𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓮

Knock knock

My eyes flew open. I groaned while I turned to look at the time on my bedside table clock, it was 9:30 am. 

 I must've been quite tired.

Knock knock

I peeled the blanket off me, pushed my legs off the bed and walked towards the door. Once I reached it, I looked through the peephole. It was my butler. I pulled open the door. 

"Good morning, Ms La Cartier", he chuckled at the end when he saw me yawn and I covered my mouth with the back of my hand as I did. 

"Good morning." I smiled. My eyes drifted towards the large gold tray he held in his hands. "What's this?"

"Somebody ordered you breakfast miss", he said with a sly smile. 

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Who?"

He shrugged his shoulders with that smile lingering on his lips. Then, I realised he was still holding that heavy tray of food. 

"Oh sorry! Here let me take that." I reached out for the tray.

"I can leave it on your desk miss."

"It's fine. It's a tray of food, I can manage", I said and he passed me the tray of breakfast goods. 

"Have a nice day miss", he said in a lightened tone.

"You too."

He gave me one last smile before turning away to walk down the stairs. I balanced the tray in one hand while I closed the room door. 

I walked back to my bedroom - stepped outside into the large balcony and placed the breakfast tray on the outdoor glass coffee table. Fortunately, it wasn't very sunny - I could have my breakfast out here. My eyebrows furrowed. Who ordered me breakfast?

On the gold tray, there was a plate of stacked mixed berries pancakes, a plate with a croissant and cinnamon bun on it. A plate of bacon and eggs and a bowl of fruit salad. But what caught my eye was a rolled-up piece of paper placed by the edge of the golden tray. I took the paper and untied the gold ribbon. Once I untied it, I unrolled the paper and my mouth opened ajar in awe. 

On the piece of paper was a sketched drawing of the academy's horse stable. Every detail was done so beautifully. There was a drawing of a fine horse inside the stable. I traced my fingers over the horse and smiled.

There's only one person I know who would send me this.

At the bottom corner of the sketch, there were words written.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲?

My smile broadened. 

Should I go?

'No, you shouldn't.'

"Don't be scared because you won't get to feel anything if you live with that fear."

❇❇❇

After devouring my breakfast, I did my usual morning routine. For my today's outfit, I wore my casual horse riding outfit which I fortunately brought with me to London. 

Kristine's Outfit

I tied my hair up in a high ponytail before applying mascara and 3CE Going Right lip tint. Lastly, I sprayed my Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey before putting on my knee-high black leather boots. I took my keycards case off my study desk and placed it into my pocket before walking out of my room door. 

While I walked down one of the hallways, I bumped into Tamara. 

"Woah", Tamara said when I almost collided with her. She analyzed my attire from top to bottom, "You going horse riding?"

I nodded. "Nicholas asked if I would ride with him today. But now I've realised that I didn't even horse ride with you yet here." My eyes saddened. 

She dismissed with a 'pfft' sound. 

"Don't you dare feel bad, Kristine." She pointed at me and said in a warning tone. But then she smiled and let me tell you when Tamara smiles . . . . .  your day becomes a hundred times better. No boyfriend would ever deserve her smile, but I'm waiting for the day she finds someone who's worthy. "Go have fun horse riding with Nicholas."

I nudged her with my elbow before hugging her. "I love you", I said. She chuckled and hugged me back. 

"Love you too. Now go." She pushed me away gently. 

After giving her one last smile, I made my way toward the stables. 

"Don't be scared."

Once I arrived at the academy's stables, I started to look for Nicholas. It was an incredibly huge stable - I started to walk around. I pushed open the large stable doors and walked in. 

"Wow." This is one enormous stable. There was a row of horses in their stables on each side of the barn. 

Slowly, I walked down the barn, looking left and right at the horses. They were all clean and well-groomed. 

As I passed one particular horse, the stallion neighed and that caught my attention. I turned to look at the snow-white stallion. It continued to neigh while staring at me. I walked towards the handsome stallion with cautious steps. His head started to elevate and his ears were rigid.

During our trips to California, we would ride horses and I would study the horse behaviour chart. This horse was now alert. I reached my hand out to touch him - he started to panic and move uncontrollably. 

"Hey hey, easy." I tried to calm him. I stood on my toes, reached up and gently held his muzzle. I started to rub it softly. "It's ok."

The stallion neighed one more time before calming down. I looked into his eyes while I continued to move my hand up and down his muzzle."See, you're alright." I smiled. 

