Matching Her Speed

Artie could only laugh out nervously. That's right, there was a chance that she could lose. There was only so little that she could offer as a real prize to this archduke. In theory, she could list a number of things, but none of those would probably be tempting enough for him to force the Kodiak to race with Lupina. Aside from her body—which was out of the question...

"Oh, I know!" Her eyes glittered as if she discovered a perfect answer. She then pointed at her wide smile. "I will cook for you! Like something from where I came from! I'm a very good cook, and I will surely amaze you with the taste! So… is it good enough for a prize?"

"An angel's cooking..." Larkin murmured before nodding. "Very well, I accept your terms of defeat. However, in a strange case that you will emerge victorious, what would you ask of me for a prize?"

Artie's eyes flickered. She had always thought of the quest as her prize. Then again, it would be strange not to ask for one. Moreover, she had no idea what Larkin treated as his hobby. 'Oh, this could be a good chance to know!' She only smiled. "Well, what kind of service can you treat me to? I mean, I will be cooking for you personally so it should be something of the same sort..."

A hum came as an answer, but Larkin didn't name any. In his mind, there was no use bothering if he was most likely to win. If Artie won, then that would be the only time he needed to think of a prize. Besides, his silence seemed to be rather understood by the archduchess. He then reached out to lay a hand on the Kodiak's neck. "Humor her just this once, Kodiak."

["Such useless pursuits. I will take part in the angel's reward."] The Black Kodiak neighed, showing his unwillingness; however, it seemed that he was also interested in the reward waiting for them. It's just that, when he looked at the poor white mare, he felt a tinge of pity. This… mare was bound to fall victim to its master's fruitless ingenuity. Taking a closer look, she seemed too pretty for a horse.

Before long, Artie gave the signal for the start of the race. Larkin only shook his head and reared the black horse. The Black Kodiak towered with his dominance and power, suddenly pushing through the track of its choosing.

However, Artie was at a loss… Lupina… wasn't moving. She then patted the mare's neck lightly. "Hey, I thought you want to have a race with him?! Take this chance to show off!"

["He… isn't running like he used to..."] Lupina frowned upon noticing the strange speed of the Black Kodiak. It was way slower than the thunderous galloping she once witnessed. Like the rampage of heavy rain, she knew the Black Kodiak could cross the horizon in a few steps. Her eyes then dilated in shock and anger as if a realization crossed her mind. ["Does he think I cannot catch him?!"]

Neigh! Lupina neighed loudly, rearing on her hind legs without warning. It was a good thing that Artie was able to hold on. Like a spark between the match and the coarse paper, Lupina dashed forward in a speed familiar to Artie. The white mare was offended, and she would not let this black horse look down on her. So what if he was the most handsome? What a very rude one, he was.

The winds flayed Artie's hair and clothes, producing a sharp sound. The Black Kodiak moved his head and barely saw the white flash that ran past him. However, within that white figure were the eyes of an angry mare. The entity that posed as a horse grinned in his mind. ["Someone seemed to be faster than Sepia..."]

The Black Kodiak picked up his pace and gradually ran faster to catch up with Lupina. The speed she was running was very manageable for the Black Kodiak, but if he introduced quite a big gap, would this white mare feel humiliated and concede before they were done? It was time to play. The archduchess was confident in this white mare, but the entity wasn't letting things go her way.

["You wished for a race, milady. I shall now show you one."]

Two horses were galloping through the wide fields of the ducal castle. When the Kodiak saw the white mare, nearing the watchtower, he neighed so loud as if inviting her to another place. Lupina, who was livid, flicked her gaze at the source of the sound and swerved as if she was trying to slam her body against him. The Black Kodiak then slowed down as if giving her the time to reach him.

Now running side by side, the Black Kodiak turned his head to get a glimpse of the angry mare. Since vocal communication wasn't enough, a strange black flash came from the Black Kodiak's eyes and towards the white mare's forehead.

["You're a fast one. Three rounds along the castle's vicinity. If you win, I will share the art of telepathy with you."] The Black Kodiak's thoughts rang out inside Lupina's mind. However, since she was unable to communicate through the same method, the Black Kodiak didn't expect an answer.

However, to his surprise, Lupina actually slammed her body against him and squealed violently at his face. Such a very loud and blunt refusal. The white mare then picked up her pace again, soon leaving the Black Kodiak behind. The black horse then glared before running faster. Even if she didn't want the art of telepathy, she still ran around the castle like he suggested. Perhaps she was determined in winning against the stallion.

As for their owners, Artie had no idea what was happening. She was trying to matchmake, and yet Lupina had grown furious. The shy perlino had turned into a grumpy old maid. However, she really had no idea about Lupina's temper as the horse could only convey its thoughts and not strike a real conversation with her for now. Perhaps, as she continued being upgraded as a steed, she would learn how to speak with Artie...

And Artie would learn how to handle this queen perlino.

However, after a few minutes of circling, Lupina started to slow down. The explosive speed was not easy to maintain at her current strength; however, she needed to beat a black horse in his own game. It's just that her body was starting to ache. She didn't get to run around at such speed for training after all. Her eyes closed from time to time. She was exhausted… underestimating the distance she was supposed to cover.

The Black Kodiak easily caught up with her, but he also slowed down as if matching her speed. The stallion started blowing as if laughing at the struggling maiden. A strange glare then came to Lupina's eyes… and she went to slam her body against him—to the point of losing balance!