The harvest festival was only a few days away and Jinki had plenty of work to do in preparation.  On top of his usual workload, they needed to prepare every stall in the stables for the influx of people that would begin arriving.  The harvest festival was a three day event and people traveled from all over to join the capital in celebrations. There would be food and merchants from all over as well as competitions for all to enjoy.  The festival ended with an extravagant ball at the palace for the noble class. For the common folk, the taverns would be filled with music and dancing and enough ale to knock out a horse. Jinki wouldn’t get to partake in much of the festivities due to his position, the additional horses in the stables and the constant flow of nobles in and out of the grounds would keep all of the stable hands on their toes for the duration of the festival.  However, he and the other stable hands always managed to steal a few hours to enjoy the festival, despite the workload.

     Jinki tried to stay out of his own head and away from worries of his brother by keeping himself busy.  He trained the wild one with a renewed vigor and the horse progressing marvelously. He had just started the process of getting the mare accustomed to wearing a saddle on her back.  She threw a slight fit the first day, bucking her back feet in annoyance as he had her run on the lead but she settled down quick enough. It would take some more work before she accepted the uncomfortable saddle, and eventually a rider, but she was getting better by the day.  

     Jinki also had the pleasure of watching the new colt get stronger and feistier as he grew.  He was like a weed, getting bigger almost over night but he was strong and had the makings of a fine horse.  His toothpick legs no longer shaky and unsure beneath him, rather he frolicked around, testing out their limits.  He was bright eyed and curious about everyone and everything. Jinki made it a point to interact with the new foal every day, getting him used to people and being handled so that he would be easier to manage and train once he was older.  It was an easy and enjoyable job since the new foal was an affectionate little creature, nuzzling into Jinki every chance he could.

     Despite his emotional turmoil, his life seemed to be falling back into its routine once again until Miss Gwiboon finally came by the stables, disrupting his day like only she could.     

     “Jinki!  There you are!”

     “Ah, welcome, m’lady,” Jinki smiled.  It had been a few days and even in that brief time, he realized he'd missed seeing her around the stables.

     “I wish to go for a ride, prepare my horse.”

     “Ay, m’lady.  Would you like to see the colt first?” Jinki asked.

     “Yes, I would like that,” She responded, a genuine smile pulling at her lips, both of them starting to understand each other a bit better with each interaction.  

     Jinki loosened the saddle strap on his horse, giving the animal a bit of a breather while he went out to help Miss Gwiboon.  The horse would be fine for the time being. He latched the stall, leading her down the long aisle to the area that he had the mother and baby housed. The small colt threw his head over the door, not quite tall enough for it to be comfortable but the little thing seemed to have heard their footsteps and was forever curious.  He let out a little nicker of happiness at the sight of Jinki, pawing at the door in agitation when Jinki didn’t come in and instead leaned over the door with Miss Gwiboon. Jinki rubbed the little one’s face affectionately, capturing the horse’s attention long enough for Miss Gwiboon to pet him without startling him.  

     “He’s beautiful,” She murmured, her fingers tracing over the white star on his forehead.  

     “He is.  Comes from good stock too, he’s going to be a fine horse one day,” Jinki replied, rubbing his hand over the velvety soft skin of the colt’s muzzle.  

     The two of them stood in companionable silence, neither mentioned their talk by the river.  It seemed they were both growing comfortable keeping each other’s secrets. They both watch the colt before them as he sniffed and nuzzled at Miss Gwiboon, taking in her smell.  Jinki was shaken out of his bubble by the sudden sound of a stall door slamming shut and he realized just how close they were standing, just how intimate the moment might look to others.  He jumped back, bowing out of habit, “m’lady, are you ready for that ride?”

     She nodded.

     Jinki led the way to the proper stall, he began his routine of preparing the gelding for a ride. He didn’t think much about it, the whole process so ingrained into his muscles that it took no conscious effort on his part before the horse was saddled and ready to go.  Without any prompting, Jinki untied the rope and led the animal to the mounting block, waiting for Miss Gwiboon to mount.

     "Thank you, Jinki," She said simply.

     Jinki muttered a polite greeting in response as he watched her ride off alone before he set off to finish preparing his mount that had been left alone for far too long.  Once the horse was prepared, he set off for his own ride.

