Chapter 24
Hashi quietly approached Eliano and licked her face. Since Hashi was such a fierce horse, everyone around fussed, asking if Eliano was okay or hurt. Eliano said she was fine and took out a handkerchief to wipe her face. Meeting the horse’s black eyes, she raised her hand and reached for its mane.
“Danger!”
Despite the warning shout, Eliano’s hand was stroking the horse’s mane. Veronica exclaimed with delight and hurried over.
“Oh my, Hashi…! Does the princess like you? You’re not usually so friendly.”
“Really kind and gentle.”
At that moment, Eliano’s eyes met Flint’s. Flint, who had shouted the warning, stood awkwardly, hesitating to approach. Eliano sighed softly and turned her gaze back to the horse.
“Hashi, you’re so handsome. All black—black suits you perfectly.”
As if understanding the praise, Hashi leaned in further. Eliano smiled quietly and kept stroking its mane. She even fed it some fruit that the Hyren family’s servants were holding for guests.
“To think Hashi would obey so well…!”
Veronica looked almost moved. Only when with Eliano did Hashi refrain from rearing and accept Veronica’s touch.
“It’s thanks to the princess. It’s been so long… Hashi seems to like you!”
“And I’m the one who’s grateful, Veronica, for letting me touch such a rare horse… I’m so happy.”
Now Veronica was chatting about how proud and fierce Hashi was.
“Even the strongest men in our domain have tried to tame Hashi and ended up with broken limbs, falling off, or getting kicked… My brother is one of them. Father says trying to ride Hashi recklessly is arrogance.”
“If it’s you, Veronica, I’m sure you could be Hashi’s owner.”
Veronica nodded confidently and declared she definitely could. At that moment, the Crown Prince approached Hashi with a determined expression.
“I shall try once more.”
Eliano withdrew her hand from the horse and stepped back politely. Veronica looked a little uneasy but dared not block the empire’s heir.
The difficult black horse bucked violently as soon as Herace reached out. Then it dashed past Herace and clung to Eliano.
“What an animal. It really hates men.”
Herace’s gaze was sharp. Eliano petted Hashi with a half-pitying, half-embarrassed look toward the Crown Prince. Their eyes briefly met Flint’s, but Eliano smoothly averted her gaze and embraced Hashi’s head.
“You’re so pretty. Your eyes are so clear.”
Her voice, whispering to the beast, was unusually sweet. Her fresh green eyes showed affection for the black horse. Flint quietly watched the scene with a calm face.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, looking somewhat displeased, mounted another horse. Only after shouting to Flint to race him did he finally turn his gaze away.
“Flint, why didn’t you try riding Hashi?”
“What good is forcing myself to ride a horse even Count Hyren calls arrogance?”
Herace, who had halted his horse, watched Hashi. From afar, he could see Hashi biting at Eliano’s skirt, refusing to leave her side. Herace muttered,
“A beast with a fondness for women.”
“Your Highness, Hashi is a mare.”
“A woman can love a woman, too. Surely you know that?”
While Herace whispered this secret gossip, Hashi was saying farewell to Eliano, almost being dragged away by the stable master as if parting for life.
The ladies then moved toward the flower garden near the riding ground. Some gentlemen offered to escort Eliano but gradually dropped away. Now Eliano walked side by side with the hostess Veronica Hyren.
“That arrogant beast seems to like the beauty… Flint, am I not a beauty?”
“To be called a beauty by a fellow man is nothing. Herace, I’ll gift you a fine horse for your birthday to cheer you up.”
Only then did Herace’s expression soften. He also voiced a curious question.
“By the way, what were you talking about with Princess Rosana earlier?”
Unwilling to answer, Flint raised his voice.
“Nothing much.”
“Again with that. Flint, I’m asking as your friend.”
“Not every question from a friend must be answered. Better to order me—I’m your lord and will gladly respond.”
With this cold reply, Herace pouted. How could one ask questions this way?
The riding event hosted by Veronica Hyren was a gathering of like-minded acquaintances. Eliano thought it perfectly reflected the hostess’s personality, quite different from capital social gatherings.
They spoke freely, without rigid etiquette or protocols. Instead of beating around the bush, they were straightforward, sometimes even using slang. Yet, no hostility or malice was visible, which amazed Eliano.
“So that bastard… oh, I mean that puppy-like guy.”
“It’s okay. Don’t mind me.”
Eliano was the typical capital society lady, and as the duke’s daughter, everyone initially felt intimidated. Those who grumbled to Veronica about inviting such a noble lady soon warmed up as usual.
Eliano’s excellent tea leaves helped create this atmosphere. Everyone praised not only the tea but her skill in brewing it.
“Do all the capital ladies brew tea so well? It tastes wonderful.”
“The tea I brew is bitter and astringent… Guess I’m not fit to marry.”
