Chapter 40
Thinking of Hitaon riding atop it, gripping the reins skillfully and breathing in sync with the horse, she felt an inexplicable irritation. Sissley’s teasing words drifted through her mind.
“Come to think of it, riding this horse, the young ladies who come to watch won’t be able to take their eyes off you that day.”
“…What?”
Aware that he himself had spoken nonsense, he deliberately avoided her gaze. A soft laugh rang in her ears.
“Surely you’re not jealous right now?”
“You do it too, young master. Why can’t I?”
When she shot back sullenly, Hitaon laughed, throwing his head back. Luirene tapped his forearm lightly, not hard enough to hurt.
“Sissley said it. That you prepared a magnificent racehorse because many young ladies will come to the riding competition.”
“Don’t listen to that scoundrel.”
“Just a moment ago, you yourself said—”
“What do I care who attends that day? I got a new horse because there were no racehorses in the mansion. In any case, since I’m competing under the Glair name, isn’t it right to prepare thoroughly so I don’t make a fool of myself?”
Even as he explained, he couldn’t hide his pleased satisfaction at her jealousy, kissing her cheek repeatedly. Luirene pushed against his chest, nervously glancing at the stable entrance.
“Sissley will see.”
Hitaon didn’t pull away, as if he hadn’t heard. His lips, which had been moving across her cheek, shifted slightly and reached the corner of her mouth. Recalling the friction of their bodies rubbing together in a cramped, hidden place yesterday, her belly stirred.
Places her hands couldn’t reach began to itch. As her breath grew hotter, Hitaon’s expression changed as well.
“…Should I lock the door?”
“That won’t work. You know that.”
“Ha, damn it.”
As if holding back would become too difficult if the impulse deepened, Hitaon brushed his lips against hers briefly, then stepped back two paces. He turned around and muttered something under his breath. Luirene knew he was trying to calm his lower body and didn’t disturb him.
Just as she was stroking the neck of the black horse, which was pawing the ground while looking between the two of them, Sissley returned. He busily spread the hay around as if showing off, but when Hitaon—who had been facing the wall—turned around, Sissley flinched.
“Young master. Are you finished with your business?”
“Yes. I’ll be going now. And you, you scoundrel.”
“Yes!”
“A man should act like a man. Refrain from pathetic behavior.”
“I’ll keep that in mind! Young master.”
Hitaon clapped Sissley on the shoulder with enough force to make a thudding sound, then left the stable. Only then did Sissley relax, bending his back and letting out a breath that sounded like his lungs were shriveling.
“I thought my arms would fall off carrying it all at once. I never expected him to come this early.”
“Indeed.”
“Luirene. Were you alone with the young master the whole time? Wasn’t it awkward?”
“It was fine.”
Fortunately, Sissley showed no signs of suspicion. Luirene helped him finish the remaining work, then left the stable. On the way back to the mansion, the two of them spotted a cluster of maids gathered in a circle.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s Eneka. This—better to go around.”
Unlike Luirene, who had no idea, Sissley seemed to know something. Before she could ask if he knew her, a loud sneer rang out. Looking closely, they weren’t just gathered. Several of them had surrounded one person as if encircling her.
“Is she being bullied?”
“Fighting, more like.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, because it’s Eneka?”
Luirene understood what Sissley meant by the scene that followed. The maid presumed to be Eneka, regardless of what the other maids surrounding her said, merely stood with her arms crossed and an indifferent expression. Her attitude said it was pathetic that they were bothering her at all.
Apparently not only Luirene felt that way—the maid who seemed to be leading the situation shoved Eneka’s shoulder hard. Paper that appeared to have been in her hand fluttered to the ground. They trampled over the paper one by one as they walked past, as if nothing had happened.
It was a petty act, enough to make any onlooker frown.
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