“Laura, we’re here,” I whispered. “Laura?” My call was answered by a faint snore. I smiled to myself. She probably fell asleep on the journey back. 
“Robert!” Grandpa Ben greeted as he came out. 
“Grandpa Ben,” I greeted. 
He immediately noticed Laura sleeping as he approached us. “What happened to her?” 
My heartbeat quickened as he asked. Think of an excuse and fast! “We had a little jog around town and she was exhausted. I didn’t notice that she fell asleep on our way home,” I said. 
Grandpa Ben nodded, his lips in a firm line. “She does have a bit of a faint heart. I’ll have Ronald bring her to her room.” 
The mere thought of Ronald carrying Laura back to her room didn’t sit right with me. He never treated her kindly whenever I was around. Who knows what he could do if he was left alone with an unconscious woman? 
“With all due respect, Grandpa Ben, I would like to be the one to do that,” I replied. “I’m not keen on having somebody else do that, especially Ronald. I’m not calling him immoral. I just want to make sure that Laura gets her rest safely,” I explained. 
Grandpa Ben thought for a bit. He then chuckled as he replied, “I understand where you’re coming from, Robert. And between you and me,” he then walked up to me, “I don’t trust him around Laura as well. His hostility towards her knows no bounds.” 
I smiled, relieved. “Thank you, Grandpa Ben.” 
“The stairs are at the back,” he pointed as he gave directions. “When you get to the second floor, her room is the second door to the right. It has a sign that says ‘No East Entry’. And should you be greeted by a cluttered mess, I do apologize.” 
“I don’t mind, Grandpa Ben. There’s nothing wrong with having an untidy room every once in a while,” I answered, carefully carrying Laura down from Lady. 
“You might want to put her back on the horse. She’s a bit too heavy to be carried all the way there,” he suggested. 
“I’ll manage, Grandpa Ben. She isn’t that heavy, in my opinion.” 
“Well then, I must get back inside. Ronald must be creating another kind of misery for the others,” he smirked. He nodded at me and returned to the bakery. 
♔♔♔ 
As Laura’s bedroom door opened, papers were scattered amongst the floor. Each one has a different kind of illustration or writing on it. I headed directly to her bed and gently laid her down. I then pulled the sheets up to her neck, putting her arms on top of her blanket. 
For a while, I stayed beside her and marveled at her simple beauty. Most women in court would go above and beyond to gain my attention. From their faces to their dresses, they exert extremities in the hopes of impressing me. However, it has come to the point where I think every court lady did nothing but wait for a prince… who’s already betrothed. 
But for this lady in front of me, she didn’t do anything. 
She didn’t have the most elaborate gown to wear. All she wore were in the same shades of gray. Some of them even have tiny holes by her skirt, probably the effect of too much work. Her hair wasn’t done in a marvelous fashion. It was always held back by a napkin or any piece of cloth. Her face would sometimes be covered in sweat because of her occupation. She doesn’t pay too much attention to herself and yet, her beauty continued to radiate as I spent more time with her. 
But even though she was blessed with that kind of beauty, what I loved most about her was her heart. It is her beauty. To find so many good qualities in one’s own heart is rarity at its finest. She’s too innocent for the world, both in my realm and hers. 
She deserved way more than the life she has right now. 
I turned around and gave her room a good look. It was in a mess because of all the scattered papers on the floor. I crouched down and picked everything up. Then, one paper caught my attention. It read: 
Eyes that shine like the stars at night 
A sudden smile gave color to my dull life 
How come I was only found now? 
But still, I’m happy I was found 
Simple words but were able to make someone smile. I folded the paper and put it inside my pocket. Hopefully, she wouldn’t notice that one of her creations was taken. I walked back to her and laid a gentle peck on her forehead before leaving.