Now, Go Ahead and Stamp It - Chapter 28

Gillian approached Kaiden and offered his greeting.

“Your Highness.”

“Gill! You’re here now.”

From a distance, they still seemed like good friends.

“I hope you show us a great performance this year as well.”

“I’ll make sure not to disappoint.”

Gillian’s voice was filled with confidence, as if he couldn’t imagine losing the championship.

“As expected, someone who’s won consecutively has a different level of confidence. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations. But…”

He stopped speaking and turned to Ellen.

“Ellen Krembell. It’s time to return to your place.”

Gillian took a step toward Ellen.

He intended not to tolerate any more deviation.

“It’s time to stop imposing on His Highness. Let’s head back.”

“Haha, why call that an imposition?”

Sensing the tension, Kaiden subtly blocked his way.

“It’s a burden since I’ve troubled Your Highness. My wife has had enough of going around now.”

“What’s between us? I wanted to care for her. It’s between you and me.”

You should’ve done well when you had the chance, instead of doing suspicious things.

Kaiden kept such thoughts to himself.

“No, I’ll take her back myself.”

“You don’t need to refuse.”

“No, Your Highness’s consideration is enough—”

“Do I seem like someone who can’t even do this much?”

As Gillian kept firmly declining, Kaiden played his trump card.

‘She’s no longer your person, Gillian. She’s mine.’

Kaiden felt a sense of superiority and furrowed his brow slightly, appearing displeased.

As the argument dragged on, people’s attention began to gather.

‘Too many eyes are watching. Constantly refusing doesn’t look good…’

Gillian suppressed his rising irritation and spoke.

“…Understood. I’ll strive to meet Your Highness’s expectations.”

“Good, you’ve thought well. I hope my proud friend will win the honor again this year.”

Kaiden casually patted his shoulder.

At the touch, Gillian’s brow furrowed slightly.

Ellen smirked upon seeing this.

He couldn’t even hide how displeased he was.

A small laugh escaped her, and at that moment, their eyes met.

Gillian, turning away, glared at her.

“…Enjoy your day.”

His tone seemed casual, as if suggesting she have fun.

But his burning eyes were fixed on Ellen, and those present could easily sense it.

It was a warning to his wife.

Today would be her last outing.

* * *

The appointed time arrived.

The sound of horns announced the Emperor’s entrance.

Ellen moved to the venue following the guide’s instructions.

Gillian wasn’t someone who tolerated anyone above him.

‘…I didn’t expect that to include even the imperial family.’

She sighed, wondering where such ambition stemmed from.

Regardless, he occasionally left small kindnesses on days when Ellen performed her role as he demanded.

A large hand that would rest on her shoulder with a simple “Well done.”

That small gesture used to make her heart race so much.

Back then, she worried alone about what would happen if her heart burst.

This place held memories of such moments.

Ellen chuckled, recalling when Krembell first won the overall championship.

The announcer began calling the first group of the women’s division.

The tournament was divided into two events: obstacle jumping and dressage, each with women’s and men’s divisions, making a total of four divisions.

It seemed the women’s obstacle jumping event would proceed first.

After a few names passed, her name was called.

“Ellen Krembell!”

At the call, Ellen clenched her fist tightly.

She could feel Gillian’s gaze from afar.

The women who had brought their horses began to greet each other, wishing for a good performance.

“Hello, Lady Crient.”

One woman boldly called her by her maiden name.

She was the daughter of Count Myers, a key figure in the neutral faction.

“Yes. It’s been a while, Lady Myers.”

Ellen returned the greeting warmly, observing the participants.

“Oh my. I’ve heard the rumors. Duke Krembell certainly wasn’t a good husband.”

Lady Myers brought up the topic of Krembell.

To her surprise, other ladies around began to chime in.

“That’s right. I’ve heard stories too.”

“About Duke Krembell? Yes, me too. I imagine you’ve had a hard time, Lady.”

“Thank you… for your concern.”

What is this situation?

Ellen pondered.

“Duke Krembell seems to lack the eye for recognizing talent, treating someone like you that way. It’s evident just by looking at Thalia’s achievements.”

“Yes. I was really surprised by your foresight! I’ve been purchasing only from Thalia since.”

