Vivienne’s heart skipped the moment she saw him.
Anthony Ashford.
Even from a distance, he stood out effortlessly.
Dressed in St. Albion’s riding attire, he carried himself with the same composed confidence she remembered from the novel.
Students greeted him as he crossed the grounds.
Upperclassmen nodded respectfully as he passed.
It wasn’t difficult to understand why.
He looked as though he belonged there.
For a brief moment...
Vivienne simply watched.
A small smile unconsciously curved her lips.
I finally get to see him again.
As though sensing her gaze...
Anthony looked up.
Their eyes met across the field.
For a heartbeat...
Everything else faded into the background.
Vivienne smiled instinctively.
Not because she expected anything.
Not because she imagined one greeting would suddenly change their relationship.
She was simply...
Happy to see him again.
Anthony hesitated almost imperceptibly.
Then inclined his head in a courteous greeting before turning his attention back toward Head Coach Langley and the assistant coaches, who were discussing the morning’s orientation with him.
Vivienne watched him for another brief second before quietly exhaling.
He greeted me.
It was only a nod.
A perfectly ordinary greeting.
Yet somehow...
It was enough to brighten her morning.
Her gaze lingered for another moment before naturally drifting toward the people standing beside him.
Then...
She noticed Damian Blackwood.
He had apparently noticed her some time ago.
The moment their eyes met, the corner of Damian’s lips lifted into his usual easy smile.
He raised two fingers in a casual mock salute.
Nothing more.
Just a simple greeting.
Vivienne couldn’t help smiling back.
...Seriously.
He’s unfairly handsome.
Even after reading the novel...
Seeing Damian Blackwood in person was still enough to make people pause for a second.
The original author had once jokingly written that if Anthony Ashford embodied elegance...
Then Damian Blackwood had simply stolen a little too much of heaven’s attention.
At the time, Vivienne had dismissed it as the author’s obvious favoritism.
Now...
Looking at him from across the field...
She reluctantly admitted...
Perhaps the author hadn’t been exaggerating after all.
Still...
Anthony was Anthony.
No amount of handsome rivals was going to change that.
Before she could think anything further...
A sharp whistle echoed across the polo grounds.
The conversations immediately quieted.
At the front of the gathering stood a distinguished gentleman in riding attire.
Beside him were two assistant coaches, while Anthony, Damian, and several senior club members took their places nearby.
The gentleman smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
"My name is Richard Langley."
"I’m the head coach of St. Albion University’s Polo Club."
His voice carried easily across the open grounds.
"First of all..."
"Welcome."
"I’m delighted to see so many new faces this year."
His gaze swept across the assembled freshmen.
"I imagine many of you came here eager to begin playing polo."
A few students laughed.
"I’m afraid that won’t be happening today."
More laughter followed.
"Today is simply an orientation."
"We’ll introduce the club..."
"Explain how training is conducted..."
"And evaluate everyone’s riding experience before assigning you to the appropriate training groups."
Coach Langley folded his hands behind his back.
"Before we continue..."
"I’d like to clarify one important point."
"The Polo Club is a competitive sports organization."
"We assume that every incoming member already possesses the fundamentals of horsemanship."
Vivienne blinked.
...
You do?
Coach Langley continued without pause.
"Our responsibility is to teach polo."
"Not basic riding."
Her smile slowly disappeared.
...
Wait.
What?
A faint sense of unease quietly settled in her stomach.
Coach Langley looked around the gathering.
"So..."
"How many of you have previous riding experience?"
Almost immediately...
Hands began rising throughout the crowd.
Some confidently.
Others a little more hesitantly.
Vivienne looked from one student to another.
Then to another.
...
Everywhere she looked...
Hands.
She slowly glanced down at her own.
It remained stubbornly at her side.
For the first time that morning...
She had the uncomfortable feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.
Coach Langley’s gaze eventually settled on her.
He waited politely.
"Miss..."
"Beaumont, Coach" Vivienne supplied.
"Yes. Miss Beaumont, you haven’t ridden before?"
Vivienne offered an apologetic smile.
"...No, Coach."
A brief silence followed.
Not an awkward one.
Simply...
A surprised one.
"You mean...You’ve never played polo?"
She shook her head.
"No, sir."
Coach Langley smiled kindly.
"Sorry, I wasn’t referring to polo.I meant riding."
Another pause.
"...You’ve never ridden a horse?"
Vivienne honestly answered.
"No, sir."
This time...
Even several freshmen turned to look at her.
Coach Langley blinked once before letting out a small understanding nod.
"I see."
"That explains it."
There wasn’t the slightest trace of ridicule in his voice.
Only practical consideration.
"I’m afraid the Polo Club isn’t quite the right starting point."
"The university requires members to possess basic riding proficiency before joining the team."
Vivienne’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly.
...
So I really did overlook something important.
Coach Langley continued before she had time to become discouraged.
"Fortunately, that’s easily solved."
"Our Equestrian Club conducts beginner riding instruction here at the university."
He gestured toward another riding arena visible beyond a row of white fences.
"Your activities are held in the same equestrian complex."
"Once you’ve completed the introductory riding program, you’re welcome to apply for a transfer into the Polo Club."
Vivienne followed the direction of his hand.
The neighboring arena wasn’t far away at all.
From there...
She could still see the polo field.
...That’s not so bad.
At least she wouldn’t be leaving the equestrian grounds entirely.
Coach Langley turned toward the senior members.
"Lord Blackwood."
Damian straightened immediately.
"Yes, Coach?"
"Would you please escort Lady Beaumont to the Equestrian Club?"
"Of course, coach."
Damian answered without hesitation.
He stepped away from the line of senior members and walked toward her with the same relaxed smile he always seemed to wear.
Vivienne looked at him, then back toward the polo field.
Anthony had already resumed discussing the morning’s schedule with one of the assistant coaches.
He hadn’t looked over again.
She smiled to herself.
Well...
I suppose learning to stay on the horse comes before chasing the rider.
The thought almost made her laugh.
Taking a quiet breath, she adjusted the leather satchel on her shoulder before walking toward Damian.
It wasn’t how she’d imagined the morning would begin.
But perhaps...
It wasn’t such a bad beginning after all.h