     The air was crisp and fresh, the recent rain bringing out the strong aroma of pine as the fallen needles were crushed beneath the horses hooves.  He allowed the horse to wander, simply enjoying the rare day of fair weather and taking in the sunshine and picturesque hills alight with the colors of fall that rose up behind the palace.  His thoughts were broken by the soft sound of a horse approaching from behind.  He pulled up his mount, turning to look over his shoulder only to have a bright smile pulled from his lips as Miss Gwiboon came riding up towards him.

     “Hello again, Jinki,” She commented, falling in step beside him.

     “Good afternoon.  I thought m’lady enjoyed riding alone,” Jinki responded, the two of them seamlessly falling into their pseudo friendship.  It felt so odd and yet he enjoyed every moment of it. He had never in his life felt so at ease in the presence of a noble. It was a new feeling, making him giddy as he smiled like a damn fool before her.

     “Only because I’ve yet to find company I enjoy more than solitude,” She responded, her smile making Jinki’s heart flip flop in his chest.  Did that mean that she viewed his presence as better than being alone? He felt strange at just how much he liked that idea. 

     Jinki got a mischievous smile on his face, his eyebrow quirking in interest, “M’lady?  Fancy a race?”

     Her laugh was loud, carefree and anything but delicate.  Jinki felt a sense of pride that he was able to pull such a genuine yet effortless response from her.

     “Yes Jinki, I think I would like that very much.  However, first we must even the playing field,” She said, a mischievous smile of her own. 

     “M’lady?”

     Miss Gwiboon didn’t grace his question with a response, rather leading her mount towards the entrance to the woods, sliding from the high side saddle with practiced grace.  Her nimble fingers immediately working the straps to pull the saddle off while Jinki watched in confusion and wonder. He had already known that she untacked her mount while she was out by herself but he had yet to understand why.  He kept quiet, knowing that she would reveal the answer in due time.

     “If you would… ummm… turn around,” Miss Gwiboon mumbled, an uncertain look flashing in her eyes and her cheeks flushed pink.  

     Jinki raised an eyebrow in surprise, picking apart her strange request as he obliged, circling his horse and staring off at the long meadow before them that dipping off into a deep valley.  His eyes were trained forward but his ears were on high alert, picking up every rustle of fabric behind him.

     “Alright, you may turn,” She announced, standing rather sheepishly before him.  

     Jinki turned around to see her looking much like she had before except that her horse was , her saddle sat unceremoniously on the ground and her stark white bloomers were thrown on top.  His eyebrows knitted in confusion before she sighed, her insecurities melting away as her usual short patience bled into her actions and tone.  

     “I can’t very well race riding side saddle, now can I?  And I can’t very well ride like a man without the proper attire, now can I?”  She lifted her skirts, exposing up to her calf to reveal a pair of men’s britches, a tan colored twill that hugged her legs.  

     Jinki stared in shock, his brain processing so slow he feared it might have stopped.  He was on a ride with a noble woman who was wearing men's clothes with the intention of riding .  He would sooner believe that the grass was blue than what his eyes were telling him right now.

     Miss Gwiboon giggling at his expression is what pulled him from his shock and lifted his jaw up off of his chest.

     “So that is how you knew Taemin had made a mistake that first day?  And that is why you always unsaddle your horse while you are out? Because you prefer riding ?” Jinki asked, all the confusing events finally lining up with clarity. 

     “It’s difficult to really ride sitting sideways on a horse.  Horribly uncomfortable those side saddles,” She responded, climbing up on a stump and swinging her leg over the horse without an ounce of shame.  She was very practiced at this, her stance perfect even without a saddle and her knees guiding the horse rather than relying on the reins. Jinki couldn’t help but be impressed.  He wasn’t sure if even he would have so much control over a beast while riding . “Now about that race,” Miss Gwiboon started, trailing off but a suggestive quirk to her lips.  

     Jinki laughed, letting his thoughts melt away, accepting the woman before him for what she wanted to be at the moment.  She wanted a race and a race she shall have. “Alright m’lady, to that far knoll and back?” He suggested, waiting for her approval.  

     She nodded, a smile permanent on her lips as they lined the horses up.  The animals could sense the excitement, prancing and shaking their heads in impatience.  

