episode_0046

The diligent servants had been moving since dawn, so the preparations for departure were roughly complete.

“Squeeeal!”

However, there was still a major issue lingering for them.

“P-please spare me! Foreignerrr! Let me down!”

Today’s protagonist, who was slowly walking on horseback, let out screams while looking at Lady Eleanor Arène de Beaune.

#.

“Lady, you’re safe now.”

“F-foreigner. I th-thought I was going to die.”

Tears welled up in her large eyes. Her hand, clinging to the foreigner’s arm, trembled like a newborn foal’s legs.

Albrice let out a small sigh at his younger sister’s unfamiliar appearance.

Even before losing her memory, Eleanor had not been fond of horseback riding. To prevent any accidents that could jeopardize her virtue, unmarried noblewomen were not encouraged to ride as part of their education. However, Eleanor, being from the Beaune family, was an exception.

Despite her delicate frame, Eleanor, as a Beaune lady, knew how to handle a horse almost as well as any man.

So even though she had lost her memory, she had followed dances effortlessly, and it was assumed she would be able to handle horseback riding to some extent.

Oh, what should he do with this adorable sister?

Albrice’s worries deepened.

Preparing a new carriage for Ellie posed another dilemma.

The carriage, prone to frequent wheel malfunctions even on the well-maintained roads of the capital, was not suitable for navigating the rough paths through forests and mountains to reach the mine, their destination for this journey.

Yet, they couldn’t possibly treat the precious youngest daughter of the Beaune family like a mere pack animal.

With a bowed head, Albrice looked at Eleanor, who was leaning into the foreigner’s embrace.

“Elli, can you ride?”

“I-I’m sorry… I don’t think I can ride alone…”

The foreigner was also inexperienced in horseback riding. Perhaps she should ride in front of Viorel, Eleanor’s knight.

As Albrice pondered this, Dominic’s voice cut through the tension.

“Dominic!”

“Your Highness!”

Both men instinctively moved their lips. Albrice and Dmitri’s voices harmonized, filling the courtyard of the Beaune estate.

No matter how close Ellie was to the princess, this was a breach of etiquette.

If Ellie were to ride in front of the princess, it would be a scandal.

Of course, looking at Ellie now, such a thing seemed inconceivable.

But Dominic’s voice was firm.

“It can’t be helped. Then Ellie will ride in front of Dmitri, right?”

“Oh, uh, that’s… that’s…”

At Dominic’s words, Dmitri’s face turned red.

It would take a full day of hard riding to cover the distance. To carry a lady, Eleanor, in his arms for that day…

Already, the people of Daphne, the townhouse staff of the Verberitz family, and even the men of the Beaune family were struggling to avoid entanglement with her.

“Look, adding Ellie’s weight to yours, what crime is it to bear such a burden?”

Beyond Dominic’s chuckle, Albrice’s exasperated voice continued.

“Your Highness, I will have Ellie ride in front of her knight.”

“Oh. How can a knight wield a sword with Ellie in front? Albrice, don’t worry. She’s also a woman. Moreover, she seems quite confident in horseback riding.”

Under the white pants, Dominique stretched out her long legs and gazed confidently at Albrice.

“No matter what, it’s for Her Highness, the Princess.”

“Oh, come on! It’s fine! Elly and I are close friends. Right, Elly?”

With that, the ball was thrown towards Eleanor.

Eleanor, who had been in the arms of a foreigner, stared intently at Dominique.

Her golden eyes sparkling brightly.

Ah, how could one refuse such a gaze?

But why do you speak informally to my brother and formally to me, you…

“Brother, then I shall ride with Her Highness… with Domi.”

“Hehe. Look at that. Your sister also wants to ride with me, doesn’t she?”

Whether Eleanor’s words seemed quite pleased or not, Dominique snatched Eleanor from the foreigner and embraced her once again.

And so, the strange party consisting of the Grand Duke, the Princess, and the youngest daughter of Baron Bearen was hastily formed.

#

Perhaps it was due to getting accustomed to the speed.

Or maybe it was because of being embraced in Dominique’s warm and gentle embrace.

Fortunately, Eleanor did not display the same behavior as before while riding on horseback.

More than that…

“Look, Elly. Isn’t it refreshing?”

As the wind blew, causing her light yellow hair to flutter, Eleanor responded with a wide smile to Dominique, who pretended to be friendly.

“Yes, Domi. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest.”

