Midnoon came around far to fast for Stephanie, she rushed into the stable and ran smack bang into Sir Carlos. He reached out, steadying her, "Your Highness"
"Yes? Oh, it is you"
"Who were you expecting? Not the stable boy I hope," this was said in a most serious manner- Sir Carlos was quite grave.
Until Stephanie looking up at his face and found his eyes laughing, "I do hope you are not laughing at me"
"Of course not your Highness, would I do such a thing?"
Stephanie almost snorted, but held herself in check, "Are we riding today, Sir Carlos, or would you prefer to hold me?"
Sir Carlos shifted his hands to her tiny waste and pulled her close, "I know which I would rather be doing," he murmured into her ear
Stephanie blushed and looked down, but as she was level with his chest, the action bought her gaze to his crotch, causing her to blush even more.
Carlos chuckled, clearly amused at the Princess' predicament. Nevertheless, he did not push the flirtation, instead he turned her around to face on of the most beautiful animals Stephanie had eve seen.
"Oh my, she's beautiful"
"I thought you might like her"
Stephanie all but ran over to the horse, admiring her from the edge of the stall. "Does she have a name?"
"That is your Highness's honour"
"I think…I don't know"
Carlos smiled, "Then you will just have to ride her until you think of a name"
Carlos called for the stable boys and they saddled the mare with tack that Stephanie didn't recognise.
"Wait, this isn't my-"
"I know," instead of offering any explanations, he simply smiled at her and laced his fingers, waiting to lift her into the saddle.
Stephanie rode the mare well, Carlos noted, without hesitation and with an air of grace. She would be quite the Lady when she returned to her fathers home.
"Sir Carlos, I have it!"
"You have what, your Highness? A horse? In that case, you most certainly do"
Stephanie laughed out loud at that, "No, a name!"
She was caught up in the thrill of the ride, almost racing over the hills, letting the mare run as she wished.
"What have you decided on, then?" Carlos was most interested in her choice, perhaps it would revel a bit about her enigmatic self.
"Bright"
"Bright what?"
"Just Bright"
"May I enquire as to the significance of the name, your Highness?" it was a strange name, but Carlos could see that it did indeed suite the mare, when Stephanie was a-saddle, the mare fairly glowed.
"No, you may not"
They finished riding shortly before supper time, far to early for Stephanie. She had found that she enjoyed riding with Sir Carlos, she did enjoy his company when he wasn't flirting with her.