The stablemaster scolded the child, signaling him to leave, but the boy shook his head, refusing to go.

“Please let me see the master.”

“It won’t do any good, no matter what you say.”

“But I need to see him.”

The boy, who appeared to be about ten years old, resembled Lani. His face, dirty from not being washed, had a striking resemblance to hers.

“Come back tomorrow. Then, no matter what, I’ll…”

“You won’t let me see him tomorrow either.”

“Raphine!”

“You tell me to come back tomorrow and then you won’t let me see him.”

“That’s…”

The stablemaster, flustered, trailed off. As he became more embarrassed between the child and Etienne, her suspicion deepened.

“If you can’t pay my father his wages for the work he did, at least pay his medical bills! Why won’t you?”

“Boy. Getting kicked by a horse isn’t such a big deal…”

“The Count kicked the horse.”

“Raphine!”

“The Count came out riding and suddenly lashed out with the reins, causing the horse to kick my father. Should we just overlook it because he was kicked by a horse?”

“Quiet. This is not the place for…”

“I can’t stand it anymore.”

With that, Raphine retreated. The stablemaster reached out to him, fearing he might do something rash, but Hans escaped nimbly like an eel and soon disappeared.

“I… Ah.”

“Is that boy Hans’ son?”

Etienne, who had been silently observing, asked, and the stablemaster nervously nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t know where the boy went. He’s very quick and elusive. You’re not asking me to catch him, are you?”

The stablemaster looked worried, fearing Etienne might order him to capture the boy.

‘What should I do?’

After a brief contemplation, Etienne simply turned away, deciding not to issue any orders about the boy.

‘I’ve seen his face, so I can find him again.’

That thought led her to the decision. She planned to return to the mansion, tell Lani what she had learned, and then ask the steward to dispatch someone to find him.
As Etienne was leaving the scene, she suddenly bumped into someone’s chest, blocking her way.

Her gaze slowly traveled upward from the chest to the neck, and then to the lips. She swallowed inwardly.

‘It’s the Second Prince.’

Why was he blocking her way?

‘Did he notice me following him earlier?’

Etienne lowered her eyes to hide her nervousness and bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Prince Rudvi Ganien.”

“Etienne Claire?”

“Yes.”

“The daughter of the Claire Duke.”

Listening to Rudvi’s muttering, Etienne scanned the surroundings. Being in front of the stables, this was not a common place for anyone other than those managing the horses to visit.

Especially not someone of such noble status as a prince.

His presence here most likely meant he came to see her. Apparently, he had noticed her following him earlier.

“Following a lady known to have received partner requests from renowned men…”

As she heard the mumble above her head, Etienne looked up.

“Just a picky little child.”

“That…”

Etienne, about to retort in irritation, suppressed her words.

‘He’s only a year older than me. How can he call me a child?’

Both were yet to reach adulthood, but it was frustrating to be called a child.

“Why? Do you have something to say?”

“…No.”

She had much to say but chose silence. The Second Prince then commented on her expression.

“That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“It is.”

Forcing a smile, Etienne realized that being called a ‘picky little child’ wasn’t such a big insult. It seemed more infuriating because of her dislike for the Second Prince. She decided not to engage with him further. However, he continued.

“And yet, why did those two make such an effort for someone who still reeks of milk and isn’t fully grown?”

“I don’t know.”

She hadn’t heard any confessions, but there were times when Fernando wouldn’t let go of her skirt. Considering his question, Etienne wondered briefly if Fernando liked her, but then shook her head.

She had seen how he liked Hana. Compared to that, Fernando’s behavior towards her seemed more like a newborn chick blindly following the first thing it sees.

‘I was just a mother bird to Fernando.’

While Etienne was sorting out her thoughts, the Second Prince asked again.

“Should I try applying next time? You might become even more famous, what do you think?”

Responding to his rhetorical question, Etienne forced a smile.

“That’s alright. I’m already quite famous. Until next time, Your Highness.”

Politely refusing the possibility of him causing her any further discomfort, Etienne quickly turned around.

It almost seemed like she was fleeing from the Second Prince.

‘I want to know what he’s going to do, but I don’t want to face him.’

Apparently, she still wasn’t free from his influence. The memory of nearly being beheaded by him still haunted her.