Chapter 44
With many young lords rushing to escort her, it was easy to recognize who Panae Tourso was. The woman, holding a lace-trimmed parasol and wearing a pale green dress, had a face as delicate as a flower petal.
Her eyes, neither large nor small, were deep enough to feel mysterious, and her long eyelashes drew transparent shadows on her cheeks every time she blinked. Her flowing hair was a sweet color, as if made from melted pale cherry blossom petals.
She looked like an exquisitely delicate work of art. It felt more like looking at an object than a person. Perhaps because of that, he felt no great stir. Hitaon’s display of interest amounted to nothing more than a distant glance at her condition.
Just as he was about to turn away, coincidentally, their eyes met. Knowing they had already met but pretending otherwise didn’t seem like gentlemanly manners, so he gave a slight nod. Brushing aside Broil, who was giggling beside him with “Look at you, acting like you’re not interested!”, he pulled on the reins.
Shortly after, the riding competition began.
Those who had been socializing returned to their places. The noble young ladies gathered in clusters on the grandstand beneath the silk tents, and the young lords who weren’t competing also took seats around them.
Hitaon and the other competitors tidied their attire and headed to the racetrack.
The stands fell silent as the announcer introduced the participants. Hitaon mounted his horse as his name echoed across the track. He felt the gazes of the spectators beyond the fences converge on him. Sweeping back his silver hair, he stared straight ahead.
The competition was held in a tournament format. Riders would race around the course lap by lap, competing in skill.
At the starting signal, the horse powerfully kicked off the ground. Ebony, with whom he had practiced over the past several days, seemed perfectly trained, responding to Hitaon’s cues with fervent galloping. Each time they flexibly navigated the course, the scent of fresh earth spread. When he cleared the final obstacle, a loud cheer even erupted from the stands.
Easily clearing the first round, Hitaon overpowered his opponent and dashed to the finish line in an instant. As the opponent who had been clinging close fell behind by a hair’s breadth, he crossed the finish line with exhilarating speed.
Since this was a competition disguised as a social gathering, there was no special prize for winning, but honor was certainly bestowed. After the competition, during the full-fledged banquet that followed, people’s gazes toward Hitaon had changed entirely.
“Lord Glair, my sincere congratulations on your victory.”
“That outfit today suits you wonderfully. The horse is well-trained too—you seem to have a great skill with animals.”
“The way you never once lost the lead was impressive.”
“I hear you’ve returned safely from studying abroad? I believe a royal ball will be held soon—will you be attending?”
The young ladies gathered around him, showing interest, and the young lords who wanted to receive those ladies’ attention gathered as well, creating a commotion all around. Since there was nothing to gain from creating a bad impression, Hitaon exercised his patience and stayed put.
Just as his patience was about to run dry, Mikale approached with good timing. It was wise that he had arranged in advance for Mikale to come find him as if on business when enough time had passed. Using that as an excuse, Hitaon left the area.
As he tried to push through the gathered crowd, he accidentally bumped shoulders with someone. A perfume scent that felt heavy rather than fragrant stung his nose. A fluttering pale pink dress came into view. It was Panae Tourso.
“My apologies. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“It’s fine. We only brushed against each other.”
“I’m relieved.”
“You are Sir Glair, aren’t you? Congratulations on your victory. Your equestrian skills were excellent.”
“You flatter me.”
Hitaon greeted her with an indifferent demeanor. Panae, watching him quietly, lifted the corners of her lips.
“Are you on your way somewhere?”
“A message arrived from my family. So, regrettably, I’m afraid I must take my leave.”
“Oh dear. We haven’t even had a proper conversation yet.”
“Perhaps another time.”
He bowed his head as before and tried to pass by, but Panae spoke in a voice like a nightingale.
“If you don’t mind, would you pick up my handkerchief?”
“Handkerchief?”
“It seems I dropped it when we collided earlier.”
Indeed, a cream-colored silk handkerchief lay on the grass.
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