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Chapter 13

—

“I know Lady Furiana is an old friend. I don’t want you to worry about it, either.”

“...Everyone was shocked when Ruby suddenly collapsed.”

“I’m sorry to have troubled you. I didn’t know that would happen...”

“It’s our fault.”

Her sharp tone was the same as Izek’s. You could tell they were siblings, after all.

I smiled awkwardly and slid the spoon down again.

There was a moment of silence.

“I’ve never seen him that upset before.”

“I’m...”

“It’s not your fault he got upset. Anyway, I’m glad you recovered faster than I expected. If you’re feeling well, why don’t you join us this weekend afternoon for a horseback riding meeting?”

The meeting that Ellenia and Freya had every summer for a long time?

Of course, I had to go. It was a good opportunity to build an image in this society.

“Thank you for asking. Of course, I’ll come.”

Horseback riding meeting.

It wasn’t really about riding horses, but more of an outdoor party where young nobles gathered under the pretext of horseback riding to build friendships, gather information and search for partners. You could call it a social club.

As it is a club led by Duke Omerta and Marquis Furiana’s daughters, only important northern family members could visit. I had left a pretty insignificant first impression at the last court banquet, so I had to push forward to make a better one.

I had to use all the opportunities as much as I could for half a year or so.

The clothes I ordered from the tailor were yet to arrive, so I chose the simplest-looking dress I had brought from home.

A sky blue dress with ruffled sleeves cut off from the elbow, hair tied up in a long braid with blue ribbons.

“Are you sure you want to keep it this way, ma’am?”

The hard-faced maid who was combing my hair glanced at the dresser drawer I had left open.

I left it open on purpose. The hair ornaments I brought from Romagna were spectacular enough to make her eyes pop.

They were all given by Cesare, so it didn’t matter if it was fancy or not.

“Hmm, why? What do you think would be better?”

“......I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to give an opinion.”

“Then, what about you? While we’re at it, let’s pick one for you.”

The hands threading the ribbon stopped. Silence stayed for a moment.

Doubt slowly spread over the maid’s face, who was looking at me with a little surprise.

Yes, it was only natural. Either way, I grinned at the mirror.

As always, act like a fool, be kind to everyone.

“You mean me? Why...?”

“It’s just... You’ve been taking good care of me for the past few days when I was sick. I don’t use it much, so I wanted to give something to you as a gift. Choose whatever you like.”

The maid was still looking at me with a wary look, but at the same time, her eyes glanced at the colorful ornaments greedily. One of the smallest hairpins would exceed her ten-month salary.

So, pick one up already.

“Well, let’s keep it a secret between us because it’ll be difficult if others to find out.”

That was the end of her hesitation.

The maid, who had pretended to hesitate for a moment, soon picked up the biggest and most colorful out of all.

An emerald butterfly-decorated comb. I guessed it looked the most expensive.

As if I were going to take it back, a smile rushed to her previously angry face, hiding the decorated comb in her arms.

A familiar expression. That was the expression of a pushover being caught.

“...thank you, madam.”

“Yes, I look forward to your kindness. How long have you been working here?”

“Three years, ma’am.”

“Then you must know that maid. How long has she worked here?”

When I asked a completely unrelated question, the answer was immediately returned.

“That maid has been here since she was very young. I heard she was a nanny at first.”

She added in a polite tone, her eyes flitting side to side. Well, she doesn’t seem to like the maid much. Anyway, I just remembered that maid as a loyal maid character, but if she was Ellenia’s nanny, she must have a special affection for her. That was why she didn’t like me even more. It would be funny if the main culprit for the first day was that maid. She didn’t do that to the original Rudbeckia.

Was she the type to bother someone because they looked easy?

“Thank you. Then, you can leave.”

—

“Oh, my lady, I’m glad you’re well. I was so worried when I heard that you were sick. I wanted to visit you in the hospital, but I couldn’t because I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“Ahaha, what’s the point of discomfort? But thank you for your concern.”

When I arrived at the stable after all preparations, Ellenia was waiting ahead with Freya as scheduled. Freya, who was stroking a white stallion in a riding dress that seemed to be tailored by Ellenia’s tailor, looked very friendly with the horses here.

