“I got our protective gear and the saddles and reins,” Lord Philip called out as he entered the stables.

Once Lord Philp returned, I quickly recomposed myself. “Thanks,” I voiced as I took the helmets from him.

“I’ll prep Angel,” Alex said as she took one of the saddles and reins from Lord Philip.

“Which horse are you riding, Lord Philip?” I asked.

“I’ll be riding with Noir. He’s been my partner since Horseback Riding I.” He walked up to a black horse and petted his neck.

“Reiré, can you help me with Angel?” Alex called out to me.

“I’m coming,” I replied as I grabbed a bucket of grains that was nearby.

Alex had already entered Angel’s stable and was waiting for me. She waited until I grabbed Angel’s attention before putting the saddle on her back. Angel snorted but continued to eat the grains I presented to her.

“How do I do this again?” Alex mumbled.

“Want to switch?” I suggested.

“Nah, I think I got it. And there.” Alex smiled when she fastened the saddle.

That was kind of fast… “I don’t want us falling off Angel, so make sure that the saddle is fastened correctly.”

She pouted, “I did it correctly. We’re not gonna fall.”

“I don’t believe you. Put the bit in Angel’s mouth as I check the girth on the saddle,” I ordered.

“You’re so mean, Reiré,” Alex whined.

“I know, I know,” I subconsciously voiced as I placed the bucket down.

Alex and I switched positions. I checked the saddle by gently tugging on it. Then I looked at the girth that’s wrapped around Angel’s belly to make sure it was tightened correctly. It was pretty tight and it doesn't look like it was hurting Angel, so everything was fine.

“I’m done with the reins,” Alex announced.

“Okay. The saddle looks fine, so let’s get her out.”

Alex gave me a smug look. “See, I pay attention to class.”

“Yes, yes, I’m sorry for doubting you.”

Alex chuckled as she pulled on the reins leading Angel out of the stables. Lord Philip was already out riding on Noir. “You two need some help getting on?”

“We should be good,” I said as I buckled up my helmet, getting ready to ride. I placed my feet on the stirrup pad and hoisted myself onto the saddle. Alex followed my lead and did what I did, hoisting herself up behind me. “You good?”

Alex nodded. “Yeah. This is so cool. We’re up so high!”

“Hold on tight, we’ll start with a slow walk. Make sure you observe how I command Angel,” I informed her.

“Okay!” Alex wrapped her arms around my waist and I began to gently wave my legs. Angel didn’t really move, so gave a light kick instead and that got her walking forward.

“Woah!” Alex was a bit surprised by the sudden movement and tightened her hold on me. It was very uncomfortable. I have never ridden with someone behind me before.

“This is so amazing,” Alex squealed.

“I was a bit nervous since I have never ridden a horse with this body before, but I’m glad my memories are helpful, it’s like I’ve been riding all my life.”

I lightly tugged my right hand to guide Angel toward the training grounds where Lord Philip was already at. Seeing us approaching, Lord Philip moved next to us and slowed Noir’s pace to Angel’s.

“Looks like you are doing good. I don’t think you need my help.”

“Probably not, but having you here is more of a reassurance if anything goes wrong,” I said.

“Nothing wrong with that. Shall we pick up the speed? You’re going awfully slow.”

“Alex isn’t used to riding,” I said. “So I thought I’d start out slow so she can get used to the movement.”

“I think you can increase the pace a little. She looks to be already used to the small movement.”

“Yeah, this is way too slow,” agreed Alex. “Let’s do a jog around the track.”

“Alright, if you say so.” I lightly kicked Angel’s side again to increase her speed. I pulled the reins slightly just to make sure she doesn’t go into a full sprint. It was only a slow trot, not even a jog yet, but Alex was already having trouble.

“Waah!” Alex’s arms tightened even more around me as we gently bounced on the saddle.

“Alex, you’re gonna crush my innards if you keep tightening your grip,” I claimed.

“I’m sorry!” Even though she apologized, she didn’t loosen her grip at all. “This feels so strange.”

Lord Philip chuckled, “This is only a trot, not even a jog.”

