~Chapter 106~
And just like that, my little escape ended after barely a week.
To be honest, I was still embarrassed to face Edwin, but I tried to convince myself that Isabella’s presence would help tame the wild animal inside me.
How could I have “unsavory” feelings when the sharpest mind in the city was cheering me on—
“Ellie, have you been waiting long?!”
“…”
Hmm. Apparently, the animal was still very much alive and well inside me.
Seeing Edwin, breathless from hurrying over, my face went red all over again.
I’d told him he didn’t have to rush, that he could come by whenever he finished his business. But the moment he heard I was waiting, he dropped everything and came running.
‘Does Edwin really like me that much?’
He’s the lord commanding the northern army. Unlike me, who’s spent my days in the capital just lounging around, he actually has work piled sky-high and people waiting to meet him.
But he always puts me first.
Like now—even a small favor, like helping me practice for the tournament, and he’s here in a heartbeat.
“Actually, since you might be riding at court soon, I picked out a horse for you ahead of time.”
I just stared up at Edwin.
He caught my gaze and softened, smiling gently.
“Don’t worry, she’s gentle and good with people. I hope you’ll like her, but Gareth seems to be running late.”
During one of those lazy reading club meetings, I finally learned the truth about the sapphire. Turns out, the necklace Edwin gave me wasn’t just some ordinary stone—it was a relic from an ancient kingdom, called the Eye of Blessing.
The three of them were shocked. I just repeated what Edwin had told me, word for word.
Their faces said it all—they were desperately trying to look unfazed for the sake of my dignity, but honestly, they probably just thought we were a couple of lovesick newlyweds.
Shaking off the memory, I watched Edwin as he explained the details about my horse, insisting it was just an ordinary southern riding horse, nothing special—trying not to make me feel pressured.
‘Yeah, right. This is probably one of those horses that cost more than a mansion.’
Why did he go so far for me?
He always chose only the best, never expecting anything in return.
To everyone else, Edwin was the empire’s greatest knight and a hero of the north. But with me, he acted less like a fearsome warrior and more like a giant, loyal puppy.
No matter how I tried to come up with another explanation, the answer became clearer every time.
‘Oh. Edwin really does love me.’
This wasn’t just him fulfilling some duty to a political bride.
He truly, deeply cared about me—so much so that he’d sacrifice anything, even blindly, for my sake.
But why?
How did someone who once seemed to despise me change this much?
I’m the daughter of his sworn enemy. Sure, I technically had a claim to the throne, but with Nigel, Rosalind, and Joseph around, my value wasn’t exactly political.
It’s true I was considered beautiful, but so was the previous Elicia.
Could everything Edwin’s done for me—every kindness and sacrifice—really be explained by just liking me?
“Looks like Gareth is finally back from the stables,” Edwin said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—
The sound of hooves approached from beyond the arena wall.
Edwin was acting calm, but I could tell he was watching for my reaction. No way this was just some average horse—he must’ve brought one of the finest in the empire.
All my doubts melted away at the thought of my very own horse.
‘Am I really about to get a horse of my own?’
Honestly, I’ve always wanted one.
I remembered all those times in the past, jealous as everyone else rode around on fine steeds while I was stuck with some old, scrawny workhorse. If I couldn’t snag one, I’d have to go around begging my colleagues or just walk everywhere.
In the north, where half the roads were impassable by carriage, a horse was less a luxury and more a necessity.
But horses were expensive—too much for a poor commoner to ever hope for.
Now, though, those days were over!
What kind of giant, powerful, muscular horse would I get?
I stared at the door, hardly able to wait for Gareth to appear.
“Sorry for the delay. This is my first time in the guest stables—I got turned around a bit.”
Finally, the gate to the arena opened.
My eyes were practically sparkling with anticipation.
“Whinny!”
“Ellie, what do you think? Do you like her?”
Edwin took the reins from Gareth and stroked the horse’s mane, clearly proud.
I blinked at the animal standing before me, convinced I must be seeing things.
Maybe if I squinted, it would look a little different.
‘…Is that a… pony?’
Gone was the towering, rippling northern warhorse of my dreams.
In its place was a small, skinny little horse—adorable, with a sleek white coat, but so tiny it looked like it couldn’t even pull a toy cart, much less win a tournament.
“Ellie?”
“Oh! She’s beautiful. Really—so pretty, so elegant.”
Edwin shot me a nervous look, probably because my silence had lasted too long.
I hurried to shower the horse with compliments.
Her coat really was shiny and white—though maybe a little too white. But it’s not like anyone would make me wash her, right?
Anyway, I kept repeating how lovely she was.
“Once she’s fully grown, she’ll be a real champion. How old is she? A year? Maybe two?”
“She’s four.”
…Four? That’s full-grown?
That was it? She wasn’t going to get any bigger?
Wait—Edwin gave me this? Was this some kind of hint? Maybe I’m supposed to be a hatchet-wielding warrior after all. Maybe he doesn’t love me, and the sapphire thing was just coincidence…
I wanted to smile, but my face just wouldn’t cooperate.
Sensing my mixed emotions, Gareth spoke up.
“All the southern horses are like this. To be honest, I’ve never understood why these scrawny little things are so expensive.”
Honestly? I kind of agree.
“Y-You just have no taste, Gareth. Look at this coat—so beautiful, right?”
My mouth and my brain were clearly not on speaking terms.
Seeing Edwin’s hopeful eyes, there was no way I could tell the truth.
And Gareth did say this thing cost a fortune, so maybe it really was special in its own way…
‘Guess I’ll just aim for a participation award at this tournament.’
With a horse this tiny, there was no way I’d be pulling off any fancy tricks—or going all that fast.
I’d really wanted to make a good impression with Isabella watching, but oh well.
Just as I was resigning myself, a group of noblewomen rode into the practice arena.
And to my shock, every single one of their horses looked just as scrawny and petite as mine—maybe even smaller.
If anything, my horse looked downright muscular by comparison.
‘Wait… Is this actually the standard size for these tournaments?’
I’d never heard of that before.
Still, I forced my face into the brightest smile I could manage.
“Ed, thank you so much. She’s beautiful and I love her.”
“I’m glad you like her. Want to take her for a spin?”
“Sure!”
Thankfully, Edwin didn’t seem to notice my hesitation.
As we walked to the training course together, I babbled nervously, trying to calm myself.
“Isabella said she’ll be coming to cheer me on. I really want to make her proud.”
“If it’s you, Ellie, I know you’ll do great.”
“And maybe… Ed, would you come cheer for me too?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss seeing you shine for the world.”
“Well, to be honest, I’m not sure how well I’ll do. I just hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
The competition was packed with the most elite noblewomen in the court—even Princess Rosalind herself was said to be entering.
I wasn’t bad at riding, but according to Katerina, this riding tournament was notoriously difficult.
There were all sorts of obstacles, sharp turns, steep slopes—you had to navigate them flawlessly, and do it faster than anyone else.
It was a true test of horsemanship.
Just thinking about it was already making me anxious—
And then I saw the course for myself.
Compared to the rugged mountains and gorges of Lombard, it looked more like a children’s playground.
‘This is what happens when you grow up riding in the flatlands.’
I immediately changed my goal from “don’t embarrass myself” to “let’s just aim for the top ten.”
