Chapter 16: Never a Dull Moment
Seeing Sorrel cozying up and comfortable in the stable alongside the loyal steeds of some of the knights made Irene smile as she began her stablehand duties for the day.
Even though she wasn't supposed to pay special attention to him, she still managed to sneak a bit of sweet oats into the food she gave him. There were also a few more scratches on his jaw and forehead than on the other horses'.
"In the stables, your basic duty is to do whatever the knights ask of you," Leif explained, designating himself as her apprentice guide even though the Duke hadn't asked him to that time around.
Irene listened intently regardless. Other than the teenager, Felix, who stood up for her at practice, Leif was the kindest to her. She hoped that he would continue to be that for her.
"What am I meant to do when the knights aren't here?" she asked.
"Don't tell me you're a noble that gets waited on for even your horse," Leif begged in disgust.
However, what Leif didn't know was Irene was one of the few noble girls who had experience taking care of her own horse. It was a point of pride for Sünsto to be self-reliant which was the reason that even the highest ranked cared for their own animals and forged their own weapons.
However, his disgust frustrated Irene and she slapped him in the shoulder.
"I am not!" she insisted. "Do you think my father would allow his own children to be raised like that?"