Page 22 of The Ostler's Boy

S er Elías kept at my side as we trekked down the sunny hallway, still locked in an excited debate. He was, as to be expected, less than thrilled about the visitor.

“The audacity to find himself outside your chambers so!” he seethed. “And had you been alone?”

“Aye, but I was not alone, Ser,” I said. My chest was fluttering. I barely focused. “I had you there. And Josie. No chance at harm, I’m afraid.”

“Your humor does not amuse me, Svana. Is there a chance he might harm you? If you feel endangered, you must trust your instincts.”

“No.” I swatted him. “Mr Evergreen is always very-”

“If you say cordial again, I will set myself on fire.”

“Well, I would find some other word to use, but there isn’t another that fits for what he is. He holds doors and helps me onto my horse, and he calls me by my title. Mostly. He’s cordial.”

Elías scoffed.

“Am I missing something about the man?” I asked. I stopped us short of the front door, searching him. “In all our years, I have never seen you so after someone you did not know.”

“I do know him,” he said.

“You do?” I asked.

“In a sense,” he said. “His type. His reputation. Mr. Evergreen is known to many folks. He sees to that.”

We waited as someone passed us and headed outside. Then, we smiled politely at Cyrus as the door opened with their departure. It shut between the three of us again. After a second, I looked at the closed threshold.

“Since when are you one to condemn a man by reputation alone?” I asked. “You forget you have a bad one, too.”

“No, you forget that I am often here with your father. Cyrus is no stranger to the Palace or its ladies . And I am no stranger to a man’s youth, as you love to remind me.”

I tsked. “He is just outside,” I told him, speaking quieter. “I will take your caution to heart only because I respect you so, but please learn to trust me and not read into whatever your eyes have reported back to you. Mr. Evergreen has been encouraged to include me in breaking my horse by special request of the Prince. I do not think my husband would enlist a man’s assistance if he worried there was any real chance of impropriety. Do you not agree?” I asked.

He stewed.

“Have you heard of the Prince’s evil nature?” I asked.

He folded his arms.

“I did not think so. Sameer probably couldn’t hurt a fly. At least physically. He’d insult it somehow, but by being dumb. Not malicious. Would you feel better if you spoke to Mr. Evergreen?” I asked.

“Absolutely not.”

“Well,” I said. “He’s already seen you, so at this point, it would be very rude not to. So, just-” I pushed open the door and ushered him out. I appeared casually beside him and in front of the swordsman. “Be nice,” I whispered. “Alright,” I told the other, louder. “You summoned me. I am here.”

The men shared indistinguishable looks before Cyrus returned the greeting.

“Good morning, then,” he said. He looked between us. “Will we have company today?”

“Yes,” Elías said.

“I’m afraid not,” I replied. I waved dismissively. “Mr. Evergreen? Ser Elías. Ser Elías? Mr. Evergreen. I’m sure I have mentioned him likely a thousand times since our first interaction, but here he is. My favorite knight.”

They exchanged nods.

“Grand,” I said. I waited for further acknowledgment, but it never came. “Right. I’m glad you’ve met. This is the man that will speak to you if you maim my reputation,” I said.

“What?” Evergreen worried.

A footman arrived to us with a message flat on his tray. “Your Royal Highness,” he said.

“Oh, thank God,” I cried. I opened it, the only sound between the four of us its tearing, and I read it over, coming to a deliberate “Hmm.”

“Was is it?” Elías asked.

“It’s a second letter from His Majesty,” I said. My eyes went to Mr. Evergreen, but Eli inquired upon its content.

“And?” he asked.

“You tell me. It is, of course, addressed to you,” I said. I handed it to him, sighing.

Elías knit his brow and took the letter from my hands with a certain amount of air. He scanned its body and then gave a nod. “I’ll have to write him.”

“Is there a reason he won’t write me?” I asked.

“I’ll ask him to,” he said. “Excuse me.”

Eli wished us farewell and spun on his foot to go. It was quiet.

“Everything alright?” Evergreen asked.

“My,” I said, finding a deliberate way to laugh. “How bold you are to ask.”

