GTMDWH | Chapter 88

~Chapter 88~

Leah changed into her riding clothes with Paula’s help and headed to the riding arena.

“You’re here?”

Johann, dressed in a navy-blue riding outfit, was already waiting for her.

“Yes.”

Next to him stood a beautiful dark brown mare with a shimmering golden mane.

“Is that your horse, Duke?”

“No, she’s a new mare I brought for you.”

“For me?”

Leah widened her eyes and looked at the horse.

“She’s descended from a legendary bloodline and has a really gentle nature. I thought she’d be a good match for you.”

A legendary bloodline? No wonder the horse’s eyes looked so intelligent.

“She’ll be with you from now on, so give her a name.”

“A name…”

“Just something that pops into your mind when you look at her.”

“…Grace. I’ll name her Grace.”

As if liking the name, Grace wagged her tail softly.

Leah had felt unsure about learning to ride, but now that she’d met such a stunning horse, she felt excited.

‘Rafi said that you start to feel a connection when you’re with your horse for a while…’
Would I feel that with Grace too?

“Today we’re not riding. We’ll just spend time getting to know Grace.”

Oddly enough, hearing that they wouldn’t ride made Leah feel both relieved and a little disappointed.
“Let’s start by getting her used to your scent.”

“My scent?”

“Yes, hold out your hand so Grace can remember it.”

Johann gently guided her hand toward Grace’s face.

The mare looked at the hand for a moment, then curiously moved closer.

“Just wait a little longer. She’ll come to you.”

Johann leaned in and whispered by her ear.

Not long after he said that, Grace sniffed Leah’s hand.

‘It tickles… but it’s amazing.’

“She really came up to me.”

Leah looked up and froze slightly — Johann was much closer than she expected.

‘Whoa, that startled me.’

Her heart was pounding.

Just because she was startled, that’s all.

Grace kept sniffing her hand for a while.

Even though she just had to stay still, Leah didn’t find it boring at all.

After Grace sniffed a few times, Johann led Leah to the horse’s left side.

“Most horses don’t like the right side, so it’s better to interact from the left.”

Leah nodded eagerly.

“Try petting her neck first.”

“Okay.”

Leah cautiously approached Grace and gently stroked her neck.

Her muscles were firm, but her coat was glossy and soft — clearly well taken care of.

Following Johann’s instructions, Leah then petted Grace’s cheek, nose, and ears.

Just touching Grace made her feel happy.

“That’s all for today’s lesson.”

Johann checked his pocket watch — over an hour had already passed.

‘All I did was pet her, but the time flew by.’

They left Grace in the stable keeper’s care and returned to the mansion.

“Thank you,” Leah said before heading to her room.

“I never imagined I’d have my own horse. I had so much fun with Grace.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Johann scratched the back of his neck, a little shy.

“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to ride, but now I can’t wait to connect with her and try.”

Leah smiled, her eyes crinkling.

“You’ve bonded faster than I expected. You’ll be riding soon.”

Johann looked at her smiling face and replied.

“I’ll go in now.”

Leah went to her room, and Johann walked to his office, still smiling.

—

The day before the engagement ceremony, Madame Evelyne’s masterpiece dress finally arrived.

It was a beautiful light green dress, as fresh as spring leaves.

“Leah, give us a little spin.”

At Isabella’s request, Leah twirled.
The dress floated and fell gracefully.

“Mom, you look so pretty!”

Rafi gently hugged her mother, careful not to wrinkle the dress.

“You’re absolutely stunning,” Penelope added with admiration.

“I haven’t even put anything on my face yet,” Leah said, blushing.

“You don’t need makeup. Johann’s not going to know what to do with himself when he sees you tomorrow,” Isabella laughed.

‘Tomorrow, I’ll officially become his fiancée.’

It was kind of funny — being engaged again to the same person she’d already married once.

Back then, he’d been just “Hart,” a man who’d lost his memory.

Now, she is engaged to the Duke of Blumhardt, Johann.

With Hardt, it had been a result of love.

With Johann, it was for Rafi, not love.

