Road of the Heavenly Light

19-2: Safety or Scrutiny

"Your Imperial Highness? Is everything alright?" Reeve called out, shaking Anna from her thoughts.
"Sorry," Anna responded, trying to appear collected, "I don't think I could participate. I don't have a horse or riding attire with me."
"Those are available to borrow here, if you wish to use them," Reeve explained, probably sensing her apprehension.
Anna felt a bit embarrassed at being so hesitant about the offer. As much as she loved riding, participation in an event like that would instantly turn all gazes to her, and especially if she were to do well, the whole continent would like be abuzz with the news of the Imperial Crown Princess of Magnos participating in sports competitions. Something like that was rather unheard of in Iola.
"I'll have to think about it," Anna said, "good luck with your training."
She left him before he could say anything else.

Anna went back to her shared bedroom and enjoyed her own company for a while until they all gathered for dinner. King William had had invited them all to welcome them to Brightwald, with Principal Abigail noting that it would be good to have a formal dinner to practice their etiquette skills before the actual ball. Notably, this meant that King William decided in which direction the conversations took place, which meant that Anna had to talk to Elizabeth, something she didn't mind.

"Where did you go after we came back from the dress shop? I didn't see you around the palace," Elizabeth queried.
"I went to watch the practice for a point-to-point that's taking place just outside the city on Friday."
"That's lovely," Elizabeth remarked with a smile, "perhaps you could go riding tomorrow? We won't mind you spending some time alone, and you can easily borrow riding attire from the palace. You're the same size as Audrey, so that should be no problem."
"Thank you, but I would rather not have anything to do with horse riding right now," Anna said, still feeling quite shaken up by the idea of competing in the point-to-point.
"Why is that?" Elizabeth asked.
Anna tried to think of an excuse, but she was saved when King William switched the talking direction to the left, leaving Anna to face Astrid instead.

"So... will you tell me more about that footman and what brings him so far away from Magnos?" Astrid asked.
Anna really wished that Astrid wasn't quite so nosy. She meant well, but it really came across as overly curious sometimes.
"He's here for a point-to-point."
"Really? I thought he was here for you."
Anna blushed at the suggestion, and gave Astrid an admonishing glare.
"I'm just teasing, don't worry. He seems friendly enough."
Anna hoped dinner would be over soon.

Much to Anna's relief, Astrid quickly switched to more neutral topics of conversation, and the conversation didn't go the other way, back to an Elizabeth who would certainly want to know more. Anna felt herself quite safe from prying eyes and difficult questions as the girls went to their shared room. The illusion was, ironically enough, not shattered by Astrid or Elizabeth, but by Laura.

"Eleanor heard from Margaret that there is a horse riding competition of sorts on Friday. Shall we go and watch?" she stated, looking at Anna and Elizabeth, "I know you two are quite fond of horses."
"I would like to go and watch, but it seems Anna has a sudden aversion to horses," Elizabeth remarked.
"Why is that?" Astrid asked.
"That's not true," Anna argued, "I just don't feel like going horse riding while we're here."
"I don't suppose this has anything to do with Reeve or the practice you watched yesterday?" Elizabeth asked.

Anna took a deep breath. As always, Elizabeth saw right through her. It was not surprising, with her experience as student council president and their longstanding friendship. Perhaps it would be better to share the truth.
"Reeve asked me if I was interested in participating in the point-to-point, as the registry closes tomorrow."
"And you don't want to participate, but you also don't want to give Reeve false hope by going riding on your own?" Laura theorized.
"I do want to participate, but... what will people say? It would be scandalous for me to participate in professional sports. I don't know what I would do with all those eyes on me, and with everyone talking about me."

Elizabeth stood up and sat down next to Anna on her bed, placing her hand on top of hers.
"You shouldn't worry so much about what other people will think. Do what makes you feel happy, and let people say what they will," she reassured her, "and besides, I think you'll receive more support than you think. We support you, for one."
"And you're far from the only one of us who does these sorts of things. Glen often enters professional archery tournaments too. It may have been surprising for people the first time, but they get used to it faster than you think," Astrid explained.
"I also remember Apollo's late father participating in various sports with no one batting an eye. People in Fayiron do not mind as much as they might here, but I would still hardly expect a scandal as large as you think," Laura added.

Anna couldn't help but smile at the advice her friends had given her. She felt a lot more confident about participating now, and grateful to have her friends there to back her up. She reached out and hugged all three of them.
"Thank you, girls. I'm so glad I have you to count on."
After that, Anna went to sleep feeling much more reassured and less nervous, and she knew exactly what she wanted to do tomorrow.

Anna woke up early the next day, changing quietly while the others still slept. She then made her way across the palace and into the city. Having learned from the last time she had tried to traverse it on foot, she took a gondola this time towards the bridge that led out of the city. She made her way to the practice course, and spoke to the organisers. She wrote down her name and officially entered the competition, which earned her a surprised look.

After arranging that, Anna made her way to the stables, where she had been assigned a horse to borrow with a corresponding set of riding attire. She changed a second time and took her time to get familiar with the horse. It was quite tame compared to what she was used to, and it took hardly any effort to establish a connection. She then led the horse outside to begin some solo practice.

"Your Imperial Highness!" Reeve called out as soon as she left the stables, "have you decided to join the competition?"
Anna nodded.
"It took some convincing, but here I am."
"I am glad you decided to join. It will be nice to have some familiar competition."
Anna found herself smiling as she mounted her horse and looked down on Reeve.
"You better watch you, Reeve. Rest assured, I will give it my all," she said before spurring her horse on and galloping away.