I joined the rest of the girls, and Junmyeon was infront, beside Mr Rhodes, the stable master. 

" Did I miss much ? " I whispered to Seulgi. 

" No, Mr Rhodes was just briefing us about safety. " she said. " We're riding today. "

The thought of that made me elated with joy. Finally, something that I enjoyed. I grinned, even though it would be harder to ride in a dress. I scanned the crowd, most of the girls were either nervous or scared or worried. What was there to worry about ? 

" Why does everyone look down today ? " I asked Wendy. " It's just riding."

She groaned, " That's the problem, none of us know how to ride. Well, I think Jiyeon knows a few tricks. And with the horse galloping like that, and the dirt, ugh....I can't even bare to think about it ! " 

That was the problem with girls in Seoul, they couldn't even stand anything involving a little dirt, they were such dainty ladies...

" Alright, girls ! " Mr Rhodes chuckled. " You've got a treat today ! All the castle horses are well bred and groomed, beautiful creatures, horses. And you're given the special privilege to chose your own just for today. Then we'll let all of you have a go by yourself, we'll see what happens. " 

We headed into the stables, the smell of hay already present. I glanced behind, the girls were already swatting their hands around to ward away the stench, some covering their nose. I rolled my eyes at that sight, and went to look at the horses. 

I had to call them stallions, because they looked so much more groomed than Ginger back home. They came in all kinds of colours, ranging from white to ebony black. They all looked elegant, perfect, and royal. I wondered if any of them could be strong enough for hunting all day like I did with Ginger, if they were not just pretty faces.

Like all the girls here.

I passed the horses one by one, a silver white one turned away from me and went to Jiyeon. Then a greyback horse, but she just hunched away and went to eat hay. I saw a few more, then one caught my attention. It was reddish brown in colour, with a sleek black mane. It kept neighing at me, it was so restless. I couldn't help but grin at its cuteness. 

I picked up an apple lying in the food stack, and approached the horse. It was galloping a little in its stable, like it couldn't wait to get out. I tried reaching my hand out, but it just snorted. Like it was opposed to my approach.

" Hmm, arrogant aren't you ? " I murmured in confusion.

" That's Scarlet. " Mr Rhodes said as he walked pass me. " Funny one, she is. " 

" How so ? "

" Doesn't like taking orders, that's why no one rides her. " he grunted. 

" She kicked two castleguards before. " Jiyeon stated as she secured her helmet, and gear. " You shouldn't be going near her, if you don't want to get that pretty face of yours hurt. It would be such a pity, tsk tsk. Come on, Darling. " she dragged her horse, Darling out of the stable. 

I rolled my eyes, and soon all the girls already had their horses. Some had difficulty getting them out. " Why won't you budge ? " Wendy groaned in frustration.

I was the only one left in the stable, with only a few horses remaining. Still, I was determined to take the one infront of me. Even if it was as strongheaded than a rock. Then I heard it snort loudly.

I raised my eyebrows, " Don't like her either ? " I whispered to her.

Miraculously, Scarlet shook her head. I smirked, " Me too. So, care for a treat ? " I offered the apple in my hands. 

Scarlet looked away and back, then she munched on it soon enough sheepishly. I couldn't help but smile at her humor, then I managed to her mane. She grunted affectionately, and neighed. 

" So ready for a ride, Scarlet ? " I asked.

Immediately, she snorted and jerked away. That left me confused again, one minute she was okay then she wasn't. Still, I was patient. " What's wrong ? " I kept asking, even though it looked stupid asking a horse questions.

Then she beckoned at the bitless bridle, she looked as if she despised it. Slowly, I understood. " You don't like it ? "

Scarlet shook her head. " It hurts doesn't it ? " I asked again, and she nodded.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, and I approached her again. " I'm not going to use it, I don't want to hurt you. "

Scarlet turned to look at me, and cocked her head. Really ? I imagined her saying if she could speak. 

