Chapter 74
Prince Declan actively insisted that his fault was not greater than the horse’s. In a mood that was beyond serious and almost solemn, the tug-of-war between horse and human continued for a long time.
Maeve rolled her eyes as if wishing she had just left it alone, then lightly pulled the horse’s reins to make it approach Prince Declan.
The brown horse stared blankly at Maeve with gentle-looking black eyes, as if it had never acted insolently. Maeve stared back at the horse sternly, her gaze reflecting neither encouragement nor empathy.
Soon, the horse let out a sigh so loud that no one could pretend not to notice. Then, it reluctantly thrust its head toward Prince Declan.
Prince Declan also turned toward the horse as if reluctantly. Belatedly trying to save face, he put on the generous smile of a human forgiving a beast’s transgression.
“Do not treat me carelessly from now on.”
Prince Declan’s hand touched the bridge of the horse’s nose. Prince Declan and the horse stared intently at each other. Instead of glaring openly like before, they gazed at one another while merely masking their surface resentment.
Contrary to Prince Declan’s fears, the horse did not suddenly bite his finger or anything of the sort. It was likely because Maeve was watching with both eyes wide open right next to them.
After about ten seconds of awkward communion, Prince Declan lowered his hand from the bridge of the horse’s nose. Maeve, who had been watching as if mediating, said to him:
“How about giving it a name?”
As soon as he heard it, Prince Declan made a face of disgust. However, that horse was glaring even more disgustedly than he was. Prince Declan regained his generous human smile.
“‘Bebe.’”
Upon hearing the dainty and cute name, Maeve wordlessly pointed toward the horse’s hind legs.
Don’t point. I know without looking. I know. That’s why it’s Bebe.
Instead of speaking in such a rapid-fire manner, Prince Declan nodded with a relaxed face and said “Bebe” once more.
Bebe bared its front teeth as if rejecting its name.
“He’s smiling because he likes it so much.”
Prince Declan smiled benevolently and reached out his hand to stroke the bridge of the horse’s nose again. Bebe made a threatening clack! sound by snapping its upper and lower teeth together.
Maeve, seemingly thinking the matter was already resolved, went to fetch the wandering donkey. Prince Declan stared at the donkey, whose name, Bebe, suited him perfectly.
“Should I give this fellow a name as well?”
“This is Ambrox.”
Prince Declan was stunned for a moment.
“That’s wonderful. It’s so wonderful I’d believe it if someone said it was a person’s name.”
Maeve merely nodded in agreement.
She soon fixed the rope tied to Ambrox’s body by hanging it from Bebe’s saddle. Then she leapt lightly onto the horse and, just as she had done before, held out her hand to Prince Declan.
Prince Declan quietly took her hand and climbed up behind her. He settled into a stable position, placing the maidservant’s small body between his legs. Then he carefully wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Maeve. You are truly small.”
The words flowed out purely, without any malice. Maeve didn’t seem particularly offended either, merely turning her head to glance at him. Perhaps she had heard such things quite often.
“And you are larger than average, Prince Declan.”
Prince Declan felt a bit embarrassed when Maeve pointed that fact out. Maeve glanced back at him again, took one of his hands, and had him overlap it on top of her hand holding the reins.
Prince Declan was grateful for that, yet also felt bashful.
While living in the castle, he never expected he would be in such frequent contact with a woman his age. It was still a bit shy-making.
Maeve was maintaining a pace that was almost at a walking level, considering the speed of the donkey. At this rate, they weren’t making much speed at all. Even though they had to reach their destination as soon as possible.
Prince Declan suddenly reminded himself of that fact anew and felt his mood sinking. His ‘illness’ felt like a greater burden than ever before.
At least when he stayed in the castle, he could remain huddled away anywhere, but now, if he fell ill, he would inevitably have to show it to that maidservant.
Though he had already shown her every unsightly thing possible.
……Maidservant. Prince Declan chews on that word as well. Maeve was no longer his maidservant. At least, Prince Declan wanted to think so.
“Prince Declan.”
That was when she called him.
Prince Declan turned his head in the direction she gestured with her chin. Before they knew it, they had entered a new forest filled with orange autumn leaves. From the ground came the crunching sound of the donkey and horse stepping on the crisp fallen leaves.
The whole world was vermilion.
“Wouldn’t the maple forest where the witch lives look like this too?”
Maeve spoke drily, appearing to have no particular inspiration from the scenery before her eyes.
Prince Declan nodded.
“Yes. I think so.”
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