Chapter 207 Do You Accept This Challenge or Not?
The moment Lon led Amelia's horse out into the open arena, eyes began to follow her.
Prestige High School's outdoor riding field stretched wide beneath the winter sky, golden light filtering through breaks in the clouds and spilling across the damp grass, where a thin layer of sand softened the ground. The sunlight touched Amelia like a painter's brush, laying a soft halo over her shoulders.
The chestnut horse beneath her was tall and powerful, its coat gleaming as if polished. Amelia sat straight in the saddle, her helmet casting a shadow over a face so sharply defined it seemed carved. The line of her jaw was clean, her features vivid, her neck long and poised. Her posture was upright and balanced, hands steady on the reins, the balls of her feet firm in the stirrups. The tall boots hugged her calves, their smooth contours hinting at strength beneath.
Beside her, Lon walked with quiet authority, his posture straight, his gaze fixed on her as he occasionally gestured for her to adjust her seat or grip. His manner was that of a patient instructor, every movement deliberate.
From across the arena, Kelly drew a sharp breath.
She and Grace had already been riding laps, the wind tugging at their hair.
Earlier, with Lon absent, the arena had been nothing but the two plain-faced assistants and a few newly hired trainers. Kelly had barely bothered to show off -- she was waiting for Lon to return, eager to watch Amelia stumble in front of everyone.
After all, this was the kind of lesson only children from wealthy families could afford. Kelly had been trained since she was small, her confidence born from years of practice.
Amelia, on the other hand, was nothing more than a country-born illegitimate daughter who had never set foot in a riding class. On her first attempt, Kelly had expected stiffness, awkward hands, maybe even a fall.
But the scene in front of her shattered that expectation. Amelia looked natural, composed, even graceful. No trace of fear, no hesitation.
The boys in the class noticed too. A few turned their heads, watching her longer than they should have. Even Quentin, riding a few yards away, had slowed, his gaze lingering.
A newcomer with no history in equestrianism... and yet she sat the saddle as if she had done it a hundred times.
Kelly's fingers curled tight against the reins.
Worse still, Lon seemed to be giving Amelia his full attention, riding alongside her after the initial instruction, guiding her through the track as if she were the only student worth his time. Kelly's teeth clenched.
When Amelia returned from a long lap, Grace barely had time to react before Kelly urged her horse forward, angling across the track to intercept her. She pulled the reins, stopping directly in front of Amelia's mount.
Lon's expression shifted, his voice calm but pointed. "Is there something you needed?"
"No, Mr. Ramos." Kelly's reply carried a sweetness edged with steel. "I just noticed that Amelia's first time on a horse, and she's already controlling it so well. Impressive."
"Yes," Lon said, his smile faint but genuine as he looked up at Amelia. "She is intelligent, and talented. That talent is not limited to piano or combat -- apparently it extends to riding as well. She is almost a natural."
The praise hit Kelly like a spark on dry tinder. Even she, on her first day years ago, had only practiced the basics -- mounting, dismounting, walking, halting, turning, adjusting speed. Yet Amelia had gone straight into long-distance riding and held steady the entire time.
Kelly refused to believe it. No one could be that quick to learn. And why was it always Amelia who drew the attention, who stood in the center of the spotlight?
In Kelly's mind, she was the strongest rider in the class. The idea of anyone else being seen that way was intolerable.
Her chin lifted. "If you are that good, why not try a jump? Let's see how you do against me."
A jump?
The moment Kelly approached, the nearby students had begun edging closer. Now, hearing her challenge, a ripple of whispers spread through the group.
Equestrian jumping was not something you learned in a day. It demanded solid fundamentals -- approaching the obstacle with precision, timing the takeoff perfectly, keeping balance in midair, and landing without breaking stride.
Kelly's fundamentals were beyond question. She had been riding since she was seven, and just this year she had earned Novaria's HBBK Level Three certificate.
That credential was highly respected, and at eighteen she was one of the youngest in Celestria to hold it. She wore that achievement like a badge of honor.
For her, low jumps were child's play.
But Amelia? She had only mounted a horse for the first time today. Keeping her seat steady at a trot was already a challenge. Asking her to go straight into jumps was almost cruel.
Some of the spectators thought so too. It was obvious Kelly was backing Amelia into a corner, pressing her into a contest she could not win. It was not exactly honorable.
Kelly did not expect Amelia to accept. No beginner would. She wanted to see her refuse.
And she did.
"Sorry," Amelia said, her tone even, her eyes meeting Kelly's without flinching. "I am not interested in that kind of contest."
Kelly almost laughed aloud. Not interested? That was the sort of answer that pretended capability while sidestepping risk. It was infuriating.
"Not interested?" Kelly's smile sharpened. "Then let's make it worth your while."
Her voice carried just enough for the crowd to hear. "I remember Zander has asthma. My father recently acquired a rare medicinal herb called Moonfern—said to be excellent for treating it. If you beat me in a jump-off, I will give it to you."
She tilted her chin higher, her eyes cold. "So... do you dare?"