He had taken her blunt advice to heart: learn from the trainer. His walk and trot were improving; even the canter wasn't a complete disaster anymore. And secretly... he actually enjoyed it. Far too much, perhaps.

But now, hiding here, he felt every ounce of embarrassment. She had called his riding "like a sack flopping on a horse," and he wasn't about to argue. He hadn't expected himself sneaking about, peeking at the stable, all because he wanted to see her     or maybe he felt foolishly invested in this mare.

He froze, heart thumping. She was headed toward her bay, unaware of him. Still... heat crept into his face. How ridiculos was it that he was hiding? He was meant to inheirt this duchy, command respect, and yet a girl with golden hair could leave him feeling like a bumbling fool.

We hate her, he reminded himself, gritting his teeth. She took my right to the throne.

The Friesian snorted softly, nudging his leg, as if to mock him further. Elias had no answer.

                                                                                                                     

Mina approached the black mare, hands hovering over the stall rail. I'll pretend I just want to pet her... then I can see who's here. She stepped closer, tilting her head, trying to act calm. Probably a servant. Nothing to panic about.

And then she saw him.

Her heart stopped. The worst person Elias.

She froze for a heartbeat too long before forcing herself to speak, letting the villainess drip from her voice like poison sugar. " I think you're doing something wrong if this is another attempt at riding, Lord Elias" she said, tilting her head with piercing eyes. Good. Sharp. Mean. Totally Seraphine.

Elias shifted slightly, then straightened himself as if brushing off dust, returning to his natural, effortless elegance. Every motion was precise, regal, and impossibly graceful. What is he doing? He could own the room, command respect     but instead he's hiding in a stable because she came out earlier than normal.

He swallowed hard, forcing the cool, distant mask of a prince over the whirlwind inside.

What am I thinking? She doesn't even look like she could harm a fly.

Why am I even considering this?

And worse, some part of me almost belives the lie I'm telling myself.

Focus.

"I...I have improved significantly thanks to your helpul words, Lady Seraphine." he said, voice tight but measured. "Shall we... go on a ride together?"

The words hung in the air like lightning strike. The stall felt suddenly too small, charged with awkwardness. Elias immediately internally panicked: Why did I just say that? What am I doing? I'm going to die here.

Mina blinked, unsure whether to glare, laugh or faint. Did he just... invite me on a ride? Am I supposed to act mean, or... what do I do?

The Friesian nudged against Mina for attention, oblivious to the humans' chaos. And in that quiet, tense moment, both of them realized they had stepped into a trap of their own making: one of pride, panic, and far too much unspoken curiosity.

Before she knew it, they were in the fields, walking side by side. Elias sat tall, far from graceful but no longer unbalanced. He wasn't pulling or wrestling like last time; each movement was measured, controlled, even if still a little stiff. Mina stayed quiet, letting the moment stretch.

They reached the clearing near the spruce tree. Mina dismounted, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, unsure how things had come to this. She hadn't planned it, and yet here they were.

Elias remained mounted, glancing toward her, tension in his shoulders, every careful movement betraying his effort to maintain composure. She ignored it, letting her villainess mask settle fully over the panic inside her.

After a quiet beat, she swung back into the saddle. Her voice, low and sharp, broke the silence:

"You may live... for now."

With a flick of her heels, she surged forward, galloping across the fields, leaving Elias behind, reins in hand, trying not to look like a fool while wondering exactly what he'd gotten himself into.