episode_0035

Robert commanded his subordinates to maintain the tribute procession. Then he rode his horse, taking Tia towards the plains.

The knight sitting behind him asked, “How is it? Are you getting used to it? Not dizzy?” “Yes. I think I’m okay now.” “Good. Shall we gallop then?” “Gallop? Wait, just a moment—” “Hold on tight. Giddy up—!” “Aghhh—?!”

With a jolt! As soon as the command was given, the horse began to gallop powerfully. The powerful momentum sprang forth as it pounded the ground. Feeling the wild power throughout her body, Tia gripped Robert’s arm and screamed.

“Aghhh—!!” “Hahahaha!”

He laughed gleefully, picking up even more speed. It was as if he didn’t intend to give Tia any time to catch her breath.

Whoosh—!! Though it was hard to open her eyes against the headwind.

“…Ugh.” Tia reached out and gripped the reins tightly. She had to get used to this swaying motion back and forth. After lowering her posture and finding stability, she calmly regulated her breathing and calmed her excitement. Finally, gathering her courage, she cautiously opened her tightly shut eyes…

“……Ah.” A new world unfolded.

The infinitely stretching plains and the horizon. She was running endlessly towards that boundless place, without a care in the world. The blue landscape was reflected in Tia’s eyes.

“Wow—!!” The feeling of speed as they galloped swiftly across the prairie. Could the gentle autumn wind, powerfully seeping through her hair and clothes, possibly feel so good? She felt so high above the ground, like a bird gliding low.

Robert exclaimed in admiration. “Well, well. You’re already able to lift your head and look ahead.”

Her heart pounded. She could feel her heart pounding in front of the vastness of nature.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful…” “Indeed. This beautiful scenery is new to me too. Here, I’ll give you the reins, so feel free to ride around. It might be hard to handle since it’s a wild one.”

As per his advice, the white horse adamantly refused Tia’s touch. At first, it just ran around as it pleased, like a wild horse without a master. But Tia didn’t panic. Instead of trying to control it forcefully, she simply stroked the horse’s neck gently with her left hand. She instinctively felt that way. That she shouldn’t treat it roughly. Who would be happy if someone they just met suddenly hit them and cursed at them? It’s the same for animals. She believed the first encounter should be gentle.

First, she let the horse run as it pleased. Leaving it be, she discovered one peculiar habit. If there were many pebbles or large rocks ahead, it would always try to make a wide detour. Now that she had observed its habit, it was time to help. She pulled the reins to help it avoid the gravel and rocks, guiding it towards a smooth and flat path. She wasn’t showing it the path she wanted to take, but the path the horse wanted to gallop freely on. As they started to run, moving in sync… Before long, Robert’s white horse began to follow Tia’s hand.

“Ahahaha—!” It was fun. The feeling of connecting with each other was so much fun. She tried gently kicking its flank with her heel to make it gallop vigorously, or making “Whoa-whoa-” sounds to make it stop. By now, she could truly go anywhere by herself. Aside from the inner thighs feeling strained from sitting in the saddle, it was enjoyable.

After running around for a while, as lunchtime approached, the two dismounted and sat down in a sunny spot. Robert asked in a disbelieving voice, “Anshier. Is this truly your first time riding?” “Yes! It’s my first time.” “All I can say is, this is amazing. It took me a long time to tame this fellow, you know. Could it be that this fellow actually prefers women?”

“No—I felt like it liked it more when Robert-nim was holding the reins. That’s what I felt.” “Oh, is that so?” “Yes. When Robert-nim rode the horse—it felt more stable and trustworthy.” “Is that so? Hahaha!! So that’s how it is…”

The knight smiled awkwardly. Then he abruptly pulled something out and offered it.

“Here, why don’t you try blowing it yourself?” It was a horn. As the object that commanded the entire tribute procession came into her hand, Tia was greatly flustered.

“Me?” “It’s alright. Blow it with all your might.” Tia, who was hesitating, brought the horn close to her lips. After taking a small, sharp breath, she blew the horn with all her might.

Bwoooooom—!! A loud sound echoed. The subordinates walking in the distance stopped. At the same time, the tribute procession was seen slowly coming to a halt. The feeling of everyone stopping at a single signal was somehow strange and exhilarating.

Robert laughed. “You’ve won a duel, you know how to ride a horse, and you’ve even blown the horn. Now, it wouldn’t be amiss to call you a ‘Knight’.” “Oh, no—! How could I possibly….” “Hahaha!! Well then, shall I prepare lunch for the Young Knight-nim?”

Robert took food out of his saddlebag. She thought it was food… but in reality, it was a type that was hard to call food.

“Is it hardtack?” “There’s nothing better than this for a quick meal.” Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t a luxurious meal. Out of curiosity, she picked up a piece of hardtack and took a bite. It was so dry that her mouth went completely parched.

“Cough, cough… Robert-nim—it’s so dry, it’s choking me.” “Hahaha!! Of course it is if you eat it plain. Here, try dipping it slightly in water.” Robert also took out some butter for her to eat with it. Indeed, when she spread butter on the moistened hardtack, it melted smoothly in her mouth. It was a fantastic taste.

“If you wish, I can also give you tea. Just say the word.” “Hehe—Thank you…” “You’re welcome.”

The golden-haired knight smiled as if it was nothing. Nibbling on the hardtack, Tia suddenly grew curious. But why was Robert-nim suddenly being so kind to her? Robert’s golden hair swayed in the gentle breeze.

He asked, “Anshier, are you not afraid of me?” “I was afraid. Until yesterday evening…” “Haha. I apologize for that again.” “But now I know you’re a very good person.” “‘A good person,’ you say… Can an evaluation change so much in just one day?” “I truly mean it—!”

