Lach's back hit a wooden pole with a sigh. He wiggled his toes inside his boots, the worn-out leather painful against his skin. He stifled a hiss. His feet had gone to hell today as carriages arrived one after the other not granting him or Rid any respite. The well-awaited ceremony was to take place tomorrow but it seemed the preparation were only beginning. He massaged the top of his foot through the leather. He was sure his knuckles were red and swollen. Walking back home would be a hell of a journey. Especially since the beautiful bruises earned during his last trip at the market awoke with every of his movement. A courtesy of the royal soldiers that Lach wouldn't forget any time soon. His fingers found his stomach's side and his jaw tense. He was glad at least his mother hadn't see that part of his body. They didn't hold back with their generous punches for sure.

Lach straightened up with a hiss, standing back on burning feet. The day was still alive with grey clouds over a dull sky and carriages and riders were still clogging the royal gates. He wouldn't even dare thinking about tomorrow when the guests would swarm in. He could already bid farewell to his feet.

The grimace couldn't be hidden as he took he learned to walk again. Rid was probably struggling at the gates without him and he needed to join him before stablemaster's strident voice could damage his hearing too.

He was about to head outside when something swiped away behind him. Like a cloth blown away by the wind. Lach frowned, reassured himself with a glance over his shoulder and shrugged it off. It was probably just that but before he could take another step, something creaked like the hinges of a door. He spun around, the pain on his feet dissipating as anxiety gripped his shoulders.

He thought himself alone inside the stable but again it was so massive that a band of vagabonds could hide in it for days he wouldn't even notice it.

Dry hay crunched under the weight of steps and Lach grabbed the first thing he could put his hand on. A wooden branch. They were collected to light a fire near the stables when the weather was unbearable. Lach advanced slowly, the wooden branch close to his chest. Horses neighed as he passed next to them demanding attention that the stableman internally promised to give as soon as he solved this mystery.

The noise of shuffling leather rose and Lach would recognize that sound anywhere. It came from the row of stalls on his side and his back flattened against a pole as he leaned forward to peer at the intruder.

His frowned deeply.

A person covered in a grey cloak and cap was walking away with a white horse, the saddle and reins already in place. "Hey!"Lach pointed the wood stick as if it was a sword, hoping it would be enough to stop this person. "Stop this."

The person froze, showing their back before they turned around slowly. The cap revealed a face that punched Lach again in his stomach. However this time, it took the hit willingly as he took in the most beautiful face he had ever seen. He had seen, pretty ladies, even had the privilege to call some of them his lovers but her...she was ethereal. The sun emanated from her face so much she shone bright. Large and dark eyes as big as a deer caught him under long eyelashes that fluttered a blink. A plump pinkish mouth, round and soft cheeks, a skin collecting all the stars so much it was dark and glowing like a starry night.

His jaw slackened as his mind scrambled. All he could do was to stare. What was a speech? What was the use of tongue? He had no idea at this moment.

Her gaze hold his before it panned down the branch pointing with a question. "What are you intending to do?"

Lach blinked slowly, looking at the piece of wood as he if asking when it materialized in his hand. Heat surged on his cheeks as he let it drop to the floor in a whim before he rubbed his palms together. "Nothing. I was-" Use your brain. Use your brain. He chanted in his mind before he coughed, his tone more assured after it. "I heard noises and I thought that-

"That I was stealing the horse?" A thin eyebrow raised on her face and Lach shook his head quickly.

"No- I -" the woman didn't let him continue as she pulled at the horse reins towards the other exit.

"Wait!" Lach extended a hand as if to reach her but her stare quickly dismissed that thought. He let it drop to his side. "Where are you going?"

"This isn't your concern." Lach tightened his lips at that. Charming. Still he wouldn't let her have the last word. He was the one in charge in here. He got closer but still kept enough distance between them. Her eyes widened. "It is. I am taking care of this stable." She looked him up and down as if to deter him from getting closer and Lach shifted uncomfortably. "If you want to take the horse I will willingly prepare it for you my lady but-" he hesitated. "I wasn't notified a young lady would need a horse." Him and Rid were notified by the castle servants each time a horse needed to depart or arrive and for whom to prepare it for. He hadn't heard any woman's name.

A soft scoff. "Of course," it is low as a whisper but Lach heard it clearly. "I am not going anywhere," she said, chin lifted up as if to not lose face but something sad passed through her eyes. She redirected the horse inside its stall. The poor animal stomped his feet, already anticipating its promenade. Her features softened as she caressed the animal's white cheek. "I know. Next time I will ride with you. I promise," She whispered quietly and then turned towards Lach, the suspicion in her gaze never leaving it. "You said you take care of this stable but I have never seen you here."

Lach cleared his throat. "I was hired for the Princess's ceremony."

A slight frown settled on her face for a split second, and Lach wondered if his mere presence was the reason of her discomfort but something told him another reason lied under the ice. "I see."

