The Clash of Destinies

Chapter 2

Autumn walked out of her room of the small cottage her father and she lived in. “Father,” she said, seeing him cooking at the stove. “I’m gonna take care of Beauty.”

He nodded as she grabbed the brush off the table, “I’ll have breakfast ready when you get back,” he told her, and she smiled.

“Thank you,” she said, walking outside to the back of the cottage. There was a big enough overhead for a horse to be comfortable and they only had one. “Hey, Beaut,” she said, walking up to her.

Beauty neighed and nudged Autumn, causing her to laugh as she climbed over the gate to the pin. “Let me brush you,” Autumn said, shaking her head as she started taking care of her. Once she was done, she put the brush down, “Let’s go for a ride,” Autumn said, grabbing the saddle and getting it on Beauty.

“Hey, Fall,” Jackson said, walking over to them and leaning on the fence. “Going for a morning ride,” he asked, Autumn nodded.

“Of course,” she answered, untying the reins from the post as Jackson opened the gate. “Thanks.”

He nodded as she led Beauty out of the stall and he gave her an apple, “Hi, Beaut,” he said, petting her snout.

She nipped at him, waiting for another apple, Autumn shook her head, “You spoil her too much.”

Jackson grinned and shrugged, giving her a second apple, as she climbed up into the saddle, “How long are you gonna be out for,” he asked, she shrugged.

“I don’t know, we start training someone tomorrow though,” she said, and he nodded. “So, it’ll probably be a bit.”

“Alright, you better be off then,” he said, moving out of the way, she smiled and shook her head.

“Bye, Jacks,” she said, spurring Beauty and rubbing her neck. They took off and Autumn stood in the saddle as they raced through town.

“C’mon, Beaut, to the river,” she said, patting her neck. A young child saw them and cheered, laughing, Autumn grinned and waved at them as they flew by.

***

Beauty was getting a drink as Autumn stretched her arms above her head, yawning. They were beside the main road leading to the castle and a carriage was heading away from it. Autumn raised an eyebrow when it stopped on the side of the road and Drew climbed out of it.

“For fucks sake,” Autumn muttered, turning her back to the princess. “I hope she falls in,” she whispered, petting Beauty.

“You,” Autumn heard Drew exclaim, Autumn’s shoulders slumped and she forced a polite smile, turning around to face her, “you’re the girl from the ball last night.”

“My lady, all unwed maidens were at the ball last night,” Autumn answered, she shook her head, stomping her foot as Autumn fought back an eyeroll.

“No, you were the one that the prince refused to dance with me for,” she said, crossing her arms and pouting. It wasn’t hard for Autumn to imagine why Ethan, Anna, and Jackson hated her so much. “You’re the one that all those rumors are about.”

Autumn nodded, not letting her smile drop, “Yes, and you’re Princess Drew,” she said, Drew smiled, assuming she’d speak of her beauty. “I almost didn’t recognize you without you trying to cling to Prince Ethan.”