Horseback Riding

Chapter 7

We trotted for a while in silence, it was a little awkward.

He suddenly asked, "So, when did you learn to ride a horse?"

I shrugged, "When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I asked my father to let me learn how to ride horses. I had to beg him for a while, but he eventually gave in and said yes."

Mark smiled, "That's nice."

"Yeah, it is."

Welp, it was back to awkward silence, I guess.

A few minutes later, something must have been spooked Butternut, because she neighed and stomped around. She even went on her hind legs, bucking around.

I almost fell off her back, if it hadn't been for my tight grip and Mark catching me, he set me in front of him on his horse. He grabbed Butternut's reins and calmed her down.

While I was still sitting on his horse sitting in front of him, I looked up at him.

He looked down at me, "Are you okay, Princess Edith?"

I blushed, nodding, "Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you, Prince Mark."

He smiled, "Anytime, Princess. I'll help you whenever you want or need it."

I blushed even more, "Thanks." I fidgeted with my hands, blurting out, "Can I get back on Butternut now? I really don't want to trouble you." I blushed an even brighter shade of red.

Mark nodded, "Of course, Princess."

He gently pulled Butternut closer to his horse, he scooped me up in his arms and set me down on the horse, checking if I was balanced before letting go.

Adjusting my sitting position, I thanked him, "Thank you, Prince Mark."

Mark smiled, "You are quite welcome." He cleared his throat, "There is a cottage by a little river I use to play at as a child, I want to show it to you." He looked at me, "That is if you want to."

I nodded, "I would love to."

As we trouted to the cottage, I admired the nature around me, the natural beauty of it. It was so nice and peaceful.

When we got there, Mark reached out a hand, "If you may let me assist you down, Princess." He smiled, "and you don't need to call me 'Prince Mark' while we're alone. Just Mark is fine."

I smiled, "Alright, Pri- Mark." I took his hand and dismounted the horse.

Patting her on her side, "Thank you."

Mark went back to his horse, grabbing two apples, handing one to me, and fed the other to his horse.

Giving the apple to Butternut, I muttered, "Here you go." She sniffed my hand and took the apple into her mouth. I smiled, patting her one more time before walking her over to the little river.

Tying her reins to a tree branch, I turned around and saw Mark doing the same thing.

He walked over to me, "Do you want to rest inside?"

I nodded, "Sure."

Walking over to the cottage, he pulled out a set of keys, sliding them into the lock, he pushed the door open.

He guided me inside, "Would you like a tour of the cottage?"

"Yep, yes please."

We walked around the cottage, there were 5 rooms, 3 bathrooms, and a kitchen. There were also a few underground rooms for when they need to sleep.

It was more like a normal-sized house than a cottage. After the tour of the cottage, we went outside.

I looked around the place, the natural beauty of it all was amazing, the river looked like it was glowing, it was so pretty, the moon above us was bright and beautiful.

After a few minutes of admiring the natural beauty of nature, we got back on to the horses and rode back to the castle.

When we got back, Mark bid his farewells to me and told me how much he enjoyed spending time with me.

I smiled and nodded, telling him it was the same for me.

Grace came and lead me back to my room, "How did it go, Miss?"

"It went very well, how has your time been?"

She told me, "I got a lot of work done and I prepared a bath for you. After the bath, I would like to take your measurements, Miss."

I nodded, "Okay, thank you."

We went into my room. I took off my clothes and climbed into the bath. I thought about the candle holder and what was inside of it. I sighed, I'll have to look at it later. I submerged my head into the water. I watched the bubbles float above me.