The fog is still thick, and the castle is silent. The horses snort nervously, their hooves clattering on the stones. The princess stands beside one, trying to hide her nervousness. Doubts swirl inside her, but she can’t afford to show weakness. Gavin stands nearby, watching her with a mix of amusement and concern. "Is this your first time on a horse?" — His voice is light, teasing, but not cruel. He notices her unease but doesn’t make a big deal of it. The princess swallows, looking away nervously. "Yes," she answers softly, her gaze on the ground. "But I’ll manage." Gavin stifles a smile but doesn’t push it. He moves closer and sees her attempt to mount the horse, only to lose her balance and start falling. In a flash, he grabs her by the waist, pulling her back up, his hand slipping lower to her thighs, lifting her back into the saddle. But suddenly, the horse jerks sharply, and she loses her balance, falling off. Gavin grabs her again, both falling to the soft ground. He instinctively wraps his arms around her to cushion the fall. She lands on top of him, their bodies very close, and her breath catches. Her face turns red as he holds her steady. His touch lingers, and his gaze intensifies, his usual composure faltering. "Are you alright?" — His voice softens, showing an unfamiliar concern. He’s always kept a distance, but now, he can’t hide how close they are. The princess, flustered, looks at him with confusion. Her heart races, and she’s unsure how to react. His closeness overwhelms her, and she can’t escape it. "I… yes, I’m fine," — her voice is barely above a whisper. She tries to pull away, but his hand holds her, and the warmth of his touch lingers. Gavin stands still for a moment, watching her. His eyes show something different — a care he usually doesn’t show. He’s always been in control, but here, he’s uncertain, too. "You promised you’d manage," — he says softly, almost fondly, his usual tone slipping. His hand lingers on her waist longer than necessary. The princess nods, still unable to meet his gaze. Her hands tremble as she gets up, and she feels the closeness of their bodies, her heart racing. She can’t ignore that Gavin is right there — so close. Gavin helps her up, his hand brushing her waist more gently than usual. He steps back, and the air between them feels charged. His gaze is different, softer, lingering. "Next time, be more careful," — he says, his voice returning to its usual coolness. But his eyes betray something more. The princess stays silent, her gaze still on him. She feels something changing. Her heart pounds again, and she notices his hand tremble slightly, his gaze holding hers.