Strangely, as Arne remained silent as if lost in thought, Warren lifted one corner of his mouth, thinking he was right.

“See this. Can’t say anything, can you?”

Cedric, knowing the truth, was overwhelmed with the urge to grab Warren by the collar and tell him to shut up.

The only reason Warren’s rudeness is being tolerated is because everyone knows he is not in his right mind due to the painkillers.

Recently, Warren had sustained a critical injury in place of Cedric during an assassin’s attack and was enduring it with strong pain-killing herbs. Strong pain-killing herbs cloud the mind.

Moreover, by Cedric’s command, the attack by the assassin was kept secret, so Warren could not receive proper treatment until Theresa came.

‘Warren, I need to shut that insane man’s mouth.’

As Cedric moved to act, Arne grabbed his hand with strength.

No emotion reflected in Arne’s eyes as their gazes met.

Instead, her intense fatigue and emptiness prevailed.

As if nothing else remained. They looked as if they had already been worn out and reduced to ashes.

Feeling this from Arne stirred something inside Cedric.

Unable to bear it any longer, Cedric was about to speak when Arne spoke first.

He had no intention of idly watching someone close their ears and eyes just because someone else interfered at every turn.

“I have never lied, not now nor in the past. I have defeated monsters and know how to ride a horse. But it seems Sir Warren has no intention of listening.”

“Still making excuses? This is why you’re called the empire’s mad villainess.”

“Well then, I propose a challenge. Let’s have a horse-riding competition. If I win, you shall never recklessly claim my words are lies again. And you must apologize for all the rudeness you’ve committed.”

“Lady, just admit it. You might get hurt.”

“Are you scared? Afraid you’ll lose to me?”

Arne lifted one corner of her mouth in mockery, just like Warren.

Provoked by her challenge, Warren ran his hand through his hair.

“Fine. But I won’t go easy on you. Whether you get hurt or not, that’s all on you, Lady.”

“Good. The one who reaches the blue flag on the walking path first wins. I don’t have my horse, so I’ll pick one from the stable.”

“Don’t regret it. If I win, never approach Lord Cedric again. Whether it’s about the trade or anything else, don’t even speak.”

“Good.”

“Fine.”

Arne and Warren’s eyes locked fiercely. The tension was so thick, that even their breathing was audible, only to be broken by Cedric’s low voice.

“Warren, I forbid it.”

“Lord Cedric!”

Instead of looking at Warren, Cedric spoke to Arne soothingly.

“Lady, it’s too dangerous. You need to rest, and horses can be quite dangerous animals.”

“Now that my mana is full, I’m fine. If I take the medicine Grandma Theresa gave me, there won’t be any problem for a while.”

“If it’s about an apology, I’ll apologize on behalf of Warren. So……”

“Cedric, trust me.”

“……”

Arne’s red eyes blazed intensely. They were the same eyes as the night before. Cedric couldn’t take his eyes off her as if he was enchanted.

“Just once is enough. If it’s dangerous, I’ll stop anytime. So please trust me.”

Once was enough. Arne filled her mouth with the medicine Theresa had given her and walked past Warren out the door.

Cedric couldn’t bring himself to stop Arne any further.

Because that would mean he didn’t trust her either.

Anxiety wrapped around his entire body. If something went wrong during the competition.

When that thought reached him, anger washed over him like a tidal wave.

He couldn’t understand why he was so angry, but Cedric tried to regain his composure.

‘The lady getting hurt would cause trouble with the Duchy of Ronia, that’s why I’m nervous.’

Forgetting that Arne said she would take all responsibility, Cedric ground his teeth looking at Warren.

The murderous aura made Warren and all the knights flinch.

‘I should follow the lady’s wishes to the stable but try to persuade her again if it looks even slightly dangerous.’

Cedric, uneasy, followed Arne anxiously.

Arne familiarly headed straight for the grand duchy’s private stable.

The Knight Commander who was following Cedric felt puzzled.

‘She found the grand duchy’s private stable on her first visit.’

She even strolled comfortably as if it was her own home. Thinking further, there were several suspicious points.

‘How did she know about the blue flag on the walking path?’

But Warren, focused only on revealing Arne’s lies and reality, seemed not to notice at all.

Warren was busy smirking and pulling on the reins of a pony tied in front of the stable.

“This horse would be just right for the lady. Ladies often ride them for walks.”

But Arne lightly passed by Warren and headed to the innermost part.

To where Cedric’s horse was.

“That horse belongs to Lord Cedric. It’s a strong and fast horse that can gallop through battlefields, but it’s so wild and stubborn that no one but Lord Cedric can tame it. Instead of that one, how about a pony……”

Warren’s mockery continued, but Arne just quietly made eye contact with Cedric’s horse.

