Last Year of Seventeen

Chapter 13 - Sir Philip and the Rosé

I took August back to the stables where Philp awaits us. He neighed when he saw us and throttled a little out of excitement.

"Hi Philip" I greeted him and nuzzled his hair. "This is August. August, meet Sir Philip."

August in return curtsied, "Nice to meet you Sir Philip," she said and I couldn't help but laugh. She turned to me scowling, "What? I think a curtsy fits such a fine and respectable horse."

I took her hand this time and gently placed it on Philips's muzzle to get him acquainted with her scent. Philip smelled her for a bit and then he started licking her hand.

"Oh my God that tickles," August said laughing.

"Seems like Sir Philip likes you too."

I asked August if she wanted to ride Philip. "Would he not throw me off?" She asked. She didn't seem scared, only curious. She got pretty excited when I started to help her up.

"I'll be holding him so you don't have to worry." I told her.

So August rode Philip, and I was their guide. We walked towards the lesser used area of the Liberty Mead where the grasses aren't trimmed short and Auroras and wild Daisies grow. A small stream runs just below, where once in a while live fishes would spring. There's also this beautiful Acacia Tree, still young and blooming, where creatures both small and tall can bask in the shade it offers. This is where I had a picnic set-up by my trusty butler Roney.

When it came into view, I heard August gasp. While it may be soft and restrained, still it made me feel a little proud. "Do you like it?" I asked.

"Did you have this prepared?" She asked, her face still in awe. I nodded.

"The event didn't really give us an opportunity to have a proper second date. So I figured to just do it here."

I helped her get down from Philip. Her waist on my hands and her hands on my shoulders. As I carried her off, the annoying butterflies in my stomach fluttered like crazy. Her scent of vanilla made me light headed, but only because it made my heart pound so fast. I could've sworn she could hear it. As I slowly slid her down, she exhaled and her breath, warm on my neck made my palms sweat, face hot and ears scarlet.

It's funny how a moment like this can only be so quick but the mind can make it look as if it had gone far longer. It makes you wonder if time really did stop or it's just your mind telling you, remember this... remember this.

Roney has really outdone himself this time. The picnic he prepared was beyond what I had expected. There were sandwiches and devilled eggs, a fruit platter and melted chocolate. There were macarons and cookies, slices of cakes and pies. And finally, an option of strawberry shake and a bottle of Ice Impérial Rosé. It is a balance of beauty and subtleness.

I gestured for August to take a seat on the wide powder blue mattress laid down on the grass. There were also pillows to add for comfort and a blanket if it gets chilly. Roney didn't forget Philip of course. He left a basket of apples and carrots for my stallion to munch on while August and I shared the feast he prepared.

After a while I asked her, "So what did you and my mother talk about?"

There was a look in her eyes which I can now recognize as when she's wondering if she would tell me. "It's a secret." She smiled, teasing. "She was just really happy to have watched you. The way she cheered made the other people look at her weirdly so I joined in to make her feel comfortable."

"Thank you for that. She doesn't really go out much when my father isn't around."

I can sense that August wanted to ask about my mother. But she also knows it isn't proper to just suddenly barge a question as personal as that.