Chapter 4.5

“Why is it so hot in the fall? I wonder if it’s cooler by the water.”

The Countess muttered while fanning herself continuously.

The rowing match was held on a branch of the Central River that crossed the capital. The park near that branch was where Wendy and the Countess were now.

Before the temperature rose further, Wendy and the Countess headed to the stadium for the polo match, which was held before the rowing match.

Even though she spoke harshly, the Countess didn’t want to miss her son’s match, so her steps quickened toward the stadium without Wendy urging her.

“It seems to have already started.”

“So, is it the first chukka?”

“Hmm, I think so.”

Wendy checked the time as she sat down.

“It’s already been 5 minutes. The first chukka will end soon.”

“Is that so?”

Polo, being an intense sport, is not a long game. After a chukka of about 7 minutes and 30 seconds, players and horses take a 3-minute break, and there’s a 5-minute break at halftime. The frequent substitution of players and horses made the game progress quite quickly.

“Oh, there’s brother.”

“Hope he doesn’t get hurt. Oh dear, Lucas is the forward.”

Before the Countess pointed it out, Wendy had already noticed him. His bright hair stood out in the sunlight, and as a forward, his movements were more visible.

Thanks to Jayden and Lucas’s consideration, their seats were at the front, making it impossible to avoid seeing them.

“It’s too close.”

“Hmm? What’s new? We’ve always been in this spot.”

“….”

Wendy awkwardly smiled at the Countess’s scolding and turned her head forward.

Her gaze, whether directed at Jayden or other players, kept wandering to Lucas. It wasn’t her intention. If she let her mind wander or relaxed, she found herself staring blankly at him.

Even now, she was captivated by him, his platinum hair disheveled from intense movement, his blue eyes flashing as he focused on the ball. He was always upright and neat, but this rare roughness excited her.

Her heart started to pound, slow but strong.

‘Why am I like this? It’s not the first time I’ve seen Lucas playing polo.’

Her feelings for him weren’t the same as before. They were calm enough to be forgotten, yet suddenly stirred without her realizing.

Wendy abruptly stood up.

“Wendy?”

The Countess, who was nervously watching Jayden’s intense movements, was startled. Her hand, which had been fanning endlessly, stopped abruptly.

“It’s too hot. I’ll get some drinks.”

“Oh, yes, do that.”

Wendy passed through the stands and came out to a small square lined with tents.

She placed her hand on her still-thumping chest, trying to calm it down.

After returning to the capital, she had been fine seeing Lucas. She was startled when they met unexpectedly, but it was gradually getting better.

‘No. This is the same reaction as other young ladies. It’s similar to the feeling when you see a well-made sculpture.’

Yes, it must be. After all, Lucas is indeed remarkable. No one denies that.

“Wendy?”

“Oh, Ryan.”

A tall young man with red hair ran energetically to Wendy as soon as he saw her. He seemed to have come out while preparing for the match, dressed more casually than usual.

“What brings you here? Jayden’s match should be on now.”

“I’m getting something to drink because it’s hot. Mother is having a hard time too.”

“True, today’s temperature is unusually high.”

Ryan squinted and looked up at the sky. The sky, without a single cloud, was high and deep blue, typical of autumn.

“Let’s go together. I’ll buy.”

“It’s okay…”

“Let me. I need to earn some points.”

Ryan grinned.

“I made you cry a lot when we were little.”

“Hmm, I don’t really remember.”

“Then that’s good. Remember me as I am now.”

Like Ryan these days, kind and eager to do anything for her, and just mischievous enough to keep conversations interesting.

“I’m doing my best to make a good impression.”

“Oh, okay.”

However, sometimes she felt bewildered by his seemingly proactive words or actions. As a result, Wendy’s voice dwindled, only nodding her head. He seemed to notice, smiling gently.

“Does this kind of talk make you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then?”

Ryan put his hands behind his back and tilted his head slightly towards Wendy. His eyes, a lighter blue than Lucas’s, gazed at her with a faint smile.

Ah, such a gaze might be burdensome. Or perhaps it was just embarrassing.

Wendy avoided his eyes, lowering her gaze slightly. Her hands, clasped together, fidgeted nervously.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Pardon? Oh, punch is fine.”

“Alright. Your mother’s too?”

“Yes.”

Ryan read Wendy’s troubled expression and changed the subject.

