Chapter 41
“Wow……”
Hearing someone else talk about my brother felt both fascinating and fun.
I’d never been to the academy, so I couldn’t help but feel curious.
I wanted to see the Royal Fes Academy for myself—and to meet Madelaine, who had always said she wanted to go there.
And as I thought of that, I also remembered Madelaine’s letter—the one I’d been so eager to receive.
“The ladies cry a lot.”
My eyes sparkled at Ehin’s words.
“This is just between us,”
he added, glancing at me sideways. I swallowed hard.
“They say he speaks less these days because whenever he does speak, someone ends up crying.”
“Why do they cry?”
“He tends to receive quite a few confessions.”
So my brother’s really popular.
Though it’s for a different reason, I once ended up crying in his class too—out of sheer terror.
“I want to hear more about the academy!”
“As much as you want. We have plenty of time.”
“What kind of person is Teacher at the academy?”
Ehin paused for a moment, surprised by my sudden curiosity.
“A textbook example of a student council president.”
“……?”
I tilted my head, and he laughed.
“He’s kind and gentle to most people. Does his work well and often gets praised for his leadership.”
“That’s amazing.”
“Not really.”
Ehin folded his hands neatly on his knees as he spoke.
If I were to go to the academy, I’d have to start calling him senior instead of teacher, wouldn’t I?
How strange.
Then Ehin said modestly,
“I’m just average within the ducal household. Take Sir Michael, your escort—he graduated top of his class from the Imperial Knight Academy.”
“Wow… Come to think of it, Michael is the duke’s knight commander, isn’t he?”
“At his age, it’s an unbelievable achievement. Even considering how quickly promotions and generational shifts happen during wartime… his rise is extraordinary.”
Those violet eyes really were incredible.
“The ducal knights now are strictly merit-based. The more achievements one earns in battle, the higher one rises. Meaning Sir Michael’s feats are nearly legendary.”
I didn’t understand all the details, but I could tell that Michael was incredibly skilled.
And even Kahn, who openly claimed to be stronger than Michael, seemed quite remarkable to me.
Maybe it’s me, not Ehin, who should be using the word ‘luck.’
Even if Ehin called himself ordinary, to me, he wasn’t.
Suddenly, all the people around me felt unfamiliar—people I would never have met if I weren’t “the child of prophecy.”
I felt thankful.
Grateful, again and again.
“You’ll do great, right, my lady?”
“Mm! I’ll do great!”
I clenched my fist with determination.
Sarina smiled, clearly pleased with me.
It was finally time for another outdoor lesson.
I won’t cry today.
And I won’t run away either. I was filled with a genuine desire to learn.
This time, Sarina accompanied me.
We rode a carriage to the practice field for our lesson.
By now, I’d grown used to the idea that all this vast land belonged to the ducal estate.
But when I stepped down from the carriage, I was shocked.
Father? Brother?
Maybe because of the incident last time, there were a lot of people watching today.
My father was seated on a chair, personally observing the lesson.
Next to him sat my brother, who looked like he’d been dragged there against his will.
“Don’t mind me. Just do your lesson.”
That’s what Father said.
But Ehin’s expression screamed pressure.
Well, who wouldn’t be nervous teaching while the Duke himself was watching?
I blinked in confusion.
Even all my escorts were present today.
I haven’t seen everyone gathered like this since the first day I was introduced to them.
Maids and attendants, too—so many.
All this just because I’m going to ride a horse?
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, as if terrified I might burst into tears again.
Ehin, clearly worried the horse might get spooked, held its reins tightly.
He didn’t say anything to me—just silently stayed by my side.
That alone made me oddly happy.
It felt like receiving an unexpected gift.
I couldn’t stop glancing toward my brother.
So many people care about me.
Strangely, I didn’t feel nervous at all.
I wasn’t going to give in to the pressure or expectations.
This time, I’d give it my all—and that would be enough.
“Good day, my lady.”
“Hello, Teacher.”
Ehin greeted me awkwardly.
But the next person to approach wasn’t him—it was Michael.
“Before the young lady tries, I’ll demonstrate how to mount properly.”
It looked like today’s lesson would be gentler than usual.
Knowing how skilled Michael was made me feel safer.
I nodded quietly, grateful for their effort to ease my fear.
A servant knelt on the ground, pressing his hands and knees into the dirt.
Michael looked over at me as he spoke.
“First, you step on the servant’s back to climb up—”
He demonstrated, stepping on the man’s back and settling into the saddle.
