Chapter Seven. A Marriage of Convenience
Chloe's P.O.V
I leave Charlotte's room in the servant's quarters of the palace and make my way back to mine, pondering our discussion.
some people just aren't destined for that.....happily ever after.Or whatever. It won't do any good brooding over it, I just have to accept my fate. The cards have already been dealt, I have to play with what I've got. which is pretty much nothing right about now.
I sit down on the swing chair on my balcony and inhale the crisp, morning fresh air, with a gentle scent of the roses in the garden below. It really is a beautiful view.
The pathways with the flowers so perfectly arranged, the water features positioned all through the garden, the towering Oak tree with the bench so conveniently placed under it's shade. There's a pretty lake that I can just picture the moon shimmering off-of, stretching back until it curves out of my view. And acres and acres of land, the greenest of grass cut to the perfect inch.
One draw back.
I can't see anything past the acres of land that accompany the palace. My whole world has been reduced to this place.
A flash-blur of movement in the distance catches my attention. Out by the stables.
the horses. oh Arya how could I forget you.
I walk back into my room, stripping off my clothing as I head to my closet, And change into my jodhpurs and a white vest.
Hopping on one foot to the other I put on my boots and head out the door, cursing myself for not going sooner.
How could I forget my baby?.
An eager stable boy runs out to meet me before I even make it inside. " names Daniel, how can I be of service to you miss?".
"my horse, the black Arab. Could you have her saddled and ready for me to take out for a ride please".
" I'll have her ready in a few minutes" I follow him into the stable, a man with muscular arms stood at the other end brushing a white stallion. Daniel walked up the line of stalls and opened the gate to Arya's, her rear-end visible from where I stood.
As he leads her out to me, her sharp eyes focuses on me and she quickens her pace to get to me. I rubbed her neck as she pushes her head towards me in greeting.
" she's been here for close to three weeks" Daniel says idly, as he saddles Arya. " and no on has taken her out, I wondered who she belonged to. I was only told it was someone important up in the palace".
His words make me feel terrible. For Arya. She must of thought I had given her away or something. But I had to send her ahead, for her own good. Animals are different from people, especially horses, she had to grow accustomed to the land and the the stable workers.
" I 'm glad to be re-united with her" Arya moves restlessly, as impatient as me to be out galloping through the fields. With a few strokes of my fingers, she calms and looks at me, with liquid brown eyes.
His job now finished, Daniel hands me Arya's reins and looks at her fondly. " she's beautiful, one of the finest horses I've ever worked with".
"thank you" I say smiling. " I'm sure she's flattered".
I lead her outside and eagerly climb into the saddle, leaning forward, I whisper words of encouragement in her ear. And we take off, horse and rider as one.
