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The high stalls of the stables, layered stone laid all across the walls of the stables and underneath his feet, the royal stables have been envied by many knights that have travelled to the royal palace. The horses in the area let out low chuffs, yet, one horse stays quiet, her ears perked as the person next to her brushes out her mane in gentle, tense motions.
An angry almost-pout is on Jamie’s face as he continues to brush on the horse’s mane, his brows furrowed. He’s still dressed in regal wear, a white textured blouse with a light blue vest, covered in intricate gold patterns and black trousers, the equally dramatic suit jacket he had been wearing folded up and tucked in the corner of the stall.
His hair is tied back with a ribbon, his strokes slowing before he tosses the brush back inside the shelf inside the stall. His arm moving up to rest around the horse’s shoulders loosely, his head resting against her neck. “I don’t have any interest in being courted or courting anyone— let alone some stranger.” He mumbles, the anger from him fading as he reflects on the situation.
Jamie had stepped into the throne room that morning, at his Father’s behest, only to be greeted with the unwelcome surprise of several suitors lined up, some seeming more unwilling to stand atop pristine decorated floors than others.
Not that Jamie had noticed that at the moment. A faux, polite smile had stayed on his face as they went through the process of introducing themselves, dipping their bodies in bows as he watched.
As soon as they had all finished and were led up to the rooms by a servant, he had turned around and briskly made his way to the stables, ignoring the calls from his parents coming from behind him.
“I don’t understand,” he says, voice gentle as he strokes her main. “If they want heirs, Tomte will have some soon enough— she’s already engaged.” He says, a sigh leaving his lips. “They can’t—“ he tries to continue, but stills as he hears the door of the stable open, clicking softly shut followed by a few quiet footsteps.
Jamie straightens, patting the horse softly one more time before walking to the front of the stable, peeking his head out to look at whoever entered— a fleeting thought crossed his mind that it was his family checking on him but none of them were that hesitant in their actions.
He looked towards the front, spotting someone standing there. Their hands are clasped together in front of them as they stand there. They’re wearing a dark blue dress, flowy and layered, making them seem out of place amidst the loose hay. Their hair falls over their eyes, curly and brown. Jamie recognizes them, vaguely, as one of the possible suitors. Anelle, he remembers. Upon this realization he immediately stiffens, putting on a polite smile.
“Can I help you?” He asks, watching as she fidgets with his attention now on her. She plays with the cuff of her dress before opening her mouth to reply. “You’re fond of animals?” She says quietly, momentarily shocking him into silence. There’s a lilt to her voice, like she seems hesitant with her words, though his mind powers past that to focus on her question. He was sure she’d say something about his father sending her, or a possible courting proposition.
“I do.” Jamie says in a breath, looking at her. “I’m very fond of animals.” He affirms, watching as a small smile comes to the stranger’s lips at his response.
“That’s your horse, then?” Anelle asks, gesturing to the stall Jamie is still standing inside. He nods, reaching back to pet the horse’s cheek softly, smiling when she chuffs at him. She’s an Andalusian horse, her coat and mane both white, her coat is clean and shiny and her hair is slightly crimped by the royal stable workers that tend to her when Jamie can’t. He’s only had her for a few years now. She was a foal born the day of his eighteenth birthday, and subsequently put in his care as soon as she could be apart from her mother.
“What’s its name?” He asks, biting his lip after the words leave his mouth. Jamie’s smile turns more proud at his question, turning back to face him. “Her name is horse,” he says smugly, not a hint of embarrassment in his tone.
There’s a beat of silence before Jamie hears them let out a small laugh, their hand reaching up to cover their mouth. “I’m sorry—“ Anelle starts, only to be interrupted by Jamie’s own laughs, the tension fading from Jamie’s body as they share a laugh, during which Anelle eventually wanders closer, standing only about a foot away from him.
“Would you like to pet her?” He offers, a genuine small smile coming to rest on his face when she nods quickly, biting her lip. He unhooks the stall, guiding Anelle inside with a hand on her arm. The ends of her dress touch the floor, touching the loose hay, but she doesn’t seem to mind all that much. She stands beside Jamie, her hands resting at her sides as looks over at him.
“She’s very friendly,” he says softly, resting a hand on Horse’s forehead, petting it gently, looking over at Annelle in reassurance. Usually he wouldn’t be this inclined to invite, essentially a stranger, into his private space, but there’s a certain air about her that doesn’t make him feel like there’s a barrier he needs to raise. He can just simply be.
Jamie watches as Anelle reaches a hand up, petting over the bridge of Horse’s nose. He smiles softly as the horse sighs against his hand, relaxed.
The silence encapsulating them is comfortable, the only sound being the sound of Horse shuffling in the stable and the sound of Anelle’s nails lightly scratching against her coat.
“I’m not in search of a suitor.” He says softly, his voice interrupting the quiet. “I don’t see the appeal in it— courting a stranger.” He says, a slight pout forming on his face again as he voices his thoughts.
He glances over as Anelle stills slightly, seemingly not out of shock or disappointment, simply stopping to take in his words.
“That’s alright,” she says after a few moments, making Jamie blink. “You shouldn’t—“ she starts, stopping herself and biting her lip, thinking of her words. “It’s your comfort, yes? Not anyone else.” She says, glancing away as a slight flush comes to rest on her cheeks.
Jamie lets out a light laugh at her words, nodding. “I suppose you’re right. Thank you.” He replies, his soft words matching the gentle expression on his face.
“Have you ridden horseback before?” He asks, looking towards them. Anelle tilts their body to fake him, lightly shaking their head. “When I was a child, maybe? I can’t remember.” They reply.
A pleasant thrum rises up Jamie’s throat as he reaches over, grabbing Horse’s usual muzzle— light blue and white, matching the royal colors— and settling the matching saddle onto her body. “Would you like to?” He questions, his lips curling up into a small, mischievous curve of Jamie’s lips is there, small, barely noticeable, but it’s there nonetheless.
“Oh,” they say, sounding slightly surprised. “I would— that’d be nice.” They reply, sounding slightly hesitant.
“Perfect.” He says, opening the stall door and leading Horse out of the stable, glancing back momentarily to make sure Anelle is trailing behind the two of them.
Once they exit the stable building Jamie adjusts the saddle and muzzle, making sure nothing is too tight. There’s a light breeze in the air, the golden sky shines before them, a beautiful hue, enhancing the scenery.
After checking on the horse Jamie turns towards Anelle, stretching out his hand to him. He slips his hand into Jamie’s stretched out hand, their hands sliding together like puzzle pieces. Jamie doesn’t stall on that too long, instead focusing on the slight callousness of his hands compared to Jamie’s own— a dancer, maybe?
He helps her step onto the stirrup, watching as she settles towards the front, before easily making his way up behind her. Jamie rests his hands around her waist to grab the reins, unaware of the light flush that comes to Anelle’s cheeks due to the contact.
“There’s a trail that leads to a nearby stream, we can go there.” He says as he spurs Horse on, leading her towards the trail. The breeze is nice, just enough so it’s not too cold, only slightly blowing Anelle’s hair.
“Your Father lets you ride whenever you wish?” They ask, leaning back slightly against his hold. Jamie lets out a small hum, a small smirk on his face. “No,” he says simply. He doesn’t give Anelle a chance to react to this information before spurring Horse on again.
“Wh— Prince—“ they start, letting out a startled laugh, their grip on a free part of the reins tightening momentarily. “Jamie.” He corrects, a teasing tone to his voice.
Jamie Porter had no prior interest in suitors; Anelle Anslivynski might just be the exception.