HLMBIWP 22

22.

‘What bad luck.’

I almost ran straight into the horse’s owner because of my meddling.

And the woman walking with him—I could clearly see who it was, even from far away.

Lady Peregrine.

I shivered and rubbed my arms.

I didn’t exactly hate her, but that didn’t mean I felt comfortable.

Would Lady Peregrine herself want to face a situation where the three of us ended up meeting together? Of course not.

And Rohwinas? He would’ve accused me right away—
“You came back because you still have feelings for me, didn’t you? You’re trying to stir trouble, aren’t you?”
Ugh. Just imagining it made me sick.

“Ugh.”

It was better for everyone if we just never ran into each other again.

So even though I kept my chest proudly raised, my legs carried me away faster than anyone else’s.

Then a strange thought struck me.

‘To think he actually showed up himself.’

In my memory, Rohwinas was always a cold man.

Even with that fine white stallion he raised since childhood, he never seemed attached.

Later, I realized he had only used the horse to win me over—because I loved riding.

“Ten years with him, and you never gave him a name?”
“Why would I need to?”
“Then can I? If I call it often enough, he’ll get used to it.”
“…You’d give more affection to a horse than I’ve ever received?”

No one else knew, but the horse’s name, Adilo, had actually been given by me.

He didn’t call it much afterward, though.

Anyway, that was all meaningless now.

I scoffed, pushing away the memories, but then stopped walking.

I didn’t want to admit it, but I was avoiding people.

Not because I was tired, but because I was afraid of getting hurt again.

That was the real reason I agreed to attend the hunting festival—to face things instead of running.

And yet, here I was, running again.

But really—who wouldn’t want to avoid a face-to-face meeting with their ex and their ex’s fiancée?

If I went straight back to Duke Ishtan Gladinare now, he’d look at me with disappointment instead of support.

‘Just watch me.’

I could enjoy this event too, if I wanted to.
As long as it wasn’t Rohwinas.
As long as it wasn’t Lady Peregrine.

So I turned my steps toward the outdoor party area I had seen earlier.

Tables of colorful desserts, finger foods, sparkling wine, even a chocolate fountain decorated with fresh flowers.

Such luxury, even out here in the countryside. It still felt strange to me.

What surprised me more was how many people were walking around in elegant dresses.

‘So they didn’t come for hunting—they came for the party.’

Honestly, I preferred riding into the forest with a bow than wasting time here.

I had to give Duke Ishtan credit—he dressed me in hunting clothes, not a fancy dress.

But just as I was thinking that, people noticed me.

Whispers spread quickly.

Some grabbed their friends and whispered frantically.

Some, who were smiling a moment ago, turned their backs coldly.

Someone even cursed under their breath. My ears were sharp enough to hear it all.

“…”

So—they had all lived comfortably, forgetting about me?

I clenched and unclenched my hand and stared right back at them.

At the victory banquet, they could dismiss me as a fluke.
But now I had shown my face again. That must have been unbearable for them.

What a talent—to annoy people just by breathing!

Smirking, I walked confidently toward the tables.

I sat down in an empty seat.

The woman beside me wrinkled her nose, then quickly stood and left—like I was dirty.

And so, one by one, everyone at the table left.

In no time, I was sitting alone, surrounded only by half-finished plates and glasses of wine.

The stares of the crowd grew sharp and entertained, as if I were the evening’s show.

‘Is it fun to isolate someone?’

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.

A half-empty glass of wine sat before me.

‘Should I drink it?’

I grabbed it—then spotted some desserts. Perfect. If I had to ride later, I’d need food in my stomach.

And for once, there was no Lady Margaret hovering over me, and no Zaka following with endless nagging.

I had been tense for so long—it felt strangely freeing.

The champagne, light and fizzy, slid down my throat. Sweet. Almost no alcohol.

The cheese paired perfectly.

I ate and drank happily until I noticed servants setting up another table across from me.

So that’s why so many nobles had been standing around—they didn’t want to sit at my table.

Fine. Now this table is mine.

“Tsk, all because of one person…”

Someone muttered sharply, clearly for me to hear.

I almost laughed.
I had been cursed at so much that I hid inside my house for months.
And you’re whining because your legs hurt from standing for a few minutes?

The servants began filling glasses with new fruit wine.

Excited, I jumped up to grab some.

But when I turned back, both hands full of glasses—my table was suddenly packed with nobles. Ten of them.

They smiled at each other, smug. Like this was some kind of game.

Of course, I had heard them rushing and shuffling while my back was turned.

I sighed and looked for another seat.

But just as I stepped toward a chair, a nobleman deliberately knocked it over and dumped food all over it.

I froze. Then looked back at my old table.

Maybe it was best to deal with them first.

“Hello.”

“…”

The woman there ignored me.