Katherine had expected a simple horseback riding lesson. She should have known better.
It started innocently enough—Florante maintaining his usual dignified air, Adolfo throwing out his usual cocky remarks, and Katherine just focusing on not falling off her horse.
Then, in what could only be described as a moment of sheer madness, Master Gerard had glanced between the two young noblemen and, with a gleam in his eye, declared, "A race. That's what we need."
Katherine had opened her mouth to protest, but Florante, ever the gentleman, simply nodded. "I'm not entirely sure about this, Professor, but... I understand." He sighed, as though accepting whatever antics Gerard was about to throw at them.
Adolfo, on the other hand, was practically grinning with excitement. "Oh, this will be fun."
The course was simple—ride from the stable, weave through the training grounds, loop around the courtyard, and return. A straightforward test of skill, or at least, that was the plan.