He took a lengthy step toward the yard; I followed after.

“That’s it?” I wondered. “You don’t care what the letter said?”

“Not really. Am I expected to?” he asked. “Hardly appropriate behavior of a man speaking to someone so above his station.”

“Ah. I see. Once again, I have irritated that wound, have I? And through some minor annoyance that I had no control over, like my station. Pray. How might I correct this blunder so that you may feel freedom to speak to me?”

When he got to the stables, he rocked the door back, gesturing me inside.

“Do you remember where the river is?” he asked.

“You really don’t care?” I scoffed, annoyed. “I don’t know why you would. I don’t! That’s a fact!”

“The river, ma’am?” he asked.

“North? I think?” I stood patiently next to Ice’s stall, only to be overlooked and offered Tails. “I know it’s north; I don’t know why I shaped it as a question,” I said. “Why can I not ride Ice today?”

Cyrus brought the horse to me by the lead, but his attention traveled to my crown.

I inhaled, spewing, “Yes, it’s braided again. Yes. It was down this morning when you saw it. It is what it is, Mr. Evergreen. I think the best course of action is if we just choose to ignore the fact that you’ve seen me in my vulnerability.”

His fingers rose and plucked something from the roots, moving then to present it to me. It was a ladybug.

I shut my mouth as it spread its wings and flew into the rafters.

“Oh,” I said.

The corner of his mouth peaked. “Have you been worried about your hair this whole time?” Then he handed me the strap.

“I,” I stammered. “I don’t care what you think of it! As I said, it is what it is!”

“You wound me,” he said, laughing. “I can’t believe you don’t care what I think. What with your vulnerability.”

“It isn’t funny,” I said. “Why are you– Stop!”

“Christ,” he muttered. “Alright then. If I tell you, will you forgive me for yesterday?” he asked. “I was in a foul mood. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“If you tell me what exactly? ” I asked. “Stop it. Stop laughing at me!”

“I’m laughing at the situation. You’re all worked up,” he said. “So, go on, ask me what I think of your hair.”

The R seemed to hang past his breath.

“It’s longer than I expected,” he said anyway, watching me swallow. “Darker. Your highlights are hidden when it’s down, but…” Then he didn’t finish it.

“But what?” I asked.

He grinned wickedly and shook his head. “You do realize all the women here wear their hair down? It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. If anything, your braid is more a change for me.”

I blushed.

“I can’t believe that bothered you,” he said.

“I felt very exposed,” I explained.

He took it in stride, losing the grin, and offered me his hand. “I literally saw you in your underwear, and you’re–”

“You did not!” I cried.

“If you say so. But as you’ll have it, I apologize. But again, both moments meant nothing to me,” he said. “You need not worry.”

“My hair and what?” I asked. “My underwear?”

He shrugged.

“Grand,” I told him. “So happy to be so mortified for nothing.”

“Are you ready then?” he asked.

Twenty minutes into our journey, Cyrus had barely spoken to me, and I had barely spoken to him after he had dismissed my feelings. I had intended to punish him, but I couldn’t take it—not when he seemed happy with the arrangement.

“I’m not riding with you unless you speak to me!” I declared.

He arched a brow. “I am speaking to you,” he said.

“No, you’re not,” I argued. “You commented on the weather as soon as we mounted and then led me down this path, and that’s been it. There’s been nothing more.”

“An oversimplification, I’d say. I also commented on your grip.”

“Ugh!”

“Pray, what would you like to talk about, Your Highness?” he asked.

“Ask me about the letter,” I said. “The one I received today.”

“It’s not my business,” he replied.

“No,” I pressed. “No, it’s not. It’s not your business, but I want to talk about it. So ask me, will you?”

“What? No.”

“Please,” I begged. “Ask me what my father thinks about extending my stay here in Chalke.”

He paused. “I, uh.” Then he sighed. “Fine. What does your father think about extending your stay here in Chalke?” he asked.

