The day of the horse race was fast approaching, and King Augustine thought it was appropriate to teach Mari, Bea and Posy on how to handle the most important element of the horse race: the saddle. The girls were all lined up in front of him with their horses. Empress and Adore were both elegant and magnificent dark horses, but they appeared ginormous compared to Posy's frail and timid Pepper.
Posy adored Pepper incredibly. When she wasn't reading, she would spend her days with Pepper brushing his mane, feeding him extra treats and taking him on walks. She had requested the stable boys to take care of him herself. Every time she looked into Pepper's eyes, images of Pepper trapped in the corners of the stable- unwanted and unloved- flashed into her eyes. He was the only horse that wasn't chosen by any of the sisters, who had all chosen much bigger and athletic horses. But Posy wanted to give Pepper a chance. She saw herself in him.
King Augustine paced back and forth across the girls and smiled, "Alright, my dear daughters, today we'll prepare your horses for the KZLCX race. It's crucial that you know how to properly place a saddle. Mr. Conley here will assist us."
"Indeed. Mari, Bea, Posy-let's get started. Mariposa, Beatrix, you'll be first since you're both older and more...experienced. Posy, you can watch and learn."
Posy, ever-determined to prove herself to the horse-riding instructor, picked up her saddle and looked at Mr Conley with wide eyes.
"Actually, I've been practising, Mr. Conley. I can handle it."
"That's the spirit, Posy! Honeybelle, can you believe how determined she is?" the King nudged Honeybelle, who had decided to join them and shared in the King's enthusiasm.
"She's got your stubborn streak, Augustine."
"Now, Mariposa, Beatrix, pay attention. First, place the saddle blanket on the horse's back, making sure it's even on both sides." Mr Conley explained with his arms folded.
Mari proceeded to adjust the white blanket clumsily on Empress, with a look of annoyance "Like this, Mr. Conley?"
"Almost, Mariposa. Let me help you. Beatrix, you try whilst I help Mariposa out."
Bea was slightly more confident with her saddle than Mari, placing her blanket on Adore more evenly, "I think I've got it."
"Good, Beatrix. Now for the saddle. Lift it carefully and place it over the blanket."
"I...I can do this part!" Posy spoke up, effortlessly lifting the saddle and placing it perfectly on her horse. Mr Conley's brows raised in surprise. He certainly didn't expect Posy, with her small frame, to lift up the saddle without assistance- unlike Mari and Bea. King Augustine was beaming with pride, and Honeybelle put a hand to her heart lovingly. The pair exchanged a warm glance.
"Well done, Posy! Look at that precision!"
"Nicely done, Posie-Rosie! You've clearly been practising."
"That was impressive!" Bea gasped, "Could you help me with mine? I can never get this right."
The only one who didn't share in Posy's joy was Mari. She tightened the grip on her saddle and threw it onto her horse aggressively, staring fixedly at Posy.
"She won't win the race, though. Such a show-off." she muttered under her breath
Posy cocked her head to one side and gave Mari an innocent look "What was that, Mari?"
"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself."
"Now, now, let's focus. Mariposa, Beatrix, tighten the girth strap under the horse's belly. Posy, you too."
YOU ARE READING
8 Sisters of KodaCait: The Original
Novela Juvenil"For the first time in the seven years since she first arrived, she began to think the Orphanage was a better place for her. She just hated herself, hated her life, hated everything. " King Augustine and Queen Pandora make a life changing decision t...
