“But, ……I.”

“If you just want to learn basic techniques, why are you here? Go to any fly-infested perfume workshop, pay a few coins, and they’ll easily teach you the basics.”

What a pathetic fellow. Philip clicked his tongue again and turned around. The moment the teacher disappeared, Saldat glared at Radilt, grinding his teeth.

“Fox-like wench.”

Making a sound like a mangy hyena’s whine, Saldat fled to the backyard. Left alone, Radilt released the tension in her shoulders and let out a light breath.

Her expression was bright, bearing a faint light that seemed to anticipate the future.

In the afternoon, Saldat kept glancing at the workshop entrance, and when there was no sign of Count Duston appearing, he dumped the cleanup on Radilt, acting like he’d been waiting for this chance. He insisted that since Philip had praised her, she should do it. Radilt nodded without protest.

While cleaning the workshop alone, Radilt tried to recall what materials were used and how, by smelling the traces and scents left behind. This was probably the kind of study Philip wanted from Saldat.

Preparation that stimulates boundless imagination by tracing the process through the lingering scents of seniors. Learning through prior guessing and contemplation before experiencing would add much more depth than simply receiving basic instruction from the beginning.

After finishing her cleaning, which was close to studying, Radilt boarded the carriage Pendlore had sent. It had been a tiring but fulfilling and satisfying day.

“Mrs. Brill.”

A servant stopped Radilt, who had arrived home with a bright and fulfilled heart.

“What time should we come to escort you tomorrow?”

“What? Oh, tomorrow is the workshop’s day off. So you don’t need to come.”

“It’s not about going to the workshop.”

The servant continued politely.

“The master said he had an appointment with you at his residence.”

Ah……!

Radilt remembered the promise she had completely forgotten—or wanted to forget.

Horseback riding lessons with Pendlore.

Her bright face darkened like a rainy season sky. It felt like raindrops were beginning to fall one by one on a desolate field where she stood without an umbrella.

“……Yes. That’s right. I have nothing special planned, so I’ll leave home whenever Sir Duston calls for me.”

After hearing Radilt’s answer, the servant left with the carriage. Thinking that her bandaged feet suddenly seemed to hurt again, Radilt slowly turned around.

* * *

The white carriage crossing the dark night passed over mountains, and each time the highest crown of the goddess emitted new light, the late spring sunshine gradually added more heat. The flow of seasons had blurred boundaries, yet sometimes they became distinctly clear, drawing a line.

Now we’re truly at summer’s doorstep. Radilt looked up at the sky beyond the dusty window. The weather this time of year was particularly capricious. Though crystal clear blue now, no one knew when raindrops might suddenly fall.

After such rain pours down, squeezing out spring’s last softness, summer filled with heat would begin in earnest. A chaotic season where scorching clear days coexisted with typhoon spray.

After safely enduring that season, Radilt would be free from this contract, tangled like a skein of thread. How long and endless the suffocating summer would be.

Knock, knock, knock.

The knocking sound announced the arrival of House Duston’s carriage. Radilt put on her hat, took a parasol in hand, and went down the stairs. When she opened the door, the servant greeted her respectfully.

“Good day, madam. Please take your time preparing. I’ll wait.”

“No need, let’s depart now.”

Radilt headed toward the carriage, saying she had prepared in advance and was waiting. If she delayed, onlookers would gather again. Though everyone in the neighborhood already knew her, Radilt still wanted to hide this appearance of hers.

The carriage departed with hoofbeats pounding the road. Perhaps because it was the hottest part of the day, a silver plate filled with ice sat inside the carriage. Each time the carriage shook greatly, the melting ice made clear tinkling sounds.

Radilt dipped her fingertips into the cold water pooled in the dish. The cool sensation crept up and spread throughout her body. Thanks to this, the stuffiness inside the carriage was somewhat relieved.

Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.

By the time the smooth ringing sound had completely changed to splashing, the carriage reached House Duston’s mansion.

However, even after Radilt had completely stepped out of the carriage, Pendlore was nowhere to be seen in the vast garden. Had he not come out to greet her, expecting she would take a long time to prepare for going out?

It doesn’t matter anyway, Radilt quickly chased away the disappointment slowly raising its head. Even if she were turned away at the door or completely driven out, what was there to feel sad about? She could simply turn around refreshingly and that would be it.

“I’ll guide you, madam.”

The servant led the way to the annex where she had stayed before. The beautiful building embracing the glass greenhouse and garden soon came into Radilt’s view.