Despite being just a horse, its intimidating presence and gaze overflowed with a fierce wildness.

The glossy black mane and well-defined muscles reminded her of Cedric.

“Horses resemble their owners.”

Muttering, Arne reached out without hesitation.

“Lady!”

It was when Cedric wrapped his arms around Arne’s waist and caught her extended hand.

The horse slowly pressed its head into Arne’s palm.

Cedric, who had hurriedly embraced Arne, was embarrassingly gentle.

“Is this Shatir? The one that kicks everyone else with its hind legs except for Lord Cedric?”

“I’ve never seen it so docile before. Last time, Warren almost got kicked trying to ride it without permission and got severely scolded.”

As past memories surfaced, Warren’s face flushed red.

Glancing at Warren, Arne slowly caressed Shatir.

“Horses are very intelligent animals.”

Especially those of great nobles or commander-in-chiefs like Cedric.

They recognize. Through Cedric’s scent lingering all over Arne and the sight of his owner being protective of her, that Arne is not an enemy.

‘Shatir, Shatir was also gentle with Vivian. Because he used to carry that child and walk around the Grand Ducal castle.’

As Shatir got used to Arne’s touch, he leaned his head towards her. Arne hugged Shatir tightly.

“…….”

Cedric, who had been hugging Arne, slowly backed away.

Shatir is not a warhorse but a wild horse. A horse that would not be tamed by force.

He was only ridden by the owner he chose to be tamed by.

Yet, to Arne, he seemed as friendly as if meeting an old owner.

“Amazing.”

Even Cedric acknowledged it, causing Warren’s lips to twitch unpleasantly. An annoyed voice flowed.

“You cannot ride Lord Cedric’s horse. It broke the saddle again recently. After all, I manage Lord Cedric’s horse.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll ride without a saddle.”

“How can you ride without a saddle? Stop being stubborn. Are you ‘Roa’, the knight of Ronia who has made remarkable achievements on the battlefield?”

“…….”

Arne just looked at Warren silently again.

‘Roa, that was the name.’

The duke had sent Arne to the Demon War, hiding her name and identity because being exposed could risk assassination.

No one knew her true identity because she used a magical tool that altered her voice and appearance.

At that time, she thought it was the duke’s consideration.

‘But it was to usurp her achievements under the name of Ronia.’

“Sir Warren, I’m really curious about what face you will make after you truly reveal my identity.”

Arne smiled plainly at Warren. As she pulled on Shatir’s bridle, the knights made way.

Because getting kicked by the back leg could end a knight’s career.

Warren, who had almost been kicked before, flinched and stepped back, shouting belatedly.

“It will be revealed soon!”

“I hope you work hard to reveal it. Oh, and prepare a bigger saddle in the future. Shatir is bigger than your horse.”

Arne looked back and forth between the horse and Warren, pausing slightly.

“He’s bigger.”

Seeing Arne smirk, Warren’s face turned red again.

She was just stating the fact, but strangely it was very unpleasant.

Strangely, it felt like he was getting wrapped up in something even before the competition started.

“It’s almost noon. Let’s start when the bell rings from the temple.”

“Good……”

Suddenly, as Arne stood on the starting line, Cedric pushed Warren aside and stood there.

“Lady, wouldn’t you reconsider one more time? Shatir is a horse that even most knights find hard to handle.”
“Shatir, your dad is still very worried.”

Arne chuckled softly as she took Cedric’s hand.

With her other hand, she stroked Shati’s black mane.

“You know he’s a very cautious horse. Shatir would never hurt me.”

“But……”

“Shh, good boy.”

Arne stroked Shatir slowly while looking at Cedric.

“Shatir, won’t you help me?”

Cedric felt a strange feeling, as if Arne was petting him.

“Won’t you trust me?”

Arne’s red eyes did not let go of Cedric. When she looked at him like that, he couldn’t say no.

Eventually, Cedric let out a deep sigh.

Then, Arne’s lips drew a smooth curve as she gracefully mounted the horse.

Warren, still grumbling, came over with a horse, still spouting tedious complaints.

“Lady, even now……”

Dang.

However, as the bell rang, Cedric’s black horse carrying Arne cut through the wind.

Warren, who started late, chased closely behind. But soon after turning a corner, the gap widened sharply.

Warren tried desperately to catch up with Arne but it was in vain.

After all, it was the Commander-in-Chief’s horse who roamed the northern battlefield. If it went full speed, no one could catch up.

“Shatir, run.”

“Lady, slow down. There’s a stream up ahead!”

Behind Warren, the voice of the Knight Commander and Cedric could be heard.

But Arne sped up even more.