“He isn’t happy,” I said. “Now ask me why.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I was only permitted time for the quorum. I was supposed to attend a transfer ceremony in Dawne for my mother’s title, Duchess. It was at her school. Instead, I decided to stay here when the Prince asked me to, and I informed the King via letter. He doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He’s said I’ve offended my aunt, who’s been the regent for years. He wants me to reschedule it, and he wants me to return because of the threats.”

“Threats?” Cyrus asked in new interest. “Oh. You mean the horses? Or the demonstration?”

“The horses,” I said. “What demonstration?”

“Nothing,” he said. “I must be mistaken.”

“Is there more to this nonsense than I know?” I asked. “More than brutally massacring the souls of horses in my honor? Is that what you’re suggesting?”

“I am not suggesting anything,” he said.

“Tell me!”

“It’s nothing,” he assured. “I’m sure if he were worried, the Prince would’ve mentioned it.”

“Sir!”

Cyrus groaned. “A small group in the south set fire to a church,” he explained. “I thought Sam had told you. I’m sorry.”

“Sam doesn’t talk to me. That’s horrible. Was anyone hurt?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. After a second, he asked, “What do you want?”

“What do you mean what do I want?” I said. “I want people to stop hurting horses and burning churches.”

“No. Do you want to leave Chalke?” he asked. He moved to the side, pausing long enough for Tails and I to pass. “Are you homesick, Your Highness?”

“Homesick?” I frowned. “No. Yes? I’m not sure. Should I be?”

“I can’t answer that for you,” he said. “But if your immediate answer is not clear, perhaps you’ve actually decided.”

“I…” I pondered it. “I do miss some things,” I told him.

“Aye. Like what?”

“Like... the mountains,” I said. “The snow, really, but it will have cleared up by now anyway. And perhaps it may be a seasonal thing. I read once some people get sad with winter, but I’ve always preferred the cold. Does it snow here in Chalke?” I asked. “Elías said no.”

“He’s right to a degree,” Cyrus replied. “It rarely snows this south.” He pointed to the petalled walk. “This may be as close as we get to ísfjall’s winter.”

“I knew it!” I cried. “You’re from the Capitol!”

He shifted. “Aye. Close to it.”

“Dawne, then? No. You’re too pretty. You would be married by now. What of Harbourtown? No, you don’t strike me as a harbor man.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” he said.

“Where?”

“We’ll just call it ísfjall.” He gave nothing else.

“Are you from the city?” I pried. “You are, aren’t you? Yes. I think you can tell a lot about a man based on where he’s from.”

“Then I better not tell you if you’re right,” he said. He rolled his shoulder.

“Would it be so horrible if I knew something about you?” I asked. “Do you keep all your lovers in the dark like this, or is it just me?”

“Lovers?” He chuckled. “Now I have lovers in the dark, and you’re one of them?”

“I–No, I meant–”

“I know what you meant,” he said.

“You said yourself you’ve known women.”

“Yes.”

“Women. As in the plural of wo man , so yes. You have lover s with an s; I’m not an idiot, but whether you keep them in the dark or not, I don’t know, hence why I asked.”

He was amused.

“Stop grinning. My knight all but confirmed your reputation,” I said. “I have not shunned you for it, you’ll find, yes? But I am of the mind that you should just own up to your sins so that we may move forward honestly.”

“Sins now!” He laughed. “Ah, to know the way you see me. Do I dare inquire?” he asked.

“You have been caught, sir,” I explained. “It’s not a matter of how I see you; it’s a matter of how you are to be seen. But have no fear, for I have chosen not to judge you too harshly. I am a merciful queen,” I said.

“You are the Princess, not Queen, and your knight is a busy fellow, isn’t he?” Cyrus asked. “Strange that he has heard such things of me, yet he continues to leave his prized responsibility in my menacing hands.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means that perhaps you are not as righteous and pure as you would hope others saw you as,” he said.

I scoffed. “How dare you!” I cried.

“Yes, how dare I? Why is it fair for you to imply that I am scandalous, yet when you conduct the same behavior or fix your wagon to mine, you remain untouched?” he asked.

“I think it’s a little different, sir,” I said.

“How?”

“The Prince asked me to accompany you, for one,” I said.

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t uh-huh me!” I said. “How dare you imply that I am of the same social predictability as you.”

