THE RACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST

It was not too late in the day for Albert to enjoy the fresh air and dew drops that could moisturize him. Dressed in casual clothing in the form of a white shirt, black trousers and high boots, Albert led his stallion into the forest. His black hair, looks shiny when exposed to the sun. His black coat made him look both manly and charming.

Lord Albert Louis has long been the target of almost all women in London. Neither ordinary women, nor daughters of nobles. His closed life, left her untouchable. Rumors spread so quickly that Albert announced a dance party he was going to hold, where he would join the matchmaking with other royals. Something he's never done at a dance before. This news apparently made his feel burdened, because from the time the invitation was distributed, the women were already busy preparing to fight over it.

Right now, he needed some alone time to freshen up his mind. Going to the forest will clear his mind, he also drove into the forest with his horse at full speed. Suddenly the corners of his eyes caught the image of another rider enjoying the forest like himself.

"Looks like we are not alone in this forest, Thunder. Put out more of your energy, let's have fun," said Albert who was talking to his horse.

Albert also chased the horse rider, when his horse was level with the stranger, Albert shouted with pride,

"Beat me if you can!"

Albert was so confident that he could beat this stranger, no man had ever beaten him while he was riding with the Thunder. Albert's shout turned out to be successful in getting the horse rider's attention. He immediately chased after Albert when he felt he was left behind.

Albert's pride was slightly eroded, when he did not easily beat that person, several times he and Thunder were left behind, but it was fortunate that he was able to catch up again. Thunder is truly his favorite horse to work with.

With their respective horses they were going fast, cutting through the forest, the branches wet with dew, making their bodies too wet. Their hearts started beating fast as the race got more interesting. The horse hopped beautifully with its rider attached to it, controlling it very well. The dense forest becomes an arena that is so challenging and adrenaline-pumping. If not careful, both of them could get hurt easily.

Small branches and twigs, can be dangerous when they are racing at speed. At the very least, the branches and twigs could cut their skin easily, but neither seemed to care about it.

The two continued to spur their horses, but moments later they had to stop the race. Ahead of them was a steep and deep ravine, waiting for them at the end of the forest. Albert's charming smile crossed his lips when what he believed happened, he won the race.

After catching his breath, Albert intended to invite the foreign man to have tea with him in the castle. In return for making their mornings interesting and full of enthusiasm for their competitions. Albert's eyes widened when he realized that the clear blue eyes he was staring at right now were not the eyes of a man but a woman.

His hair, which was neatly curled up before, is now a mess and covers part of his face. Running with his horse, apparently managed to untie the naughty hair from the ties. Her breath was just like hers, her face red with the adrenaline rush.

The sunshine from across the cliff, shining on the woman's skin, made her look so beautiful and enchanting. Albert cursed loudly in his heart, the woman's face now, more voluptuous than the woman who heated her bed without a single thread.

"Who are you?" asked Albert who felt he had never met the woman.

Instead of answering Albert's question, she said,

"Thank you for the race, My Lord." After saying that, the woman rode back on her horse and disappeared behind the forest.

Albert's eyes were still staring at his departure, his body froze for a moment, knowing that there was a passion that burned him when he saw the woman on the horse. After he woke up from his admiration, Albert slowly took Thunder out of the forest. His eyes swept over every side of the forest he walked, hoping to find her.

Even though he had moved away from the forest, Albert still thought about the rider who had just raced with him. A lady or a landlord's daughter, would not dare to go into the forest alone. They would rather make themselves brighter in the castle or dwell on books, if they were smart women. What's more, Albert is also sure, if the woman is very familiar with the forest in her past. He could stop his horse in time at the edge of the abyss and not fall into it.

Albert thought the woman he had just met was an ordinary woman who worked on the plantation or a servant in the estate around the forest. Realizing this, it is very unlikely that the woman will join the dance that he will be holding.

From the horse Albert looked back, staring at the forest behind him for the last time, before finally Albert returned to his castle.

"A mysterious forest girl," he muttered.

***

"Miss Annabelle, I have bad news to tell you," said Griselda, walking quickly to meet Annabelle who was relaxing in front of the fire with a book in her hand.

She gracefully got out of her recliner and sat up straight as her parents and great-grandparents had often taught. Act like a lady from a noble family. There were times when she just had to act like a princess, as Miss Annabelle Taylor. He finally made a voice and asked Griselda calmly.

"What is it Griselda?"

"Lord Falkner sent you a note, he said Lord Taylor was in debt to him for the construction of this estate, several years ago before he died."

"Give me the letter!" said Annabelle to Griselda as if she couldn't believe what Griselda was telling her. Griselda also bowed respectfully and gave the letter to her daughter. Annabelle read the notes in detail. She was very surprised when he saw the value. Is it true that his dad did something like that? Owes a lot of money. Even the estase price is not proportional to the listed debt value.

"What does he want from me?" asked Annabelle coldly. He was sure that there was something Lord Falkner was planning with him.

"He wants you to be his mistress. And will write off all Lord Taylor's debts. "

"Is he out of his mind? Then I have to compete with Lady Falkner? It will be breaking news in London. I won't do it. "

"If you don't want to do it, there are other ways to pay off Lord Taylor's debt."

"Is that Griselda?"

Griselda bent back and approached Annabelle, she handed over an invitation to the dance party from Lord Albert Louis and placed it on the table in front of Annabelle.

"Come to the Duke's dance party. Seduce him to marry you and compete with other London women for his heart. Your pure royal blood, will be the consideration of Lord Albert Louis to accept you as his wife."

"A pure aristocrat means nothing if he doesn't have a dowry, not to mention the accumulated debts and tainted status. Maybe I am the last woman who will be chosen as the wife of a noble, if there are no women who deserve to be married. Could it be that being the mistress of a noble is the highest position I can get?"

"Don't say that Miss Annabelle, you never know what your charm is to the Duke."