Chapter 45
Rattle, rattle — the sound of wheels turning and horse hooves clicking could be heard.
Kyle Diarne, who had been sitting in front of a book and staring at the same page for thirty minutes, stood up reflexively.
He pulled the curtain aside and looked outside.
After confirming that it was a merchant’s carriage delivering food and daily supplies to the duke’s mansion, Kyle roughly let out a breath and pulled the curtain closed.
Recently, he had developed a new habit.
Whenever he heard the sound of carriage wheels, he would immediately stop what he was doing and look outside.
Today was already the fourth time he had rushed to lift the curtain.
At this point, even if he didn’t want to admit it, he had to admit it.
That he was waiting for Riez Brante’s visit, desperately.
“Why isn’t she coming?”
Through his mother and the head butler’s conversation, he learned that she had returned to the Pellen count’s mansion about half a month ago.
They had planned to meet once a month, but it had already been nearly two months since he last saw her.
She lived very close, yet there was no news for more than two weeks.
“She said she liked me so much….”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became because her actions were different from her words.
Then another possibility suddenly came to his mind.
Could it be that she was still lying in bed because she had not fully recovered?
If that was the case, he should go visit her.
But if he went and found out she was not sick at all, and she walked out normally asking why he came, what should he say?
His pride would not allow him to confess, “I came because you didn’t come.”
Before the summer vacation, he used to visit his mother, the duchess, every two weeks, but even that stopped.
His mother was also busy preparing for autumn social events, so she probably had no time to invite Riez separately.
While he was hesitating, a few more days passed.
If Riez had come during those days, everything would have been solved, but the count’s carriage never entered the Diarne duke mansion.
“Kyle, young master! You have become too careless lately!”
Because he was distracted, Kyle was scolded sharply by his swordsmanship teacher.
Feeling irritated, he decided to block thoughts about her.
“Whether she can’t come because she is sick or just doesn’t want to come… what does it matter?”
He had nothing to regret.
From the beginning, she was the one who kept asking stubbornly to be friends.
Kyle snorted and gripped the wooden sword tightly, staring at the training target as if he wanted to burn it with his bloodshot eyes.
After pouring his unpleasant emotions onto the target, it was time for lunch.
In front of the main mansion, servants were loading various items onto the Diarne duke family’s luggage carriage.
Among them, a book with a big butterfly 그림 on the cover caught Kyle’s eye as he tried to pass by without interest.
Maybe….
Kyle immediately walked to the back of the carriage and asked the butler in charge.
“What is all this luggage?”
“Oh, young master Kyle. These are items to be sent to the Brante count family.”
Before he could ask more, the butler explained.
“The lady prepared many high-quality gifts, saying it was a return for the great help during the last vacation. Also….”
The butler smiled and pointed at the box containing books.
“The lady said Riez gave her a very rare book to borrow, so she is returning it along with other books as gifts.”
“If it’s a return for a great favor, sending only things without visiting is not polite.”
The butler’s eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal.
He bowed with a smiling expression.
“That is true, young master. But the lady is busy preparing for the hunting tournament next week, so I planned to personally deliver them.”
“No.”
Kyle cut off the butler’s words sharply.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally made up his mind.
A suitable excuse appeared right in front of him. There was no time to think carefully.
Swallowing a dry breath, he spoke to the butler.
“I will go.”
As usual, I finished morning study and took horseback riding lessons in the afternoon.
I was now able to ride a horse alone and even trot, which was really fun.
Compared to social dancing, I was more suited to horseback riding.
‘I want to leave the riding ground and run freely.’
But gaining permission from Dad was more important than improving my skills.
Entering the count mansion hall, the butler informed me that an unexpected guest had arrived.
“Many gifts were sent from the Diarne duke mansion by carriage. And young master Kyle Diarne is here.”
“Huh? Kyle?”
“Yes. He is waiting for you in the reception room.”
Oh my. What a surprise. Kyle came first!
I didn’t expect a day like this would come.
Though it was more like running an errand to a neighbor’s house.
Since I was thinking that I should visit him soon anyway, this was good.
Feeling very happy, I went straight to the reception room still wearing my riding clothes.
“Kyle! It’s been a long time!”
Entering the reception room, I saw him neatly dressed and shouted.
Kyle immediately stood up and frowned, glaring at me.
Oh. Compared to one or two months ago, his complexion looked clearer. And his appearance was much better too.
Compared to when he was thin like a skeleton before, he seemed to have gained some healthy weight.
Compared to his period of harsh training when he looked like a living corpse, it was like a complete transformation.
“Are you doing well? You look good.”
Smiling brightly, I walked toward him, and Kyle moved his lips slightly.
“You…, why….”
I quickly understood what he wanted to ask.
“Ah. You mean why I’m wearing riding clothes? I ride horses these days!”
I made a V sign with my fingers.
“I’m really into horseback riding. If you have time today, want to see my partner horse? It’s very smart and pretty.”
“…….”
“Come to think of it, it’s your first time visiting our house! You always left quickly without entering on my birthday. Want me to show you around? Ah, let’s handle your business first. You said you came on an errand. What did you bring?”
There were many things I wanted to talk about, but I decided to check the gifts Kyle brought first.
Kyle didn’t answer. Instead, he frowned and shot sharp gazes from his eyes.
He looked a little upset. But since that was his default expression, I wasn’t sure.
“Can’t you answer me?”
I muttered to myself, and Kyle finally spoke.
“You…… are you okay?”
It was an unexpected question, not an answer to mine.
“Am I okay?”
“You were sick in the territory last month….”
“Oh! That. I recovered completely a few days later! As you can see, I’m very energetic.”
“…Then why….”
“Ah…! Why didn’t I come? I’ve been really busy lately. I started horseback riding lessons and also learned social dancing, and my homework for home education doubled. I’m also taking care of my partner horse more actively.”
“…….”
“And I also helped my closest maid with her romance and gave her counseling often….”
As I listed my recent life, Kyle’s face gradually turned red.
Does he really feel lonely because I didn’t visit the duke mansion?
“Kyle. Were you waiting for me?”
“No.”
Yes, he was!
Suppressing the laughter trying to leak out, I added an apology as an excuse.
“Sorry. Since I need to play with you all day, I kept thinking I should go on a free day, and time passed like this. But I was planning to contact you soon! Really.”
“I said I didn’t wait.”
What should I do with this honestly dishonest guy?!
The pouting Kyle looked a little cute and funny.
If I laughed now, it would be a disaster, so I desperately held it in.
“Okay, you didn’t wait. Still, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise to meet once a month.”
After lowering myself and apologizing, Kyle’s breathing became calmer.
His anger slightly eased, and he spoke again.
“…About that.”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t it a little abnormal for friends to set regular meeting periods?”
“Hm? Kyle, you were the one who wanted it.”
“When did I?”
Come to think of it, Kyle didn’t specify the period. He only said she could visit “sometimes”.
And hearing the word friends from his mouth was surprising.
Until recently, he kept muttering that he didn’t need friends.
“What do you mean then? From now on, we meet whenever it’s convenient? Without making appointments in advance?”
I asked carefully, full of expectation.
Then Kyle looked away and gritted his teeth.
“…Isn’t that how it usually is? If it’s a normal friendship….”