“Social predictability,” he repeated.

“Further, my knight allows me to be left with you despite his better judgment because…Well, I may have convinced him you weren’t a threat.”

“Am I not?” he asked. “Then the rumors you’ve heard do no justice to my talent , I fear.”

I shushed him. “I am a lady, sir. What are you suggesting?”

“I’m suggesting that-” He stopped, listening to the woods.

“What is it?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Nothing. I thought I heard something.” Cyrus moved his horse closer to mine. “Have you repaired your quarrel with Sam yet?”

“We’re speaking of Sam now?” I asked.

“Aye, Sam. Have you spoken to him in regards to Miss Agatha?”

“...Was I supposed to?”

“Hmm.”

“What hmm?” I squinted. “Why would I care about Miss Agatha?”

“I’m not sure I should be the one to share his information, should he choose not to deliver it.”

“That is far too cryptic to remain ignored. Now you must tell me,” I said.

“Oh, I must?” he teased. “Yes. Because that is a royal decree, or?”

“If it must be, then yes!” I said. “Tell me! I do not like secrets.”

“Secrets!” he said. “You are by far the most dramatic woman I have met.”

“You’re the one who so desperately wishes to share whatever it is you want to say!” I imitated him. “Have you spoken to Sam about Miss Agatha, oh, I’ve said too much! Never mind!” I groaned. “ You’re dramatic!”

“Oh, I do not wish to share it, love, I just wished to know if you’d become aware of it.”

“I will leave you out in this forest, sir!”

“Oh, would you, please? But then who would get you back to the Palace?” He looked around. “Did Ser Elías follow us out here after all?”

“I could manage!” I spat.

“Uh-huh. Sure you could. I believe you. In fact, you’ll manage just fine to the river, yeah?” His weight moved around on Ice’s saddle. “If you win, I’ll share what I know.”

“If I win?” I asked.

Cyrus took off before, cheating once again.

Still, I was able to close the gap between us somewhat, relying upon his horse’s shoes in the mud to track her. However, by the time I breached the final hill, he was already off of Isaac and standing in the greige clay by the bend. He met me at Tails to give me his hand and pulled me from my seat.

“Don’t fall on me this time,” he said.

“I should be flattered that you have to use deceit and trickery to best me in your games. And you should be ashamed; Tails is an old man. You could kill him, you know!”

“Tails is fine,” he said.

“Fine?” I asked. “He’s elderly!”

“I take it you failed to catch any of that?” he asked.

“Any of what?”

“Ice, and her noises,” he said.

“What noises?”

He shook his head, explaining. “She gets agitated when you start on about your own bad mood. I had to run her to burn off that energy. You forget she’s not used to interacting with anybody but me, and I don’t get upset the way you do.”

“Oh.” I gathered my hands. “Then I apologize.”

Cyrus returned to the bank and picked up round, flat stones. He gave me a pile to match his, then miraculously threw one across the stream. It dotted the surface every few inches.

“Do you know how?” he asked.

I looked at the rock in my hand.

“Princess?” he asked.

With a nod, I said, “Yes,” which likely sounded more surprised than anything, but all I could think about was Willem and the games we used to play. I took a sharp breath.

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I could show you.”

“No. I know how,” I said. “I used to do this with a friend of mine, is all.”

He watched, waiting for the secret I’d never share. Instead, I made a rather pathetic attempt to skip my stone. It plopped several feet short of where I’d hoped.

“Oof . Perhaps I am a little rusty? It’s been some years,” I confessed.

Cyrus bobbed his head. With no time or space between us, he stepped behind my frame and molded his arm along mine. Then he pinched two of my fingers against a second pebble.

“Hold it like this,” he said.

He flicked it, and if not for my inability to notice anything beyond the rise and fall of his chest against my back, I might have seen that it went quite far, but it was the third rock that I cheered for, and that birthed a bright, happy snicker from me as it hopped away across the water.

I turned to Mr. Evergreen to determine if he was as impressed as I was, but then I saw exactly how close he was. How close he was and how close he was as the only man who’d ever been that close before .

I gasped.