Hera didn’t wait much longer before starting to saddle Diamond. Once she finished, she turned back to Zen and Xavier. "Are you guys interested in horseback riding? I can help you saddle up a horse if you’d like," she offered, patting Diamond on the neck.


    However, Hera then recalled that the stable didn’t belong to them, so she nced at Bry awkwardly. Bry let out a small giggle and nodded. "I already got permission from my father to use the other horses besides Diamond, especially since we have Brother Zen and Brother Xavier with us," he exined.


    Hera smiled proudly at Bry’s foresight and readiness, gently stroking his head. "Smart."


    "Then, why don’t you let me help you all choose a good horse?" An older man’s rugged voice echoed from the stable entrance.


    "Dad!!!" Bry eximed excitedly, rushing up to the man and pulling him closer to Hera and the others.


    "You must be Bry’s dad? Thank you for letting us borrow Diamond and y around on the horse track," Hera said, her smile genuine as she gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.


    The man happily epted Hera’s gratitude, nodding in return as he ruffled his son’s head. He nced around, awaiting Hera and her friend’s response to his earlier question.


    Xavier was the first to nod. "Thank you for the hospitality."


    Zen also chimed in. "I may not be knowledgeable about horse breeds, but I can handle riding a horse too."


    Bry’s dad nodded happily and went to choose two more horses next to Diamond. He first selected a dark brown Andalusian Horse, which looked majestic. Unlike the Friesian’s muscr build resembling a warhorse, the Andalusian Horse had leaner legs and a sleeker physique, making it ideal formercials due to its majestic appearance.


    Then he also selected an Akhal-Teke horse with a metallic white fur coat. Its build was a little sleeker than the other two, resembling a Prince Charming’s horse. He handed the Akhal-Teke horse to Xavier and the Andalusian Horse to Zen.


    "Please hold their reins for me for a moment; I’ll saddle them up for you," he said before heading off to retrieve one saddle at a time. He began with the Andalusian Horse that Zen was holding.


    Xavier nodded as he gently patted the horse on the head. The horse he had seemed a bit more reserved than the other two, standing calmly as it waited its turn to be saddled. Meanwhile, the Andalusian Horse trotted its front hooves eagerly, seemingly excited to start running as soon as possible.


    Sensing that her assistance wasn’t required in the stable, Hera led Diamond outside with Bry grasping her other hand eagerly.


    Once they reached the track, Hera wasted no time in mounting Diamond. Bry, eager to join the fun, gestured excitedly from the fence, prompting Hera to help him up onto Diamond’s back, all the while sharing a chuckle at his enthusiasm.


    Bry’s earlier trepidation towards Diamond seemed to have dissipatedpletely, reced by sheer excitement and eagerness to ride once more. Hera couldn’t help but specte that Diamond must have been his favorite horse all along that’s why what happened to his uncle hits him harder.


    Once Hera felt everything was settled, she allowed Diamond to set the pace, starting with a gentle trot before gradually increasing speed. She ensured it was just enough to ensure Bry wouldn’t feel ufortable from any sudden jolts in the saddle.


    After their firstp, Xavier and Zen entered the track riding their respective horses. Hera was momentarily taken aback by how regal Xavier appeared atop his horse. He resembled a real-life version of Prince Charming.


    His handsome face seemed to emit a radiant glow, almost as if a halo were forming above his head, while his horse gleamed with a shining sheen. And his hair was also the same shade of white as his horse. She couldn’t suppress a gasp as her eyes met Xavier’s, who was gazing at her intently. A teasing glint danced in his eyes, apanied by a subtle smirk ying on his lips.


    Hera averted her gaze, allowing Diamond to approach the two. Bry’s excited voice drew her attention. "Ah! That’s my brother and... Uncle.." At the end, his voice died down. He pointed towards a tree just outside the track, where his teenage brother stood behind a lean man sitting in a wheelchair, a nket draped over hisp. The man wore a gentle smile as he waved at Bry.


    Instead of waving back, Bry lowered his head, feeling as though he had betrayed his uncle by riding Diamond, the source of his uncle’s condition. He felt a pang of guilt, and Hera quickly noticed the sudden change in his mood. "What’s wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.


    "Sister, could you please put me down?" By now, Hera had caught on to Bry’s thought process and understood why he suddenly felt down.


    Ruffling his hair gently, she reassured him, "You shouldn’t feel bad about being with Diamond. I’m sure your uncle is happy that you don’t fear Diamond anymore." She then nced back at Bry’s uncle and continued, "See? He’s smiling at you happily. He probably doesn’t want you to stop doing what you love because of the ident."


    Bry nodded, but he still felt down, and Hera could only sympathize as she slowly helped him down near the fence.


    "How about we have a race?" Just as Hera put Bry down, Xavier and Zen approached her with a challenge.


    Hera raised her eyebrows, looking at them. "Sure, why not?" She paused for a moment and then continued, "But why don’t we make it interesting and add a wager?"


    Zen was smirking evilly while Xavier was waiting for Hera to continue her proposal.


    "What about this: the loser grants the winner three wishes?" Hera suggested yfully, like a child. She knew it was a cliché idea, but she wanted to try it at least once. Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d lose anything significant or they would ask for something exaggerated.


    Xavier smirked meaningfully, a gesture Hera didn’t quite understand. "Let’s do it!" he urged.