     “Ready and…. Go!”

     The two of them took off, Jinki’s horse pulling to have full use of its head as Jinki crouched low in the saddle, his heels sinking and his backside lifting out of the seat.  His heart seemed to get lighter with each step, his worries melting away and his mind clearing as the wind rushed through his hair. It was fun in an effortless way to race without any purpose other than enjoyment.  As the knoll approached, Jinki had to slow his mount in order to make the turn, finding Miss Gwiboon right along beside him and unfortunately for him, making a far better turn on her mount than he. She overtook him with ease, her horse sprinting ahead at the straight stretch between him and the finish line.  Jinki couldn’t seem to keep the smile off his face despite the fact that he was losing. He gave his horse full rein and the beast stretching out into an extended gallop, closing the gap between them. However, even with a faster mount, Jinki simply didn’t have enough distances to overtake Miss Gwiboon before the finish line was upon them.

     She let out a whoop of excitement, sitting back hard and pulling the horse to circle around in order to slow him, a smile of pure pleasure alighting her face.  Jinki followed suit, the two of them easing the horses down before dismounting.

     “That was some impressive riding, m’lady,” Jinki commented as he tied their mounts to a nearby tree, the two of them sitting down in the grass to rest from their race.

     “Thank you.  You would have bested me if it wasn’t for that turn though,” she responded, a modest blush on her cheeks but she still held that happy smile on her face, her hair windblown and tangled.  Jinki couldn’t help but mirror her expression; he hadn’t had that much fun in a long time, even if he just lost.

     “True, but still, you were even riding .  If the stakes had been truly even, you would have still won,” Jinki commented.  “I’ve never in all my years seen anyone ride with such skill and never in all my years have I seen a woman in britches.”

     Gwiboon laughed in response, “In my younger years I was considered quite wild.   I wore britches under my dresses constantly. It must be hard to believe by looking at me now, but as a child cared not a wit for dresses or parties. I loved horses more than life itself and spent my every waking moment in the barns.” 

     “And?  What changed?” Jinki asked, wanting to hear more about Miss Gwiboon and her life. 

     “As I got older I was forced to become a ‘lady’ and do away with such inappropriate interests.  While I was accommodating about becoming a proper lady, learning embroidery and etiquette; I never lost my interest in horses and it became a secret past time for me.  My rebellion if you will,” Miss Gwiboon recalled her past with a soft smile, the words flowing uninhibited. 

     “Miss Gwiboon, do not take offense but you are truly the strangest noble I have ever encountered,” Jinki finally uttered, speaking the thoughts that had been on his mind since the first time he had met Miss Gwiboon.  

     She laughed loudly and carefree, amused by his words, “Is that so?”

     “Yes m’lady, it is,” Jinki affirmed.  

     “Is that a bad thing?” She questioned.

     “Far from it.  I much prefer it,” Jinki said.  A comfortable silence fell between them, Jinki breaking it with a soft whisper.  “Miss Gwiboon?”

     “Yes?” She hummed lazily, her eyes fluttering as if she was hovering somewhere between awake and dozing.  

     “Thank you… for the other day.  The willow tree. I feel more calm after sharing my concerns.” 

     “You are very welcome, Jinki.  Perhaps you do not realize how I've shared my own burdens with you.  You have been someone I can talk to here at the palace and it has helped ease some of my loneliness; I wanted to return the favor,” her eyelids fluttered open, a soft smile pulled at her lips.

     Why did you pick me?” Jinki questioned.

     “What do you mean?” She asked.

     “Why did you pick me as the stable hand allowed to handle your mount?  Why did you pick me as someone you could trust? Could talk to? Just… why me?” Jinki knew it was a silly question but it had been nagging at him for weeks.  He was a stablehand! He wasn’t anyone special or important. Why had this noblewoman taken such notice of him? Why had she befriended him? 

     “Well… you were the first stable hand to show any competence for one.  Also, my Cheonsa here isn’t fond of anyone but myself. He has a bad habit of nipping or head butting anyone who gets too close.  However, he is calm with you. You have a gift with horses, Jinki. And I trust my horse’s instincts, so if he trusts you, I trust you.  It may seem childish but it was a good choice as you have proved yourself to be worthy of that trust,” Gwiboon said, her words simple but honest.