She’d promised herself not to get hurt by him again, so why did the word love still bother her?

Leah shook her head slightly.

‘It’s just the words “engagement” and “marriage” making me feel weird.’

Even though it was a simple engagement ceremony at the capital’s main temple, it still made her nervous.

‘Just a vow and a signature in front of the priest… It’s nothing serious.’

It was just a continuation of the contract she’d made with him before.

While Leah was lost in thought, Isabella approached her.

“Leah.”

She held both of Leah’s hands tightly.

“Yes?”

“I know I hurt you in the past by being cold and distant.”

“…No, it’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t even remember it anymore.”

Leah shook her head.

“You may only be engaged now, but starting tomorrow, you’ll officially be part of our family. As one of the elders of this household, I’ll take better care of you.”

She gently stroked Leah’s face.

“I’ll do my best too, Mother.”

After much inner debate over whether to say “Mother” or “Ma’am,” Leah finally went with “Mother.”

“Oh my, that sounds so sweet.”

Isabella’s face lit up at the title.

“Then Leah, please call me just Penelope too!”

Penelope joined them with a smile.

“Is that okay?” Leah asked, a little shy.

“Of course! Can I call you sister?”

Penelope smiled brightly.

“Yes, Penelope.”

“I’ve always wanted a big sister. Thanks for being mine.”

Penelope hugged her gently.

“And thank you for becoming my little sister.”

Leah returned the hug.

“Me too, I want a hug!”

Rafi jumped in.

“Of course, Rafi.”

Leah hugged her daughter as well.

Becoming a family through her engagement with Johann filled Leah’s heart with warmth.

—

The next day, the engagement ceremony finally arrived.

Leah got dressed and had her hair and makeup done with the maids’ help.

Thanks to Paula’s skilled hands, everything was perfect.

Her hair was elegantly tied up, showing off her pale, slender neck.

Paula placed a pink topaz necklace — a gift from Isabella — around Leah’s neck.

It brought out the beauty of her neckline.

Matching earrings followed.

“You look so beautiful, Lady Leah.”

“Thank you.”

Leah smiled shyly at Paula’s compliment.

“I thought the necklace would suit you, but it looks even better than I imagined,” Isabella praised from the side.

Leah looked at herself in the mirror again.

‘Clothes really do make a difference.’

Even she thought she looked elegant in that softly gleaming dress.

Wearing silk gloves, Leah headed to the main entrance to leave for the temple.

Johann was already there waiting.

He stood up slowly, briefly stunned by the sight of her descending the stairs.
“…Leah.”

“Duke.”

He too wore a formal outfit, more lavish than usual.

The white suit with golden details contrasted beautifully with his jet-black hair.

‘White suits him way more than I thought.’

His usually sharp eyes now looked warm and gentle as he gazed only at Leah.

“…You look stunning today. Well, you always do.”

“Thank you.”

Leah’s face flushed.

Johann took her gloved hand and escorted her to the carriage.

“Well then, we’re off, Mother.”

Johann greeted Isabella as they left.

“Go on, have a good time.”

“See you later, Rafi.”

Leah kissed her daughter’s head.

“See you soon, Rafi.”

Johann kissed her forehead too.

“Bye, Mommy! Bye, Daddy!”

Rafi waved enthusiastically.

The couple boarded the carriage as the household staff saw them off.

Inside the carriage, they sat facing each other.

Feeling a bit awkward, Leah looked away.

Johann, on the other hand, couldn’t take his eyes off her the whole time.

“…Is there something on my face?”

Unable to stand his gaze, Leah turned her head toward him.

“No.”

“Then why are you staring?”

“Ah, sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

“You’re staring because I look different today, right?”

Leah smoothed her dress.

“No. You always look the same to me.”

“The same?”

She frowned slightly.

‘Is he saying I look the same no matter what?’

“Don’t misunderstand. I mean you’re always beautiful to me — with or without dressing up.”

Johann said it so casually, even though it was incredibly cheesy.

“…Oh.”

Leah’s face turned bright red.

She quickly covered her face with her gloved hand.

‘Is this guy crazy or what?!’