The King's Mistress

Chapter 88: In Need Of A Horse

Ida curled her hands into fists, just about ready to say something but Sierra held her back. She too wanted to give Agnes a piece of her mind. But that was not the top priority right now.

"Sierra, use my horse instead," Myra offered as she tried to stuff her horse’s reins into Sierra’s hands.

"What? Myra no, I can’t do that," Sierra replied as she shook her head.

She appreciated the kindness Myra had shown her, but she could not do that to her. She just needed to find another solution. She simply needed another horse. Sierra glanced over to the spectator stands. She wondered if any of the nobles would be willing to lend her a helping hand.

But none of them seemed interested in her. As she looked through the spectator stand, Sierra noticed Roxine and Alistair seemed to be in a discussion. While she would have loved for either of their assistance, Sierra knew full well she could not accept it even if they offered it.

People will talk and questions will be asked. She did not want to cause them any more trouble than she already had. While she was still deep in her thoughts, Miss Marionne came to Sierra.

"Princess, you are in need of a horse, I presume?" Miss Marionne asked.

"Yes."

"There is a horse in the Royal Stables that no one had dared ride in some years. Everyone nicknamed it, Berserker. It does not have an owner, as such, you can use him for the contest if you wish. That is... if you’re able to tame him." Marionne explained.

Sierra easily read between the lines of what Marionne had said. She understood the opportunity that had been placed before her. She had to take it.

"Your Highness, it’s impossible. Berserker cannot be tamed! It is known!" Ida protested, not wanting Sierra to waste her time.

It might even be easier for Sierra to tame a wild horse for the contest, than to tame Berserker. Sierra handed Ida Midnight’s reins and told her to return her mare to the stables and get the doctor to treat her wounds. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Princess..."

"Don’t worry Ida. I know what I’m doing. I’ll give it my best shot."

"But-"

"I promise you. I’ll be sure to keep myself safe, alright?"

With Sierra’s assurance, Ida finally agreed. She took the reins from her and went off.

"Hmph, if she can tame Berserker, I’m going to eat my words," Cassandra muttered beneath her breath as she watched Sierra being escorted away by Marionne.

She could not stay silent any longer and let this perfect opportunity to mess with Sierra go by.

"Best of luck, Princess Sierra! You’re going to need it," She said cheerfully with a bright fake smile plastered over her face.

Sierra stopped in her tracks and turned back to Cassandra. She could feel the hidden daggers behind the princess’ words but she did not react to them. Instead, she simply reciprocated the same smile she had given her.

"Thank you, Princess Cassandra, you’re too kind," she said as sweetly as possible before turning back around to follow Marionne.

Cassandra clenched her jaw. She was surprised by Sierra’s response but could not reveal her true emotions on her face. Everyone else simply assumed both princesses were friendly and cordial to one another, nothing to be alarmed about.

But deep down, Cassandra was fuming in anger that her little plan to ruffle her feathers did not work. She quickly calmed herself down to focus on the test at hand. Sierra was the least of her worries now.

Sierra, on the other hand, continued to follow Miss Marionne to the stables where Berserker was kept.

"The King and Queen had already sent word ahead of us for them to bring Berserker out to you, Princess Sierra. As for the rest, it would be up to you," she explained to Sierra as the stables came up ahead of them.

Sierra nodded in response.

"Is there anything you can tell me about this horse? Any information at all would be helpful," Sierra asked Marionne.

The Queen’s maid turned around to face her. Berserker was once a warhorse of a promising general who was a close friend of King Alistair. Unfortunately, after the death of the general, the horse refused to listen to anyone. Even the King himself had tried unsuccessfully to ride it.

He was thrown off the saddle more than three times in his attempt to ride the horse. Unwilling to give up the horse, Berserker had been in the stables ever since. The stable masters had done their best to care for the horse over the years, but they had suffered injuries at the hands of the horse as well.

As they came upon the stables, both Marionne and Sierra could hear a commotion. The horse’s whinnying rang loud and clear. It was stomping its hooves too. Sierra rushed forward at once, only to be surprised by what she saw.

"That’s one horse," she remarked, unable to put her thoughts to words properly.

Berserker was most certainly a majestic war stallion in his day. Sierra had seen her share of war horses and had been around them too since a young age. Berserker was one of the largest she had ever seen. He was nearly a head taller than Midnight.

The three stable masters and two royal guards who were tasked to bring him out of his stable were having a very difficult time. They could barely hold onto his reins properly.

"What was the horse’s original name, do you know?" Sierra asked as she began to roll up the sleeves of her blouse.

Marionne could not take her eyes off what was happening. When she finally came to her senses and turned to Sierra she was surprised to find that the knightess was not afraid.

"The horse’s original name was Macadamia."

"Cause he’s a tough nut to crack?" Sierra chuckled as she glanced over to her.

Marionne furrowed her eyebrows. She did not get the joke. Realizing she was likely making a fool of herself, Sierra cleared her throat and muttered ’never mind’ before heading over to the war stallion.