Of course he was allowed to bring Sheila, she sighed. The difference in treatment between an unliked villainess and the heir was painfully obvious.

The instructor stood at the front, mounted on a tiny quarter horse in full knight gear. "Good afternoon, ladies and lords. I will be your trainer for all mounted activities today. We will begin reviewing the gaits you are comfortable with and practicing basic handling maneuvers. Follow me   our training field lies just beyond these stables."

He led the herd of students, all astride well-trained horses, across the grounds as if guiding a parade.. Once they arrived at the field, he arranged the students by hourse. First House Arlowe: Elias, then Seraphine. Behind them, a few nobles she didn't recognize, then Kael, mounted a striking white Andalusian. At the very end of the line was Callum on a tall white manned Gypsy vanner.

"Alright, start at a walk. Once you pass the first tree, trot. When ready, canter, then return to trot over the pole. Halt  in the middle," the instructor explained.

Elias went first. He had improved significantly, though there were still occasional looks of disapproval. His posture and control, however, were impressive.

Next, Seraphine approached with her red mare. She had spent so long with Cookie that this massive, luxurious warmblood felt almost foreign, but she managed without incident.

"Nicely done, Lady Seraphine. Next," the instructor said.

The rest of the students completed the exercise without major issues. It was easy to ditinguish those born into seasoned sword-and-horse families from those doing their best despite a lack of experience.

"For the next task," the instructor contiuned, "park your horse behind this line. The targets are ten feet away. Stop, take your shot, re-holster your bow, and return to the back of the line."

Are they serious? Seraphine thought. Not even a brief introduction on how to use the bow.

She stepped forward, hands slightly trembling. The bow felt natural in her grip; she had observed the others carefully and mimicked their stance. She aimed, drew, and released   the arrow hit dead center.

Then her mare bolted. Heart pounding, Seraphine struggled to regain control, but the frightened animal veered into a forested area, leaping a small fence and disapearing among the trees. She couldn't dismount mid-run, so she forced the horse to halt with one strong tung. Carefully, she hopped off to inspect the mare. Her stomach sanl   a loose arrow had scratched the mare's flank. Not serious, but enough to spook her.

She began leading the mare back toward the line when a familiar rustle caught her attention.

Kael.

"Oh no," she murmured under her breath. "Your poor mare seems to have taken a wrong turn." She could tell from his smirk that he had a hand in the chaos.

"Who...are you?" she asked, feigning ignorance.

Kael's eyes narrowed. "Just... watch yourself. I hate people like you. Unlike those other idiots   " He raised his bow, letting an arrow fly, embedding itself into a nearby tree. "I'm a hunter, not prey."

Her chest tightened. Mina forced herslef to maintain character, trembling barely under control.

"I suppose calling you a dog was appropriate," she said, her gaze flicking to the lodged arrow. "Did you think this little stunt would scare me?"

She drew in a steadying breath. "Now, puppy... stop barking and tell me your name."

Kael's expression twisted into a dark, playful sneer. She knew her life wasn't in danger   he was all talk   but the threat still carried weight.

"Just stay out of my way," he said, then turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Seraphine to collect herself and remount her mare.

By the time she returned to the stables, she had been  dismissed from the remaining classes for the day, so she headed straight back to her chambers. Exhaling through her nose, she called, "Sue! Write to the Duke immediately. Have the bay horse from stall four at the manor brought here at once. That blasted red mare nearly ruined Arlowe's name, and I want it switched with the bay immediately. And the black-haired beast? Find out who he is, or I will require a new maid by tomorrow!"

Too drained to eat, Seraphine washed with the servants provided by the Duke and collapsed into her room. Her first day of school had ended, but she already knew this: in this world, she'd have to watch her back every single day.