“Come to think of it, I once saw Duke Krembell visiting you at Salon Caramillo. He was searching for you quite aggressively.”

“Oh my, that’s the rumor I heard too.”

“My goodness, how frightening!”

The ladies began to chirp like little birds.

The atmosphere was completely different from the imperial banquet.

Ellen guessed there must have been some favorable developments while she was focused on her trading company.

The women, engaged in conversation, began to move to their positions as the announcer’s voice echoed again.

“Well then, let’s all do well.”

With Lady Myers’s words, they all dispersed to the waiting area, leaving only the first participant.

Various obstacles were set up throughout the wide arena.

Large fences, moderately sized ponds, and other sizable obstacles for people.

The first participant started riding.

Perhaps due to the pressure, the speed wasn’t very fast.

But considering the risk of a major fall if the jumping timing was off, not rushing was commendable.

Then the second, third…

After several rounds, Ellen’s turn came.

Like all the riders, she began by calming her horse.

At the right moment, she adjusted the reins and gave the signal, and the horse responded by jumping steadily.

As it leaped, she crouched, and as it landed, she straightened her back.

Repeating the rhythm, she jumped again.

After a few repetitions, the clock showed a noticeable lead.

The woman with her beautiful blonde hair tied back, was leading with a record worthy of first place.

It was Ellen.

Those who knew her skills commented on her consistent excellence, while families who had been embarrassed by her watched with displeased eyes.

While everyone was observing her performance, thinking first place was already decided for this year, something unexpected happened.

If she had continued running, there would have been no change in the first-place holder for the first group.

But just before the last obstacle, Ellen suddenly slowed down and stopped.

People looked at each other in confusion, wondering what was happening.

Voices murmured around.

“What on earth…?”

Even Gillian, surprised, stared at her.

Was there a problem?

The waiting staff rushed toward her.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Her face, as she answered, was calm.

“That’s a relief. Then why…?”

But the words from her calm face were anything but peaceful.

“I withdraw.”

“…Pardon?”

The announcer, as if unsure if he heard correctly, asked again.

Ellen, seemingly willing to repeat it as many times as needed, spoke clearly, loud enough for those nearby to hear.

“Ellen Krembell, withdraws!”

Gillian’s eyes widened in shock, and Ellen burst into laughter, finding the situation amusing.

“…Madam. Withdrawing means your score won’t be recorded, and you can’t be included in the overall score. You know that, right?”

The announcer asked with a bewildered face, wondering what was going on.

Ellen, not hiding the joy in her voice, replied.

“Yes, I know well.”

She could win first place, but she wouldn’t.

Her intent was blatantly clear.

A declaration that Krembell wouldn’t receive any points.

From afar, Gillian stood up abruptly.

He looked frustrated, unable to shout anything in front of the crowd.

His reaction pushed Ellen further into delight.

She laughed brightly and drove the nail in with her words.

“I can’t let my score go up under Krembell’s name. Oh, and since I didn’t even clear the last obstacle, there’s no score anyway.”

As her words continued, Gillian, unable to hold back, left his seat and began striding towards the arena.

“Please process Ellen Krembell as withdrawn.”

“Uh… Ellen Krembell withdraws! Krembell withdraws from the women’s obstacle jumping division and cannot be considered in the overall evaluation due to disqualification!”

The announcer’s voice echoed in the venue.

The nobles watching the scene began to chatter loudly, like they were at a marketplace.

Withdrawing?

Wouldn’t it have been better not to participate at all?

So it’s intentional.

Yes, that’s clearly a provocation.

She’s openly trying to embarrass him.

They say she’s getting a divorce. It must be true.

Hearing the conversations, Gillian’s face turned red with anger.

Who gave her the right to do such a thing?

‘Why didn’t the announcer consult me, the head of the family, before handling it?’

He was genuinely furious.

But as she said, since she hadn’t cleared the obstacles, calculating a score was meaningless.

Moreover, criticizing the announcers would be akin to criticizing the imperial proceedings.

He couldn’t vent his anger openly here.

In the end, Gillian swallowed his rage and changed his course.

He strode purposefully towards Crient’s tent, muttering.

“Damn it, Ellen Krembell…!”

His clenched fingers dug into his palms.