The following day, Leonardo woke up to find Penelope clutched in his arms. He smiled at her warmly and thought to himself, "She's so gentle when she's sleeping." Leonardo then made a decision to protect Penelope from any dangers at all costs. For she was a precious sight in his eyes.
Soon after, Penelope awoke and looked into Leonardo's eyes.
"Leonardo?" She said softly.
Her blue eyes stared into Leonardo's and they surely felt something. Penelope rose from Leonardo's arms and looked around her environment.
"This is so much different from the palace." She said. "There is so much life here."
"Let's step outside." Leonardo suggested.
They both stepped outside and Penelope explored the farm with Leonardo happily as she got to pet all the animals.
Leonardo's mother soon came out went she heard all the noise. She was stunned to see Penelope on their farm.
"Leonardo, isn't this the princess?" His mother asked.
"Yes, she is being treated badly. So I rescued her." Leonardo said.
"I see. What a gentle man you are, son." Leonardo's mother said. "How are you, princess?"
"I'm fine, miss. Thank you for letting me stay." Penelope said graciously.
"Our pleasure. Now let me get you some more decent clothes to blend in." Leonardo's mother went inside to grab her some change of clothes. She came back in a jiffy as Penelope went to change, Leonardo had a conversation with his mother.
"Leonardo, saving the princess was the right thing to do, but we could get into trouble for this." His mother said, fearfully.
"She is being forced into a marriage she doesn't want. So I was obliged to help her in her time of need." He said.
"But that is how royalty works, Leonardo. She must fulfil her duties as to this marriage she does not want. Prince Alez of Kanarua will be arriving to Luopetia this morning for his engagement with the princess."
"But Penelope doesn't want to go. And i will not force her. She seems to like it here already."
"This will bring dangers to us, son. Consider I'm saying at least."
"I will, mother."
Penelope came out perfectly dressed at that moment in her decent clothes. Her long orange hair was packed into a scarf and Leonardo brushed some dirt unto her face to make her disguise appear much accurate.
"You look amazing." Leonardo said.
"Thank you." Penelope replied, flattered.
"Would you care to help us with some of the farm work?" Leonardo asked.
"Of course!" Penelope replied.
Penelope felt like this would be her way of paying back Leonardo for helping her escape from the guards that night. She wanted to express her appreciation to him and his mother.
She swept the barn, collected chicken eggs, milked cows, arranged hay, and more domestic chores were handed out to her and Leonardo.
After their chores, they had a hearty breakfast of bread and milk. The bread was baked by Leonardo's mother and Penelope said that everything tasted much better from the palace, that she was already liking it at the farm.
Leonardo then offered to take her to the town square of Luopetia to explore place.
"I am sure you have never explored town, have you?" He asked.
"Never. I barely went outside because I'm the princess." Penelope said sadly.
"Well, that changes now." Leonardo took her hand and they started walking to the town together. His mother wished them a safe stroll as they left in a haste.
Meanwhile at the palace, king Ulric had been fuming with anger that his only daughter had escaped from the palace last night. At that very moment of his anger, Prince Alez arrived. He calmly approached the king and said, "Your majesty, you seemed troubled. What is on your mind?"
The king sighed.
"My daughter ran away yesterday. She doesn't want to marry you, and I don't even know where she is." King Ulric said. He was deeply distressed about his runaway daughter.
"Ah, finding a missing princess shouldn't be that hard. Penelope may seem wise, but she has weak points. I have known her since we were just children."
"You were her most trusted friend, but now she despises you because of this marriage. I have no idea what I am going to do about her."
"Leave it to me. I will find her."
Prince Alez leaves on his horse with some of the guards from the palace of Luopetia in search of princess Penelope.
Leonardo and Penelope are taking walks through the town of Luopetia together. No one even suspected that the princess was among them at that time. Everyone seemed busy with their own thing. Penelope really enjoys her time in the town, until they here horse steps coming from the palace towards the town. Everyone turned to look at who it was. Penelope was shocked to see prince Alez and some other guards coming towards the town. She panics, and Leonardo tells her not to worry.
"Penelope, don't worry. I will protect you unconditionally." Leonardo said.
Penelope believed in his words and soon enough, Alez approach the town and walked up to Leonardo and Penelope.
Alez thought to himself, "It's too obvious that this is the princess. I'd recognise her anywhere."
Leonardo protected Penelope as she stood behind his back.
"Leave her be! She has nothing to do with you." Leonardo protested.
"Ah, but she is the princess of Luopetia. And also my soon to be wife." Alez spoke.
"She will not be coming with you." Said Leonardo.
"Well, you clearly do not want to give up on her. What about a bribe for the princess?" He asked reassuringly.
Leonardo instantly refused without thinking twice about it.
"Looks like we'll have to take the princess by force." Alez saying that, ordered the guards to cease Leonardo and he carries the screaming princess and puts her on his horse.
"I hate what you're doing, Alez!" Penelope yelled.
"I'm only obeying orders, princess." They rode back to the palace together with Leonardo as their captive.