Chapter 78
1313 Words
CHAPTER 78
After Tatiana changed her clothes, she walked out of the room, still feeling embarrassed from earlier. Noah was already waiting for her outside.
“Are you ready?” He asked when he saw her go out.
“Ah…yes,” Tatiana said, shyly. Noah smiled at her and escorted her out of the room. The two maids followed after them.
Noah and Tatiana walked together to the open field where they will ride the horses. Once they arrived, the owner from earlier approached them. He bowed his head.
“Your highness, my lady, welcome.” He greeted. “The horses are ready as per your instructions, your highness.” The owner added and pointed towards the horses.
There were two horses prepared for them: one was as black as the night sky, and the other was as white as snow.
“Wow!” Tatiana exclaimed as she ran closer to the horses. Noah shook his head at her enthusiasm and also went closer to the horses.
“Do you like them?” He asked.
“Yes, they’re beautiful!” Tatiana answered without looking at Noah as she caressed the two horses.
Noah smiled as he gazed down at Tatiana.
He was worried Tatiana wouldn't like his idea of horseback riding on their date. But looking at her right now, it seems that she liked it very much.
Thank goodness. He thought.
Noah had the whole day planned carefully. He even asked Aaron and his butler, George, for ideas and had spent several days preparing for this day. At first, he planned to bring Tatiana to a famous restaurant that George said was popular among ladies. Although Noah thought she would like it, he also realized that Tatiana was no longer the girl he used to know. He figured Tatiana would like thrilling activities more than just sitting and eating. As such, he thought of this idea.
“Do you want to ride them now?” Noah asked again. This time Tatiana looked at him and smiled.
She nodded enthusiastically. She had always wanted to go horseback riding but had never gotten the opportunity to do so. So, when she saw the two tall and sturdy-looking horses, she felt really excited.
“Yes! I’ll go with this one!” She said and pointed to the black horse.
Noah’s brows furrowed, but it immediately changed to a smile. He was expecting she’ll like the white one since it’s a female. Also, Noah specifically asked for the most beautiful white horse for Tatiana since he thought women like white horses more.
Besides, the black horse was Noah’s. His Majesty gave it to him when he was a child. And since then, it was the only horse he ever used.
Even the owner and the two maids were shocked when they heard Tatiana. Everyone knows how this horse meant to the Crown Prince. His Highness takes care of it himself and doesn’t allow anyone to ride it. Anyone who touches this horse without Noah’s permission was punished severely. Even His Majesty didn’t dare use Noah’s horse.
So now, the owner and the two maids were expecting His Highness to scold Tatiana. However, Noah only smiled and nodded at her.
“That’s Alexander,” Noah said, without any hint of annoyance in his voice. The owner and the two maids exchanged glanced as the three of them thought the same thing. His Highness was acting very unusual.
Meanwhile, Tatiana glanced at Noah, confused by what he said.
“Hmm?”
Noah pointed to the black horse.
“His name is Alexander.” He repeated. Tatiana glanced at the horse and back at Noah. She frowned.
“You mean Alexander from your name?” She asked, more puzzled.
She was surprised that someone would name a horse after His Highness.
Noah grinned at her reaction.
“Yes, like my name.” He said and went closer to stroke the horse's mane. “He was given to me by His Majesty when I was young. I have taken care of him since then.”
“Really? That’s…quite unexpected of you, your highness.” Tatiana can’t help but jest.
She didn't expect Noah was the type of person who would personally take care of a horse. He's the Crown Prince and the richest man in the empire, so Tatiana naturally thought things like taking care of his horse would be done by someone else.
Noah glanced at her and chuckled, making Tatiana froze in astonishment. It was very rare to see the cold Noah laugh like this. At that moment, he looked very handsome in Tatiana’s eyes.
Wait, I shouldn't think like this. She thought and mentally pinched herself.
Tatiana cleared her throat to calm her thoughts.
“Uh…then, do you mind if I use him?” Tatiana asked carefully, changing the topic.
Noah stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head.
“No, of course not.” He said and smiled.
The owner and the two maids gasped in shock, but they immediately composed themselves and bowed their heads. They were astounded hearing His Highness agree. It was the first time someone other than His Highness rode Alexander.
As such, the three of them thought that His Highness liked Lady Tatiana deeply.
To think His Highness will allow Lady Tatiana to ride his favorite horse... it seems like the rumors about their relationship were wrong. The three of them thought.
Meanwhile, Tatiana, who's clearly unaware of how Alexander meant to Noah, grinned enthusiastically. She then went and mount the horse with Noah's help.
Once Tatiana was settled, she waited for Noah to also mount the white horse beside her. Then, Tatiana remembered she didn't know the other horse's name.
“Your highness, how about her? What’s her name?” Tatiana asked, referring to the white horse.
“Hmm… she doesn’t have a name yet,” Noah answered and stroked the horse's mane.
“Why is that?”
Noah turned to look at her.
“She’s supposed to be yours.” He said and smiled.
Tatiana’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”
“Yes, so you can name her yourself.”
Tatiana beamed. She was not expecting Noah to give her a horse, but she felt extremely happy.
She'd always wanted to own a horse since the first time she saw people riding them back in the South. Since this world was more old-fashioned compared to the modern world Jane used to live in, she’s been curious about horseback riding, which was one of the means of transportation aside from carriages here. However, she couldn't own a horse before in fear that her family would be suspicious of her sudden interest.
“Thank you, your highness,” Tatiana said, smiling.
She was already excited just by thinking she'll have her own horse to ride in the future. The best part was that His Highness gave it to her. That fact alone was enough for the duke and the duchess to be not suspicious and to even allow her to ride it.
“Ah, then…should I use her instead?” she asked again when she remembered she was riding Noah's horse instead of the one that was supposed to be hers.
“No. Alexander is more used to riding. It's safer if you use him.” He said. He didn't have any emotions in his voice, but Tatiana felt her cheeks turn red.
She cleared her throat when her heart was starting to beat faster again. She held the reins tightly.
“Uh… l-let’s go.” She said nervously and averted her gaze.
She was about to pull the reins but then remembered she doesn’t know how to control a horse. Tatiana slowly glanced at Noah for help. “Y-your highness… h-how do I…” she muttered.
Noah chuckled at her being shy.
Today, she’s really looking…adorable.
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