Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 443. Bored Princess II
The stable master bowed low. "My Lady. An honor."
Jane waved awkwardly. "Please don't bow."
He straightened with a sheepish look. "Ah. Right."
She stepped inside slowly, eyes sweeping across rows of polished wood and iron railings. Several horses peeked out from their stalls—sleek, proud creatures with manes like silk.
But one caught her eye. A mare. Dappled gray, eyes soft and curious.
"She's pretty," Jane said, stepping closer.
The stable master nodded. "That's Whisper. Gentle as they come. Retired from hunting last season."
"Can I…?" Jane gestured vaguely.
"Of course. She's yours, if you like."
Jane blinked. "Mine?"
"I mean—" The man scratched his head. "She hasn't been claimed. And the queen did say you were welcome to the grounds."
Jane didn't answer. She just stepped forward, hand out, palm open.
Whisper leaned in slowly, brushing her nose against Jane's fingers.
Warm. Alive. Real.
Jane smiled.
For the first time in a week, she smiled.
"She likes you," the maid said softly behind her.
"Animals always did," Jane murmured.
They stayed there a while. Jane let herself breathe in the silence, the hay, the warmth of the mare beside her. It was the closest she'd felt to herself in days. No laced gowns. No complicated silverware. No silent halls where you could hear your own breath bounce off marble.
Just the soft crunch of straw beneath the horse's hooves and the weight of the reins in her hands.
She rode around the practice ring. Not fast, not even with real direction. Just slow laps around the fence, circling until the rhythm of the horse's steps lulled the noise in her mind to a manageable hum. No guards, no stiff courtly posture. Her spine loosened. Her shoulders dropped. She let herself exist like she used to—free, quiet, and unnoticed.
The breeze was soft and warm. The smell of hay and leather settled into her lungs like a memory. A week had passed since she'd arrived at the palace—a castle, really, too big and too cold and too polished—and despite the kindness she'd been shown, she still didn't know where she belonged.
She was a guest. That's what they said. A friend. That was the story. And she didn't mind that. Truly.
But it was quiet. Too quiet.
There were no goats to milk. No fields to weed. No children to chase or barter to make. Just soft halls, endless corridors, and a maid who followed her like a polite, apologetic ghost.
"You ride well, my lady," the maid said gently.
Jane smiled without turning. "I had a stubborn mule once. If you didn't ride him well, he'd make sure everyone knew."
The maid gave a delicate laugh.
Another lap.
Another breeze.
Another second of pretending she belonged here.
She turned the mare gently and let her pace slow, letting her eyes drift across the outer yard. There, in the distance— two figures stood under a tree near the edge of the main courtyard.
Rose. In her signature deep red.
And beside her, Claire, holding a parasol, her sleeves fluttering like ribbons.
They weren't approaching. Just watching.
Jane blinked.
There was no judgment in their gazes. No tension. Just quiet presence. But something about it made Jane feel warm and raw all over.
She pressed her lips together, turned the mare, and nudged her gently toward the stable.
She couldn't ride in circles forever.
Once the reins were handed off to a stableboy and she brushed the dust off her skirt, she headed toward the tree.
Rose was still standing there, elegant and soft-eyed.
"Your Majesty," Jane said, bowing slightly as she approached.
Rose tilted her head, smile warm. "Why did you stop?"
Jane hesitated. Her fingers curled slightly. "You came to see me."
"You didn't have to stop for that," Rose replied lightly. "Are you bored?"
That made Jane freeze.
Was she?
Yes.
But she couldn't just say that.
She lowered her gaze instead. "I... just don't know what to do sometimes."
Rose glanced at Claire, who nodded quietly and folded her parasol closed. Jane didn't miss the way Claire looked a little guilty.
Jane continued, voice softer now. "In the village, there was always something. Darning, sweeping, cooking, gathering. Here, it feels like everything's already been done before I wake up."
"You want to go to the city?" Claire asked.
Jane looked up. "I do... but I didn't want to be a burden. You've been busy."
Claire gave a sheepish smile. "I have. Sorry. It's not intentional."
>Read the original on webnovel* .com
>Read 10 chapter ahead of DM + 2 weekly update
My Pat*reo*n-page: pat*reon.*com/nanakawaichan
(erase the *)
My ko-fi page: ko-fi.*com/nanakawaichan
My Discord: discord.gg/mSRHyMVhnG