He leaned to sniff my scent and nuzzled his head against mine. I chuckled and started to rub his neck. 

"What a beautiful horse", I mumbled. The stallion was fully white and I have to say he was a very good-looking horse. Too perfect actually.

"Zeus." I heard Nicholas's voice behind me and turned around. 

Nicholas was looking at me with soft eyes and a small smile playing on his lips. 

"Zeus?", I asked.

"His name, it's Zeus", he answered and took a step toward me. He glanced at Zeus then looked at me. "First the Royal Dog and now the White Horse." He had an amused smile on his face.

I raised a brow, "Hm?"

He chuckled and stood beside me, but instantly took a step back once Zeus's head was directed towards him. "Guess he really likes you", he mumbled.

I giggled inaudibly.

"Prince is a very shy dog. I was a little shocked to see how comfortable he was with you. Zeus is a horse with no rider. Every horse chooses its rider and Zeus hasn't chosen anyone", he paused and look at me in the eyes, "Until you."

"Oh . . . . . That means all horses here have a rider?"

"Majority yes. Zeus is one of the rarest breeds - many students wanted to be his rider but he wouldn't let them get on his back for more than five seconds", he chuckled.

I nodded my head in understanding. 

"You seem to know a thing or two about Prince and Zeus", I said. 

"I've attended this academy for two straight years."

"Right", I smiled and looked at him, "Thank you for the breakfast . . . .  and the drawing. I loved it."

He smiled and I was stunned. This was the first time I saw his smile and it made him look ten times more handsome than he already was.

"You're welcome, Kristine." He looked into my eyes and had no intention of breaking the eye contact until Zeus neighed. My eyes teared away from his and looked at Zeus. "Actually, there is a reason I wanted to see you", he started and I looked at him expectantly. "I apologise for yesterday."

I titled my head. 

"I shouldn't have just hugged you like that. It was very rude of me to do so and I apologise", he said and glanced at the ground as he did. 

I smiled. "It's alright."

He looked up at me and hesitatingly smiled in relief. Not a big smile, but faint. Still, a smile. 

"Shall we ride?", I asked raising a brow with a smile never leaving my face. 

Nicholas glanced at Zeus with a suggestive look before facing me. 

"Yes."

❇❇❇

Nicholas's horse was a full black stallion. Both of our horses were incredibly big and tall. While we both placed the saddles on our horses, I took a glance at Nicholas. He was dressed in a black polo shirt, tucked in his beige trousers and knee-high black leather boots. This was my first time seeing him in short sleeves and I only now realise how well-toned his arms were.

"What the hell is happening?", I mumbled as I focused on putting the bridle on Zeus. 

"Did you say something?", Nicholas asked. In a quick second, I looked up and saw him staring at me. 

"Um. .no." I forced a smile and brought my attention back to Zeus. 

I heard him chuckle. 

Oh god no . . . . .

Once I was done, I started leading Zeus out of the stable and Nicholas followed with his horse. We both stepped into the equestrian arena and I pulled myself up onto Zeus's back easily. 

"Woah." I looked at Nicholas and his eyes widened slightly while he looked at me. 

"Is something the matter?", I asked.

"I was about to offer my help but never mind", he said and I grinned, feeling proud of myself. 

Nicholas climbed onto his horse.

"What's his name?", I asked while admiring the beautiful black stallion. 

"Magnus."

"Huh . . .  it suits him."

We both started to ride our horses side by side at a slow pace around the arena. 

"Congratulations", Nicholas said, making me confused. 

"For what?", I asked him. 

"Riding on Zeus's back for over 5 minutes. That's a record", he chuckled and I followed after. I reached my hand out and groomed Zeus's neck. 

"He's beautiful", I said as I looked down at my stallion, who neighed at the sound of my voice. 

"Just like his rider."  I turned to look at Nicholas and he was smirking. He smirks? A man that devastatingly good-looking shouldn't , it's just pure devastation.  I snorted out a laugh that left me smiling ear to ear. 

"Your horse is handsome. Just like his owner." I winked and he smiled in return.

We continued to ride for a few minutes more in the arena until Nicholas asked, "Would you say you're a professional rider?"

"I got on my first horse when I was 11 and have been riding numerous times without a problem. So sure", I answered and he nodded. 

"Shall we then?"

My eyebrows furrowed. "Shall we . . . .  what?"

"Ride."

"What are we doing now?", I chuckled. 

"There's a place you should see. Just through the forest. Would you ride there with me?", he looked at me with hopeful eyes. 

