Chapter 28
I stared blankly at Duke Crayman.
Just when I thought his gaze felt as hot as the sun, I sensed four other stares that were even more intense.
One was the coachman behind me, and the other three were Rick and the two knights who had rushed after the duke in a hurry.
Judging from their alarmed faces…
‘So he came to fetch me on his own accord.’
Especially Rick—his eyes seemed to be asking me:
‘Just what kind of relationship do you have with His Grace?’
I wanted to ask the same thing. What was I, that he would come so urgently for me…? Ah—could it be?
As the thought occurred, I suddenly realized. That thing I had mentioned to the knight.
‘Did he come for that?’
It made much more sense that he had come for the object rather than for me.
Accepting this, I nodded faintly and said to the duke:
“Thank you for personally clearing up the knights’ misunderstanding. I also have something to deliver and words to convey, so I took the liberty of coming here.”
I bowed politely to him. After all, it was certainly rude of me to arrive unannounced.
The duke replied,
“Ciela, it is fine.”
“……”
“You are mine. You may come to me anytime.”
“Thank you…”
Trust toward me resonated in his voice. The more he spoke, the more piercing the gazes on me became.
But truthfully, I was just as puzzled.
What exactly did Duke Crayman trust about me so unwaveringly…?
‘His eyes don’t hold the slightest doubt.’
With my head still lowered, I thought:
I could very well be a spy for another family, or simply someone rotten—but he looked at me with steady eyes, as though I were a long-time friend.
Was this connected to when he called me his benefactor?
‘Well, if I were a spy, I wouldn’t have handed over such valuable information.’
It wasn’t quite enough to justify his faith, but for now, I let it be.
The duke continued:
“Come inside.”
Then he leapt nimbly onto the black horse he had ridden in on. I couldn’t help but watch in awe.
The horse was clearly tall, yet he mounted without using anything for support. His movements alone proved how light and effortless he was.
I turned as well, intending to climb into the carriage.
But his voice stopped me.
“Where are you going?”
I blinked, not understanding.
“I’m getting into the carriage, of course.”
“My horse is faster.”
He spoke, and I had to take a moment to process his meaning.
‘Wait… is he telling me to ride his horse with him?’
He hadn’t said it directly, but that was clearly what he meant.
The idea troubled me.
‘I’ve never ridden a horse before.’
Since middle school I’d been too busy making money to even try horseback riding—the experience everyone else seemed to have at least once.
There was no way I could suddenly ride now. Not to mention, I couldn’t even imagine vaulting onto the saddle like he had.
But if I, a supposed noblewoman, claimed I’d never ridden a horse, it would arouse suspicion. So I spoke as tactfully as I could.
“My riding skills are terrible…”
“I will hold the reins. You needn’t worry.”
“There’s still the carriage I came in…”
“I’m fine, really. Please don’t trouble yourself, my lady!”
The coachman, who had been listening, suddenly cried out loudly as if seizing his chance.
When I looked back, he was shaking his head frantically, face pale.
Disappointment spread across my face, but he mouthed the words, ‘Please, just spare me this once.’ Clearly, he wanted nothing more than to avoid going inside the ducal estate.
I couldn’t very well drag someone in against his will.
In the end, there was only one choice left.
Suppressing a sigh, I said,
“…Then I’ll trouble you.”
“As much as you like,” he answered with a faint smile in his voice.
I trudged toward the horse’s flank. Up close, it looked even bigger than before.
Could I really climb up there? If I slipped, I’d be seriously hurt.
Still, I couldn’t refuse. I braced myself, lifted my foot toward the stirrup, and tried to mount.
At that moment, a large hand suddenly reached out before me.
Startled, I looked up. The duke was extending his hand.
“I’ll help you up. Take my hand.”
For a moment I stared at his face, then at his hand. Larger than mine, calloused, and scarred—but powerful, reassuring, as though it would never let me fall.
It was true: I couldn’t possibly mount alone.
“Then, please,” I said, taking his hand without further hesitation.
In an instant, he pulled me up, and before I knew it, I was seated firmly on the horse.
‘So… high.’
The thought of falling from this height made me tense.
As fear gripped me, I held my breath—but then he slid in behind me, his arms caging me as he grasped the reins.
Close to my ear, his voice was low and steady.
“You won’t fall. Rest your back and head against me.”
I glanced up at him. When his gaze began to shift from the road toward me, I quickly obeyed, leaning my head and back against his chest.
Was it just my imagination? I thought I could hear a heartbeat.
I didn’t know whose it was.
‘I feel… calmer.’
Strangely enough, just as he said, my fear lessened. Perhaps because his solid chest supported me, or because his arms kept me securely in place.
“I’ll start now.”
He gave a warning so I wouldn’t be startled, then flicked the reins.
The horse began to move slowly, my body rocking gently with its stride.
The pace quickened, but I soon realized—this wasn’t the horse’s full speed.
The ride was smooth, the motion controlled, almost leisurely.
I knew little of riding, but at least I knew it was usually faster and rougher.
‘Is he holding back on purpose?’
I stole a glance upward. His face was stern, impassive—but calm, reassuring.
‘Maybe I’m just imagining it.’
Either way, it wasn’t nearly as frightening as I had thought.
Relieved, I felt the tension drain from my body.
I leaned against his chest more fully.
Ah, comfortable…
With ease returning, I began to notice the scenery.
Last time, I had been nervous inside a carriage and hadn’t seen the estate properly. Now, with a clear view, I could take it all in.
‘It really is vast.’
Not just vast, but harmoniously blended with nature—so much so that it felt as though we were riding through a forest.
Indeed, the estate was located deep within the woods.
‘In fact, it was while wandering this forest that Cloen happened to end up here…’
And that had been Ciela’s fault.
But this time, that wouldn’t happen. Cloen wouldn’t get lost in the woods.
‘So… does that mean Cloen won’t become Duke Crayman’s foster son?’
It was only because of that incident that the duke had taken him in. If the incident never occurred, then Cloen would never become his foster son.
‘…Is that really okay?’
Suddenly, worry crept in.
Through that, Cloen had lost his dear friends and Ren, but in return he had gained a father in Duke Crayman and a life of abundance.
He had longed for the children at the orphanage, yes, but through the duke’s quiet kindness he had learned what family love meant.
He had lost, but he had also gained. And if he didn’t lose, then he wouldn’t gain.
I had always believed the former was better, and still did—but as I gazed at the estate now, I found myself doubting. Was this truly the best outcome?
‘Even if it isn’t, there’s no other way.’
There was no need to force tragedy for its own sake.
And besides, the other children would live in misery if things continued otherwise.
“What are you thinking about?”
A sudden voice came from above.
It startled me so much that my shoulders jerked.
“Huh?”
“You seemed deep in thought. I was curious.”
At his words, I was quiet for a moment before answering softly, turning my head aside:
“Just… about some unfortunate people.”
The duke looked down at me briefly, then returned his gaze forward and spoke.
“I see.”
That was all. He asked no further questions, simply sat in silence, supporting my back.
