20.
When I stepped out after changing clothes, Duke Ishtan Gladinare was already waiting for me.
I stopped in my tracks without meaning to.
The hunting clothes clung to his body, showing every line. His broad shoulders and strong back moved with each breath, muscles standing out clearly. My eyes slid down from his chest to his slim waist, and further to his long legs—so perfectly proportioned it was almost unreal.
No wonder the carriage felt cramped earlier.
He carried a bow and quiver on his back, a dagger strapped to his thigh, and a longsword at his waist. Tall boots laced tightly up his legs finished the look.
Altogether, the hunting gear suited him far better than his stiff formal uniform ever did.
Casually, he pulled out the dagger from his thigh sheath, tossed it into the air, and caught it again, as easily as a bird fluttering its wings.
My eyes lingered too long on his hands. When I looked up, he was already watching me.
“…”
“…”
How long had he noticed me staring?
He must have heard me leave the tent, after all.
“…It’s just that your clothes changed,” I muttered lamely.
Even I knew it was a poor excuse. I promised myself not to stare like that again and walked up to him with an awkward smile.
“The clothes suit you well, Baroness. I’m glad,” he said.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he pulled something from his coat and handed it to me.
A ribbon.
I looked at his short, neatly trimmed hair—it was so short that he himself would have no use for it—before quietly taking it. Likely his aide had prepared it.
I tied my hair back into a rough ponytail while he silently watched. The moment I was done, he turned and began walking.
I hurried to keep pace beside him.
I could feel his glance on me for a moment, but it faded quickly.
Now, for the first time, I could see from his point of view how the other nobles looked at him.
They weren’t just wary. Their faces showed fear as they bowed stiffly.
No one dared look him in the eye.
Some even startled and backed away just from seeing him.
I honestly didn’t understand.
What was so frightening?
I sneaked another glance at his face.
He was expressionless, but not angry. He didn’t look like some blood-crazed murderer.
Still… there was a faint aura about him. A natural air of danger that clung to him.
For some reason, it didn’t unsettle me.
Maybe I was simply too dull to such pressure. After all, when I searched the back alleys to find the one who had given him the potion, I had never once cowered before criminals.
Julie always scolded me, saying I just had a thick nerve.
“Why is she walking with the duke?” I overheard a whisper.
“Could the rumors be true?”
“What rumors?”
“You haven’t heard? They say…”
Well, it had already been days since I was formally appointed. Gossip spreading wasn’t surprising.
Just then, his aide appeared, looking sour.
“Baroness, you didn’t prepare a horse?”
Not exactly a fair question, considering I hadn’t even known I was coming to the hunt today.
Before I could answer, he pointed to the side.
“There are some Imperial horses for those who came unprepared. Please choose one.”
Then he turned to the duke.
“Duke Canesion wishes to see you for a moment.”
I gladly stepped aside.
It wasn’t just because I hated seeing Rohwinas Canesion’s face.
By now, I knew very well that when trouble came my way, he was the one stirring the nobles behind the scenes.
Still, the thought of riding again for the first time in a while wasn’t unpleasant.
When I had first become a baroness, everything had been new and exciting.
Rohwinas had taught me much back then—how to ride included.
Soon, I found a temporary stable where horses were kept. Nobles’ horses stood nearby while their grooms busied themselves with feed and water.
The soldiers didn’t seem to know who I was. Probably assumed I was some newly risen noble. They even stepped aside politely to let me choose a horse.
It felt strange.
They had forgotten me.
They remembered the scandal—the madwoman who had ensnared a noble with a love potion—but not me, Anastasia Roxan.
While I wrestled with that bitter thought, a soldier kindly brought me a quiet brown horse.
“How about this one, my lady?”
But my eyes had already caught a black horse grazing alone at the edge.
“I’d like that one.”
“Pardon? That one?”
The soldier looked ready to object, but the horse walked calmly to me when I held its reins, pressing its head into my hand as if we were old friends.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no, no! None at all, my lady!”
I stroked its mane gently, but suddenly chaos erupted nearby.
The other horses panicked, kicking and bolting in all directions. Dust rose, screams and hooves thundered.
One had gone wild, and the rest had followed.
“Hold him! Easy, easy now!”
A huge white stallion bucked violently, its handler dragged helplessly along. The boy’s face was pale as death.
I recognized him.
The soldiers shouted in panic, not daring to get too close.
“Whose horse is this?!”
“Bring the owner, quickly! Someone will be hurt!”
The boy finally lost his grip and fell hard to the ground. Freed, the stallion snorted fiercely, hooves pawing the air.
People scrambled to get out of the way, the beast lunging dangerously.
I sighed and handed my reins to the soldier.
“A-ah, but my lady…”
Ignoring him, I strode straight into the chaos. Dust stung my throat as I coughed.
I raised my voice.
“Adilo!”
I whistled sharply, then called again.
“Here, Adilo!”
The crazed white stallion whipped its head toward me at once.
Of course I knew him. That overfed, spoiled horse belonged to none other than Rohwinas Canesion.
He charged, frothing at the mouth, eyes rolling.
I leapt aside, springing easily onto the saddle as he passed.
Realizing who had mounted him, Adilo bucked wildly, desperate to throw me off.
He kicked and surged forward so hard I nearly got sick.
Same nasty temper as always. Just like his master.
I tightened the reins hard, pressing my legs close and lowering my body.
“Adilo! Stop, Adilo!”
The struggle dragged on, but little by little, his spirit weakened.
Then I saw someone nearby, crawling on the ground, frozen in terror as Adilo bore down on him.
“Ahhh!” the man shrieked.
But Adilo halted, snorting, tail flicking uncertainly.
“Shh, Adilo,” I soothed.
He calmed at last, puffing out hot breaths, nuzzling against me.
“So, you remember me now?”
I laughed softly, patting his neck.
The young attendant—his face pale—stared at me from afar.
I waved, and he scrambled over, though he flinched when Adilo lifted his head again.
I pulled the reins tight, letting him know it was safe. The boy edged closer, trembling.
“You’ve handled him before, haven’t you? How did you make such a mistake?”
“I-I looked away for just a moment. I’m so sorry.”
“You don’t owe me an apology,” I said.
He kept bowing anyway, face chalk-white.
I handed over the reins and started to dismount, then stopped myself.
“One more thing. Knowing how foul-tempered he is, why keep him with the other horses?”
The boy stammered, unable to answer.
I regretted asking. What business was it of mine?
Pushing my hair back, I sighed.
“Whatever the reason, take him somewhere quiet. This can’t happen again.”
“Y-yes, my lady. Right away.”
I looked at him one more time. He reminded me too much of our old, sickly coachman back at the Roxan estate.
Well… at least he was healthy.
I slid off the saddle. The boy seized the reins nervously, afraid I might leave.
But Adilo only nuzzled me, trying to lick at my face.
Dodging him made me laugh despite myself.
“Did you miss me?”
Your master always wanted to tear me apart.
I stroked his head gently, leaning my cheek against him for a moment.
“Do you want to come with me?” I whispered.
Come to me… and leave your master behind.
I chuckled softly to myself.
