Riena finally decided to give in.

Although there were still some unclear aspects, she didn’t want to leave Cassel saying she couldn’t trust him.

It wasn’t because of the contract. That contract, she could just terminate it and go to Baroness Donovan.

She could spend the winter leisurely at the baron’s residence as the baroness suggested, and make her debut in society next spring.

Although the baroness didn’t have much influence in society, she would bring decent party invitations for Riena’s sake.

Then, she could meet someone who truly matches her intentions, and swear to spend a lifetime together, not in a marriage built on lies like this one.

Perhaps this was the last chance to back out.

If she were to part with Cassel someday, it would be objectively right to do so without the stigma of divorce.

But.

‘I don’t want to do that.’

Riena truly didn’t want to leave this man.

If only Cassel would allow it, she wanted to stay with him at Winkler for the rest of her life.

Perhaps Cassel felt the same way. After all, he had proposed to her sincerely from the beginning.

Above all, Cassel’s image kept overlapping with that of the cowardly Cass, and she couldn’t bear to leave him alone.

‘But it’s too early to make such a decision. Still, for now…’

After hesitating, Riena opened her mouth.

“This time, I’ll trust you.”

“…”

“Of course, as you said, I’ll keep a bit of doubt. If such a situation arises again, I’ll leave this place without hesitation. Understood?”

“Then…”

Riena smiled gently.

“It means I’m counting on you from now on, just as I have been until now.”

She might regret this decision over and over again in the future.

But at least this time, she decided to follow her heart instead of her head.

Riena and Cassel decided to go horseback riding as they had discussed before, to commemorate their reconciliation.

As the two made up, the tense atmosphere inside the mansion returned to normal.

Amy, in particular, was the most pleased with this development.

“Phew, couldn’t the Duke have apologized first before I had to say anything?”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Riena halfheartedly agreed as she put on her riding clothes. It was ready-made clothing bought in a hurry, but it fit her well for what it was.

“I’ll braid your hair into one. So you won’t be uncomfortable even if you ride fast.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Riena looked out the window while letting Amy do her hair. The weather was nice, as if reflecting her excited mood. There were a few clouds, but it didn’t seem like it would interfere with horseback riding.

Noticing Riena’s gaze, Amy chattered.

“The weather is really nice.”

“It is. I’m glad. I was worried what we’d do if it rained.”

“It seems the goddess is helping you too, miss. There, all done. The Duke will be waiting, so hurry out.”

Riena thanked Amy and left the mansion. Cassel had already come out before her. Dressed in riding clothes as well, he was examining the horse after receiving the reins from the stable hand.

Unlike Lucy, who was a white horse, his horse was black with an impressive dark mane that resembled his hair color.

“Cass.”

Riena approached his side.

“You’re here.”

“It seems the horses are all prepared.”

Riena fed a sugar cube to Lucy, who greeted her happily, and introduced her horse to Cassel.

“As you know, my horse’s name is Lucy. What’s his name?”

“Black.”

“Black?”

Riena couldn’t help but laugh.

“Is it Black because he’s a black horse?”

“…Something like that.”

“I didn’t mean to tease. It’s just funny because it’s a simple name, unlike you. But it suits him. Can I touch him?”

“He tends to be a bit wild, but…”

Cassel nodded as he watched Black show interest in Riena.

“It should be fine.”

Riena offered Black a carrot handed to her by the stable hand. Black started eating it without showing any signs of wariness.

“You’re pretty.”

As she gently stroked his nose bridge, Black made a pleased sound.

The stable hand marveled.

“That’s amazing. Black doesn’t usually follow anyone but the Duke. It took me a long time to get close to him. Even now, he can be prickly with me sometimes.”

“Really? He doesn’t seem that way at all.”

“It seems the miss has really taken his fancy. He might have recognized you as the Duke’s fiancée.”

As if agreeing, Black snorted.

Riena laughed and stroked Black.

“Thank you for liking me.”

