Upon hearing the familiar crunch of gravel under feet, Dalton turned around to see two maids escorting the Princess just as they announced her arrival. He nodded briefly at the two to show his acknowledgment, but as Melanie started excitedly exclaiming things after the maids Dalton couldn't help the look of surprise that crossed his face. It wasn't normal for those of higher rank to be so familiar and informal with the servants and maids. It was their job to serve the castle nobles with efficiency and without complaint. Any other bureaucrat would promptly scold her for acting so improper. However Dalton felt himself relax from his momentary shock. He was beginning to realize it was a breath of fresh air to have someone like Melanie around.

Most of the nobles that he had the "pleasure" of meeting were so caught up in their duties and ranks and fancy titles that they paid no mind to the people that made their lives more comfortable. Even he got treated as no more than a tool for the kingdom. Granted Dalton hadn't been born into a famous family nor raised with wealth or a proper education but he did live in this world whether he was truly part of it or not. And nobles always took note of who belonged to what family. Family ties and power meant everything in their world. But Melanie, having been raised outside of the fantasy of this world until now, cared not of notions like titles and wealth. She saw people as one and the same without distinguishing between noble and servant.

He still truly believed this girl in front of him had a long way to go before she was able to run a kingdom but she was also starting to change his original judgement that she wasn't cut out for this kind of responsibility. It was still true that Melanie didn't belong here and she probably never truly would but maybe, just maybe, that's what this kingdom needed. A leader that hadn't been raised with the same ideologies as the other royal families. Someone who would treat her citizens as part of her family rather than people to be ruled over.

Reorienting himself back from his thoughts just as the maids left and Melanie gave one last wave of goodbye, Dalton saw her smile fade as she turned back around to face him. He caught her eyes flicker toward her horse before settling back on him and could tell in that brief moment that she was intimidated by the mare without her having to voice those thoughts. His assumption was indeed confirmed as she started to speak and he gave a soft smile at the lack of "Sir" in front of his name.

"Good morning to you as well Melanie. The stable boy picked her out from the king's own prized collection. 'I want only the best for the Princess' were King Gabriel's own words." Dalton walked away from the horse toward Melanie and grabbed the helmet out of her fidgeting fingers just as she admitted having never ridden before. He merely nodded, already figuring as much. It didn't take a genius to guess this coffee girl from town had never been around a horse. Her big blue eyes gave everything away. Dalton definitely had his hands full with this one.

"First lesson, always wear your helmet." He set it on her head before adjusting the chin strap for her and turned back toward her horse. "And before you ask, I don't need one since I actually know what I'm doing." Flashing her a playful smirk, Dalton grabbed the reins and started walking the mare toward Melanie.

"Lesson two, never be afraid of your horse." He reached out with his free hand to grab one of the Princess', forcing her to pet the horse's nose. The white mare released a soft whinny and nuzzled into Melanie's hand before Dalton released her wrist. "See, nothing to be afraid of. You're free to name her whatever you wish. She's yours from today and forward."

It went without saying that the selection process included picking out the least aggressive of the king's horses. Dalton shuddered at the memory of meeting his own stallion for the first time. His arm still had the scar as testament of how well that went. Now, however, he would trust no other horse to ride him into battle. But Storm was bred as a warhorse whereas Melanie's own mare would merely be for recreational purposes and the occasional royal appearances through town when a carriage wasn't necessary.

"Now for lesson three and the actual start of today's class, getting you on your horse."

Dalton spent the next hour going over the different parts of a saddle and where to place one's feet in the stirrups. He showed by example how to climb up onto a horse and how to hold the reins and proper posture while sitting in the saddle. Once Dalton was actually able to accomplish getting the Princess in the saddle, a feat by itself, he led the mare around by a separate lead while Melanie held the reins. Dalton wanted to get her comfortable in the saddle and used to what it felt like to actually sit on a horse before he passed control off to her. Depending on how quickly she grew confident with her horse, the actual riding lesson may have to wait.