"When you have the chance, take it."

I smiled, "Yes."

He smiled at my answer and gestured for me to follow him. Once we reached the forest opening, he asked me, "Ready?"

I nodded. All of a sudden, he started riding his horse at a fast speed down the path. My mouth widened in disbelief. When he reached halfway, he stopped and turned around to face me.

"Go have fun horse riding with Nicholas."

Once a huge smile made its way to my face, I started to move Zeus forward and applied more pressure on my calves. He started lengthening his strides and I halted him beside Magnus. Nicholas glanced at me and gave me a smile.

"Follow me", he said.

At full speed, he rode Magnus down the path and I followed with Zeus. Our horses galloped through the forest and my hair blew behind with the wind. Zeus surpassed Magnus and I smiled at the victory. Nicholas directed which way to go and finally, we reached the place. 

We were now in this cave with a waterfall cascading the front. With our horses, we made our way around the waterfall.

My eyes widened at the sight.

Beneath us was a deep blue, ribbon-like body of water flowing downstream. The sun reflected in the river, making it appear more sparkly as if it were fairies wings. We admired the picturesque view around us.

"This is breathtaking." I smiled so wide my cheeks raised up and my eyes nearly closed. Even for me, this was beyond unreal. I'm riding a beauteous pure white stallion and staring at this fairytale-like view. Furthermore, I could see the academy in the distance and it appeared almost like a castle. 

Magical.

"So beautiful." I turned to look at Nicholas, who was staring at me in awe. With that look in his eyes, I knew what it was. I knew that it was.

We both resumed admiring the view in silence until I broke it. "Why is Zeus addressed as the White Horse? There were other white horses in the stable earlier."

"If you look closer, the other white horses aren't fully white. Their canon would have a black colour or their crest. Zeus is the only pure white horse here." He looked at me ."He's a Camarillo White Horse. A rare horse breed less than 100 years old known for its pure white colour."

"Dates back to 1921", I continued. 

"Right." He nodded while giving me an impressed look.

"A Camarillo White Horse. How unreal." I stroked Zeus's neck. 

"About yesterday, what did you mean?", Nicholas asked all of a sudden. 

"Which part?"

"You said you could tell by looking at the way I sketch so passionately and the look of sadness in my eyes", he told, tilting his head as he looked at me. 

"You remembered every word", I muttered amused and he looked away with a small smile tugging at his lips. "I know who you are. Nicholas Prince, one of the world's youngest CEOs only at the age of 19."

"Don't remind me." He sighed and ran a hand over his face. 

I couldn't help but smile sadly. "It's obvious being the business and taking over the company wasn't really what you wanted . . . . "

He looked ahead. "As you said, life is never fair."

"It doesn't always have to be that way."

"It doesn't?", he asked, his voice back to his usual monotone. 

I chuckled."Look, Nicholas." He turned to look at me and I looked at him. "Your family . . . . they wanted this from you . . .  right?"

He nodded and I shook my head. 

"I can't help you, Nicholas.  . . . . . . All I can say is . . ." I took in a deep breath. "The world is grey, why don't you go paint it blue?" Unintentionally, it came out more as a question than a statement.

Nicholas stared at me confused and I elaborated.

"Be passionate about what you love doing and you'll never know what future awaits you. You're only 19. What you do now can make a difference in what is to come. Go ahead and continue doing what makes you . . .  you. Let the world see your passion."

His eyes softened as he continued to stare at me longingly.

"It won't always be like this . . . but that's up to you to believe", I whispered.

He averted his eyes to the ground and gulped. "I just wish somebody supported me."

"I do", I said and he looked up at me in an instant. "Your parents are . . . . against this?"

"My father always wanted me to take over the company. He never liked the idea of me actually becoming an artist. My mother is . . . well . .  doesn't have a fair share of opinion", he explained and I nodded slowly in understanding. 

Silence. 

The sound of the waterfall and birds filled the air around us. This was so peaceful and I felt like I was at the top of the world. 

"Since you know my story, what's yours?", he asked, raising a brow. 

"My story?"

"You never mention your life before the adoption. Every time you say an age, it would be after the age of 10", he said.

He remembers everything I've said.

I just stared ahead.

My life before the age of 10.

I glanced around everywhere and Nicholas stared at me concerned. He moved Magnus closer to Zeus so now we were in closer proximity. 

"Kristine?", he whispered. "You don't have to - "

"My life before the adoption", I said with a sad smile and turned to look at Nicholas. "I don't remember it."