Page 40 of Royally Drawn

“Yes,” Aunt Natalie answered. “Good God. We always do. If you ever came to watch your sister and cousin compete, you’d know, Keir Robert!”

Betty crossed her arms. Who was I to deny her?

“Well, if it wouldn’t be too annoying for you all, I can come and play groom,” I sighed.

Cici laughed, “You and Isak are so fucked. We’re going to be relentless and annoying.”

“I can handle it,” I said, meeting Ingrid’s gaze again.

It was on.

Badminton

INGRID

“Hoof black,” I handed a tin off to Keir.

He suffered at my hands in the run-up to my dressage test. The trot-up was only twenty minutes out, and I was bringing up the rear. I wanted my horse to look impeccable. Kraken was a big black Trakehner with lots of chrome. The hoof black made his stockings pop.

“You are so posh, aren’t you?” Keir laughed.

“Are you whinging about it?” I asked. “I thought you were at my disposal?”

He looked up from where he crouched in the aisle of the stables, giving me a look like he’d enjoy throwing me up against a tack room wall. Against all reason, I wanted to try it out.

“No, princess, I’m not arguing.”

“Good boy,” I said, returning to my current task—plaiting my mount’s tail.

Queen Kiersten rushed up. “Let me finish that. You need to get dressed, darling.”

I groaned.

“Let her,” Cici called from where she sat in front of her horse’s stall. “She’s brilliant at plaiting—better than most grooms.”

I relented. I’d change into my dress for the morning, then finally my dressage kit. It was my first big trot up, and the press photographed me. I needed to look good. I hoped Astrid would be here to hold my hand and help me, but the train was delayed. She would be lucky to make my dressage test at all. I was grateful for Queen Kiersten’s maternal energy.

Pulled into a pretty pink dress from a fabulous resort collection and a pair of dependable flats, I was ready to go. Men got to wear dress shoes, but we didn’t get that benefit. Kraken’s trot was wild. I’d be running full steam. Heels only spelt trouble.

“You look adorable,” Betty said, giving me a hug and a kiss. “Let me work on your hair.”

I took the help, standing in the aisle as Betty brushed out my hair. I’d pulled it down from my morning ponytail.

“You’re lucky your hair is straight. Makes it easier,” Betty sighed.

“You got five minutes!” Cici called down the aisle. She’d been one of the first to trot up this morning and was watching the queue.

“Tail is done!” Queen Kiersten declared.

“Are the hooves alright?” Keir asked, stepping back.

“He looks lovely,” I said. “Many thanks to you both.”

“I’ll do Anything to help,” Queen Kiersten said. “He’s such a beautiful, big boy, isn’t he?”

“His feet are the size of dinner plates,” Keir chuckled. “Thankfully, he’s calm.”

“For now,” I said. “We’ll get in the lineup, and he’ll be a complete dick. Just wait.”

---