“Yes, I am. I’m meeting him today.”

Raphael had been concerned because Kristin had been injured during the incident at Vincent Orphanage. He had sent the physician from his estate to Edith’s mansion several times to ensure that her wounds healed properly.

A week had passed, and Kristin’s injuries had completely healed. Today was the day they were to meet.

“The director of Vincent Orphanage won’t be able to continue his duties, will she?” Lenci asked.

A week after the incident, a letter and an invitation from the imperial palace had arrived at the mansion. The letter from the palace’s administration stated that the director of Vincent Orphanage had committed numerous crimes and was sentenced to life imprisonment. It also mentioned that the palace was paying particular attention to selecting a replacement for the director.

Additionally, the letter informed Kristin that she would be awarded an honorary medal for her role in resolving the situation and invited her to the palace on the Empire’s commemoration day.

The letter also mentioned that while the award ceremony was scheduled for one week later, the date could be postponed if any issues arose at the palace.

Kristin wanted to talk about the medal with Raphael. Although he had already received countless honors from wars, she was immensely proud of him as her former husband.

Kristin had loved him deeply in her past life, and she felt that Raphael deserved more credit for the recent events than she did. She wished to attend charity events with him but felt disappointed because Selena Scarlet, whom Raphael had bad feelings towards, and Winston Zenon, a marquis, were present at those events, making it difficult for them to attend together.

At the same time, Kristin felt a twinge of guilt towards Winston. She wasn’t unaware of his feelings, and his continued attentiveness toward her weighed on her heart.

As if sensing Kristin’s thoughts, Lenci carefully spoke up.

“To be honest, I always thought you and Marquis Winston Zenon looked great together. But given all that’s happened, it seems like His Grace has been the one helping you the most—both materially and emotionally. And even his assistant…”

Lenci’s face flushed as she suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Kristin already knew about Lenci’s feelings. It was clear that she had a fondness for Jack, Raphael’s assistant.

“Yes, the Duke has helped me a lot, Lenci. His assistants and knights seem like good people, too.”

“I think I spoke out of turn. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all.”

Kristin smiled at Lenci while recalling the Duke’s assistants and knights. As the Duchess, they should have shown her nothing but respect, bowing their heads in reverence. However, in the past, the looks they gave her had been more of pity or compassion.

It was as though they were looking at a poor commoner, which always made Kristin uncomfortable when facing them.

But now, the thought that she might no longer receive such pitiful gazes gave her a sense of relief.

Just as Kristin thought of Raphael and glanced at Lenci, someone knocked hurriedly at the door.

Knock, knock, knock—

“My Lady, it’s Cindy. His Grace has arrived.”

“Lenci, I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, My Lady. Have a wonderful time!”

Lenci smiled at Kristin, who returned the smile before leaving the estate.

—

“Are you cold?” Raphael asked Kristin.

The two had ridden a long distance from Edith’s mansion and arrived at an open field. It was a place Kristin had once mentioned to him in her past life.

“No, I’m fine. I dressed warmly just in case,” Kristin said, showing him the vest and coat she had layered over her dress. Raphael responded in a soft voice.

“Kristin, you may not remember this place, but I’ve wanted to bring you here.”

Raphael pretended not to know, but he already did. In her past life, after they were married, Kristin had asked him several times to bring her to this very field.

[Even just once, I’d like to try riding a horse. I do enjoy riding in a carriage, but when I see the noblemen and knights galloping on their horses, I can’t help but wonder what it feels like.]

That memory came back to her.

However, Raphael had responded coldly to Kristin’s sincere request without even sparing her a glance.

[If you’ve become the Duchess, you should conduct yourself properly. A lady galloping on a horse is quite unbecoming. It’s ridiculous that I even have to respond to such nonsense.]

Kristin also remembered the Duke’s words from the past. The moment he answered like that, she realized she could no longer make any requests of him.

She had wanted to ride a horse out of simple curiosity. Wearing heavy dresses and traveling by carriage, with only a small window to view the outside world, never sat well with her. Even as a lady, some noblewomen received riding lessons, and she knew Raphael was aware of this.