A gush of wind passed through the stable not helping the tense atmosphere but Lach was resolute to warm it up. He pointed to the white horse. "That's a magnificent stallion."

"It's a mare," she responded matter-of-factly. Lach nodded slowly. The task wouldn't be easy.

"Well, that's a magnificent mare," Lach corrected and she glanced at him. The horse licked her face and a warm chuckle escaped her lips, softening her face. It spread through the stable and inside Lach's chest.

She gave him a look but blurting out. "Do you often pry on people?"

Lach raised his hand in surrendering. "I didn't mean it. I had no idea a lady was here," he stepped forward, hitting a bucket on the way and making it rumble throughout the stable. "Shit." He covered his mouth. "I am sorry-" Another chuckle that melted the ice as a smile cracked on her lips. Lach's shoulders sagged as his lips curved too.

"It is fine." Her voice had lost that edginess that kept Lach on his toes. It was now as enchanting as her face. Still something intrepid pulsed in it. Like the call to a new world. Lach was stuck again in contemplation. "Did you lose your tongue?" She tilted her head to the side and Lach startled.

"Me?" He pointed to himself. "No. My tongue is very much in place."

A melody escaped her mouth. "Do you have a brush?"

Lach's eyes darted around and retrieved the bucket he just hit and removed the brush from it. "I will take care of the horse, milady."

Her stance grew. "Can't ladies take care of horses too?" It was a simple question but Lach intuitively believed if he answered the wrong way, it would bring back her cold side.

He shook his head, his dark bang wiping on his face. "That's not- of course-" Lach's speech died into his mouth as she approached slowly, eyes on him. Lach's feet were anchored to the ground as she slipped the brush away from his fingers without ever leaving his gaze. Her scent enrobed his sense. He travelled to a time where lilies still sprung on the hill next to his home and where orange and mandarins flamboyant as the sun. A time Lach would always cherished.

She went back to the mare and let the spikes of the brush slip through the horse's mane. "But, you are right. Ladies do not take care of horses here. We are kept inside the castle." She answered a question that Lach didn't ask but which still piqued his curiosity.

"Do you not like your work?" Lach asked, retrieving another bucket and brushing the horse next to hers. Working inside the castle was what most would aspire to. It meant greater pay, better food, and bedding.

But her melancholic tone was evocative of something less pleasant than that. "It is... complicated." Lach peered at her. Her grey cloak let out a glimpse of a fine tunic under it. Way more sophisticated than most servants. She must have a high rank among them. "Are you a handmaiden for the Princess?"

The brush paused on the white horse's shoulder. "Something like that."

Lach nodded. He kept on brushing and felt eyes boring into him. He tried to keep his blood from rushing to his cheeks for they colored easily on his pale skin.

"What happened to you?" Lach finally looked at her before following a puzzled gaze to his red-strike knuckles. The brush made a haze of dust as it found the floor. His sleeves were pushed down to the tips of his fingers immediately. "Nothing. I fell down." Why was everyone caring about his bruises? Couldn't they just ignore them like he tried to?

She narrowed her eyes before stepping forward, and Lach's chest started to beat as she scooted closer. Their height difference was striking. He loomed over her as the top of her head stopped at his chest but he was the one feeling small under her scrutinizing gaze. Her eyes fixed on his face and Lach let his black strands shadow the cuts on his face.

"You need to see a medicus." She was so close that Lach could count each of her long eyelashes. He inhaled deeply her scent, making his soul travel. "Your cuts are not deep, but they are still raw." Her hand lifted and Lach tensed. It travelled slowly to his face and Lach's breathed itched as warm spread on him, like sunrays on a patio. She was so close, so so close.

"Stableman!" the strident voice startled them and jump of one meter separated them. Lach cussed internally.

"I need to go," her eyes were suddenly darting around as she headed towards the exit.

Fear caught inside Lach. "Wait!" She stopped. Something tingled in the tip of Lach's tongue since the moment he saw her. "How may I call you?"

Her eyes widened, taken aback. "I-"

"Stableman!" the strident voice got louder. "Bring your ass back at the gates!" Lach grimaced. "Will I see you again?" He cursed himself internally for sounding so urgently pitiful. Still, he must know, for he wanted to bask in her warmth again.

She opened her mouth. "I will see you again." Lach's lips curved to his ears, and the hint of a smile found her lips too. Lach observed her until she disappeared, her scent still lingering behind her, surrounding him with soft clouds.

Stableman!" He flinched, and the clouds disappeared, letting place to a face far from enchanting.

The stablemaster stood, arms crossed and eyes slanted. "What are you doing here? The gates are crowded! Move your ass!"

"Yes sir."

The stablemaster's noise shrunk. "What's that smell? Are you busy perfuming the horses with scented flower oil or something?"

Lach brushed past him, not before glancing behind a last time. His chest flooded with warmth the rest of day, the pain in his body forgotten and his mind filled with lilies and beautiful dark eyes.