Chapter 4 – The Skill Of Making A Move (Part 14)

And so, the journey began.

Edwin had whimsically labeled today’s itinerary as a ‘date.’

‘Names are just labels, aren’t they?’

With such brazen thoughts, he set off on what only he considered a date.

“So, what are we going to do?”

Lorraine glanced back at Edwin while skillfully controlling the reins.

“Still thinking.”

“Well, the scenery is nice, at least.”

Although it was for work, perhaps due to the suburban environment, Lorraine’s face looked much more relaxed. After looking around for a while, she spoke to Edwin, who was standing next to her.

“You could build a villa… or maybe a hotel to host guests.”

“I heard there’s a lake nearby.”

With Edwin’s answer, Lorraine concluded instantly.

“A hotel, then.”

“…Is that so?”

Although he answered calmly, Edwin was quite taken aback by the unexpected reply.

‘Wouldn’t most people suggest visiting the lake if there’s one nearby?’

Whether she knew about his inner turmoil or not, Lorraine, with her cheeks flushed, started to chatter about her plans.

“It would be nice to have several private houses for the wealthy near the lake… or build a hotel a bit further from the lake and create walking paths.”

‘Like a kind of landmark!’

As Lorraine got more excited, Edwin’s confidence was halved.

“Of course! We’d need to consult experts for the details, though.”

When there was no response, Lorraine finally looked back.

“…You are listening, right?”

“I’m listening.”

Though it didn’t seem like it.

Lorraine looked at him with a doubtful eye for a moment. But unfortunately, she had no evidence, and Edwin Duncan was her superior.

Avoiding Lorraine’s gaze, Edwin changed the subject.

“By the way, Martha packed some food. How about we eat by the lake?”

“Pardon?”

Ignoring her implied refusal, Edwin checked the pocket watch inside his jacket.

“It’s almost noon.”

‘Since when did you care about eating on time?’

Lorraine gave him a look, but Edwin turned the reins.

“This way.”

Sensing the decision was final, Lorraine reluctantly moved the reins and followed closely beside Edwin. Watching her skillfully handling the horse, he commented.

“You’ve improved a lot.”

“Pardon? Oh… horse riding? Well, I wasn’t completely inept, so I picked it up quickly.”

Lorraine laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The thing is, horseback riding was the only thing she wasn’t confident about.

「A horse, you say?」

When she asked with a reluctant face, Philip nodded readily. Unable to say she couldn’t ride, Lorraine asked again.

「You mean the animal that goes neigh-?」

「Yes, the one that goes neigh-. Can you ride it?」

Philip’s eyes showed a hint of irritation. If it were her current self, she would have readily said she couldn’t—

「…Is it necessary…?」

—but 20-year-old Lorraine Wiig, who had never lost, couldn’t easily admit it.

「It seems necessary for this trip… so, it is necessary.」

Philip said firmly.

「If you say you can’t….」

「I can’t ride.」

「…His Grace instructed me to teach you. Yes, that’s it.」

With her straightforward admission, Philip nodded and jotted something in his diary.

One thing she realized from that incident was that—

「Aaaah!」

—there were things she couldn’t do.

Nelson, the deputy commander of the White Eagle Knights, who had volunteered to teach her horse riding, sighed and muttered.

「…You’ve just taken a single step, Secretary.」

‘Straighten your back.’

Following Nelson’s instruction, Lorraine slowly straightened her back and asked,

「Is it always this difficult?」

She sounded like she was about to cry because she was so scared. But Nelson was a man without pity or tears.

「It only seems difficult because you’re scared.」

「Well….」

‘This is just so great.’

Despite her grumbling, she kept her promise and showed up on time. Of course, she regretted it the next day, hobbling around with sore legs and back.

「Oh dear….」

Diana, who was applying herbal oil to Lorraine’s legs and massaging them, asked,

「What on earth did you do to be in this state even after a few days…? Did the Duke hit you?」

Ever since she started working, Diana had been worried about her sister, who was constantly complaining and now seemed to be in pain.

Despite her family’s concern, Lorraine didn’t give up on horseback riding.

「Come on…!」

It was only after she managed to surpass Philip that her horse riding lessons ended.

“Nelson sighed so much back then.”

It was a remark full of intent to tease. Lorraine knew she shouldn’t react to such teasing.

“…It wasn’t that bad.”

But that was impossible for anyone.

As Lorraine gritted her teeth and replied, Edwin nodded as if he understood completely.

“Everyone has something they can’t do.”

“I’m good at it now.”

“Of course, I don’t have anything like that.”

“Oh, yes.”

‘I shouldn’t hit my employer, right?’

Looking at him with a reluctant face, Lorraine whipped the reins. Naturally, her horse began to move ahead of his.

“Come on…!”

Ignoring the reply coming from behind, Lorraine rode on for a long time.

***

Diana doubted her eyes for a moment.

Someone who shouldn’t be there and had no reason to be there was standing calmly next to Yvette Rochester in the Noble Council.

“…Crazy.”

The harsh words slipped out naturally. Henry Rochester, standing next to her, frowned and nudged her waist with his elbow.

‘Be discreet.’

Normally, she would have snapped at him several times already. But now, her colleague’s interference was just amusing.

Meanwhile, the man who had been receiving Yvette’s reception approached them.

“Ah, and these are Henry Rochester and Diana Wiig from the judiciary, who will be participating in this negotiation.”

The man, who alternated his gaze between the two with deep purple eyes, smiled and extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ian Curtis from Fontaine.”

「Ian from Fontaine, it’s Ian.」

His hair, half-covering his eyes, didn’t seem to bother him. Back then, ‘Ian’ always called her by his own pet name with a bright smile.

「I like you, Danny.」

But ‘Duke Curtis’ was different.

His hair was slicked back neatly with pomade, and there wasn’t a single wrinkle on his cravat. Diana had to remind herself once again that the Ian of those days no longer existed.

She just stared at Ian’s outstretched hand. Unable to watch any longer, Henry took his hand first.

“I’m Henry Rochester. I handle diplomatic legislation in the judiciary with Diana.”

Ian’s expression took on a peculiar light at the affectionate tone in Henry’s voice when he mentioned Diana’s name.

“Ah… I’ve heard a lot about you from the director. They say you’re the future of the legal profession.”

“The real future is this one here.”

After shaking hands appropriately, Henry firmly placed his arm around Diana’s shoulder, who had been standing quietly. Ian, who had been looking at that hand with a subtle gaze, smiled and extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

It was a moment she could no longer ignore.

Her head throbbed as if being pricked, but Diana bit the inside of her mouth instead.

“…Yes, nice to meet you, Your Grace.”

Just when the handshake was about to last a bit too long, Ian nonchalantly let go. Yvette, checking her pocket watch, shifted the oddly flowing atmosphere.

“It’s time to meet His Majesty the Emperor, Your Grace.”

“…Ah, it’s already that time.”

He spoke in a surprised tone, but his voice was utterly indifferent.

“Our next meeting will likely be at the negotiation table… I look forward to it. Both of you.”

After leaving a brief farewell, Ian departed with Yvette.

Only then could Diana let out a long sigh.

“Phew….”

Henry, who had been silent until then, spoke up.

“…Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“There are people who can spit while smiling.”

‘What’s with that out of nowhere….’