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I eventually made it to the stables unseen. The blue-haired boy from earlier was still there and still in his formal outfit.
I observed him from behind a wall. The boy gently, lovingly, stroked the horse’s neck and it just…let him. I wanted to get even closer, but he didn’t appear to be leaving anytime soon. When I peeked around the corner again, our eyes met.
Damn it!
“Are you an angel?” the stableboy asked. I whipped my head around, thinking there was someone behind me. There wasn’t, and I realized he meant me. Adults often proclaimed that I was “as beautiful as an angel,” but never had a boy my age referred to me thus, and with such a serious expression besides. “Are you?” the boy asked once more, tilting his head inquisitively.
Flustered, I shook my head.
“Oh, you’re not.”
I shook my head again.
“What’s wrong? Want to see the horse?”
I nodded, and he beckoned me over, a great, big smile on his face. “Aren’t you scared?” I asked meekly.
“Why would I be? He’s one of the nicest horses I know.”
He speaks of horses like they’re his friends.
“Come on. He won’t bite.”
I felt a tingling sensation. Only Felzen, a childhood friend of mine, spoke to me in such an unreserved manner, so the stableboy’s familiarity was rather new to me. Bracing myself, I lined up beside him.
“Yuki,” he said, calling out to the horse in some weird language. The animal whinnied cheerfully and dipped his head. “Go ahead. Touch him.”
The sudden invitation caught me by surprise. “M-May I?” I timidly asked. Neither Father’s nor Brother’s horse would have wanted my fingers anywhere near them.
“May he, Yuki?” the boy inquired. The horse regarded me mildly, lowering his head. “That means yes.”
I nervously put out my hand.
“Slowly, softly,” the boy whispered.
“Slowly, softly,” I repeated, touching the horse as delicately as I would a flower. He pushed his muzzle against my hand, seemingly requesting more. I was so happy that the remaining tension in my face eased completely. “He’s so warm.”
“He is.”
“And firm.”
“Yeah.”
“Yuki, was it?”
“That’s what we’ve been calling him ’til now,” the boy replied, a tinge of sadness in his voice.
“Does it mean anything?”
“It means ‘snow’ in a different language.”
“How fitting. Is he yours?”
The boy shook his head, his ponytail swishing from side to side. “We raised him like family, but Father says he’s to go to the prince.”
He’s doesn’t want to lose the horse. “Does that make you angry?”
“I’m sad to see him go, but I also think Yuki’s the only one worthy of carrying a prince. They’ll learn to appreciate one another, I’m sure.”
“I see.” I was genuinely astounded. The horse he cares for so deeply is about to get taken away, yet he…
“Hope he takes good care of you,” he told Yuki, smiling.
I will.
“Yuki. Yuki,” I said, trying out his name as I brought my cheek up to his muzzle. Yuki gazed at me docilely in return, and my heart throbbed. I want us to become the best of friends, you cute, cute thing, I thought from the bottom of my heart.
A series of footfalls sounded from nearby. I raised my head. It’s the palace guard.
“Why now?” I groaned. They’ll drag me away if they find me. I’d hoped to stay a little while longer.
“Are you on the run?” the blue-haired boy asked, a mischievous look in his eyes.
I nodded, and upon my affirmation, he tugged at my arm. I glanced at him in confusion only to see an index finger pressed against his lips as he dragged me into the stall.
Yuki will kick us if we get that close, I thought in alarm, unconsciously resisting.
“Stay quiet and everything’ll be okay. Yuki, if you could move a bit.”
Breath held, body stiff, I followed him. Together we hid behind Yuki’s hindquarters. It reeks. We lowered ourselves onto a bed of straw, and Yuki pawed some more toward us. While I was busy freaking out, the boy simply grinned.
Just in time, Yuki quietly shifted to the side, blocking us from view.
“Not here either,” a guard said dejectedly.
“Today’s offering is though.”
“An Eisberk horse.”
“A fine steed if I’ve ever seen one.”
The stableboy smiled.
“The shut-in is nothing without his horses. They may not’ve secured him a spot in court, but he sure as heck owes his status to them.”
Yuki neighed, his teeth gnashing. My heart started to pound; I had never witnessed an animal grow hostile right in front of me. Although he’d been calm mere moments before, he suddenly seemed like a giant beast to whom human reason meant nothing. Body heat radiated from him as he began to tremble—Yuki was furious.
I’m scared.
“Cut it out, the horse’s mad.”
“Huh? As if he understands a word.”
“Eisberk horses are smart. I own one, I’d know,” the guard said, and the other fell silent. “They’re kind and obedient, yet fearless. They’d do anything for their master.”
“They’re that amazing?”
“Adorable yet terrifying.”
“Like the woman of my dreams,” he laughed.
“True that.”
The laughter faded into the distance along with their retreating footsteps. Yuki slowly shifted back to his original stance and flicked his tail. The boy fondly rubbed his tummy, whispering, “Thanks.”
Yuki snorted in response.
As we exited the stall, the boy dusted off his straw-strewn clothing. Watching him, I wondered why I hadn’t yet done so. My attempt didn’t go too well, and giggling, the boy patted my clothes down for me.
The palace bells were starting to ring. I better get going, fast.
“Gotta run. See you!” I said, dashing off with a sour taste in my mouth since I wanted to stay.
“See you!” His reply filled me with joy.
After making it back to my room, I realized something: “…I forgot to ask his name.”
I hope we meet again someday. And if we do, let’s ride alongside one another, though that’s a big “if”.
I decided to keep the name “Yuki”. I had a feeling that the stableboy and I just might see each other again if I did.