" I promise, I won't use the bit. Let's have fun ! " I said. " I can see you really want to get out. "

She neighed in excitement, and I opened the door and got onto her back after securing the saddle.

The bit was excluded.

I steered her out of the stable, and she whipped through the wind really fast. I could tell she could wait to get out. While everyone was learning within the fence, Scarlet zipped pass it and headed somewhere else, with me riding on the back. 

" Whoa, slow down Scarlet ! " I yelped. " We have to be in the training ground ! " but she just kept neighing in delight.

Then I didn't even have time to talk anymore, because there was a hedge ahead. Based on instincts, I reigned the saddles, and we jumped passed the hedge just in time. Then Scarlet picked up pace again, like she was having the time of her life. I could tell she knew where she was going, because I never knew the back of the castle had hills and greens, perfect for riding. 

" You like to go fast, don't you ? " I said, and she neighed. " Okay then, let's go fast ! " and I tugged at the reigns, and we ripped through the wind.

My ponytail fell loose, and my hair was whipping thorugh the wind. I had to admit, I was having the time of my life. I actually wanted to go faster, because I wanted to escape time and tide. The wind hitting my face, it a joy to feel. 

We leapt through bushes and hedges, rode uphill and downhill. And we did it all over again. Soon, I heard another set of hooves gallop closer, I whipped around.

" Are you alright ? " Junmyeon asked, as he rode towards me. " The horse just rode you off, we thought you were in danger. "

" No, I-I'm perfectly fine. " I stammered, because I didn't know what to say. " I was having fun actually. "

Upon hearing that, he looked amused. " Hmm, you're the first. The others are struggling to even get their horses to follow their orders, and here you are having the time of your life. "

I smiled and Scarlet's mane, " You just need to listen to them, then they'll go along. I didn't have any problem with Scarlet, well not many anyway. " 

" Agreed. " Junmyeon answered while smiling. " Thunder and I work like a charm, don't we Thunder ? "

His horse, Thunder, was a dark grey stallion with a snowy white mane, he had the exact handsome aura like his rider. They were a perfect match, and Thunder liked to hold his head up high, like royalty should. " His mother was Majesty, she died a few years ago. Beautiful horse, she was. " Junmyeon sighed.

" Poor Thunder..." I said apologetically.

" Oh no, he's one strong horse. " he said, before Thunder went over and snuggled towards him. " He can do anything. We should get going, they might get worried. "

" You came here to get me ? "

" Well, of course. I want you to be safe. " he answered. " You could've gotten hurt, its my duty to protect you-"

I crossed my arms and snorted, " I don't need protecting, I can handle myself perfectly well, thank you very much. "

" But you're a lady-"

" So what ? " I fought back, " Girls can do whatever they think they can. Now, " and I swung one leg across Scarlet's back. " Are we going to sit here all day or are we going to go back ? " and I pulled the reigns before riding off. 

At the corner of my eye, I could sense Junmyeon creeping a crooked smile, before riding after me. Soon, he caught up with me. That one moment, we looked at each other while we were riding. I didn't feel any sense of shame, I just felt fearless. And I smiled and laughed, and he did too. 

By the time we came back, a crowd was visible. But it was surrounding something else. We got off our horses, and raced towards them. The girls were surrounding someone, Mina in Kyungsoo's lap. She looked like she was gasping for air.

" What's happened ? " Junmyeon stepped forward, the girls immediately gave way. 

" She fell off her horse, but she couldn't get up. She's suffocating, I think she has breathing problems. " Kyungsoo said urgently. 

Junmyeon approached Mina, who was whimpering in pain. " It's going to be okay. Go get the doctor to the hospital wing, now ! " he ordered Kyungsoo and the butlers urgently, before carrying Mina in his arms, rested her onto Thunder's saddle, and he rode off with her towards the castle.

A few of us had the heart to remain in the hospital wing, to make sure Mina was okay. Me, Wendy, Seulgi, and a few others, besides Jiyeon who was just there to eavesdrop. It had been an hour that's passed, but there was still no news. 