But his cold response made her realize that he simply didn’t care enough to be bothered with her requests, let alone love her.

For days after that, Kristin didn’t speak to him. She avoided meals and tea with him altogether. Not that it mattered—he had never desired to dine or drink tea with her anyway.

And yet, the current Raphael had brought her to this place without her even having to say a word. Kristin was amazed. She had never told anyone, and she didn’t believe Raphael had also experienced a second chance at life.

“I don’t think I ever mentioned this to you, but how did you know I wanted to come here? I’ve always wanted to ride a horse. I’ve been interested since I was a child, but my mother said it was too dangerous, so I wasn’t allowed.”

“Well, I thought it would help ease the frustration you must have felt. Despite everything you’ve been through, you haven’t had any real rest. You’ve lived your life for others. Have you ever taken time just for yourself, even once?”

Raphael’s words made Kristin suddenly reflect on her past.

Throughout her life, there had been few moments when she spent time solely for herself. She had come back to this life hoping to find happiness, but once again, she found herself helping others. Perhaps she had come to see that as normal.

“That may be true, but there are times when I do live for myself,” Kristin replied softly.

“At the very least, I’d like it if you didn’t undervalue yourself in front of me,” Raphael responded.

“What?” Kristin blinked in surprise as Raphael signaled to someone.

A man approached, leading a horse with a bright golden mane. Bowing to the Duke, he spoke up.

“Greetings, His Grace. I’ve prepared Michael for you as requested. He’s very gentle and smart, so there’s no risk of injury for the lady.”

“There better not be. If she gets hurt, I won’t let it slide,” the Duke responded sharply.

Kristin looked at the horse called Michael, and under the warm sunlight, his coat shone brilliantly.

“Well then, shall we? Go ahead and try it, Kristin,” Raphael said, extending his hand toward her.

“Do you think I can?” Kristin asked hesitantly.

She felt nervous. She had only ever imagined herself riding through the fields on a horse, but she had never thought she would get the chance.

Kristin looked at Michael, and before mounting the saddle, she slowly met his eyes and spoke.

“I’m a beginner, so I might be clumsy. But please take care of me.”

It was as if Michael understood her words as he moved his head, glancing back and forth between Kristin and Raphael.

Seeing this, the Duke spoke to Michael.

“Michael, you don’t need to worry. We’ll be careful.”

Kristin was visibly surprised by how the Duke spoke to the horse. Never before had he been so gentle and kind.

Though they had ridden in various carriages and switched horses many times, the Duke had never shown this kind of care toward any animal. But now, Raphael Rodney’s words, though gruff, were laced with tenderness. Kristin, still watching him, finally said,

“I never realized you were so kind, Your Grace.”

The Duke couldn’t help but be this way—his heart had changed completely after Kristin’s death.

However, Kristin, noticing this side of him, seemed to contemplate something for a moment before resolutely placing one foot on the stirrup and gripping the saddle. She tried to hoist herself up, but being a first-timer, she found her arms and legs weakening, unable to lift herself onto the horse.
Seeing this, the Duke spoke.

“No one rides perfectly from the start, so relax. We don’t want to startle the horse. If he gets scared or angry, it could be dangerous.”

As he spoke, Raphael had already positioned himself to help her. He climbed onto Michael first, then took hold of Kristin’s arms and shoulders. With his assistance, she tried once more, and this time, they successfully lifted her onto the horse.

However, that’s where the challenge began.

Though she was now on Michael’s back, Kristin was sitting in front of the Duke, far closer than she had ever been to him. On top of that, she was holding the rein, which Raphael was also holding. His hand now rested on top of hers, sharing their warmth.

“Oh, I’ll move my hand,” she stammered.

“Move your hand? No need for that. What if you fall?”

“Well, that’s true. What should I do, then?” Kristin felt increasingly flustered.

Despite the Duke’s efforts to spend time with her, she was unaccustomed to being this close to him. She thought he would find the situation uncomfortable too, given his typically sensitive nature. But Raphael’s response was entirely unexpected.

“Hold the reins tightly. I’m not going to let go of your hand, Kristin. Not now, not ever.”

At his words, Kristin’s face flushed bright red.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories