Chapter 39
Standing where a thread of sunlight sparkled, Hitaon, who had been stroking the neck of a bluish-black horse, spoke casually.
“I came to see the horse, but you weren’t here.”
“Th-That’s… I was on my way back from finishing my meal.”
“You should eat on time. But…”
Removing his hand from the glossy coat, Hitaon turned his head.
“It seems you’ve taken on an assistant without my knowledge.”
“Pardon?”
“Still, the stable involves a lot of heavy lifting. It would have been better to hire a man, if that was the case.”
Realizing he was referring to Luirene carrying the hay, Sissley broke into a cold sweat and quickly took the bundle from her.
“Ah! It’s nothing like that. This is Luirene—she’s a servant with other duties in the mansion. She’s just helping me out right now.”
“Is that so? What a relief. I was beginning to think you were the type to work a fragile young woman like a mule.”
“Th-That couldn’t be further from the truth!”
“It looked to me like a pile of hay just arrived outside.”
“I’ll go at once!”
His face now pale for reasons different from his hangover, Sissley bolted out of the stable. As Luirene blankly watched the spot where he had vanished like lightning, a warm heat took her hand.
“Your body? Does it hurt?”
The voice that had been curt with Sissley softened in an instant, as if cream had been stirred into it. As Luirene blinked, lips descended on her cheek. Feeling the air, which had been so ordinary moments ago, suddenly grow thick, Luirene answered softly.
“I’m fine.”
“I couldn’t control my strength yesterday.”
“…The young master is always like that.”
“Is that so? So there’s another scoundrel here who torments fragile women.”
“I’m not fragile.”
“So that bastard dares to work you like that?”
Luirene, who hadn’t expected the conversation to turn this way, shook her head.
“I offered to help.”
“Why?”
“I became close with Sissley while the young master was away.”
Hitaon gazed intently at Luirene’s face, then said.
“Still, outwardly, I’m far better, aren’t I?”
“That’s not… what I meant.”
“You didn’t bring it up to make me jealous?”
Four years had already passed since they’d known each other, yet his habit of toying with people behind that indifferent face remained unchanged.
“I became close with him because I wanted news of the young master.”
“News of me?”
“Yes. Sissley knew more about the young master than the maids did. Today as well… he told me you’ll be participating in a riding competition soon. And that you acquired a racehorse for it.”
Hitaon smiled and pulled her close.
“Greet him directly.”
The black horse that had been licking Hitaon’s palm looked at Luirene with moist, dark eyes. Nervous about touching it herself, she hesitated. Hitaon showed her how. Pleased with the stroking, the horse gently swished only its tail.
Summoning her courage, Luirene reached out her hand. The black horse behaved just as docilely when she touched it as when Hitaon did. Just as she was beginning to relax, it suddenly stuck out its tongue and licked her hand, startling her. It seemed hungry. Hoping Sissley would bring the hay soon, she asked.
“Does it have a name?”
“Not yet.”
He took out a handkerchief and wiped Luirene’s hand, which was wet with saliva. Luirene looked between him and the horse.
“They say it’s easier to tame an animal if you name it quickly.”
“The horseman said something similar.”
“Then you should decide soon…”
“How about you name it?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Luirene looked at his face and was certain. That he had intended this from the start.
“What if I come up with something strange?”
“I’m not worried about that. You know the value of words.”
“…….”
“Even if you named it something strange, you’d have a valid reason.”
Unconditional trust was one thing, but what else was there that shone in this regard? On the other hand, his words elevated her own value, which made her oddly pleased.
“By when?”
“Before the competition, I suppose. Otherwise, as you said, this one might not be tamed and could act out on the day of the event.”
“I should go right away and look for a cute name.”
“Not a cool one?”
The shining black coat, the defined muscles, the long mane and tail. Even without seeing it, she could picture the magnificent sight of it cutting through the wind at full gallop.
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