His blue eyes watched the tribute procession. “You are truly unique. Those subordinates with me, the women who suggested marriage, and even the servants in my mansion… they still see me as a ‘frightening person’.”

“Why?” “They fear the title of ‘Knight’ and the authority of the Robert family.”

Saying this, he stroked the wolf emblem engraved on his gauntlet. Robert-nim’s expression, when emotionless, was extremely cold and intimidating. There was a quiet, oppressive aura about him, as if he would handle human lives without a second thought. Everyone following the tribute procession was weighed down by that bleak atmosphere. They were wary of the knight, and when he appeared, they held their breath and swallowed dryly.

But if you knew him, he was actually someone who yearned for conversation more than anyone. Just by having a comfortable conversation with a commoner girl like this, it proved that this Knight-nim didn’t particularly value authority. Yet, not a single one of the 150 people in the tribute procession wanted to know Robert’s true self.

“The only one who faced me without fear… was Anshier. You were the only one. Your eyes, as you readily agreed to the duel, were like the eyes of the friends I fought alongside on the battlefield more than ten years ago. Those old knights who charged forward armed with courage… That’s why I found myself getting excited without realizing it. My heart hasn’t pounded like this since I lost my friends.”

The lonely knight stood up. “Perhaps you are mistaken. You are certainly a good woman, but I don’t think I am a good man.” “No! If you see me in a good light… Robert-nim is an even better person!” “Ha. Why?” “Well—Robert-nim knows much more than I do—”

Tia looked up at the blue sky and swung her legs. “Because you looked at the same scenery as me, and said it was ‘beautiful’ just like I did.”

……… He said nothing. As if not wanting to disturb this unblemished purity. Robert merely gazed at the girl silently. After a very long time like that, he withdrew his gaze with a gentle smile.

“…Let’s go back now.” “Yes!”

***

That afternoon. Someone called out to Tia, who was dozing in the wagon.

“Anshier.” “Hehe—” “Anshier?” “Ehehe—. Huh?”

Tia wiped her mouth and opened her eyes. Robert was walking alongside the wagon. Surprised, Tia let out a small yelp.

“Robert-nim?!” “You were asleep. I apologize for waking you.” “Oh, no. I’m sorry!” “As a matter of fact. I’ve arranged a seat for you at the dinner banquet. I hope you’ll come.”

Her sleep vanished instantly. She’d had lunch with him, and now she was invited to a dinner banquet too.

“Um—Robert-nim. I’m truly grateful, but…” “Why? Are you feeling burdened?” “No! It’s just… I don’t know why you’re being so kind to me. I’m just an ordinary person—” “Haha. It would be troublesome if you thought that.”

Robert grinned. Since meeting Tia, the man’s expression had become noticeably more expressive.

“Master Carlos’s disciple shouldn’t say ‘ordinary.’ No one would believe it either.” “Oh. Of course, my Master is a bit eccentric—” Tia whispered in a small voice. “He loves alcohol, sometimes skips my lessons, and disappears without a word—!”

“Haha! Hahahaha!” He laughed heartily again.

“He seems to be living freely now. But as eccentric as he is… he was nothing short of a legend on the battlefield. Many have already forgotten his glory, but the knights who fought alongside him know well.”

“Oh, I see…” “Is Master Carlos currently in Taildon?” “Yes. He’s arranging mercenary work. He also teaches swordsmanship, and I was his only disciple.”

“I hadn’t imagined it. That he was secluded in such a place. Even Sir Kintop had said nothing. If I had known, I would have visited him. It’s a shame.” A large hand was lightly placed on Tia’s head. “In any case, simply having learned under him makes you a ‘precious person.’ Receiving such treatment is only natural.”

His blue eyes meticulously scanned her from head to toe. As if trying to find traces of her master. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she neatly put her legs together.

“B-but I haven’t learned proper etiquette—I’m worried I might be rude to Robert-nim.” “Hahaha! After causing such a commotion yesterday, you’re worried about being ‘rude’ to me?” “That, ugh…” “It’s a joke. If you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

Robert hopped up onto the wagon. And sitting beside her, he gently wrapped his arm around Tia’s shoulder.

“…Oh?!” As Tia flinched in surprise, he immediately removed his hand. “Ah. Did I make a mistake? I apologize.” “…I was just a little surprised. It’s okay.”

“Alright. Speaking of going to Deseo. You said you were looking for a medicine called ‘Dienbus,’ right?” “Yes. That’s right.” “I will help you as much as I can. Do you plan to return right away once you get the medicine?”

“I do. My friend is very sick.” “If you use a boat, you can send it back to your hometown much faster. I promise to help with that too.”

“Really?!” Boat travel between Deseo and Taildon was too expensive, something she couldn’t even dream of. Especially for a single person, not even valuable cargo.

“But Robert-nim. Wouldn’t I be too indebted to you then?” “Oh, well, sending a single medicine isn’t difficult.”

“…Huh?” It felt like they were talking about different things. Robert said in a serious voice, “After getting the medicine and sending it to Taildon, I’d like to invite you, Anshier, to my mansion. How does that sound?”

It wasn’t an offer for her to return by boat, but a suggestion for Tia to remain in Deseo after the medicine was sent. It was so sudden that she didn’t know what to say.

“Um… I’d like some time to think about it.” “Alright. Think it over carefully.” Robert jumped down from the wagon, reminding her once more.

“Don’t forget the dinner banquet.” “Yes!” Watching the knight walk away, Tia took a breath. Her mind was in a whirl. Inviting me to his mansion…?