I couldn’t believe that a horse looked like a dog in the rain. Was this the power that came with being the main character’s childhood friend?

It wasn’t too much for everyone to think that Freya deserved to be in my place.

Freya, I don’t know what you think yet, but if you let me live, I can transfer this position to you any time.

Ellenia, who looked at me and Freya alternatively with that expressionless face of hers, soon placed her hand on my shoulder and led me into the stable.

“They’re all well-trained stallions, so you can choose who you like. Except for the ones on the right.”

“Oh, those over there...”

“Only my brother rides them, so they’re a little bit...”

I see. It would be more befitting to call them devil’s spawns instead.

Freya burst into laughter.

“Ahaha, that’s right. But isn’t it a little rough for my lady to ride? You just recovered.”

“It’s not going to be a long ride, so it won’t be too much, but if you don’t mind, we’ll pick the most docile one for you. Cedric?”

Oh, so he was the most docile one. All of them looked like young masters. Look at those glares. Haa, I was being discriminated against even by horses.

I don’t like you either. No, I don’t like this town itself.

“Good morning, on the way in or out?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Your lovely wife is going out with us today. Do you want me to let you in if you’re lonely?”

“What?”

What was this strange feeling of being stabbed when I wasn’t even hiding like last time?

As I turned my head slightly, I saw my husband trudging close to me in a black uniform. He seemed unfamiliar because it was my first time seeing him wearing anything other than armour.

A strange silence fell for a moment.

In contrast to Freya, who was smiling cheerfully, Ellenia just stared at her brother and said nothing. And Izek looked straight at me, holding onto the stable fence, and frowned.

As cold as ever. If he keeps that up, I’ll also act the same.

“Wow, you look really cool today. Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. I don’t do anything on Sabbath.”

What was this answer? Was he being sarcastic?

“What are you doing here?”

“I was picking horses to attend a horse riding meeting with the two of them here. Would you like to come?”

“I’m busy.”

He kept contradicting me, just a moment before, he said he was doing nothing because it was Sabbath. Of course, I knew he’d say no, so I grinned undauntedly.

“Well, is it okay if I pick any horse?”

“Do you even have an eye for horses?”

“I don’t have much of good eyesight.”

That’s why I have a crush on you. Although I’m pretending to have a crush. (haha)

He glared at me before blinking slowly and turning toward the two closest women to him. Freya opened her eyes wide, and Ellenia opened her mouth without a change in her expression.

“Sergei said it was fine. If that’s what you’re curious about.”

“...”

“If you don’t trust me, why don’t you check it out yourself and take her there? I’ll leave with Frey first.”

What? Now, hold on, Ellen, why are you abandoning me like this all of a sudden?

I thought it was a joke, but Ellenia got on her stallion with a quick move, as if she were really going to leave me alone with this monstrous husband of mine.

As a result, not only I, but Freya too looked astounded.

“Let’s go.”

“But Ellen...”

To make matters worse, Izek just stared at me silently instead of trying to put a stop to this situation that he wouldn’t be happy with.

Satan’s embodiment had his arms folded, glaring proudly.

Sniff.

“I-I’m sorry. Because of me, Ellen... “

“......”

“I-I’ll just sit back and reflect on myself at home.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

A man who spat this out, as if he was clicking his tongue, came close to me through the fence door. Then he gestured to the stableman who was carefully waiting in the room nearby.

“Cedric.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Get out.”

“What?”

“Get out.”

Cedric looked puzzled for a moment, but quickly left his seat with the will to live. Why was he letting him go again?

The nasal snorts of the horses rang out. I was overwhelmed.

I hated the stable.

Especially a stable with a ruthless opponent.

Even more so now that I had been through something horrifyingly similar in my previous life and this life.

The sound of horses crying. The sound of a horsewhip cutting through the air.

The creepy whispers of my eldest brother and my pathetic cries blended and echoed in my ears.

‘Did you know what you did wrong?’

My breath caught in my chest. I shook my head to get myself together.

Only

I shouldn’t be swept away by trauma and mess things up.

I’m way past that stage. So......So...