Chapter 52
Horse Racing
“I understand.”
Riena finally decided to yield this time.
There were still some lingering doubts, but she didn’t want to leave Cassel, insisting she couldn’t trust him yet.
It wasn’t because of the contract. That trivial contract could be canceled, and she could simply go to visit Lady Donovan.
Following the Countess’s suggestion, she could spend the winter leisurely at the count’s residence and debut in the social scene next spring.
The Countess wasn’t particularly influential in society, but she could at least provide decent party invitations for Riena.
Then, when she met the right person, she could marry genuinely, not a marriage built on lies.
Perhaps now was her last chance to back out.
If she were ever to part ways with Cassel, it was objectively better to do so without the stigma of divorce.
But.
I don’t want to.
Riena truly didn’t want to leave him.
If only Cassel allowed it, she wanted to spend her life at Winkler with him.
Maybe Cassel felt the same. After all, he had sincerely proposed to her.
Above all, she couldn’t leave him alone, as she kept seeing the timid Cass in him.
But it’s probably too early to make such a decision. Still, for now…
After a moment of hesitation, Riena spoke.
“This time, I’ll trust you.”
“……”
“Of course, I’ll still keep a little doubt, as you said. If a situation like this arises again, I won’t hesitate to leave. Do you understand?”
“Then…”
Riena smiled gently.
“It’s just my way of saying, let’s continue as we have until now.”
She might regret this decision later.
But at least this time, she chose to follow her heart rather than her head.
To celebrate their reconciliation, Riena and Cassel decided to go horseback riding, as they had discussed before.
As their relationship thawed, the tense atmosphere inside the mansion returned to its usual state.
Amy, in particular, was the most delighted by this progress.
“Oh my, wouldn’t it have been better if the Duke had apologized before I even had to speak?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Riena gave a vague nod and put on her riding outfit. It was a ready-made outfit purchased in haste, but it fit her well.
“I’ll braid your hair so it won’t bother you while riding.”
“Thanks.”
Riena handed her hair over to Amy and looked out the window. The weather was beautiful, reflecting her excitement. There were a few clouds, but it seemed perfect for riding.
Noticing Riena’s gaze, Amy chattered.
“The weather is really nice.”
“Yes, thankfully. I was worried it might rain.”
“It seems the goddess is helping you too. All done now. The Duke will be waiting, so hurry outside.”
Riena thanked Amy and left the mansion. Cassel was already outside, wearing his riding outfit as well, checking his horse after receiving the reins from the stable hand.
Unlike Riena’s white horse Lucy, his horse had a striking black mane, matching his hair color.
“Cass.”
Riena approached him.
“Are you ready?”
“Seems the horses are already prepared.”
Riena fed sugar cubes to Lucy, greeting her happily, and then introduced her horse to Cassel.
“As you know, her name is Lucy. What’s yours called?”
“Black.”
“Black?”
Riena couldn’t help but laugh.
“Because he’s black?”
“…Something like that.”
“I wasn’t teasing. It’s just funny how simple the name is, unlike you. But it suits him. Can I pet him?”
“He’s a bit fierce, but…”
Cassel nodded at Black, showing interest in Riena.
“Seems fine.”
Riena offered a carrot from the stable hand to Black. Without hesitation, he began eating it.
“Beautiful, isn’t he?”
When she gently stroked his nose, Black made a contented sound.
The stable hand admired the scene.
“Amazing. Black usually doesn’t obey anyone but the Duke. It took me a long time to get close. Even now, he can be moody with me sometimes.”
“Really? He doesn’t seem like that at all.”
“Seems he likes you a lot. Perhaps he recognized that you’re the Duke’s fiancée.”
As if in agreement, Black snorted.
Riena laughed and petted him.
“Thanks for liking me.”
Then Lucy, observing nearby, nudged Riena’s arm, whining jealously as if upset Black was getting attention.
“Lucy, you saw me just a few days ago,” Riena soothed, but Lucy still looked pouty.
“Alright, alright. You’re my favorite. Let’s see… your coat looks shinier than a few days ago.”
Thanks to the care she received at the Duke’s house, Lucy’s coat glimmered beautifully.
“I’m glad everyone’s been taking such good care of you, right?”
Riena pressed her cheek against Lucy’s and smiled, thanking the stable hand.
“Thank you.”
“I haven’t done much. Lucy is so gentle, adapts quickly, and eats well, so I’m the one grateful to her.”
“That’s good. Right, Lucy? Keep behaving like this.”
Lucy whinnied, as if understanding.
“Shall we go?”
Cassel came closer to help Riena mount her horse first. Then, without assistance, he mounted Black and led the way.
Riena stroked Lucy’s glossy mane, then followed him.
“Where shall we go? Last time, we went to the hunting grounds, right?”
“Yes. We’ll go to the field on the way there. Not as vast as Dyke’s estate, but enough to enjoy riding. If we wanted a real ride, we could go south to the Count’s territory outside the capital, but that’s too far for today.”
“The hunting grounds are fine. I’d like to visit the Count’s land next time, though.”
“I’ll make time soon. Let’s go.”
Riena smiled brightly.
“I don’t know the capital’s geography well, so I’ll follow your lead.”
“Understood. We’ll ride slowly through the maintained path and then pick up speed once we’re at the outskirts.”
Riena and Cassel rode side by side. Following the path, they reached the outskirts and accelerated, just as Cassel had said.
Riena urged Lucy forward, enjoying the cool autumn wind rushing past her. For this moment, she could forget all her worries.
It felt like she had cast off chains that had bound her hands and feet.
How long had it been since she last felt this freedom? It had been at least three months since Dyke’s death, as she hadn’t ridden Lucy once.
Lucy, thrilled to carry Riena again, sped up gleefully.
Soon, they reached the field Cassel mentioned, filled with yellow wildflowers waving like a sea. Being with Cassel, it felt like returning to Dyke’s estate.
Initially, Cassel and Black led, but Lucy sped up and overtook them.
Riena raced forward without looking back.
After running for a while, a forest appeared in the distance. Riena pulled on Lucy’s reins to slow down and then came to a full stop.
Cassel, following behind, stopped beside her.
“I win.”
“Your riding skill remains excellent.”
Riena winked.
“You’re letting me win.”
“I didn’t. I tried my best too.”
It was an obvious lie.
Cassel and Black didn’t look tired. Black even snorted, urging to run faster.
Riena had also learned to detect when Cassel lied.
Though his expression seemed unchanged, when lying, his eyebrows tensed slightly.
Still, Riena was willing to indulge his lie.
“It’s an honor to beat the empire’s finest rider. You really learned well from your father.”
“I also learned from my master to reach this level.”
“Yeah… I remember the three of us riding together, including my father…”
Riena forced herself out of the gloom.
“Shall we head back?”
“Wait a moment.”
Cassel dismounted and led Black under a large tree. Riena followed.
From a bag attached to Black, he pulled out a mat and a small basket—things Riena didn’t even know were there.
