The Kings Mistress Chapter 87

[ … words ]

Finally, the horse-riding test was upon them. On the morning of the test, all the princesses, along with their horses, were brought to the royal stables that were attached to a huge horse race track.

This was where members of the royal family, royal guards, and even nobles come to ride their horses from time to time. As the name of the location would suggest, sometimes a horse race would be held too. Everyone was dressed in their finest riding gear, ready to take on the challenge ahead.

For the event, all of the nobility in Drakin was invited to attend and watch from the spectator stands. Amongst them, right in the center, was where Alistair and Roxine were seated.

“I heard the nobles are already placing bets,” Roxine chuckled as she leaned over to speak to Alistair.

“Well, I know who I did put my money on,” he replied with a smile as he craned his neck to look at the princesses who were gathered down below.

Each of them had their horse right next to them, ready for the test to begin. Each princess would have to complete a course specially designed for them to complete. Amongst them, Sierra was placed as one of the princesses most skilled in horseback riding.

That did not come as a surprise. Princess Cassandra was the one with the best scores. She flawlessly completed routines during the aptitude test which earned the admiration of the other princesses.

She was also the one who was most favored to do best on the test. For the riding test, the winner would be presented with a unique item. It was known as the Whisper of Twylight. It was a whistle in the shape of the pegasi which was rumored to have the ability to summon a pegasi when the user was in need.

The whistle was carved by the priests and priestesses who were blessed by Twylight and only a few pieces were made each year.

Down on the ground, Sierra was petting Midnight. There was a lot going on at the horse track and all the horses were on edge. They had gotten used to the peace and quiet at Celestial Lodge.

But Midnight, being a battle-worn horse, did not seem too bothered. Sierra rummaged through the saddlebag she had and found a carrot for her to snack on.

“Midnight is so well behaved,” Myra praised as she held onto the reins of her horse next to Sierra.

Just as she was about to reply to her friend, something caught Sierra’s attention. Even with her heightened senses, she was not able to predict what happened next. All she heard was a sound whistling through the air.

It was subtle and easy to miss amidst all the sounds that bombarded their senses at the race track. The next thing Sierra knew, Midnight was on her hind legs, whinnying and scaring the crowd around them.

“Everyone, step back!” Sierra warned.

Everyone did as they were told, pulling their horses aside and giving them space. Sierra still held the reins in her hands, she refused to let go. She knew Midnight’s temperament like the back of her hand.

Her horse would never act out like this. Something or someone must have provoked her.

“Midnight! Calm down, it’s alright!” Sierra desperately tried to calm her horse down.

She began to hum a tune she had often sung to her horse when they were in the army camps. Sometimes, she would sleep next to Midnight and that was the tune she would hum. It always helped to calm both of them down and even lull them to sleep.

From the corner of her eye, Sierra noticed Agnes in the distance. The smirk on her face caught her attention. She immediately knew Agnes had something to do with this. But there was no time to deal with that now.

Midnight was her top priority.

Sierra focused on the tune she was humming. Despite Midnight continuing to thrash around, she reached her hand out to caress her horse’s neck.

“It’s alright, Midnight. I’m here. I’m right here,” she repeated over and over again.

Everyone watched the scene unfold from the spectator stands. Alistair nearly leaped out of his seat when it first began. Roxine was at the edge of her seat too. From where they sat, they knew something must have set the horse off.

Horses do not suddenly do something like this.

Sierra knew something was terribly wrong. Midnight did not show any signs of calming down. Hence, while still holding onto the reins, she ran her hand down the length of her coat. From the tip of her nose all the way down to her hind legs.

“Something isn’t right. There has to be something,” Sierra kept muttering to herself.

Finally, after a few minutes, she struck gold. She felt a needle sticking out of Midnight’s abdomen. As soon as she removed it, Midnight quietened down. However, in all of her thrashing, she had badly injured one of her legs.

“Sierra, are you alright? Is Midnight alright?” Myra came forward to help once Midnight returned to her more docile state.

“I’m alright,” Sierra replied with a smile. She carefully placed the needle she had found in a handkerchief and kept it in her pocket.

She was going to investigate that further later.

“Your Highness, look,” Ida called Sierra over and showed her Midnight’s injury.

Her mare had a bruised knee and it was clear she was beginning to limp too. Sierra bit her lip. She knew she could not ride Midnight in this condition. But where was she going to find another horse on such short notice? Specifically, one that would listen to her commands?

A well-trained horse was difficult to find. Not to mention, it took time for a horse and their rider to bond. Sierra glanced over to Midnight, looking into her eyes. Her horse snorted as she hit her good hove twice on the ground.

Sierra knew what it meant. Midnight still wanted to compete. She went over and held her horse’s head in her hands. She pressed her forehead against Midnight.

“I know you want to. But you can’t, you need rest.” She whispered to her horse while stroking her soft hair.

Midnight snorted again, repeating her actions once more. Sierra shook her head.

“Don’t worry, I’ll think of something.”

“Looks like we have one less competition today, my fellow princesses,” Agnes’ voice rang loud and clear amongst the princesses and their horses.

“What a pity, Sierra. I was hoping to see you compete,” she continued to gloat.