With the princess confined to his room and Maia cleaning the stables Henderik had little else to do than to train.

Not that he particularly needed any training, well at least not with the sword.

He should use his newly found free time to practice horseback riding, but he'd much rather drink mop water.

Those huge four legged beasts scared him to no end, how did people even think to domesticate them. Henderik shuddered at the thought of their hoves and freakishly long, toothy snouts.

The princess had gifted him a gentle, chestnut brown steed, hoping to help him get over his fears, but to no avail.

Of course Henderik could never neglect or mistreat the animal, especially not since she was a gift from his lord, so he had the mare eat only the best feed, always made sure she was clean and healthy, even forced himself to take her on walks.

But he simply couldn't get himself to ride her on his own. Many of his fellow knights thought he only pretended so Princess Rosalinde, skilled and confident on horseback, would give him attention.

He let them believe it, his affection was no secret amongst the knights, he even took pride in it.

At least it was favourable to be known as a lovesick fool than a coward who couldn't even ride the most docile horse.

A sigh escaped his lips, and his training partner called for a water break.

Now that he was thinking about horses he felt obligated to go care for his animal.

Perhaps he could get Maia to take her for a walk if he offered to grease the saddles in her stead.

The large, open stable with the many, many horses made him incredibly uncomfortable, all those long snouts, reaching out to get a whiff of him, hoping to get a treat or a pat on the nose. Like any true knight in this situation, Henderik made himself small and stayed in the middle of the corridor, as far from the horses as possible while he tried to ignore their huffs and neighs while he searched for his red headed friend.

Unlike him Maia loved to pet the many snouts, so she was slacking when he found her, gushing over a particularly striking beast.

It was Rosalindes favourite steed, a tall, muscular animal with a temper to boot. Short, shiny fur the colour of milk and cinnamon pudding covered it's giant body, and intelligent black eyes looked down at the woman beneath.

Maia didn't dare touch her, she was known to bite if provoked, and had kicked quite a few rowdy knights who tried to get on her back without permission.

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"Maia?"

Henderik called out to his friend from a safe distance, the large horse, "Daisy", as his master had named her, already looking in his direction.

Maia turned to face him, giving not nearly enough thought to Daisy behind her, who was in biting distance, looking a little peckish in Henderiks eyes.

He beckoned his friend to come towards him, keeping his eyes on the brutal monster he swore was secretly a carnivore.

"What's this about? Since when do you step in here?"

She was the only one who knew his fear was genuine. Well she and Daisy. Daisy could smell fear, he was sure of it.

"Well I was hoping..."

The redhead cut him off before he could continue. Her friends timid posture and almost whispering tone told her enough.

"I'm not taking Rose for a walk."

"Oh come on! Please?"

Henderik went into an undidignified singsong.

"Pretty please? I'll grease the saddles while you do."

But Maia was merciless, she got Rose, his horse, ready before he could even grovel and beg.

Now, with the reigns in his hands and a bag of treats at his hips he carefully led the friendly mare outside to graze.

She was, as always, happy to be out and gave him little trouble. Not that Henderik needed her to give him any, he was plenty troubled on his own. Standing several feet away he'd just about maxed out the lenghth of rope that kept her tethered, his knuckles white from how hard he held it.

Rosalinde had given him this horse, he'll be disappointed if he didn't at least give her a treat.

Loosening his grip he freed one of his hands and fiddled with the bag of treats, Rose, of course, perked up at that.

"No no no no...please please stay where you are don't move."

Finally he'd gotten the back open, and retreived a treat with his shaky hands.

"Alright, flat, open palm..."

Holding the treat out, just like Rosalinde hat taught him, he realized one of the two would have to step closer. Rose, who'd obeyed his command, if one could even called it that, looked at him with her big, wet, expecting eyes.

Henderik took a deep breath, and took careful steps towards the horse.

She was well trained and did not flinch or react at his odd behaviour, much to his delight. In his head he once again thanked his princess for taking such good care of him.

Now, finally he was close enough, doing his best to steady his hand.

His eyes were squeezed shut, he couldn't watch. Then he felt the soft mouth gingerly take the treat. He heard the crunch, then felt the mouth again, sniffing if he held any more snacks.

Henderik opened one eye to peek, Rose had resumed her grazing, and he finally took a deep breath.

Now, if he could give her a pat too...

Voices coming from behind startled him, and he unknowingly took a step closer to the horse, turning towards the noise.

His butt touched its flank and he flinched away.

The voices came from the first prince, Rainer and the second Prince Leonard, wearing riding clothing. As they approached, Henderik gave them a deep bow, they barely regarded him.

"...we will have to see."

The older brother.

"Well, she is quite pretty. I'm sure he won't take any offense, as long as she says nothing too outrageous."

The younger brother.

"Perhaps the language barrier will help. Once she learns to speak with him fully it will already be too late. They'll be long married by then."

"Haha you are not wrong, brother. We will simply have to keep an eye on her during the spring ball. If she looks pretty and says little I am sure their first encounter will go splendidly."

Henderiks rage at their words made him forget his fear for a moment, and he absentmindedly rested his free hand on Roses fur.

The spring ball.

That was soon, would his Lords fiance be here already?