Chapter 47 The Saddle

Chapter 47 The Saddle
That evening, Lucy took her spot next to the king at the table. She wore more jewels than usual and sparkled when the light hit her, bringing all attention to her. 

As the meal was served, she saw confusion cross the faces of different vampires at the lack of red meat. None dared to say anything. 

She happily ate her fish. The vampires gave her looks as if they believed she was responsible for the change in the menu. Caen did not comment, so none of their opinions mattered to her. 

Lucy was pleased by the absence of Jasmine and her family, hoping their welcome had worn out. 

Caen walked her to her door and simply bid her goodnight. His actions continued to confuse her. 

In the days that followed, Lucy fell into a routine. The first part of her day was lessons and checking in on how the palace was running. She mostly observed, but she was starting to get a feel for the whole operation. 

In the second part, she would take a stroll, accompanied by guards, to the stables. She would always give Dulcie and Cinnamon treats. Sometimes Shadow would come to the fence to see her, but she watched the stallion carefully. 

Knights would also accompany her and instruct her in riding in one of the nearby pens. She appreciated their instruction, but getting Dulcie to trot was nearly impossible. 

Laterns were lit along the riding pens to give her more visibility. She became confident in the saddle. The king visited her riding lessons only once. 

“Is it safe to be in here?” Lucy looked around as the king made his way towards her in the arena. The knights had stayed on the outside, making sure not to be run over by the mare since their eyesight was not as good at night. 

“You jest.” He replied flatly as the corner of her lips turned up. 

As he approached, he grabbed the reins, steadying Dulcie. “What saddle is that?” He asked, looking at it. 

“I don’t know the stable hands saddled her,” Lucy said, looking at the leather. She knew the grooms had not saddled Dulcie with the late queen’s saddle but did not question it.

She got nervous. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to use it, but he commented no further on the matter. 

“You’re doing well,” he praised, “We can get you a better horse to ride.”

Dulcie let out a huff as if she understood him. Patting the mare's neck, “She’s perfect.”

He stroked her mane 

“Then so be it.” He shrugged. “Let me see you put her into a trot.”

Lucy prayed that Dulcie would be cooperative, and anything above a walk was usually too much for her. Thankfully, she obliged, and Lucy was delighted. 

When she passed Caen, he gave a nod of approval. He stayed a few moments longer before disappearing into the night. 

The sky was beginning to lighten, and she knew she should return to the stable for the sake of the stable hands. 

Sir Kendrick never seemed to lack a kind word for her, and Sir Jameson would suggest from time to time, such as how she should hold the reins or sit in the saddle. 

The formal teaching was appreciated, but it also made her nervous. 

The next night, a brand new saddle appeared in the stable for her. She noticed it as she approached Dulcie. It was a stand near where she usually would retrieve Dulcie before heading out to the training pen. 

The stable hands explained that it was new and might be uncomfortable till it was broken in. The leather smelled fresh, the stitching perfect as she took it in. It was solid black. She looked closer at it and noticed it completely matched the king’s own saddle. 

The corners of her mouth threatened to turn into a smile, but she held it back. 

“Then I shall use it.” She said to the stable hand, giving him permission to remove it and saddle Dulcie, who was being led through the barn doors by another hand. 

Sitting in the saddle was not comfortable since it had not been broken in yet. 

Her bottom was sore for the next few days. The knights tried to encourage her, saying it would pass, when they noticed her odd walk. She refused to complain, though. 

In the evenings, she would sit next to Caen, and he would ask her about her day and lessons with Bethias. Sometimes he would refute Bethias’ teachings, which would lead to lively dinner conversations as the vampires debated.

There was more information on how they thought than Lucy could have hoped for. They never sought to have conversations with her, except Arlo and Ethaniel, who gave her a wide berth when the king was around. 

“The Baltifair family fell because they plotted against the king,” Alro argued one night. 

“You were not even alive when they fell.” Lord Garrick rolled his eyes at the young vampire. 

“The facts stay the same.” Arlo raised his voice, emphasizing his point. 

“Their mine had run dry, and they spent too much on appearances,” Garrick argued, stabbing his food with his fork. 

“Their gold and gemstones could have lasted the family for centuries,” the young vampire persisted. 

“The fact is, their Lord squandered their wealth, and then to regain their standing, he aligned himself with those who opposed the crown. They betrayed him, and he lost his wealth and his honor.” Bethias chimned in, silencing Arlo. 

The table held many discussions and arguments, each giving Lucy better insight into the vampires’ lives. Better than any book she could read. 

Caen seemed to keep the interaction between them formal since their time by the pond. It made her wonder if she had imagined that there could be something more between them than the arrangement. 

There was always an audience when they spoke to one another, preventing the topic from going any further. 

One day, Lucy was awakened to the sound of rasping at the door. “Come in,” She called, sitting up in her bed. 

“My lady, I am sorry to disturb you, but we must make haste and ready you to go to the throne room,” Patricia said, walking to the room in a hurry. 

“Why, what has happened?’ She asked, throwing her legs to the side of the bed and standing on the floor as she wrapped herself in a robe. 

“The messenger from Osteyria has returned,” Patricia informed her, trying to steady her breathing. She must have run to wake Lucy. 
The woman quickly got herself dressed and ready. The sky was beginning to darken, indicating the human messenger must have traveled during the day.