Victor scratched the back of his head, looking at the horse who was gazing at Idel with an unexpectedly gentle expression.

“He seems gentle to me.”

“It seems he’s taken a liking to you.”

Caeron chuckled.

“Smart creatures choose their owners.”

At his words, Idel cautiously approached, and Kaiden lowered his head and opened his eyes slightly—a clear sign of affection.

Idel cautiously extended the back of her hand toward Kaiden. His shiny black nose sniffed as if to memorize her scent and then nuzzled her hand.

“Heh, truly fascinating.”

Victor, who had been admiring the scene, asked Caeron politely,

“Do you remember Aila, Your Grace?”

“Aila…?”

“The horse of the late Empress.”

Aila had been a favorite of the late Empress Mariel. Her black mane would fly just like Mariel’s black hair as they became one and rode.

Caeron momentarily lost himself in the memory of riding with his mother, Mariel.

“Kaiden is Aila’s offspring. Although Aila has passed away, Kaiden carries on her lineage.”

Victor’s words snapped him out of his reverie.

“As you know, Aila only allowed the late Empress near her. With a similarly aloof personality, Kaiden also has never let anyone on his back.”

His gaze met Idel’s, who was gently stroking the black horse’s neck and smiling. They seemed to be perfectly in tune with each other.

“It seems he has finally found his true owner.”

Victor’s words left Caeron in a strange mood.

.

.

.

Perhaps because Idel was present, even when saddled and bridled, Kaiden was exceptionally docile. Victor couldn’t help but marvel at this.

“It seems Kaiden really likes Your Ladyship.”

Idel, holding the reins of the robust black horse and dressed in riding attire, looked as graceful as a painting. Caeron savored the sight, his lips curving softly.

“Mount the horse.”

At Caeron’s words, Idel recalled the riding technique she had learned before. She stepped onto the stirrup and slowly sat down on the saddle. The riding attire provided by Lady Fongmu was in pants form, making it much more comfortable and flexible to move.

“Your riding posture is proper.”

Looking at her stable posture where shoulders, hips, and ankles aligned vertically, Victor didn’t hold back his praise.
“What should we do next?”

Idel found it difficult to do anything more than speak while atop the horse. Holding the reins, her face contorted in discomfort. Moreover, the height of Kaiden’s back was higher than she’d anticipated, and sitting alone felt a bit frightening.

“I’ll ride with you.”

Caeron skillfully climbed onto the horse and sat behind her. Feeling Caeron’s weight, Kaiden pricked up its ears momentarily but behaved.

As she felt Caeron’s presence directly behind her, Idel tensed, gripping the reins harder.

“You’re holding too tight.”

Caeron seemingly noticed her subtle change, whispered with a fleeting smile, and gently encased her hands holding the reins in his.

“Relax your shoulders and arms, and hold the reins naturally.”

“……Like this?”

“Yes, straighten your back but lean it back a little. Let your shoulders go back a bit.”

They were already close enough to touch. As Idel hesitated, Caeron’s soft voice resonated.

“You can lean on me.”

At his words, Idel’s face flushed instantly. She felt both a thrill and a sense of relief as she leaned her body back.

Her back touched his firm body. The tension remained, but she was no longer afraid of being on the horse.

Caeron felt a certain tightness in his jaw as he sensed her body fully enveloped in his arms.

Tied neatly, Idel’s slender nape was fully visible. From that pulsing vicinity, a scent tempting him grew stronger.

“Ah……!”

“Caeron……?”

Caeron uttered a low grunt. When Idel turned her head to look at him, he averted his gaze.

“Focus on the road.”

In reality, his words were directed at himself. As he watched the road ahead, he hid his yearning for her under his neutral expression.

“We’re going to move the horse now.”

Pulling the reins, Kaiden began to walk. The clever horse sensed Idel’s inexperience and moved slowly.

“Shall we go a bit faster?”

“Okay.”

Seeing that Idel had adjusted to the horse’s rhythm, Caeron increased the pace. As they moved faster, Idel’s slight body swayed.

Caeron supported her body, wrapping his arms around her firmly. A faint smile graced Idel’s lips amidst the sense of stability he provided.

The springinfused lush meadow was beautiful. Galloping across the expansive field, Idel felt a sense of exhilarating freedom.

“Riding a horse feels like this.”

Her face radiantly beaming, every tension seemed to have disappeared. The gentle wind on her cheeks, the vividly moving scenery—everything felt marvelous.

Idel, who was grinning like a child, radiated pure joy. Caeron, looking at her, also felt happiness in his eyes. He gently loosened his grip around her.

“Now, you steer the reins in the direction you want to go.”

“Can I do it alone?”

“You can. From now on, this is the direction you’ll be moving in.”

Perhaps it was her feeling, but his words had a double meaning, as if encouraging her to confidently walk the path of life she had chosen.

“And you’re wrong.”

“……Yes?”

“You’re not alone. Because I’ll be right behind you like this. Go wherever you wish.”

“……!”

His low, sultry words reached her ears.

The emotions she had strenuously emptied and cast away had unknowingly come back to fill her heart.

Filling the wounds of her soul, making her heart pound once more, Idel’s hands and eyes trembled uncontrollably at his words.