“Nothing to fear, is there?” she asked as she leaned back.
“It’s not as scary as I thought it would be. If I look ahead and not down, I don’t worry about falling,” I told her.
“I won’t let you fall. And Teddy does not spook easily,” she replied. I leaned further back against her, enjoying the scenery as we travelled.
“It’s beautiful out here,” I commented, as we neared the top of a hill and were met with views of more green hills and forest in the distance.
“It is,” she agreed. “I’m lucky to enjoy such a view, while having an equally beautiful girl in my arms.” I blushed heavily at her words. I was average, nothing special, not when compared to the Princess. But when she complimented me, I believed her words were sincere.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” I replied, grateful that I was facing forward, and she couldn’t see how surely red my cheeks were.
We continued for a while longer. Eventually, I recognised that we had been travelling in a circle and were making our way back, passing familiar fields, large barn-like structures and stables in the distance.
The Princess led us to the stable area and dismounted before reaching up and pulling me down, placing me softly back on my feet. I wiggled around, shaking my legs to get the feeling back to normal as I removed the helmet from my head.
“What are you doing?” The Princess laughed as she handed the reins back to Rebecca.
“My butt feels numb,” I told her. Rebecca led Teddy away, I assumed back to his stall.
The Princess swatted my backside, and I jumped at the unexpected sting. “Did that help, pet? I’m sure a good spanking would quickly return the feeling,” she teased, taking my arms and pulling me into her.
“I uh, I don’t think that will be necessary,” I stuttered. Her laughter was melodic.
One of the best sounds was ruined by quite possibly the worst.
“My Royal Highness, my Princess!” I couldn’t help the angry groan that left me at the sound of his voice. Why did he have to be here? Why did he even exist?
The Princess bit my neck in warning. “Best behaviour,” she instructed. I nodded reluctantly.
“Lord Halvorsen.” The Princess turned, keeping me in her grasp, as she greeted the annoying, handsome lord, who I hoped would fall and land in horse shit; there was plenty of it around.
“Have you been riding?” he asked, brushing his hand through his perfect hair and smiling with his perfect teeth.
“Yes, I took my pet out on the trails,” she responded.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” he answered politely. “Have you returned for the full term?”
“Yes. I was hoping I might find you here, away from prying eyes,” she told him and released me from her hold. I was going to be sick. She wanted to come here to find him. I don’t know what I thought the purpose of our trip to the equestrian centre was, but I hadn’t suspected it had been to look for him!
“I am very pleased that you found me, my Princess. How may I please you?” he asked with a cocky smile. I didn’t want to be present for any interaction they had. I stepped to the side and busied myself looking at the stables and the stalls where some horses stood.
“I would like to discuss the continuation of our courtship,” I heard her respond. My stomach twisted and bile rose in my throat. I walked further away from them, hoping not to be able to hear whatever else they said.
What made him so special? Why was he so damn blessed by the gods that the Princess would choose him?
Why couldn’t she choose me?
I was her soul match. She told me I was beautiful, that I was her good girl.
But it wasn’t enough.
I’d never be enough.
A horse neighed next to me and shook its head in my direction. I stepped forward and reached out to pet the animal. It pushed its nose against me.
“You’re friendly,” I spoke to the horse and wondered if it could tell how upset I was.
I wished we’d never come back to the Academy. Everything was fine at the castle. Okay, there was the Princess’s murderous uncle, and her father, the King, didn’t seem to like me that much, but there was no Lord Halvorsen. Anywhere that he wasn’t was a good place.