Then Lucy, who had been watching from the side, nudged Riena’s arm. Whinnying discontentedly, it seemed she was jealous of the attention given to Black.

“Lucy, I just saw you a few days ago.”

Even as Riena tried to soothe her, Lucy continued to act sulky.

“Alright, alright. You’re the best to me. Let’s see. Your coat looks even shinier than a few days ago.”

Thanks to being well-fed and cared for at the duke’s mansion, Lucy’s coat was gleaming.

“I’m so glad everyone’s been taking good care of you. Right?”

Riena smiled, pressing her cheek against Lucy’s face, and thanked the stable hand.

“Thank you.”

“I haven’t done much. Lucy is so docile that she adapted well and eats well, so I’m rather thankful to Lucy.”

“That’s good to hear. You hear that, Lucy? You should keep listening to people well, just like now.”

Lucy whinnied as if she understood.

“Shall we go then?”

Cassel, who had approached Riena’s side, helped her mount the horse first. Then he swiftly mounted his own horse without anyone’s help and started leading the way.

Riena stroked Lucy’s mane, which was even glossier than when they were at the Dyke estate, before following Cassel on horseback.

“Where are we going? I think you mentioned the hunting grounds last time.”

“Yes. To be precise, we’re going to the fields on the way to the hunting grounds. It’s not as wide as the fields in the Dyke territory, but it’s enough to enjoy a simple ride. If you want to ride more properly, we’d need to leave the capital and go to the count’s territory in the south, but that’s too far for today.”

“The hunting grounds are fine. But I’d like to go to the count’s territory together someday if we get the chance.”

“I’ll make time soon. Shall we go then?”

Riena smiled brightly.

“Sure. I don’t know the capital’s geography well yet, so I’ll follow your lead.”

“Understood. We’ll go slowly at first, then pick up speed when we reach the outskirts.”

Riena and Cassel rode their horses side by side. As he had said, Cassel started to increase the pace when they left the well-maintained roads and reached the outskirts.

Riena followed suit, nudging Lucy’s sides.

The cool autumn breeze swept over her entire body. Despite her many worries, at this moment she could enjoy the wind without thinking about anything else.

It felt like she had thrown off the shackles that had bound her hands and feet.

How long had it been since she felt this sense of liberation? She hadn’t ridden Lucy even once since Count Dyke’s death, so it had been at least three months.

Lucy, too, seemed happy to be carrying Riena after so long and ran at full speed.

Soon, the fields Cassel had mentioned came into view. Yellow wildflowers bloomed like waves across the fields, and being with Cassel made it feel as if she had returned to the Dyke territory.

At first, Cassel and Black were in the lead, but when Lucy picked up speed, she was able to overtake them soon.

Riena galloped on without looking back.

After riding to her heart’s content, she began to see a forest in the distance. Riena gradually slowed down by pulling on Lucy’s reins until coming to a complete stop.

Cassel, who had been following, stopped beside her.

“Looks like I won.”

“Your riding skills are still excellent.”

Riena winked with one eye.

“That’s because you let me win.”

“I didn’t. I did my best.”

It was an obvious lie.

Neither Cassel nor his horse, Black, showed any signs of fatigue. If anything, Black was snorting as if he wanted to run more, feeling unsatisfied.

That wasn’t all.

Riena could now roughly tell when Cassel was lying from his demeanor.

His expression always seemed the same, but when he lied, his eyebrows tensed slightly.

However, Riena decided to willingly fall for his lie.

“I’m truly honored to be able to beat the empire’s best knight. I guess I learned well from my father.”

“I too was able to reach this level of horsemanship thanks to learning from my master.”

“That’s right. There was a time when the three of us – you, me, and father – used to ride together…”

Riena tried to lift her mood that was about to turn gloomy.

“Shall we head back then?”

“Just a moment.”

Cassel dismounted, then took the reins and headed towards a large tree. Riena followed suit.

Cassel took out a blanket and a small basket from the bag attached to Black’s side. Riena hadn’t even known they were there.