“Fernando?”

Startled by his sudden grip on her waist, Etienne called out his name. Fernando had once held her warmly when she was drenched, but this contact was different, and she was a bit surprised.

Then, realizing Fernando was lifting her to mount the horse, she understood his intention.

Once Etienne was on the horse and Fernando mounted behind her, she felt his chest against her back and shoulders.

Physical contact with Fernando kept happening. It was just a horse ride, but Etienne found herself having strange thoughts.

‘I shouldn’t think like this.’

Feeling inappropriate about thinking such thoughts about the young Fernando, Etienne forcibly pushed these thoughts away.

“The destination is where Lani…”

Etienne started to speak but paused, pondering. She wondered where to place Lani. Just then, a knight was seen carrying Lani in front of him.

It must have been a bodyguard sent by the butler. Seeing him, Etienne realized she had been short-sighted.

‘I should have asked the bodyguard to take her on the horse from the beginning.’

She had impulsively asked Fernando for help, seeing him as a person who could aid her.

“We’re leaving.”

Unable to say that she could manage alone now, Etienne held onto Fernando’s arm.

“Please take care of it.”

The place where Lani often met her brother was an abandoned warehouse, once used by a merchant but left unused. The empty warehouse, away from prying eyes, was a perfect place for their secret meetings.

“Are there many other buildings around that place?”

“No, it’s just that one building, in the middle of an empty lot.”

While riding, Etienne considered her options. She had told the butler she would take responsibility, but if she could resolve the situation without revealing herself, that would be best.

‘Maybe I should just go and see.’

“There’s the warehouse.”

As the empty lot appeared and the building came into view, Lani spoke up, and Etienne grabbed Fernando’s arm.

“Stop here.”

“Why?”

“I’ll go on foot from here.”

Fernando slowed the horse but didn’t stop completely. Etienne spoke again.

“What’s going on?”

When Fernando asked, Etienne sighed, feeling guilty for possibly getting him involved. She had asked for his help because she wasn’t fully comfortable riding a horse.

“Lani’s brother is in trouble. I’m going to find him, but it’s a bit complicated.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll come with you.”

“What? Fernando. I’m saying this because I’m worried you might get involved in trouble.”

“I’m fine.”

Fernando, determined, sped up the horse again, with the knight following.

“I’m telling you, it’s not a simple issue. The boy stole something from a noble. You shouldn’t get more involved.”

“Isn’t it better for me to go in such a case?”

“What?”

“Even the greatest nobility can’t overstep the Schupraher House.”

His words implied the immense influence of his family. But that was what worried Etienne more. She feared how the Duke might react if he found out. Noticing her concern, Fernando shook his head.

“I’m not planning to do anything, just protect you. Let me come with you, don’t leave me behind.”

They were quickly approaching the warehouse. With a sigh, Etienne conceded.

“Thank you. I won’t forget what you did for me today.”

As they reached the warehouse, Fernando stopped the horse and swiftly jumped off, then, just like before, abruptly grabbed Etienne’s waist.
The sequence of actions unfolded so swiftly that Etienne missed the chance to say she could dismount herself.

As these were gestures typically shared between lovers, Etienne, having no such relationship with Fernando, felt a sense of burden from his actions.

However, she was already off the horse and on the ground. The only thing Etienne could do now was…

“Next time, I’ll get on and off by myself.”

It was merely a request for him not to do it again next time.

“If it bothers you…”

Fernando stepped back, and their eyes met.

“Next time, you can carry me.”

“…You’re not seriously suggesting I lift you onto the horse, are you?”

Etienne blatantly examined Fernando’s physique. She doubted she could lift him easily.

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Let’s go.”

Gratefully patting Fernando’s shoulder, Etienne turned and followed the knight, with Fernando shaking his head as he watched her back and moved forward.

The knight entered the warehouse first, followed by Lani, Etienne, and then Fernando. As Etienne surveyed the eerily quiet warehouse stacked with empty boxes, Lani called out for her brother.

“Raehwan? Are you here?”

“…Sister.”

A soft voice echoed from a dark corner, which Etienne recognized as the boy they had met at the stables.

“Raehwan.”

Lani rushed to her brother and embraced his small frame.

“Where have you been all this time? I was so worried when you didn’t show up on the days we promised.”

“I had something to do. Sorry, sister.”

Lani, murmuring with Raehwan in her arms, suddenly screamed upon noticing something. As she stepped back holding Raehwan, rough footsteps heralded the arrival of people.

“So soon…”