“Then place your feet here.”
He pointed to the stirrups and explained.
“Keep your thighs close together, feet pressed firmly against the horse’s sides. Sit up straight and hold the reins. We won’t be running today, just walking.”
“Okay.”
“To ensure your safety, I’ll ride behind you. If you’re frightened at any point, please tell me.”
Ehin handed the reins over to Michael.
The horse snorted softly, calm and composed.
Rather than letting me ride alone, they decided Michael would ride with me.
It was the wiser choice—but I hesitated.
“Come here and step on the servant’s back to climb up,”
Ehin instructed.
“……Wait.”
I glanced around.
Then I spotted a large stone nearby—something sturdy enough to step on.
Everyone watched silently as I rolled it over.
“There. I’ll use the rock instead,” I said to the servant.
“Pardon?”
He blinked in confusion. The marks of Michael’s boots still pressed into his back.
I’d been taught how strict the class system was, but still—I didn’t want to step on someone’s back. It just felt wrong.
The servant, looking flustered, crawled aside.
For a brief moment, Father’s eyes flashed.
I placed the rock in the empty spot, took a deep breath—
I’m scared.
When I looked back, everyone was staring at me in stunned silence.
But my gaze went straight to where Father and my brother sat.
Father nodded, as if to encourage me.
And suddenly, I felt courage surge up inside.
Yes. Kahn had said I could do it.
I’ll save Mother.
I stepped on the rock and climbed onto the horse.
Michael, already mounted, steadied me from behind.
Thump-thump.
My heart pounded wildly.
I pretended to look calm, but inside I was terrified—as if I might die right then and there.
I followed Michael’s demonstration: squeezing my thighs together, pressing my feet close to the horse’s belly.
I was sitting on a living creature.
The horse reminded me of war—but I fought to keep the thought of death away.
I’m safe. I’m being protected. Watched over. Expected.
I repeated the words to myself desperately. Slowly, I began to feel calmer.
The warmth of Michael’s back behind me helped too.
And more than anything, I wanted to do well in front of my brother.
No matter what, I won’t show him a frightened, tear-streaked face.
Michael nudged the reins gently, and the horse began to move.
It didn’t seem to mind carrying two people—walking at an easy, steady pace.
My shoulders were stiff with tension.
Today, Michael took the lead rather than Ehin.
Like a baby chick imprinting on the first person it sees, I tended to trust Michael instinctively, so it was easier to relax.
The sky was bright and the clouds clear and cool.
“Feel the wind,”
Michael murmured from behind me.
The horse walked slowly.
“Focus on its rhythm—its heartbeat.”
The world looked so high from up here, and the horse kept moving—of course it did, it was alive.
It felt strange. Beautiful, even.
“Breathe with the horse.”
My heart was pounding.
“When you ride, it might seem like only the horse exerts effort. But that’s an illusion. Rider and horse share the strain—share the rhythm.”
Listening to him helped me stay focused.
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
I was breathing with the horse.
The air was cold—or maybe, fresh.
Gradually, I felt peace settling over me.
It was… amazing.
“The horse will never harm you, my lady.”
What is trust, really?
I didn’t know, but I knew this much—
I wasn’t as scared as before.
Once I tried it, it was surprisingly freeing.
I still thought of war when I saw horses—but I no longer felt like my life was in danger.
“Are you still afraid?”
“……No.”
“Place your hands over mine—on the reins.”
I gathered my courage and rested my trembling hands over his.
“……Shall we go just a little faster?” he asked gently.
I swallowed my fear and nodded.
I felt the strength in his hands tighten.
The horse sped up slightly.
The wind against my cheeks grew stronger.
Michael held me firmly from behind, as if telling me not to be afraid.
I wasn’t walking—the horse was.
But somehow, it felt like I was stepping into a new world.
This feeling… it’s my first time.
A wave of gratitude washed over me.
When we completed a small circle and returned, the faces that had been tense and anxious were now smiling with relief.
Even though I hadn’t ridden alone, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
Clean. Bright. Happy.
And then—
“……”
My brother’s eyes met mine.
Almost reflexively, he gave a tiny nod.
It was barely noticeable—but I saw it.
And somehow, it felt like praise.
Maybe Ehin told him—
That his sister wanted to see him.
He didn’t speak, but that was okay. My cheeks warmed red.
Then I met Father’s eyes too. He was smiling at me.
The horse was still tall beneath me, and yes, still a little frightening.
But in that moment,
I felt like I could fly.
