Chapter 38 The Stables

Chapter 38 The Stables
Since she had napped during the night, Lucy was only able to sleep a few hours before she was up again. Giving up on going back to sleep, she wrapped herself in a robe and made her way out onto the balcony. 

The sun would be too bright for the vampires to look her way. Bethias had told her that even without direct contact, the sun still hurt their eyes. 

After dinner, Bethias had sent word that she would be unable to come the next day, meaning Lucy had no lessons and a day to herself. 

The sun was shining high as she went out onto the balcony to take in the sight. She wondered what she would do with her day, as sleep was far off and being awake with the sun felt right. 

She stepped out, allowing the rays to warm her face. Deep breaths filled her lungs as she smelled the air. Surveying the area, she looked across the horizon at everywhere she had yet to explore. 

The whinnying of a horse caught her attention. She saw horses grazing in the sun, their tails flicking away flies. 

The stables, she thought. A yearning to get away from court life and explore some more had taken root in her. She dashed back inside. 

Rummaging through her wardrobe, still unfamiliar with where the maids had packed everything, she found her riding outfit. There was no expectation in her mind, but at least she wanted to look the part. 

She wouldn’t dare ride any of the others, but if she was going to the stables, she might as well. 

Tying the laces by herself proved to be challenging and tedious, which is why ladies need maids. Tired from getting her dressed, she braided her hair down her back. 

She walked out of her chambers doors into the sleeping palace. Trying not to wake anyone, she walked as quietly as a mouse. 

Few candles were lit, which could guide her way. She stumbled in the dark in the general direction of the stables. 

Finding a service door, she broke into the light. Outside would be easier for her to navigate in the general direction of the stables. There were walls all around the palace, so it was not like she could get lost. 

The palace itself stood out against the skyline. She followed a path as the sounds of horses grew louder. 

Their paddocks came into view. Beautiful horses with long manes and tails. She rested her arms on a nearby fence, just watching them soak up the sun. 

They were all colors. Dapple greys, golden palominos, and black as night, but she could tell they had been excellently cared for. Her riding as a child had been limited since her father was so against a girl learning to ride, and her stepmother would never hear of such a thing. 

But on her own, she would sneak out to the far pastures and try to ride the ponies. She either became skilled at it or the ponies were just tame, but she ended up being able to ride decently. 

However, the black horse in the far paddock was the tallest she had ever seen, and she knew there was no way she would even attempt to ride it. 

The grass waved in the wind as the horses rolled in it. Watching them just be horses was calming for her. It reminded her of her childhood seeing her father’s horses in the pasture. 

Tall trees gave the horses a break from the sun as some lounged about without a care to be had. 

An old brown mare with a white strip down her face seemed to take an interest in Lucy. She walked over from where she had been grazing to give her a sniff. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t bring any treats.” Lucy laughed as the horse nuzzled against her ear. She petted the side of its face and gave it a few scratches. 

“Next time I’ll bring you something,” Lucy smiled at her as she saw her reflection in the horse's big eyes. 

Satisfied, the horse turned away and went back to her grazing. Lucy could hear the sound of the horse pulling grass from the ground. Sitting there, Lucy just listened. 

When she closed her eyes, she could imagine she was in Osteryia. Life was simple, and there was nothing to fear. 

But she was afraid. She was petrified. 

She followed the fence towards the stables. The smell of manure mixed with straw hit her as she walked in. There was no vampire in sight. 

Leather tack hung from the walls, and blankets lay out to dry. It was quiet. 

The stables at the manor had always been busy during the day. Horses were saddled and unsaddled, while others were hitched to wagons and carriages. 

The only traffic she saw was a barn cat that had stretched out across a stall door. It was orange and white and seemed very pleased with itself. 

Looking at the stalls, she saw each had a golden name plate written in beautiful script. The wood from which the stalls were built looked as if it had been freshly stained. The floors were spotless, as the stables had been immaculately cleaned. 

It put the manor’s stables to shame, as did almost everything at the palace. She would take what little satisfaction she could get. 

She found the room that housed the saddles. The smell of leather hung in the air as they were lined up along the walls. 

Wondering who each belonged to, she looked at each one. They were unique from one another in size, stitching, and color. 

She did not know much about saddles, but she knew these had to be priceless. The stitching alone was a work of art. 

Leaving the saddle room, she looked around. None of the horses was in the stables, as they had all been turned out to pasture. 

She walked through the stables and found the carriage house. She peeked inside to see rows and rows of carriages, each a piece of art. 

Some were made of wood, and some were made of gold. They glistened even in the dark. The glass perfectly shone, waiting to be used. 

There were too many to count. Not one could her father's carriage outshine in grandeur. Still, she wondered why the vampires even had them. 

Not wanting an unknown vampire to find her in a dark building, she headed back to the stables for one last look. She felt the fear roll through her body at the thought and scent of her scurrying away. 

Walking back in the stables, she gave the barn cat a scratch. “Are you working hard?” She asked as he stretched, putting his hand against her hand. 

“I don’t think he’s done any work, kitty.” A voice came from behind a wall. 

The sound of boots walking could be heard coming closer till a cloaked figure stood in front of her. 

Caen.