Riding across the vast meadow, even her voice seemed a whole octave higher than usual, thanks to the cool breeze they faced.

It felt as if she had become a wealthy young lady enjoying a drive in a convertible car.

Is this why the nobles of that era took up horse riding as a hobby?

Hmm. When I return to the mansion, maybe I should properly learn horseback riding?

Even if feeling refreshed is secondary.

Nevertheless, as Eleanor and her companions rode on for a while longer, they eventually stopped at the edge of a forest where trees began to grow denser.

Wearing pants after a long time felt somewhat awkward. No, not awkward, but rather uncomfortable.

The closed-off bottom added to the discomfort.

Since the style was tight-fitting rather than loose, it made her embarrassed by the visible curves of her hips, thighs, and the lines of her body that sensually extended below her thighs.

Chuckling at her own thoughts, Eleanor thought to herself.

Skirts are more comfortable than pants. Even most girls at school found skirts uncomfortable.

My goodness, you’ve truly become a proper young lady now, Eleanor.

“Elly, what’s so funny?”

Approaching Eleanor, who involuntarily laughed, Dominique, who had been struggling with his horse, came closer and spoke.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Oh, come on, it’s definitely something.”

After inadvertently letting out a laugh, Dominique’s distance decreased even further.

Coming closer and subtly aiming for her side, Eleanor gave up her held thoughts and simply blurted out.

“The pants feel a bit awkward.”

“Is that so? Well, it does feel a bit strange at first. But you’ll get used to it quickly. They say it’s more comfortable once you’re used to it!”

Your Highness, I know too. I’ve worn pants longer than you, Your Highness.

“Miss, are your thighs and hips okay?”

Finally arriving a bit late, the foreigner approached with a saddlebag in hand and addressed Eleanor.

“Um… I think I’m still okay.”

“Miss, please let us know if you’re having a hard time. Riding can be tougher on the body than you might think. If you feel any discomfort, just say the word, and I’ll give you a massage right away.”

“Yeah, thank you as always, Foreigner.”

With a smile mixed with concern, Eleanor accepted the leather saddlebag from the foreigner.

“So, Eli. Who is this lovely lady here?”

Dominique, standing beside them, scanned Oujeni up and down with a gaze that resembled a man trying to charm a woman.

In response to Dominique’s question, Oujeni bowed her head politely and introduced herself.

“Your Highness, I apologize for the delayed introduction. I am Oujeni, the daughter of Marquis Loelsar and now serving as Lady Eleanor’s maid.”

Following this, Eleanor interjected.

“Domi, she’s my childhood friend whom I’ve known since we were young.”

In response to the two women, Dominique replied with a slight lift of his lips.

“While I’d like to consider her my friend if it pleases you to call her my childhood friend, judging by your expression, it seems that might not sit well with you.”

“Thank you for considering me, Your Highness.”

“I didn’t bring anyone to attend to you in my haste to come here, so would it be acceptable for me to owe you a favor as well?”

The air momentarily turned icy.

Certainly, Dominique wore a smiling face, and Oujeni, with a lowered head, seemed no different than usual.

“I am Lady Eleanor’s attendant and will follow her orders.”

Yet, where did this cold and sharp atmosphere originate from?

Though she had grown accustomed to the dress, Eleanor found the world of women still quite challenging.

The two women stood silently for a while.

Amidst the chilling atmosphere, Princess Dominique was the first to move.

“Hahaha. Don’t worry. I haven’t grown up as a helpless woman. I just want to take care of Eli a bit more. You know our friend Eli, too.”

Wait!

Domi, why are you cutting in like that?

“Thank you for your concern.”

No, Oujeni. Why are you nodding at those words again?

“Right. It seems there are many things to take care of. Leave Eli to me, and you can go.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will take my leave then.”

Wait, are you leaving me alone in this atmosphere?

Even as Eleanor’s poignant gaze clung to Dominique, Oujeni respectfully distanced herself from them.

As Oujeni retrieved necessary items from the luggage carriage in the distance, Eleanor’s sky-blue eyes followed her.

“So, Eli, I have one thing I want to ask.”

“Haah. Yes, go ahead.”

With a mischievous tone, Dominique asked while taking a sip from the flask brought by Oujeni.

“So, Eli, what’s the relationship between you and our Dmitri?”

Pfft.

And Eleanor, with water in her mouth, burst out laughing.