When Ariana missed the horse’s movement and floated into the air, Duke Obeliar thought, ‘It’s done!’

Ariana was said to have lived in Seoryeong without proper education, spending her time like a servant.

‘I probably don’t know any self-defense skills.’

One leg was likely to break. If she was lucky, she could die from being trampled by the horse’s hoof, or suffer a severe head injury and become a fool. Even falling from a normally running horse could be life-threatening, and there was no way she could escape unharmed from a horse leaping with her injured thigh.

Even if she miraculously survived, the incident of her fall today would be remembered in people’s minds for a long time.

A delicate princess unsuitable for Dongryeong, a land where even women are warriors.

‘But…’

Something felt uneasy.

Ariana’s body, which was writhing in the air, suddenly shrank into a ball. As if trying to execute a somersault.

While the White family members shouted in excitement, and people who realized the situation belatedly screamed, a small body fell to the ground.

Thud!

Making a cheerful and light sound, the fallen body rolled gracefully, avoiding the legs of the agile horse. As people watched the scene in a daze, Ariana quickly got up and approached the leaping horse.

The horse raised its upper body as if it would trample Ariana, but she fearlessly grabbed the reins and patted its neck.

“Easy…”

The horse, which had been leaping, gradually calmed down.

Russell, who arrived late, pulled Ariana away from the horse, and Geor grabbed the reins.

Only then did people breathe out the breath they had been holding.

They had never seen such a spectacle before. A pitiable princess who returned from Seoryeong, where she had suffered abuse, unexpectedly and skillfully subdued a crazy horse.

Ariana picked up the fallen cloak from the ground. Without brushing off the dirt, she put it on. Like a warrior who had overcome countless battles, she already looked like someone who had crossed several battle lines.

“Ah, Ariana. Are you okay?”

“Yes, Father.”

Ariana smiled kindly and looked around at the people.

“Surprised?”

People nodded without realizing it. Ariana laughed as if she found it amusing.

“It’s nothing special.”

Her singing-like, clear, and cheerful voice melted the hearts of the people. They felt admiration, affection, and tenderness for their princess who had been away for so long.

Not just pitiful, and not just lovely as they thought, their princess looked extremely captivating.

As people’s gaze was fixed on Ariana, Geor examined the horse and found a dart in its thigh. He quietly removed the dart and dropped it on the ground before turning to face Ariana, locking eyes with her.

Ariana stared at Geor with eyes that revealed nothing of her thoughts.

Geor grinned.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Princess. Still, with this, everyone in our Dongryeong knows what kind of person our Princess is.”

Geor approached Ariana confidently and extended his hand towards her. Ariana gently smiled and placed her hand on top of his.

Geor lightly kissed the back of her hand and said, “Welcome back to Dongryeong, Princess.”

Only then did people come to their senses and raised both arms.

“Wow!”

“Princess!”

“Welcome!”

The cheers erupted from the crowd shook the sky of Dongryeong. Ariana looked around at the people with an affectionate smile. Without declaring herself a princess in the Grand Square, Ariana was accepted as Dongryeong’s princess.

Today’s incident would spread throughout Dongryeong through people’s mouths. As it spread, gaining more and more weight, Ariana’s story would undoubtedly turn her into a deity of war.

‘Someone is targeting me.’

However, Ariana’s thoughts were not as warm as the smile she was wearing.

As someone who had ridden horses a lot, Ariana had been in numerous accidents while riding. She had experienced not only falls but also avoiding arrows flying at her and falling off injured horses.

The reason she hadn’t been severely injured despite frequently leaping off carriages so far was thanks to her past experiences.

‘I would have been in danger if I didn’t have that experience.’

Even with plenty of experience, one’s mind would go blank in the moment the incident occurred. When she was thrown off the horse a while ago, her heart had momentarily stopped.

‘Who could it be? There must be someone here targeting my life.’

If the opponent had orchestrated this to threaten Ariana, who might be a Seoryeong spy, it would be better. If she took her time to prove that she was not a threat and just a former concubine from Seoryeong, the problem would gradually be resolved.

But if someone was targeting Ariana’s life for a different reason, it wouldn’t be easy in the future.

‘Seojehu wouldn’t have sent someone. Since he intervened even in the imperial custody trial, he won’t be moving this quickly. Knowing Seojehu’s character, he will quickly give up on things he needs to give up and move on to the next.’

Then, why would someone target my life?

‘Is it because of the position of Donghuje?’