JOURNEY

Half an hour later…

Today I tried to wear a white dress that I had never worn. I saw that the whole side was so plain. There were no knick-knacks or batik carvings that accompanied it. But at the top, this dress is wide open. The arms remain, but my neck, shoulders and chest are slightly visible quite clearly. Maybe it's okay if I wear this dress, plus the necklace given by Rain seems to fit.

I quickly took my shoes and put them on. This holiday seems like there's no need to curl your hair. I just let it flow. Don't forget to wear the perfume of my choice, and it smells like sweet chocolate.

I stepped out of the room, and it turned out that Rain was waiting for me in front of the terrace. He looked very nervous.

"Rain, you were deliberately waiting for me?"

I greeted him, and he immediately turned to face me. Seeing my performance today, Rain seemed to be in awe.

"Ara…"

"…?"

"Erm. Hey, you're taking too long!"

I thought he would compliment me, but it turns out he's back where he came from. Irritating. Even though I also want to be praised, I've tried hard to look beautiful in front of him.

"We're leaving!"

Disappointed at not getting compliments from him, Rain pulled my hand to follow him. He was still wearing royal attire with a sword on the left side of his waist.

"Eh? Why are we taking the back street?" I asked, confused.

I thought we were going to tour the city again today. However, it's not. Rain instead asked me to go through the back gate of the palace, not far from where my room was. But it looks darker because there are still many tall trees.

"I will take you to a comfortable place. You look so tired these days. I will provide the best service for you."

Rain makes me laugh. His words tickled my mind. I should be the one providing the best service for him, not him.

Amidst the amusement at the thought of his words, I saw that a black horse was waiting for us at the back gate of the palace.

"R-rain?"

"You calm down. There is me."

Rain tried to calm him down. He then stretched out his hand.

"Come on up, Ara," he said.

"Wh-what? Rain, I can't ride a horse," I said pleadingly.

"You certainly can. Raise your left foot on this stand, then spread your right leg and turn it around." Rain explains how to ride a horse.

"B-but, Rain. I'm afraid."

"Ara, there I am. You don't have to be afraid."

"B-but—"

"Well, try it first. If you're just lost in your thoughts, after a while, you won't be able to do anything." Rain cheers.

With fear, I then tried to practice what Rain said. I'm so worried this horse drags me when I can't do anything.

"Rain, what if I fall?" I asked again.

"I'll catch you," he replied.

"Right, huh?"

Rain answered with a nod and a smile. I then raised my left foot and stepped on the footing on this black horse.

"Rain! Rain!"

I'm too scared, and the horse is so tall. I have a phobia of heights. My left foot managed to get on, but I was afraid to spread my right foot and turn it towards the other foot.

I panicked. Rain stayed behind me in case I fell. Maybe because I panicked, the horse also panicked. This black horse neighed. The front legs lifted and made me lose my balance.

"Rain! Help me!"

I feel like crying. I just let go of this horse, and then I let myself fall.

"Ara!"

Rain quickly caught me. Now I'm in his arms. There was a worried expression on his face because I fell.

"Ara, you have to be brave. Do not panic."

"Hmm, y-yes."

I nodded. Feel the warmth when you are near him.

"Now you see me, huh?"

Rain then let go of his embrace with a smile. He gave an example of how to ride a horse. Of course, he had seen it very well. But in front of me, he modelled it so slowly. Now Rain is on the horse. The horse seemed silent.

"Come up!"

Rain stretched out his hand towards me, inviting me to ride the horse, but I was still afraid to ride it again. Maybe Rain was so irritated with me that he acted quickly. He pulled this hand, and I immediately set my left foot. He held my right leg, spread it, then he turned my body.

"Well, like this."

Now I'm sitting in front of him. Rain, who had been sitting a little back, now moved his body so that he was very close to me.

"R-rain. Shall we ride one horse?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. How many horses do you think there are?"

"Two. We're one on one."

"You can't control a horse yet. And the horse doesn't even know you. There's no way I'll let you fall, Ara."

Rain began to pull the horse's rope. This black horse started walking out of the rear palace gate. At the same time, I was still silent, thinking about Rain's words.

He was very close to me, right behind me. As if there was no distance between us. Of course, this situation made the fine hair on my neck stand on end, and I felt an amused shudder. My heart was pumping so fast. Rain's big hands also keep my body from falling. Somehow, I feel comfortable with him.

There is a desire to lean on this moment. However, I'm afraid it will lead to something else. I don't know what to say to him. I just enjoyed the trip through the grove to where he promised me.

"Fig?"

"Hmm?"

"You can lean on my chest." Rain suddenly offered. "Your body looks so tense."

Rain realized so quickly. I admit my body is a little weird right now. Plus, the horse's walk movement seemed to give emphasis up and down on my body.

I tried to surrender. I complied with Rain's offer to lean on his chest. Her chest is so broad. The body that I could only see so far is now my back. I felt the grains of happiness I began to feel. I feel comfortable with him.

Rain smiled. His chin is right above my left ear. Now and then, I looked at him. And I saw that he wasn't awkward at all. He seemed to be enjoying this trip.

At the same time, it was as if someone was screaming from inside of me. My soul seems to demand to have it.

"Ara, are you all right?" he asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Hmm, ah, yes. I'm fine, Rain. I'm just a little…."

"A little what?" he asked curiously.

"A little what, huh?" I teased.

"Ara, it's you, huh."

Rain then stroked my slender stomach with his left hand.

W-what is this? What did he do to me?

Suddenly I was surprised by what Rain did. His left hand suddenly stroked my stomach and then again held the horse's rope. Even if it's only for a short time, it means so much to me. Shortly after that, he weighted his head on mine.

Rain, please don't make me feel comfortable. I'm afraid to fall in love with you.

I don't know why there's a strange vibe when I'm with him. Could this be Love? But is it that easy?