Iris had just finished a ride with Olga to improve her recovery and was brushing her down. A few months into her stay, the mare was looking healthier, but not yet able to breed. Iris knew she wouldn't be able to ride regularly much longer. Her belly was already quite round from her quadruplets.
"Oh..." Olga sighed softly. Iris looked over. Olga was wistfully watching one of the farmhands put a new stallion, Aleks, through his paces. Aleks seemed to be a transformed human, given his intelligence, but his memories had been scrambled by multiple poorly cast spells. Nonetheless, he was capable and would soon join their studs.
"Do you like Aleks?" Iris teased. Olga tossed her mane. "I will not judge you, dear."
"He is so very sweet to me," Olga whinnied. "When we are in neighboring paddocks, he makes such delightful conversation with me. Unlike the other stallions, who just wish to mate with me."
Something unspoken hung in the air. Iris had to ask.
"When you are ready to bear a foal, do you wish for him to be the stud?" Iris asked hesitantly. Olga sighed.
"...Yes."
"We can arrange for that."
"But Mikhail is supposed to-"
"Mikhail is betrothed," Iris said. She rubbed her belly. "And has four new children on the way. He is also not a horse, nor even a Horse Witch. I think Aleks is a far finer match for you."
Iris kissed Olga's forehead.
"I will give you some time to think," she said gently. She left. Olga continued to watch Aleks, her heart filled with affection for the stallion. Even more affection than she held for the King!