" What did you think happened ? " Seulgi asked in worry. " Mina always looked healthy. "

" Maybe it was a shock attack, it happens sometimes. " Wendy reasoned. 

Then the doors opened, with the doctors coming out with Junmyeon and Kyungsoo. We all got up hastily. " Is she okay ? " I asked.

The doctors wrote something on the report, " We checked, it seems she has been suffering from asthma since she was born. It's a normal case, she had forgotten her inhaler. Besides that, she can't be exposed to sunlight too much. She had sensitive skin. "

None of us had any idea Mina had such weak immune systems, she looked fine all the time. We headed into her ward, and she was there, eyes closed, unconscious. Wendy and Seulgi sat next to her bed, taking care of her. 

At the corner of my eye, I saw Junmyeon and Kyngsoo exit the room for a private conversation. I glanced at everyone else, before quietly exiting the room to investigate.

" Is there no other way ? " I heard Junmyeon say to Kyungsoo.

" I know you have a kind heart, Junmyeon. But these are the rules, you must not forget the regulations. " Kyungsoo stressed. " Any lady who is ill, or has long term health problems, are excluded from participating in the Selection. Now she has violated the regulations, she must pay the price. "

" But ridding her of her family position, their jobs-don't you think it's too cruel ? " Junmyeon reasoned. " And, she's a friend and classmate of mine. I can't do that to her ! " 

" You're too soft, Junmyeon ! The law is hard, but it is the law. That's what father taught us, and for a reason. I'm not being harsh, I'm being reasonable. See what your mercy and kindness got you into ? Into lies and cons by the people, they're being rebellious now. And who knows how much worse it'll get soon, we have to set our rules straight. "

" But-, I can't possibly treat them like that. And that's my final decision, Kyungsoo. " Junmyeon repeated. " I'll disqualify her, but that's it. I won't do anything else. "

" Father will not be please with your actions. " Kyungsoo warned.

" I know, but I'll talk to him. And we'll run a health test for everyone, to prevent any of this happening again. " Junmyeon said. " I know what I'm doing. "

" And mark my words, Junmyeon, this is not how a future king makes his decisions. The whole reason these rules exist is because we don't want history repeating itself. Sometimes, we have to be cruel. To make people obedient, we have to use the power we have. "

" That's your ideology, not mine. " 

" Fine, do it your way. But let me remind you, the next elimination is within two days. You better make your decisions quick. "

" I will. "

Kyungsoo stared out the window, holding his glass of whiskey. It was filled with a chunky block of ice, served by his own appointed maid, Sherry. She had a toned body, piercing eyes, eye catching. 

" If you need anything else, you can call me anytime. " she had said to him, voice as sweet as honey, twirling her hair around her finger. " Your higness. "

He smirked, " Oh really, even at the dead of night ? "

Sherry giggled, " Mymy, what bold words ! But yes, I will fulfill your request if that's what you need. I'll be off, your highness. " and she exited his room.

Now he was standing near the window, deep in thought. Irene Bae, that name was now stuck in his head. He couldn't understand how his brother could like someone who was less dainty than all the other girls. But he soon realized he was asking such a stupid question.

That was the problem, Junmyeon didn't know what he wanted.

But Kyungsoo knew exactly what he wanted, that made the difference between both of them. And Junmyeon was less certain, and he trusted people too much.

That Irene, she was suspiscious enough. Kyungsoo was certain he smelled a rat, and he was aiming that beauty his brother was in love with. She dared to get her hands dirty, she was fearless, determined, and she had an attitude that wasn't ladylike, charming by the way Junmyeon saw it. 

But Kyungsoo could see through it, and he was getting suspicious. Though even if it was true, Junmyeon would be too blind to notice it. Kyungsoo smirked at that thought.

I was always smarter than him, Kyunsoo said to himself.