~Chapter 41~
There was no answer.
Riden got up and walked toward the door.
“Who is it?”
“Ahem.”
The person on the other side cleared their throat instead of answering.
“Still awake?”
She hadn’t spoken with him much, but she already recognized Ethan’s voice.
Until a new person could take over the sedative role, she was to meet Ethan twice a month.
He must have come for that reason.
‘Still, I thought we’d do that tomorrow, not tonight.’
Riden opened the door.
Ethan stood alone in the quiet hallway.
Instead of asking why he was here, she asked something else first:
“Are you going to a masquerade?”
Ethan, too, wore a half-mask.
The duchess had one on earlier too… What’s going on?
Riden narrowed her eyes.
Ethan ignored her question and replied:
“You’re a night owl.”
He must sleep very early.
It had only been two hours since dinner.
“I just wanted to digest my dinner before sleeping.”
“So you have a weak stomach?”
Ethan rubbed his chin and looked at her belly with serious eyes.
Riden quietly raised her hand to cover her stomach.
“So… what brings you to my room?”
‘Did he come to apologize?’
She thought back to the crazy things she’d said that night—half dreaming, half awake.
‘I was nuts, seriously…’
She had apologized that night, but probably not enough. They hadn’t spoken since.
She opened her mouth, hesitant.
“Your Grace, about that night—”
“How do you feel now? Still feeling sick?”
“Huh? My stomach?”
“Yes.”
Why is he asking about that? Did she look ill?
“It’s not fully digested, but I don’t feel bad.”
Ethan looked pleased and stepped closer.
“You’re not nauseous?”
“No, not at all.”
“No ticklish feeling in your gut? No urge to throw up?”
“No, I feel fine…”
Ethan nodded thoughtfully and murmured:
“Must be the mask working.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
Riden blinked, baffled.
‘Then why say it out loud?!’
As she frowned slightly, Ethan grinned.
“Because I’m a perfect ten.”
“What does that mean?”
“Something only I need to know.”
That’s when Riden realized why he came.
‘He’s here to mess with me because I didn’t come apologize!’
Fair enough. She should apologize since they’d be seeing each other twice a month.
“Your Grace—”
But Ethan spoke first.
“I wanted to apologize for that night. Even if it was a political marriage, I had no right to decide who you should live your life with.”
“…”
“And now that we’re not getting married, I definitely don’t. As an apology, I’ll grant you a request. Anything you want.”
Riden looked straight into Ethan’s eyes through his mask.
He was genuinely apologizing.
“Anything?”
“Yes. Anything.”
Since they had to spend time together anyway, she thought of something useful.
“Then please teach me how to ride a horse!”
“Ride a horse?”
Merrick had told Ethan that Riden seemed to love horseback riding.
Ethan had no plans to share activities she liked… but he had already promised.
‘I thought she’d ask for a gift…’
“To what level? Just walking the horse? Galloping? Or fancy maneuvers and jumps?”
The flood of questions overwhelmed Riden for a moment.
Merrick had said Ethan was the best rider in the duchy—and it showed.
‘Maybe just trotting is enough?’
She didn’t want to rely on carriages forever. It was a practical request.
Though jumping and racing sounded cool, she doubted her physical abilities.
“Somewhere between trotting and galloping?”
Ethan nodded, understanding her hesitation.
“You won’t be riding for military reasons, so galloping isn’t necessary. You want to impress other nobles while riding with them—right?”
Riden nodded at his spot-on guess.
‘He’s more thoughtful than I expected.’
Living as a noble lady meant there’d be plenty of chances to ride.
Horse-riding festivals, races during the social season—even at her family’s estate.
“You summed it up perfectly. That’s exactly what I want.”
Ethan looked at her with approval.
But as he glanced at her thin wrists and delicate frame, he doubted she could manage the training.
He’d only ever taught men before—and never successfully.
They were too slow, so he always gave up.
‘Maybe just buying her something would’ve been easier…’
“Anyway… I’ll remember that.”
He turned to leave.
But Riden grabbed his sleeve quickly.
“Where are you going?”
“To my room.”
“No, wait.”
“…What?”
“I want to start learning right now.”
“Are you asking for Spartan-style training?”
‘Why is she so eager?’
Ethan looked down at her hand holding his sleeve, then up at her face.
Her eyes were full of determination.
It made something stir in his chest.
He smiled faintly and asked:
“But what if it makes you nauseous again?”
Riden couldn’t guarantee anything—but she had to learn.
“Even if I have to swallow it down, I promise I won’t throw up.”
He was stunned she wanted it that badly.
‘Maybe Norman’s diagnosis was off…’
Trying to ignore his rising excitement, Ethan answered sternly:
“Then remember your words. If you vomit, I’ll be emotionally hurt.”
He checked the sky—it was already night.
Basic riding could be taught in the stables.
“Do you have riding clothes? If not, wear my mother’s. I’ll go ahead to the stables.”
And with that, he left.
Riden pulled the bell rope to call for help changing.
Changing into borrowed riding clothes took longer than expected.
Unlike Ethan, who only had to switch to boots, Riden needed full gear.
She worried about keeping him waiting.
She wanted to hurry—but the clothes were so uncomfortable she could only walk slowly.
The maid beside her noticed.
“Is it uncomfortable? I can slow down and match your pace.”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s go faster.”
They saw the lit-up stable in the distance.
Before Riden could spot him, Ethan had already seen her.
As she walked clumsily toward the stable in her ill-fitting outfit, Ethan watched her and—
“Pff—”
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