For him, it was the first time he had shown such honesty to a woman, but fortunately, Wendy didn’t seem to dislike it. As long as she didn’t dislike it, that was enough.

“Let’s go. I’m not sure what they have, but let’s see.”

“Yes.”

Ryan turned towards the tent first.

After only a few steps, Ryan’s gaze naturally fell on Wendy, who was walking demurely beside him.

Her round head at his shoulder height, her white forehead, neatly thick eyelashes, her small, delicate nose, and lips somewhere between red and pink.

He suddenly remembered Wendy, who had looked at him with curious eyes beside the Countess of Rosewood, greeting him warmly at the banquet. He was so surprised when the little lady, who used to follow him around crying, wanting to play, had grown into a proper lady, greeting him gracefully.

The unfamiliar feeling of pleasant excitement and his ears burning made it take quite some time to utter a brief greeting after a long time.

Even while worrying about looking foolish, Ryan kept talking to Wendy hesitantly.

Ryan’s memory of that day was filled entirely with Wendy.

Since then, Ryan had diligently attended banquets and social events. For Ryan, who used to say he’d rather work than linger in society, it was a significant change.

Deciding to stay on land for a while after returning from a long voyage was solely because of Wendy.

“Wendy, how about a bubble punch?”

“Oh, I’d like that.”

Ryan handed Wendy a glass of punch with bubbles like champagne. Then, holding a glass for the Countess, he headed towards the polo field with Wendy.

“Is it break time? Which chukka is it?”

“Oh, I’m not sure.”

Lost in thought and unable to focus on the game, Wendy mumbled. She had left in the middle to chat with Ryan, so she was even less aware of the game’s progress.

“Why is that guy sticking to Wendy instead of preparing for the match?”

Gathering with other players for the next chukka, Jayden tightly gripped the towel around his neck with both hands.

Lucas’s gaze naturally followed the direction Jayden was glaring at.

“Anyway, raising a younger sister is pointless.”

“Speak correctly. You didn’t raise her.”

“What are you talking about? I cherished and raised our Wendy so dearly.”

Jayden grumbled in frustration. But that was all. He soon withdrew his gaze and put down the glass of water he was drinking.

Compared to his usual attitude towards Ryan, this time he was quite restrained.

“Is that all?”

“What is?”

“It feels like you’re accepting it humbly.”

“…”

The frown on Jayden’s face, which had been displeased, quickly returned to normal as if resigned. Then he covered his head with the towel.

He was certainly much calmer than before.

“What’s the point of opposing alone? The tide has already turned.”

“Wasn’t your father against it?”

“When Ryan is out at sea, Wendy can visit often, you see. Mother said that, and his attitude changed quickly.”

“Ah.”

“You know how much Father cried when he sent Sister Karen to the South.”

The Earl of Rosewood, who had lost his parents to illness early, had a strong attachment to his family. He was very anxious, fearing Wendy might marry a southern man like Karen when she kept postponing her return from the South.

“What about Wendy?”

“What about her?”

“Does Wendy take Ryan seriously too?”

Lucas felt strangely parched while asking. Well, this match was indeed more intense and rough than last year, perhaps because they were better prepared.

While looking around to refill his empty glass, Lucas saw Ryan and Wendy handing drinks to the Countess. Seeing Wendy smiling brightly, it seemed she wasn’t entirely indifferent.

“Hmm. Compared to other men, yes.”

“Then there’s no problem, is there? Except for you.”

“Hmm. Well, when I think about it, there’s no one like Ryan.”

Having been friends since childhood, he knew Ryan had no rough edges in his personality or disposition. He was pleasantly cheerful and sociable, getting along well with the Earl and Countess of Rosewood. He maintained a proper lifestyle without causing any trouble during months-long voyages, which was reassuring.

Most importantly, despite his father being the Army Commander, Ryan deliberately joined the Navy, disliking the potential favoritism, showing he had his head on straight.

Although being personally connected with a superior, the Commander, was a concern, he was clear about separating public and private matters, so it wasn’t a problem.

“You told Wendy too, didn’t you? That Ryan is alright.”

“…I did.”

Thanks to Jayden’s fuss, the Countess and Wendy often sought Lucas’s advice.

He conveyed only objective facts as much as possible, and Ryan was the best among the men the Countess had asked about, even in Lucas’s opinion. Much better than someone like Kevin Avon, for instance.