     “I’m glad.  While it is odd for me to think, let alone say, I feel similar.  I’ve never encountered a noble who I felt I could speak to without fear of consequences.  I don’t think m’lady knows how terrified I was that day in the woods. You also proved your trustworthiness to me that day as well and I am grateful,” Jinki told her.

     “Well there wasn’t very much I could do about it, even if I had wanted to.  The shame. Being caught in the woods by a stable boy without my bloomers on?  How would I ever explain it?” She tutted, a soft flush gracing her cheeks at the memory of such embarrassment. 

     “M’lady, few nobles would have felt the need for honesty in such a situation,” Jinki muttered.

     “Whatever do you mean?” Gwiboon questioned, confusion in her eyes and Jinki was once again reminded how young and innocent she really was.  

     “I fear m’lady might be too naive for life in the palace.  I am a commoner and you a noble. Any accusation made against me would have been met with harsh consequences.  You could have accused me of anything and it would have been so,” Jinki’s tone suggested something far darker than the reality of what happened that day.  

     “That’s… that is simply preposterous!  No one would believe me if I made such a heinous accusation.  You are far too gentlemanly,” Gwiboon responded rather hotly, once she understood what Jinki was getting at.  

     Jinki’s smile was tinged with bitterness, “M’lady, no one needs to believe you.  Truth is irrelevant when it comes to scuffles between the classes.”   

     Miss Gwiboon went silent, letting his words melt around them, “I guess I never thought about such things in that way.  That is awful.”

     “That, m’lady, is life.”

     “Reality of life or not, it is still awful,” she argued.

     Jinki laid back in the grass, listening to the wind rustle around them and the clouds lazily sliding across the cerulean blue sky.  The quiet sounds of nature were calming and the presence of Miss Gwiboon was comforting rather than invasive. He didn’t know how much time slipped passed but he knew it was already too much.  With a small sigh, Jinki pulled himself into a sitting position, looking down at the woman beside him with a gentle smile, her eyes closed, but her breathing suggested she was very much awake. “Miss, I think it is time we head back,” Jinki whispered, effectively pulling her from her daze.  

     Her eyelids fluttered open, nodding in understanding as she too sat up.  

     “Thank you for today, Jinki.  I am not well liked at the palace so I fear you and Cheonsa are the only ones I can consider friends,” She smiled rather shyly up at him.  He knew the words must have cost a bounty of her pride to utter.

     “Ay, I am flattered, m’lady.  It has been my experience that being a noble at the palace is very much a game.  You seem to be playing your part well however, that doesn’t lend well towards friendship.  Genuine beings are few and far between around these parts,” he’d had years to watch the noble’s dance around each other, Gwiboon’s feelings were more common than she realized.  

     Miss Gwiboon nodded in agreement, “Well, no matter,” she shrugged, “I have met few nobles here I would want to spend time with.  Horrible. Just horrible. The conversation is so dull. Always talk of dresses, parties and which bachelor has the most money. Exhausting just to listen to.”

     Jinki laughed, “I know little of such things but I do not envy you.  I much prefer the quiet life myself. The horses create little fuss.”  She smiled in response. Jinki stood up and offered her a hand. “Shall I saddle your horse, m’lady?”        

     “Of course!  What else would you do?” she responded, her tone filled with fake attitude that only made Jinki laugh harder.  “Do not turn around, I must change again,” She said as Jinki approached the horses.

     “Ay, m’lady,” Jinki responded, going about retacking her horse while keeping his thoughts far away from what she was doing behind him.  She came up beside him, giving her horse a loving pat before going about stowing her britches in her saddlebag.  

     “You go ahead Jinki, I expect my stable boy to be waiting for me after all,” She said, that playful quirk of her lips doing strange things to Jinki’s heart once again.

     “Of course, m’lady.  Tales of Miss Gwiboon’s temper have spread far and wide throughout the palace; I would hate to be on the receiving end of such wrath,” Jinki smiled.  He swung himself into the saddle to the sound of her boisterous laughter. “G’day, m’lady.”

     “Ay,” she called, still chuckling to herself as he rode away.