Ernesto accepted the golden stallion’s compliment with an easy grin. It was something he had been called many times – both in jest and occasionally in seriousness by mares who were easily spun by a silver tongue – although much less often by another man. The stallions he spoke to tended not to play along so well as this, either brushing it off with more jokes if they had a sense of humour, or usually becoming quite irritated if they did not. Ernesto listened to Lunero’s explanation with interest, his head cocked and his dark eyes holding the stallion’s gaze. Lunero’s tone seemed a touch glum as he spoke, enough to convince Ernesto that his mention of heartbreak was no made up excuse. His plan seemed pleasant and easy, so simple in fact that for a moment Ernesto did not realise the significance of the careful choice of words. A nice boy at my side. Ernesto’s ears flicked forwards, his eyes narrowing slightly as his mind puzzled over this strange comment for a few moments. After a few seconds of bewilderment, the explanation for Lunero’s response to him seemed to become somewhat clearer. He was not the first that Ernesto had met on his travels, but it was certainly not a common occurrence – and not one that he had a tendency to think about when first meeting someone. If it were possible, he might have blushed, but Ernesto was not one for feeling embarrassed, and with a shake of his head he returned his attention to the conversation, his expression relaxing once again. “A hundred children sounds a lot of work,” he replied with a playful smile, watching Lunero for his reaction in the same way that the stallion seemed to be doing to him. “I think I would rather a hundred women by mine – that seems more play than work.” He treaded carefully with his words to deliver the information Lunero seemed to be seeking gently, and without cause for embarrassment on either side. However, he wanted to make it clear that it wasn’t about to dissuade Ernesto from his charming either. “Pero a cada uno lo suyo,” he added with a smile and a nod. ernesto
heartbreak is savvy and love is a bitch |