Champion ⚜ Ch. 9

When the competition rolled around, Luisa and Laora arranged transportation to France together. They stopped at the site where the event was being held and paid their entrance fees, stabling their horses there for the night. When it was all finished, they went to the hotel and changed.

Laora put on a long, showy peach gown, twisting her hair up into a chic style. Looking in the mirror, she frowned. She looked a bit pale still, and applied more blush in hopes that she would look less worried.

When she was finished, she went down to the lobby to meet Luisa, only to find him waiting for her at the base of the stairs.

"You look lovely, Countess," he smiled.

She took his outstretched hand and smiled back. "You look nice too. Blue really is your colour. Shall we?"

"Right this way." Luisa led her to the hotel restaurant, where a table was ready for them. She pulled out her chair and sat down, biting her lip. "I hope your prince doesn't mind this."

Laora glanced down. "He and I are... taking a break. There's just too much stress right now."

Luisa frowned and leaned forward. "You know, you shouldn't be with someone who you have to take breaks from in order to cope with life. You need someone who supports you through it."

She considered this and nodded, sighing. "Maybe you're right..."

Not wanting to upset her, she picked up the menu. "Hm, what do you think you'll have? The pasta sounds good."

Laora looked at the menu for a minute and nodded. "You're right. It does look good." Putting it down, she looked back to her. "So, how long have you been riding?"

She shrugged. "As long as I can remember, really. I got a colt for my ninth birthday and started jumping with him. I've been hooked since then."

Laora smiled. "I was eight when I got my first horse too. And won my first competition at age ten," she grinned, pretending hautiness.

She shook her head, "Winning isn't everything you know." While she said this playfully, she could see instantly that Laora believed it.

Her smile faded just a little. "I can't seem to convince myself of that. I always have to be the best, or it's not enough. I'm not enough. Being a champion fills a void in me that I can't seem to fill any other way."

Considering her for a moment, Luisa suggested gently, "What about love? I mean if you really loved someone, that might help you to love yourself more."

Her eyes widened as she looked at her. "You really are profound, aren't you?"

Luisa chuckled. "Only around you. Alright, alright, on to lighter things. What do you like?"

Laora rested her chin on a hand. "What do I like? As in, what do I like to do?"

"Yes. Anything," she smiled.

Thinking for a moment she said, "Hm, well, I like riding on the beach. I like pretty gowns and jewelry. I like spring and flowers. Does that answer your question?"

Luisa smiled. Though she wouldn't say it, she realized that she was starting to like her.