Chapter 83
Claudio’s hand twitched.
Did she really hate riding that much?
He admitted it—he had forced her onto the horse against her will.
Yet last time, she had seemed to enjoy it.
He thought even if there wasn’t much scenery here, unlike the forest, it would still be enough to refresh her mood.
Maybe we should go a bit farther.
Not far from the Marquis’s estate was a modest hill.
The distance was perfect for a brief excursion, and unlike the barren training grounds, there was at least something to look at.
Meanwhile, Marsha was drenched in sweat.
The breeze teased strands of her hair as the horse picked up speed, but the heat clinging to her wouldn’t fade.
And no wonder—Claudio sat right behind her, holding her in an embrace-like position.
Why is it always me suffering like this?
He was probably sitting there without a single thought, while she was left to be tense, flustered, and unsettled all on her own.
By now, Marsha felt both indignant and worried.
Would she really have to endure this turmoil until the day, one year later, when they would part ways?
…
Her hand rose to her chest.
It ached.
Again.
Lately, whenever she thought of Claudio, her heart would throb with this dull, painful pang.
Why did it hurt so much?
Why did she let herself be swayed by his words at all?
She could just take them lightly, as thoughtless remarks.
Even if he crossed boundaries, if she simply refused to waver, then her heart wouldn’t hurt like this.
Don’t tell me I…
Before she could finish the thought, a loud clanging rang in her head like church bells.
No. Don’t think it.
Her instincts screamed at her not to recognize it, and she herself wanted no part of the truth.
“Let’s ride a little farther.”
Claudio’s voice came from behind.
Marsha wanted to ask what he meant, but her throat was dry, and no sound came.
“Hold tight to the reins. Don’t be afraid. I’ll never let you fall.”
Then he spurred the horse forward.
Diamond surged toward the exit of the riding grounds.
“W–wait! Where are we going?”
At last, Marsha found her voice in alarm.
“Somewhere more interesting than here!”
He had to shout over the wind, but it was clear he had no intention of stopping.
The gatekeeper at the rear entrance looked startled when Claudio suddenly appeared on horseback with Marsha, but he quickly opened the gate, and Diamond did not slow.
This is too fast!
Not only that—they were climbing uphill.
Marsha had no choice but to lean into Claudio’s chest for balance.
M-my heart’s going to burst!
When they reached the top of the hill, Claudio finally reined Diamond in.
“Well? Isn’t this better than going in circles at the riding ground?”
Marsha whipped around at his voice, her temper flaring.
“You can’t just take off like that without warning!”
But the blazing green of her eyes stilled, calmed into a tranquil lake, because in them was reflected Claudio’s gaze—warm, intent, fixed solely on her.
“Still, wasn’t it fun?”
His eyes narrowed faintly, long lashes framing the vivid red gleam hidden within.
Just looking into those eyes made breathing difficult, her chest pounding painfully, and yet she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
Then—drop, drop.
Raindrops fell from the sky.
Claudio was the first to look up.
Though the sky was still bright, the rain began falling in earnest, pattering against the ground.
“Tch.”
He swung down swiftly, took Diamond’s reins, and led them beneath a broad tree.
Spotting Marsha already damp, he clicked his tongue and reached out his hand to her.
“Forgive me. Had I known it would rain, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”
Marsha hesitated, then laid her hand atop his.
She had touched his hand more than once, yet every time felt like the first—her pulse leapt with nervous tension.
“…On such a clear day, who could’ve guessed it would rain?”
Claudio enclosed her hand in one of his and with the other supported her waist, lifting her lightly down from the horse.
…!
A shiver rippled from her waist up through the crown of her head, stealing her breath.
She had known he would help her down like this, yet still she reacted like a fool.
“It’s coming down quite briskly,” he murmured, eyes fixed on the rain-sparkled world like a scatter of jewels.
Marsha shifted her gaze to her toes. “So it is.”
His crimson eyes turned toward her again.
Her face was flushed, her energy waning.
This wasn’t mere heat—it was fever, wasn’t it?
He raised a hand toward her brow.
She flinched.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Just a moment.”
His broad palm pressed against her damp forehead.
Already red, her face deepened to the color of a ripe apple, and her skin burned hot under his touch.
“You do have a fever.”
“I do not!”
“My body runs hot, but right now you’re nearly the same as me.”
Claudio withdrew his hand with a grave look.
Honestly, he’s always worrying about me.
He was the one who had been bedridden, yet he fretted as though she were the fragile one.
Marsha pouted. “I’m not sick. It only feels warm because your heat rubbed off on me.”
“Then why are you so drained?”
She blinked wide, startled, as he set a hand on his hip.
“Did the Marchioness say something to you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why are you so downcast? You’ve been off ever since I left you alone with her. I trusted her because she’s the Marchioness, but…”
His expression darkened, menace flickering in his eyes.
He looked ready to storm over and confront the Marchioness the moment the rain stopped.
Not wanting that, Marsha hastened to explain.
“She treated me very kindly—more than I deserve.”
“That’s not what I asked. Tell me the truth. What did she say?”
He bent toward her, lowering his face close.
Marsha’s eyes trembled, taut with nerves.
“She only asked if the party went well.”
“….”
Claudio narrowed his gaze.
Clearly, he didn’t believe that was the only reason they spoke privately.
Flustered, Marsha stammered, “It’s true! And she also said… that you… think of me as someone special…”
Her heart dropped.
She shouldn’t have said that.
She clapped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late.
“Special in what way?” Claudio pressed.
Mortified, she wished the earth would swallow her whole.
Still, if she evaded now, he would only misunderstand further.
“…She only said you seemed to think of me as special.”
The words were humiliating to voice.
It felt childish, as if she were demanding, You think I’m special, don’t you?
Claudio, however, spoke lightly. “Well, that’s true.”
Marsha’s eyes flew wide, meeting the crimson fire of his.
He chuckled softly.
“Why do you look so surprised? I thought I’d already told you as much.”
“No, I… I mean…”
“And I said then it wasn’t just idle flattery.”
He raised a brow.
Then what did you mean by it?
Before, she had brushed it aside.
But not anymore.
She couldn’t.
“Your Grace, you can’t say things like that. What if I misunderstand you?”
“If you’re about to talk about other people again—”
“No, I mean me!”
She pressed her hand over her chest. Claudio blinked at her, caught off guard.
Her lips trembled as though to stop herself, but once the reins slipped, her words wouldn’t halt.
“What if I start believing you really do care for me? What if I foolishly think you love me?”
Her voice wavered, heavy with suppressed tears.
Maybe he could brush it off easily, but she couldn’t.
Every small kindness set her heart racing, every accidental touch left her trembling.
I’m such an idiot.
She had been betrayed horribly by someone she trusted—used cruelly by someone she once loved—yet here she was again, trusting, leaning, yearning…
Yearning to be someone truly ‘special’ to him.
She had no right to feel that way.
Not when she should devote her entire being to finding her father’s killer.
Love was unthinkable.
Especially love for Claudio. She should know her place.
She should.
But in that instant of weakness, she acknowledged the truth she had long avoided.
Marsha buried her face in her hands.
I’m a fool… such a fool.
She wanted to weep, but crying here would only make her humiliation worse.
So she swallowed the tears back.
Then—Claudio’s hand gently clasped her arm.
He drew her hands away from her face.
“Why,” he asked softly, “do you think that would be a misunderstanding?”
