-29-

“Yes. I’ve loved riding horses since I was a kid, and when I’m on a horse, it makes my problems seem like nothing.”

Alicia’s hobby of horseback riding was an unexpected twist of fascination.

Considering how much she liked riding, it must have been very upsetting to hear comments about her riding outfit and the riding arena.

“Actually, this is my first time trying it properly.”

Alicia looked surprised.

“Really? Somehow, I thought you had done it a lot.”

“Not at all. So, Alicia, you’ll have to teach me a lot.”

“Okay. Have you thought about which horse to ride?”

“Since it’s my first time, would it be alright to ride a pony?”

“Actually, a fully grown horse might be more stable because of its larger stride.”

Oh. Alicia gave off the vibe of a horse expert.

“Then….”

As I looked around, I suddenly noticed a black horse with a shiny mane.

Honestly, I won’t lie. It reminded me of Roan because of its black coat.

“That horse.”

“You have a good eye. It’s an excellent horse.”

Heh. That’s just how I am.

To be honest, I didn’t think riding a horse would be that difficult.

But it took less than a minute to realize that was a misconception.

Remembering the time I had ridden with Roan, I thought I could manage.

Ah, how foolish that thought was. I now realized how much Roan had been supporting me back then.

“Ah!”

“Wait, wait.”

Riding was not as easy as I thought. Even walking was difficult. The word “wait” kept coming out of my mouth, even though it was clear that the horse wouldn’t stop just because I said it.

Alicia, unable to bear it any longer, stopped the horse.

It definitely wasn’t Alicia’s fault. She explained things clearly enough for even someone with no knowledge about horses to understand.

But understanding it in my head was one thing; getting my body to cooperate was another. Sob, sob.

“Delis… This is something even beginners can usually… I mean, it can definitely be difficult.”

If I found myself frustrating, how much more must it have been for her? I could see her trying her best to accommodate my lack of balance.

“It’s okay. Try again.”

Encouraged by Alicia’s kind words, I tried multiple times, focusing on my posture.

“Wow!”

“Great! Keep that posture.”

“I did it, I did it!”

“Well done!”

Our efforts finally paid off. I managed to ride the horse and walk around a bit. Indeed, hard work pays off.

Alicia, who hadn’t been able to mount her horse because she was watching me, finally got on her horse. Wow. Her posture was a perfect example. We began to walk slowly around the riding arena. Was this the fun of horseback riding?

I could sense the Marchioness’s group looking at us with disdain from afar. It was clear their gazes weren’t kind. Hmph, let them look.

“They keep staring at us. Maybe because of me, Delis….”

Alicia seemed to have noticed their stares too.

“What does it have to do with you, Alicia? Don’t mind them.”

“…No.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you stay with me, you might fall out of favor with them.”

Haha. It seemed like that was already happening.

I didn’t say that out loud.

“It’s okay. I don’t care.”

“…Something happened.”

Alicia was silent for a moment before she spoke.

“What happened?”

“I almost stole the fiancé of Count Devon’s daughter. Oh, but didn’t you already know that, Delis?”

“What?! No, I didn’t.”

What kind of drama is this? Alicia pointed to the countess who had picked a fight with her earlier. Alicia didn’t seem like the type to steal someone else’s fiancé.

“Her fiancé is Count Udric.”

Count Udric was a young count who had recently inherited his title.

“They said it was arranged between their families. But during the engagement period, he started showing interest in me. I didn’t even know he was engaged or that he was Count Devon’s daughter’s fiancé. So, I ended up dating him for a while.”

Unbelievable. That guy is seriously the worst. How could he not mention he was engaged? He’d probably hide his marriage later too, huh?

“Then the Count Devon’s daughter found out about it. And suddenly, I was labeled as the woman who coveted someone else’s fiancé. I tried to explain, but it didn’t help much.”

“So, did Count Devon’s daughter break off the engagement with the count?”

“They’re currently preparing for their wedding, I heard.”

Alicia spoke calmly, but it made me even more upset.

“That’s ridiculous. If she was that angry, she should have confronted the guy too. Is she only getting mad at certain people?”

Alicia was a victim too.

“Alicia, you didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t need to feel like a criminal.”

Alicia looked at me with wide eyes, then gave a weak smile.

“Thank you, Delis. But if this continues, you might…”

“Aren’t we at least friends by now?”

“…!”

Her face showed increasing surprise. It was a look that suggested she hadn’t even imagined it. But I felt that we had become friends today.

“So, it doesn’t matter.”

“Friends…?”

“Yes.”

She stared at me blankly, then slowly nodded.

We really became friends. It felt pretty good.

At that moment, there was a commotion at the entrance of the riding arena.

“His Highness the Crown Prince….”

“Duke Bannister….”

What? Who? Naturally, my head turned toward the entrance.

It was impossible not to notice him. Even from a distance, my eyes found him instantly. Someone once said, being able to spot a person in a crowd is a privilege of those in love.

“Roan!”

As I called out, Roan miraculously turned his head toward me.

Our eyes met. I smiled at him. Roan’s expression slightly twisted. It was a change that others might not notice, but I could see it. Did he not like my smile that much? I didn’t think Delis’s face was that bad.

Now that I noticed, Cameron was with him. Why were they here? Shouldn’t they be working? Anyway, it was quite a coincidence. They approached us.

“Roan, what brings you here?”

Oh, I almost forgot to greet Cameron.

“I greet the Empire’s little sun.”

Alicia and I greeted the Crown Prince politely while still on our horses.

“I greet the Duke.”

Alicia also greeted Roan. He gave a slight nod in return.

“Yes, Duchess. And this lady is….”

The Crown Prince acknowledged me and then looked at Alicia.

It seemed like it was his first time seeing her. Or he had seen her but didn’t remember.

Alicia seemed nervous, perhaps it was her first time seeing them up close. I introduced her.

“This is Lady Alicia Berkeley.”

“Berkeley? Ah. The daughter of Count Berkeley.”

The Crown Prince nodded in understanding.

“The count has quite a good character.”

Cameron rarely praised anyone, so it was significant that he complimented Alicia’s father. Alicia’s kindness must have come from her father.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“No need for such formality.”

Listening to their conversation, I asked.

“But really, why are you here?”

The Crown Prince looked slightly perplexed at my question.

“Well, the Duke here suddenly said he needed a change of pace and, out of nowhere, suggested coming to the riding area….”

“Your Highness.”

Roan suddenly called the Crown Prince.

“Why?”

“We need to choose a horse.”

“Hmm? Right. But why did it feel like you interrupted me?”

“It’s your imagination.”

“Right. Must be my imagination….”

The Crown Prince agreed but still looked somewhat suspicious.

After saying that, Roan looked at me. He seemed displeased about something. Although his expression didn’t change much, I could tell.

Suddenly, he took off his cloak and put it around me.

“Roan, what are you doing?”

“I’m giving you my cloak.”

Why is he putting a cloak on me all of a sudden?

“I’m fine….”

“It’s alright.”

But I’m telling you I’m fine.

“I don’t need to wear this.”

“You must.”

“Why?”

“…….”

Roan said nothing. What was his problem?

I noticed a slight frown on his usually smooth brow.

“I don’t like others looking at you.”

…What? He didn’t like people looking at me.

Pfft. Suddenly, I heard the Crown Prince burst out laughing.

Hahaha. He was soon laughing heartily. Next to him, I saw Alicia trying to stifle her own laughter.

“The Duke doesn’t like how well the riding outfit suits you, Duchess.”

Cameron still sounded amused as he spoke.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories