Chapter 19

I was now on my way back home. In the carriage I kept thinking about my date with Cain.

Surprisingly, he organized the date quite well. We ate at a good restaurant, we had dessert at a new bakery, wich i must say had such good cakes I ate three and then we had a nice walk in the small park near the bakery.

Cain was a gentelman since start to finish. He was a pleasant company and we talked more than I thought we would, and not only about me but about himself also. Although he gives a kind of a cold aura around himself, but the good thing is he was kind and respectful toward me.

Next time, I'll visit his stable's estate. Guess I have to polish my horse riding skills. Well, I have no idea how to ride a horse, although I like these magnificent creatures a lot ,but the good thing is the old Alida loved riding horses. She didn't ride her horse, Veronica, ever since the Academy days but I guess it's time to take her out now.

The rest of the day went by the same, nothing new happened. Even Jane, whom I expected to create trouble for me , was well behaved, she just looks at me with displeasure and sometimes hate but I don't care, as long as she doesn't bother me I won't bother with her.

The next day I informed one of my maids to notify the stables of my arrival after breakfast.

I plan on riding a little before my training.

After wearing my riding gear I went toward the stables. There, one of the employees was expecting me with a black and white horse. This was Veronica, she was a rare bread,eyes black, her mane was a shining black , the main body was white and black and the legs were the same but only white at the end. She was a beauty. It was clear as day that she was well taken care of.

Approaching Veronica,I started talking to her, and slowly extending my hand I gave her some treats. Fortunately she didn't reject me, quite the opposite, she was happy to see me, munching on the treats and coming closer to me, I patted her mane lovingly. Good thing she is a gentle horse.

Not long after this exchange, one of the stables employee put a saddle on her back and helped me up. Taking the rains I nudged Veronica lightly and she started walking slowly. Internally I was relieved about this, everything went smoothly. In no time we were galloping around the land in a slow pace. It's like she knew I didn't want to go faster. Veronica maintained a moderate pace for me, honestly, it felt more like she was teaching me how to behave when riding.

I spent an hour with her and made a promise that I'll come more often. It felt good riding a horse, more so than I thought. I plan on visiting everyday until my date with Cain and at least a few times a week after , it's relaxing and peaceful.

And so another ten days passed until I got another letter from Cain, inviting me to see the horses.

This time I went directly dressed in my riding equipment but brought a change of clothes just in case.

It took more than an hour to arrive at the Moonlight estate, but we didn't stop at the entrance. A servant came and directed us towards the stables. Upon arriving there, I could see Cain and a few employees talking outside. He was already in his riding equipment and I must say , it suited him quite well, he was looking handsome as ever.

The carriage stopped and Cain offered his hand to me and helped me down the carriage. Immediately after our hands separated but I could feel his reluctance and honestly so was I.

"It's good to see you again Alida. How was you ride here?"

"It's good to see you too Cain. It was fine. I can't wait to see the horses." I said back excited.

Cain smiled at me and led us to the stables.

Our family's stables was big but the Moonlight' s stables were grand. They had way more horses of all kinds of breeds than us.They were all beautiful creatures, they lived in luxury and were well taken care of. Not even commoners had this much comfort.

It was a sight to see, from white to brown to gray to black, from one color to spotted horses, everything you could imagine was here. I could see even a few reinforced ones. This reinforcement I am talking about is a special method created to help animals gain mana and use it to run better , or look more big and majestic. It was mainly used on horses for knights in times of war but some nobles liked to show off and keep one or two for daily usage. Of course ,this transformation was costly and few could afford it even among nobles.Even the Burgess family had no more than ten and we're rarely used by father, brother and the highest ranked knights in times of war.

" Shall we have a ride outside?" Cain just spoke the magic words i was waiting for ever since I laid my eyes upon them.

"Yes!..Ahem ...i mean ..that would be lovely." i might be more eager than I expected but seeing Cain's happy face I guess its okay to be a little childish.

Cain chose a white horse for me , saying she was easy to ride and gentle and he chose a brown one. I had nothing to object to that, honestly I was relieved, since I don't want to make a fool of myself at all.

We strode in the grasslands a little away from the stables.

My maid Gina and one of the servants were behind us carrying some blankets and baskets with them.

"How do you like the ride so far ?"

"I'm enjoying myself so much. It's relaxing and the company is pleasant." I said looking back at him. I could see has was pleased about what I said.