They arrived at a stable.
There are many horses lined up in the stable. All are healthy and strong-looking.
He would say every horse here is handsome. Every horse is handsome for him because, look, they look strong and manly. Put aside their arrogant-looking faces.
This was his first time here. Three months were not enough for him to know every nook and cranny of the imperial palace. There are too many sections and buildings. Each imperial family member has their own palace; he just knew that after Riri told him.
But currently, he does not reside in his palace, which is in the West wing, between his two sisters' palaces. He resides in the Diamond Palace, the emperor's palace, right now. For his own safety, they said.
Maybe later, after they feel convinced that he is safe on his own, he could go back to his palace. Maybe at that time he would gain more freedom than now.
"What are we doing here, sister?"
"Ride a horse, of course. It has been so long, actually. Better keep your skills alive. So, want to practice together again?"
Ride a horse. He had experienced it before. He learned it just to win a competition when he was a university student. He won, fortunately.
But he stopped after that. He could remember the basics, but he is not sure if that can be used because he did not practice much.
"I've ridden a horse before?"
He asked with a clueless face.
"Of course. You also have your own horse. Bring Coco here."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Oh yes, now he noticed that Helenis wore a pantsuit, not a dress. His attire was also different from his casual outfit. He did not ask about the sudden change of clothes towards Riri because sometimes Riri would give vague answers.
'Coco? This kid likes chocolate so much that he named his horse Coco?'
A young horse, a smaller one than all the others in the stable—maybe this horse was put elsewhere—was brought by one of the servants. The horse has a white colour, which was unexpected when thinking of the name, with a golden-like mane and tail.
One word: this horse is majestic.
But the name ruined it. Eh, who is he to judge this kid's taste?
"Coco is a male?"
"Yup! Look, he must miss you."
The horse, Coco, let out a sound while being pulled by the servant.
"It's fine, Micha. Coco is a good boy."
When Coco was already near them, Helenis put her hand on Coco's head and rubbed it gently.
"Try to touch him, Micha."
He extended his hand to touch Coco. When his hand was near enough, Coco nudged his hand with his nose and let out a sound.
"Look, he remembers you after so long."
He continued to pat Coco slowly from the head towards the back. Of course, Coco would be taller than him, but Coco kept his head low to be pet.
"Let's ride fast! Let me teach you first."
Without him being prepared, Helenis picked him up and put him on Coco's back. He tried to stabilize himself while holding onto Coco's mane.
"I'm sure you'll get used to riding in no time. Muscle memory won't die that easily after all. Here, hold onto this strap tightly."
He grabbed the strip tightly with both hands. The height when he is an adult and in this kid's body when on top of the horse are the same, so this kind of height is not that scary.
"It's okay. Don't be scared. Even if you fall, I will catch you!"
That kind of didn't give him any reassurance at all. He would get injured if he fell, and he did not want to get hurt. A fall from a horse was not a very good experience for him in his past life because he fell in a strange position and his wrist was broken.
Helenis pulled Coco to walk slowly. Firstly, they walked around the big field, and the speed increased little by little, from Helenis strolling to running. Coco also ran with her.
Slowly, Helenis left his side to make him take full control. He panicked a little when he saw his sister begin to slow down.
"Don't worry, Micha. Just stay calm. Pull the strap to slow down and stop!"
Helenis shouted from her position.
'This girl is crazy! Leaving her eight-year-old brother on a running horse alone!'
He managed to avoid the fence when Coco was almost near it. The experience he once had floats back. He began to change direction back towards the starting point.
"Yes! That's how you do it!"
He blinked in surprise to see Helenis already on a black horse beside him. Oh wow, since when is she here?
They ride their horse around the field. Sometimes using obstacles makes it more difficult, and later it becomes a competition to see who can finish the fastest.
Unfortunately, Helenis won. He pouted at that, and Helenis just laughed.
They stopped one hour later. Helenis helped him down from the horse.
"How do you feel now?"
"It's fun! Let's do it again later!"
He replied earnestly. Really, it was fun! He can't describe why it is more fun than the last time he rode a horse. Maybe because he is with Helenis this time. Helenis makes this activity much more fun for him.
"I'm glad. But you might need to wait for a while before I come back home."
Ah. He forgot about that. Helenis is an academy student right now. She has other duties than just wasting time with him.
"No, it's okay, sister. When you are free next time, we can ride a horse together again. Don't mind me. You should focus on the academy!"
"Ahh, what have I done in my past life to get such an adorable brother? Now, I feel like I don't want to go back to the academy and just spend time with you every day!"
Helenis gave him a bone-crushing hug. He felt suffocated.
"Your Highness Helenis and Your Highness Michaelis, it is wise for both of you to clean up before dinner with everyone."
Helenis lets him go, and he can finally breathe.
"Oh yes. We should clean up first! We would have a dinner together after so long with everyone."
With everyone? Oh, it has been three months, hasn't it? Well, this will also be the second time they dine together.
"Let's go. Riri, make sure Micha looks super cute for dinner today."
Wait, what?
"As you instructed, Your Highness,"
Riri just bowed and began to pick him up. Eh?
"See you later, Micha!"
Wait, what does she mean by making him look cute for dinner? Is there any special occasion for today? Is that also why Helenis is back today? Why is he not informed? Is it about him?
"Your Highness, please don't frown like that; you looked like a crunched pie. You don't need to think too much about what Her Highness said earlier."
"What day is it today, Riri?"
"The eleventh day of the fifth month in the Sen calendar."
"That's not what I mean."
"I don't understand, Your Highness."
Fine, he won't ask anymore. It must be a secret, then. He just leaned his head on Riri's shoulder.
"Can I get my hair cut later?"
"You want to cut your hair, Your Highness?"
"Yes, the weather is becoming hot these days."
"It is almost summer; I think that's why. I'll call for Her Majesty to do it for you later."
She thought that she could reduce the number of layers on Michaelis' clothes later.
"Mom is the one who always cuts my hair?"
He raised his head to look at Riri.
"Yes, Your Highness. You don't want anyone except Her Majesty. Do you want me to find someone else?"
Riri smiled.
"No. Mom is fine."
"Yes, Your Highness."
×××××
"Michaelis."
Always started with that. Just like before, this emperor instructed all the servants to get out before his demeanour changed.
'Does he feel shy to act like a doting father in front of the servants?'
He was plastered with many kisses from Asteric until he felt like his face went red from embarrassment.
"I miss you so much! Oh, my son looked thin! You should eat more! Does your maid not feed you well enough?"
Another day, he needs to endure the pampering of this imperial family. No, he still can't get used to all this affection, which is not really for him.
"Dad, give my little brother some space, please."
"He is my son before he is your brother."
"Oh, please, don't be like a child."
The silly banter between the oldest and the father is also the same, and he will be the main topic of argument.
"Mama, I want to sit next to my brother."
"Hm? After this, okay? Your papa needs to pour all his love towards your brother."
And there are two other girls in this family who act as neutrals. They should at least get him out of this situation.
"There is actually something I wanted to talk about today."
The silly banter stopped before he could notice. Well, who could blame him when he continued to be fed by Zera while on Asteric's lap? He is hungry, and he can't wait for those two to stop their banter and finish.
But the sound of Asteric's voice is quite serious.
"This is about you, Michaelis Kristafall."
He looked up at the now serious face of Asteric. He felt goosebumps all of a sudden. Okay, what did he do? No, he didn't do anything at all.
So why did all of them look at him like that? He is glad that Nasharis did not give him the same serious gaze.
Was he already exposed?