Upon entering the annex, a maid approached to attend to her and greeted her. Radilt received the polite greeting, still unfamiliar with it.

‘……It’s still awkward to have people serve me.’

The people of this mansion were so courteous that it made her even more uncomfortable. She was merely a woman bound by a simple contract, not the mansion owner’s real lover.

“Mrs. Brill, a riding dress has been prepared.”

“Oh, yes.”

To ride a horse, one needed to sit with legs spread, requiring pants. Though side-saddles for ladies existed, they would be difficult for beginners unfamiliar with horses. Therefore, today she was given a dress with attached pants.

“The dress…… is short.”

Radilt said in bewilderment, looking at her reflection in the mirror. The dress worn over the thin, clinging pants swayed around her knees. It looked like wearing a coat with a cinched waist. And without a skirt.

Despite wearing pants, such a short dress seemed excessive. Even in childhood, dresses had extended past her knees.

The maid whispered to the awkward Radilt.

“It’s a style recently popular among noble ladies who enjoy hunting.”

“……Hunting?”

Radilt opened her eyes wide, hearing unexpected words. So there were women who took up hunting as a hobby. She had thought it was exclusively for men. Still, hearing it was fashionable somewhat reduced her resistance. Radilt put on riding boots and headed toward the back of the annex.

The back garden of the annex was quite spacious. Following the path lined with hedges led to a small pond and a pagoda with a white, round roof. Next to it lay a riding ground covered with clean sand and soft grass.

The riding ground was small enough to be called cozy. It was the kind of place where a child just learning to ride could run around holding the reins of their cute pony.

A horse with gentle eyes slowly raised its long neck beside the hedge blooming with small yellow flowers. The man holding its reins wore lighter clothes than usual. A slightly loose, thin shirt, well-fitted black pants, and leather boots that came up below the knee.

Even in such comfortable attire, his heavily cast atmosphere remained unchanged, creating a strange thrill like secretly peeking into the private life of an ascetic man.

Radilt slowly blinked at that unfamiliar sight bathed in the gentle late spring sunlight. Cheerful birdsong came from somewhere.

“Mrs. Brill.”

With that quiet call, Pendlore took large yet restrained steps. The horse followed him obediently without needing to be pulled by the reins.

“How are your wounds?”

“……Thanks to you, they’re fine.”

Radilt looked at the horse standing behind Pendlore.

Its soft light brown coat shimmered like golden waves of a ripened wheat field in the sunlight. Under long eyelashes, its eyes were deep black, with white spots on its forehead and front hooves. Its mane and tail were deep black, swaying gently with each slight movement of its head.

It was a beautiful mare with good bloodlines, without a single flaw to be found.

“They say her name is Serena.”

“Serena.”

Radilt unconsciously reached out her hand while rolling the horse’s name lightly on her tongue. The mare didn’t startle at the unfamiliar touch, gently pressing her nose against herhand. A warm, soft sensation transmitted to Radilt’s palm. A deep smile formed on her lips.

“……This won’t work.”

Radilt, who had been gently stroking the mare’s neck with affectionate hands, turned to Pendlore and said.

“She’s such a lovely child that I’ll quickly grow attached to her. Sir Duston, I don’t want to accumulate too much longing for you. Please help me avoid doing something foolish because of lingering attachments.”

Green eyes, docile like the mare’s, captured the man’s unfeeling face. Long eyelashes lowered, slowly hiding that greenery before smoothly revealing it again.

Pendlore quietly gazed at this early summer point before speaking.

“Then I’ll give her to you as a gift.”

“……What?”

“I mean to place this mare under Mrs. Brill’s ownership. Consider it a good memory of our useful contract.”

Radilt shook her head in surprise at Pendlore’s words.

“I have neither a stable nor wide fields for her to run freely. And as I mentioned before, I lack the power to protect her.”

Even if she took the mare, how long could she keep her? Her mother-in-law would seize and sell her, or give her to her sister-in-law or brother-in-law. They wouldn’t properly care for this gentle creature.

“We’ll keep the formal ownership and management under House Duston. There must be three or four houses with stables in that area, so the Duston family will rent one and entrust the owner with her care. Until the horse’s life ends or until your heart changes.”

“My heart won’t change.”

Radilt quickly answered, fearing the horse—Serena—might hear.

“But…… I can’t burden you like that……”

“Since you hate riding horses, I have no choice.”

For some reason, Pendlore retreated unexpectedly easily. But it was too soon to feel relieved.

“Then a carriage—”

“No!”