The Florist And The Prince

~ 46 ~

Avery

Walking in an orderly manner of two lines behind Madam Eunice, Avery wasn't too sure where they were going as she had never been to that part of the Palace grounds.

"Hey, did you manage to find your necklace?" Linda nudged her arm lightly and Avery shook her head. They were walking side by side.

"No."

"It must be somewhere in the room, where else could it be?"

"I don't know." Murmured Avery, still feeling the absence of her necklace.

About ten minutes later, southwest of the Palace past the line of trees and flower beds a pasture came into view below with a barn.

"The royal family loves to rid and all have a horse." Graciella said told Michelle, two rows ahead of Avery.

As they came to the stairs that led down to the pasture and barn, Avery saw a man walking towards them, smiling at Madam Eunice.

"Good morning Eric."

"Good morning Madam Eunice, ladies."

The whole group greeted the elderly gentleman.

"Ladies, this is Riding Master Mr. Eric Callan and he will be showing you are the paddock and stables today as well as meeting the horses."

"Please, feel free to ask questions."

With a simple nod, Mr. Callan asked the women to follow him down the gravelled path and line of trees towards a building at the end. As they got closer, Avery realised that it was a stable and she could faintly hear the horses inside it as people walked about tending to them.

"It is well known throughout history that every royal family still have horses to these days as they play a significant role in their linage. Horses are a symbol of power, nobility and military prowess." Mr. Callan began as they came to the entrance of the stables. "Inside these stables are not only the royal horses but the royal family's own individual horses that they choose. King Stefan, Queen Sofia and Prince Alexander all take part in polo except the Princess."

Avery and the others saw a hand raise up somewhere in front.

"Yes."

"Is there a horse riding activity that Princess Brianna enjoy?" Michelle asked.

"Yes, she is an equestrian, after her mother, the Queen. She has not found her interest for polo yet." Mr. Callan replied before they continued into the stables. "As you can see, we've got quite a few horses."

The next fifteen minutes continued with the riding master taking them through the rest of the stable, as well as showing the royals horses and more questions, and of course the history of the horse breeds that Avery knew that they would be tested on in the future. Turning to follow the group, the sound of soft clattering against the gravel outside the stable reached Avery's ears and she paused to turn back to the sound as it got nearer, the noise also happened to catch the rest of the groups attention because they all turned around to the sound too.

Watching the entrance of the stable, Avery the muzzle of a brown horse appear before the rest of its muscular body along with a familiar person straddled on top of the magnificent animal, was Prince Lucas. Seeing the eligibles, he dismounted the horse and gave its reigns to a groomsman then walked towards them, in his riding gear.

"Good morning Prince Lucas, how was your ride?"

"Splendid, Madam Eunice." The tall, charming Prince smiled before looking at the eligibles. "Good morning ladies."

"Good morning your highness." Rang out, near simultaneously within the group as they all curtsied.

"Is lesson on riding?" He asked curiously.

Mr. Callen shook his head. "Not yet, your highness. I'm only taking these young ladies through the basic knowledge of the royal family's riding history."

"I see. Well, please do continue. Excuse me." Lucas encouraged before he shot a small smile in Avery's way then exited the stables. It wasn't flirtatious or anything, but merely a friendly smile.

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