Episode 10
Just once would be enough.
Arne shoved all the medicine Teresa had given her into her mouth and walked past Warren, straight out the door.
Cedric couldn’t bring himself to stop her any further.
Because doing that would mean he didn’t trust her.
Anxiety wrapped tightly around his whole body.
What if something went wrong during the match?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, anger surged up like a tidal wave.
He didn’t know why he was this angry, but Cedric forced himself to stay calm.
If the young lady gets hurt, it could cause trouble with the Duke of Ronia. That must be why I’m on edge.’
Even though Arne had clearly said she would take full responsibility, Cedric ground his teeth as he looked at Warren.
The killing intent rolling off him made Warren and all the knights flinch.
I’ll follow them to the stables for now. If it looks even a little dangerous, I’ll try to persuade her again.’
With his mood dark, Cedric followed closely behind Arne.
Arne headed straight for the grand duke’s private stable, as if she’d been there many times before.
The Knight Commander, following behind Cedric, felt something was strange.
‘She found the stables right away… even though this is her first time here.’
She even walked like she was in her own home.
The more he thought about it, the more odd things stood out.
And how did she know there was a blue flag on the walking trail?’
But Warren, obsessed only with exposing Arne’s lies, didn’t notice anything at all.
He was too busy grinning as he grabbed the reins of a pony tied near the entrance.
“This horse should be just right for a young lady. Noble ladies often ride ponies for walks, don’t they?”
Arne ignored him and walked straight past to Cedric’s horse.
“That horse belongs to Sir Cedric. It’s fast and strong enough to run through battlefields, but it’s so wild and stubborn that no one but him can handle it. You should ride the pony instead.”
Warren’s mocking voice continued, but Arne simply met the horse’s eyes in silence.
Even though it was just a horse, a fierce, wild pressure flowed from its gaze.
Its glossy black mane and powerful muscles somehow reminded her of Cedric.
“Horses resemble their owners,” Arne murmured.
Without hesitation, she reached out.
“Lady!”
That was when Cedric grabbed her waist and pulled her back, catching her hand—
But the horse calmly lowered its head and pressed it into Arne’s palm.
It was so gentle that Cedric, who had rushed to protect her, felt awkward.
“Isn’t that Shatir? The one that kicks anyone except Cedric?”
“I’ve never seen him this calm. Warren once tried to ride him without permission and almost got kicked.”
Warren’s face flushed red as that memory resurfaced.
Arne glanced at him, then gently stroked Shatir.
“Horses are very smart animals.”
Especially the mounts of great nobles and commanders.
They recognize things.
The lingering scent of Cedric on Arne,
and the way their master was desperately protecting her.
Shatir knew she wasn’t an enemy.
‘Shatir was like this with Vivian, too. He used to carry her around the grand duke’s estate.’
As Shatir leaned into her touch, Arne hugged him tightly.
Cedric slowly stepped back.
Shatir wasn’t a military horse—he was a wild one.
He only carried riders he chose himself.
And yet, he treated Arne like a long-lost master.
“…Amazing.”
Even Cedric admitted it, making Warren’s lips twist in irritation.
“Sir Cedric’s horse can’t be ridden. The saddle broke recently. I manage his horse myself.”
“That’s fine. I’ll ride without a saddle.”
“Without a saddle? That’s impossible. Stop being stubborn. Is the lady some legendary knight ‘Roa’ of Ronia who dominated battlefields or something?”
Arne looked at him silently.
‘Roa… that was the name.’
The duke had erased her identity to avoid assassination risks.
Her name. Her face. Her voice.
She’d thought it was a consideration.
But it was really so he could steal my achievements.’
“Sir Warren, I’m really curious what kind of face you’ll make when my identity is finally revealed.”
Arne smiled calmly.
As she pulled Shatir’s reins, the knights stepped aside instinctively.
Warren, who had nearly been kicked before, stumbled back and shouted late,
“I-It’ll be revealed soon!”
“I hope you work hard on that. Oh, and prepare a bigger saddle next time. Shatir is bigger than your horse.”
She paused deliberately.
“Much bigger.”
Arne’s grin made Warren’s face burn red again.
It was just the truth—but it felt unbearably humiliating.
“High noon is soon. We’ll start when the temple bell rings.”
“Fine”
Before he could finish, Arne was already at the starting line.
Cedric stepped in front of Warren.
“Lady, please reconsider. Shatir is dangerous even for skilled knights.”
“Shatir, your dad still worries too much.”
She laughed softly, holding Cedric’s hand with one hand and stroking Shatir’s mane with the other.
“You know how careful he is. Shatir would never hurt me.”
“But”
“Shh… good boy.”
Arne slowly stroked Shatir while looking at Cedric.
“Shatir, will you help me?”
Cedric felt strange.
Like she was stroking him instead.
“Will you trust me?”
Her red eyes held him captive.
When she looked like that, he couldn’t say no.
Finally, Cedric let out a deep sigh.
Arne smiled and smoothly mounted the horse.
Warren rode up, still protesting.
“Lady, even now—”
Ding.
The bell rang.
Cedric’s black horse shot forward with Arne, slicing through the wind.
Warren chased after them, but the gap widened quickly.
No one could catch up to the warhorse of the northern commander at full speed.
“Shatir, run.”
“Lady, slow down! There’s a stream ahead!”
The Knight Commander and Cedric shouted behind her.
But Arne sped up instead.
“Lady!”
Heat surged through her veins.
“Shatir, I know what kind of horse you are.”
As if understanding, Shatir’s hooves thundered harder.
“Lady! Lady Arne!”
At the stream, Shatir leapt high.
Clearing it in one bound and continuing forward.
Only Cedric followed her across.
“Those two are insane.”
They had already passed the blue flag.
The match was decided.
Arne smiled.
“Well done, Shatir.”
The horse snorted proudly.
They slowed down together, laughing.
Cedric finally rode up beside her.
“Doesn’t this feel amazing?”
Cedric smiled too.
He didn’t know what to say first.
Their horses slowed, grass and lilac scents mixing in the air.
Arne reached out, and Cedric took her hand naturally.
‘It’s better to refill spirit mana whenever possible.’
She looked at him and smiled brightly.
“Thank you for trusting me. Now I can clear my name as a liar.”
Cedric’s heart pounded fiercely.
He tightened his grip on her hand.
“That’s all because of you. You didn’t lie—and you rode better than Warren.”
“Well, if you say so.”
She shrugged.
“Let’s go back.”
She still had an apology to collect.
