving them water. They even sneakily gave them some sugar cubes that they had stolen from Venom’s portion which Sigrid replenished daily. She was aware that they were stealing from her horse, they were also aware that she knew but nobody acknowledged it. It was like an open secret at the Vale.


    Venom was the only party that was not too pleased with the arrangement because the sugar cubes were hers. They were not meant for other smelly horses.


    A horse that had been following the men walked up to their group, atop its back was Lettice York, looking colorful in a blue dress and fully made up face as she joined them.


    The knights were used to her apanying Rnd on his morning rides so they did not stop her from approaching him. Sir Samuel, in fact helped hery down a nket and arrange simple snacks and fresh coffee that had been sent by Jesting.


    "Good morning your highness."


    "Good morning Lettice." he answered.


    Lettice was just in time for the first blush of dawn to paint the sky. She was like a good wife, mixing Rnd’s coffee and unpacking the omelets and toast for him and the knights.


    The air was cool and damp, Rnd saw Lettice rubbing her hands against the sides of her arms. "You should not be out here, its cold." He picked up his velvet cloak and handed it to her. "How many times have I told you that you don’t have to apany me on my morning rides. Children should be in bed at this time."


    Letticeughed lightly, "I am not a child Rnd, I am a woman. Besides, I have lived at Stormwind for years, this little cold does not bother me. I am just like you, built for tough times." Once gain, sheughed.


    Rnd sipped his coffee slowly, picturing the face of his old governess. The woman would not have been happy to see her daughter riding a horse near the edge of a cliff and six in the morning.


    "Your mother would not have approved." he said with a smile.


    "You say that every time." Lettice leaned her head in his direction.


    Just when it was about to touch his shoulder, he stood up leaned against the tree. Rnd was deliberately putting space between them. If his wife saw Lettice with her head on his shoulders, she would not very happy. An unhappy Sigrid would lead to an unhappy Thorin family and his inws were not the best decision makers when they were unhappy.


    He recalled Lady Iryne with a sword, killing Lettice and then running off to cry about the death of fictional Lady Chloe Fletcher.


    Sir Samuel and the other knights shared simr looks of relief. Finally, their prince was putting a distance between himself and Lettice York. Over the years, the woman had acted as if she would be the next crown princess.


    They had been worried about Sigrid meeting Lettice, after all, one was the legal wife of the crown prince and the other was the ward he dotted on. A ward that clearly had other expectations. If the two women shed, chances were high that Lettice would end up arm less or headless and the rtionship between the crown prince and his princess would be strained once again.


    Lettice did not fixate on Rnd’s rejection, she had another ace up her sleeve. "Rnd, I have been thinking about another way that we can make Stormwind greater."


    Because she helped Rnd supervise the finances of the castle, he perked his ears and listened.


    "What do you think about turning part of the fief into a forest resort and horse ranch?"


    Rnd had not heard of the word resort, horse ranch on the other hand, he was familiar with. Stormwind castle was already a horse ranch.


    "I often visit the tenants and travel through town and I realized that their is a shortage of amodation for guests thate to enjoy the horse races or visit the castle and engage in other activities.


    I thought to myself that its such a shame since we have these mesmerizing woods, breathtaking views and many streams. This ce is perfect for watching sunrises or enjoying pics."


    Lettice had this dreamy look on her face as she further exined, repeating the words that she had rehearsed.


    "We can build the resort by the sea and attach a crystal ss bridge which leads to a bed and breakfast on the unupied part of estate. We can also build houses in the magic oak trees." She frowned as she struggled to recall what she wanted to say and smiled when it came to her. "Skyss tree house and charge fifteen gold per night."


    "Fifteen gold!!" he eximed. "This sounds like a price my wife would charge." He looked out andughed.


    Lettice’s lips twitched and she blurted out, "It’s not her n it’s mine."


    Before Rnd could respond, Lettice further defended herself as if she had been used of giarism. "I have lived on Stormwind all my life which is why I came up with this n. The crown princess is undeniably talented but how can she n for a ce she has never been to?"