Chapter 11: Berkoot

Thea

-----

We sat with Jen for another half hour, chatting about everything and nothing in particular, and then went about our business, somewhere around eight in the morning. As it turned out, the former neighbor also, like me, worked the day shift. Drowsiness gradually receded and morning cheerfulness came to replace it. Especially now I had an interesting adventure ahead of me, not at all like a boring cleaning, so I went to the stable with enthusiasm and positive thoughts.

A huge barn with horses was located at a distance from the castle, on the other side of it, which I had no opportunity to see from the window of my room. And while I was walking to the place where the stallions were kept, I had plenty of time to enjoy the local beauty and architecture.

From the outside, the castle looked very majestic. Its base was an extension of the mountain, or more precisely, it was sunk into the mountain, as if someone was trying to bury the fortress deeper. Tall elongated, pointed spires with weathervanes looked very Gothic, but at the same time not gloomy. The tiles were overgrown with fluffy moss in places, as if a blanket was wrapped around them, trying to warm them.

Unlike my home, there were no stained glass windows on the windows here, but it didn't look worse, rather just different, but the sun's rays were reflected in the glasses even brighter. In some rooms there were exits to the balcony, fenced with stone balustrades, and on the ground floor there was a huge open veranda for pleasant tea parties.

Immediately behind the veranda there was a garden with stunning flowers and exotic trees that smelled of sweet scents and gathered butterflies, bumblebees and other flying insects around them. It was incredibly beautiful - the gardener did his best.

I walked past and got to the stable, walked around the inventory room, feed room with large stacks of freshly mown grass and dried hay, and found myself in front of half-open wooden doors leading directly to the stalls. Squeezing inside, I noticed the groom – Mr. Salamander (I got a short description of his appearance and name from the housekeeper). He was scratching the glossy hide of a brown stallion with some kind of small brush and looked so caring towards the animal.

- Mr. Salamander, hello. - I curtsied respectfully.

-Oh, Miss Theanna, right? Absolutely not worth all these trivial bows, I'm a simple guy. - The groom grinned, scratching his head. "I was just waiting for you.

Oliver Salamander was not what I imagined him to be. In fact, I thought he was at least fifty years old, but it turned out that he looks no more than thirty. Brown hair that bristles in all directions in a mess, a funny round nose and a whole face with freckles, like Jen's, and a very kind smile. He immediately showed himself as a simple-minded person, I think we will get along with him. I smiled back.

- You can just call me Thea. And what are we going to do today? I confess to you, I have never cared for animals, but I am trained to ride. - I turned my gaze to the beautiful stately horses, all as a selection.

-Oh, really? For us servants, this is a rare enough skill, few people can boast of it. May I ask where you studied? - He looked very interested. And I immediately faded away, realizing that now I urgently need to look for an excuse. - And by the way, you can also call me Oliver.

- My friend's father had a horse and as a child I often rode it. - I hope it turned out convincingly.

- I see. Well, Thea, unfortunately, I can't let you ride these nice guys, but you can help me feed and water them. How do you see it? - Of course I won't be able to ride, what kind of master will give his animal to the servants.

- This is too simple a job, so how can I refuse. - I laughed softly, realizing that he was sorry for my hard work. A real gentleman.

We walked through the spacious barn, laying out grass for each animal and pouring fresh water. Oliver showed me each horse, told me their story – under what circumstances they appeared in the castle, where they came from or were caught in the wild and tamed, and who their owners are. In a separate stall stood the most beautiful, massively muscular horse, with a jet-black sparkling hide and a long mane of the same color. Everything about her was the rich color of obsidian, even her eyes, framed by long fluffy eyelashes. I reached out to touch the horse's muzzle, but she whinnied and snorted, clearly unhappy with the violation of her personal space.

- She's beautiful. - I admired.

- It's him! - A voice from behind made me turn sharply, spilling water from a bucket. - His name is Berkoot and he is mine.

- Y-Your Majesty? - I was even a little speechless at the sight of him. What is he doing here? His mere presence and the atmosphere in the stable ceased to be relaxed. I even forgot to bow to the king, I was so caught off guard, but it didn't seem to bother him.

- Leave us, Oliver! -The groom left the barn without hesitation, casting a quick glance at me.

- So you say you can ride a horse, Princess? - His bloody eyes stared at me intently, while he himself came too close and was actually already standing side by side with me.

- Like any noble person, I was taught this from childhood. I love animals, everything is simple with them – be kind and honest to them, and they will reciprocate you. - I watched the king stroke the Berkoot, not at all affectionately, but more roughly or something. He teasingly moved his mane and rubbed his muzzle, but it still felt caring and love.

- He doesn't let anyone near him except me. -The king announced. - It may sound ridiculous, but I have to take care of this obstinate horse myself. He doesn't recognize a Salamander, well, only if he feed him and clean up after him. So, don't worry about the fact that he rejected you, it doesn't mean that he doesn't like you. - A smile stretched across his handsome handsome face as he looked at the steed.

- Your Majesty, may I allow myself the audacity and, in the absence of strangers, discard this unnecessary servile etiquette?

- Raphael. You can call me that when we're alone or in front of Dexter. And haven't you already allowed yourself to be impertinent before, Princess? - He reproached me, recalling our conversation on the first day.

- It doesn't count, I was consumed by emotions – you kidnapped me! - I lifted my chin, emphasizing my indignation theatrically.

-I thought you thought it was salvation? - The king quipped bitterly.

I didn't know what to say. Earlier I thought over everything that happened, on the one hand I am now his prisoner, but on the other – I am not kept in a dungeon, there is shelter and food. However, he appointed me as a servant – this is not a plus in his piggy bank. But he really saved me from an impending marriage with that vile Marquis. In general, everything is difficult, but I understand with my head that I am more grateful to him than not.

- So. When do we plan to go in search of the thing you are looking for? I'm grateful for your help, but I don't want to stay here for a long time, and I don't want to be a cleaner either. - I wrinkled my nose in displeasure.

- If you don't like it, you can be my personal maid, you don't have to clean, but then you have to help me take a bath. - He pursed his lips, clearly stifling a laugh.

- Excuse me? - I stared dumbfounded in disbelief, which caused him to laugh.

- Do you think it's worse than mopping floors? - Now he was waiting for an answer, and in his eyes the laughter mixed with the impending storm. I have to tread carefully on this thin ice.

- Don't get me wrong, Your Majesty... Raphael... but this is the height of indecency and humiliation for an unmarried girl of noble origin. - I tried to justify myself to make it sound softer.

- So marry me! - The quickly thrown statement threw me off balance. - Only then, in addition to the bath, I will also have to do erotic massage in bed.

- Y-you're joking now, I hope? - I was still somewhere outside my sanity, and he was laughing at me again. Am I a court jester to him?

- How straightforward you are, Princess. - His warm, thin fingers lightly touched my chin, lifting it higher so that our eyes met. - Don't take everything at face value and be always on your guard with me. Just a tip. Now I want to joke with you, and tomorrow I will recommend a great hangman for you. What's wrong with you? -He seemed to be trying to see something in me.

- Everything is as it should be with me, but you are clearly not all right! - I furrowed my eyebrows and pressed my lips into a thin line of irritation, how much longer will he tease and threaten me?

Raphael jerked his hand away from my face and all his cheerful mood evaporated as quickly as it appeared. A real mood person. He turned his back on me and headed towards the exit.

- Not earlier than in a week. My people need to prepare the ground for you if we don't want to fail.-He finally answered my main question. - Now finish up here and go rest. For today, you and your bruises under your eyes are free. Otherwise, people around you will think that you do not sleep at night, but read books.