Alex gasped, “This isn’t a jog?!”

“Nope,” I answered.

“How do you feel riding a horse?” Lord Philip asked Alex.

“Feels amazing! But I feel like my lower half is gonna go numb,” she revealed as her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“You’re just not used to it,” I said. “It took awhile for me too to get used to riding horses as well.”

“When did you start riding horses, Lady Reiré?” Lord Philip questioned. “It is quite rare to see commoners owning horses unless you belong to a merchant family.”

“Ah…” Can’t exactly say from where, but, “Well, I learned how to ride when I was nine and I have been training since then.” Not a lie, but I stopped training when I was sixteen and just rode for fun around the neighborhood.

“So six years. I still have you beat. I’ve been riding horses since I was eight.”

“Oh, so it’s a competition now?”

Lord Philip laughed. “I was just curious since I don’t see many girls riding horses. Lady Charlotte was the only girl who knew how to ride horses properly before coming to Roseward Academy.”

Alex hummed, “I forgot Charlotte knew how to ride horses. She’s your childhood friend, right?”

“Yes, I met her at a social gathering back when I was seven. Because of our love for horses, we became close,” he explained. “Even though she’s a lady, she knows how to ride. We often had a lot of horse races when we practiced together.”

“Do you two still ride horses together now that you guys are in the academy together?” Alex asked.

“Not as much, compared to the assignments we get and the parties we attend we just don’t have time to ride together. We do try fine some time where our schedules wouldn’t interfere and have a day for riding, but that is rare.”

“That’s so sad, you guys should totally be together more. You guys make a cute couple after all.”

I flinched upon hearing that. Oi! Alex, you… I glanced back to give in her a panicked look. I hope he wasn’t offended by that.

Lord Philip blushed as he became bashful. Oh… Didn’t think I’d see that reaction. Kind of reminds me of Lord Raphael. “Really? I mean I never thought of Lady Charlotte in that way before.”

“Eh? Don’t you think Charlotte is pretty and cute?”

I shook my head disappointedly. This girl really is a troublemaker.

“Um… S-She’s cute, I guess?”

“What do you mean, ‘I guess?’ Don’t you like her?”

“I-I do!” Lord Philip answered when Alex became aggressive with her attitude.

“Alex, what are you doing?” I whispered.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” she whispered back. “I’m trying to set Philip and Charlotte together.”

“Why?”

“Less competition for my attention, you know?”

Oh… That does make sense. If you get the other male leads into a relationship then they won’t even look at the protagonist… hopefully. Actually, going by all the cliche boys with engagements and the heroine still manages to steal the boys, I don’t think that gonna work. “I don’t think it’s that simple. I mean, most nobles are engaged and cheating still occurs.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Of course, because they are arranged, but if I make them fall naturally in love then it’s foolproof!”

I have my doubts. “I guess that’s pretty smart… for you.”

“Right? Then I can focus on just Leo without these other guys getting in my way. Better to prepare for the future, so let’s go with that plan. You set Rium and Raphael together-”

“Woah, woah, woah! You’re asking me to interfere with Lady Rium’s and Lord Raphael’s love life? Why don’t you do that?”

“But you’re closer to them.”

I grumbled in defeat, “Okay, that’s true…” It’s not really that hard since they already like each other but are too scared to even confess.

“We also need to get Sophia and Clovis together,” she voiced.

“Those two are gonna be a bit hard. Do we have to work on them? I mean, Lady Sophia is gonna automatically be engaged to Prince Clovis anyways in the second half of the year.”

“But there is no love involved! It’s just a political marriage! We need them to be lovey-dovey!”

I sighed, “Easier said than done.”

“This will also lower the chances of me getting bullied by the love rivals, so this is beneficial! Let’s begin tomorrow!” Alex shouted.

“Fine, but if I get in trouble, I’m gonna use you as the scapegoat.”

“Eh!? Don’t do that! Reiré, why won’t you praise me for once!?”

This girl will surely be the death of me someday. When that time comes, I’m dragging her down with me.