Eliano waved it off.
“If you have a skilled servant to brew tea, that’s enough. Don’t let something as trivial as tea quality diminish your value on such a momentous occasion, Miss Roer.”
Eliano joined the conversation appropriately, ignoring occasional slang.
As the event ended and Eliano rose, Veronica approached her.
“Princess Eliano, how unfortunate you couldn’t ride today… because of Hashi.”
Eliano had learned basic riding as a cultural accomplishment when young. Though worried since it had been a long time, she thought she could manage a brief horseback stroll.
But Hashi challenged every horse Eliano tried to mount, even threatening mares of the same sex, forcing Eliano to give up riding. An accident like a fall would have troubled the Hyren family.
“You should’ve tried riding Hashi. I thought he’d let you ride because you’re the princess.”
“But I’m not skilled like Veronica.”
Eliano honestly admitted she only knew riding as a formality and had not ridden since.
“Still, Hashi is a sacred beast. Very smart and would have suited you well.”
Eliano glanced around then whispered to Veronica,
“I don’t want the little sun’s hatred.”
Veronica’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Is he really that unforgiving?”
Eliano resisted saying yes.
“Because I’m Rosana’s daughter, it might seem like challenging the noble Bianteca royal authority. The Crown Prince couldn’t ride, after all.”
“In society, you even have to worry about things like that.”
“To remain safe in society long-term, you must.”
Veronica’s face blushed deeply as she recalled her earlier rude words to Eliano. She lowered her head.
“I don’t like receiving the same apology twice. You should go to the most important guest, the Crown Prince. That’s proper etiquette.”
“Oh, thank you, Princess Eliano!”
Veronica was quick to act. When Eliano called her again, she had already gone far away. Eliano’s face fell at the thought of having to send the tea party invitation at home. Just then, a man blocked her path.
Eliano frowned and moved right, and the man followed. When she moved left, he did too. Giving up, Eliano bowed politely.
“Eliano of Rosana…”
“I’m not here for greetings; please raise your head.”
Eliano coldly said,
“It’s not a gentleman’s manner to block a lady’s way.”
“I’m a man who forgot gentlemanly manners. I thought apologizing to you was more important than my honor, so I was rude.”
Eliano said nothing, her face like ice. She saw Flint’s Adam’s apple move.
“I apologize for misunderstanding the lady’s feelings.”
A crushed red ribbon hung from his finger. Eliano narrowed her eyes.
“I’m afraid someone might see. Was it too much to want this kept between us?”
At her fragile voice, Flint hastily hid the ribbon. Though tucked inside, a red tip peeked out. Eliano sighed.
“I will keep the token you gave me and will not forget today.”
Unable to resist, Eliano asked,
“Why the sudden change of heart?”
“When I have enough courage, I will tell you.”
Eliano raised her eyes. This was the Crown Prince’s style of speaking—indirect, metaphorical. Not a mere friend, she thought, having learned something good, though her expression stayed serious.
But thirsty people dig wells. An oasis had been found, and she could not reject it.
“If you have a message for Countess Hyren, tell me.”
Flint nodded toward the invitation in Eliano’s hand. He watched her closely, waiting for a private moment.
“I can’t use a noble as a messenger.”
“That’s fine. Let this be recompense for today’s rudeness.”
Having said this, Eliano reluctantly offered the invitation she had intended for Veronica. Her father’s many eyes made sending it from home difficult.
“Anything else to convey?”
Eliano curled her right hand near her mouth. Flint leaned in, hearing her breath. A sharp sensation made him flinch.
“Next time, please tell Miss Hyren that ‘Miss’ is enough, not ‘Princess.’”
Before he finished, Flint straightened. Eliano respectfully bowed and turned. A maid nearby followed her.
Flint stood watching until Eliano got into her carriage.
After Countess Veronica Hyren’s riding event ended, Eliano blinked upon returning to the mansion. The atmosphere was different. Even the servants near the entrance were restless.
The closer to the center, the busier it became. Something was definitely happening. Eliano’s green eyes sparkled.
At that moment, Jane, recently assigned as Eliano’s personal maid, whispered close,
“Miss, Miss Isabella’s jewels were stolen. She’s demanding all servants’ rooms be searched.”
The mansion was in an uproar. The steward, head maid, and all servants had gathered. But the most important person was absent.
“Has Mother returned?”
Eliano asked quietly, and Jane replied softly,
“Not yet.”
The duchess was still away at Bedphone Beach collecting rare shells.
To properly remove the nanny, the lady of the house had to be present. She wanted to oversee everything herself. Meanwhile, Isabella seemed confident of her status and had already started the investigation.
‘I should have advised her.’
Eliano sighed. She should have considered her impatient younger sister’s personality.
“Miss Eliano, I heard from Emily that the Goldstein disappeared, too. But what is that?”
