Chapter 46
A few days later, it was time to go horseback riding again.
As before, I headed to the riding arena on the outskirts of the city with Sophie and stepped into the changing room.
It was a time when no one was around, and I was alone, changing out of my dress and into my riding outfit.
Someone appeared in front of me. I looked at her.
“Hello, we meet again.”
It was her—the person who had found the necklace I had dropped last time.
The person who rode horses so skillfully it was almost intimidating to watch.
“How have you been?”
She looked neat, as if she had just come for horseback riding.
She was wearing the same riding outfit as last time, her long hair tied back in a ponytail.
“Thank you for finding my necklace the other day. I prepared a gift to give you when I saw you.”
She held something out to me.
It was a pair of riding gloves.
I looked at them. The black leather was glossy and clearly expensive.
“…It’s fine. You really didn’t have to go this far for a gift.”
I had only had her find a necklace for me, yet she gave such expensive gloves.
Even so, she shook her head at my polite refusal.
“The value of that necklace cannot be compared to this. You found something as precious as my life; I would have given you my entire fortune in return.”
“….”
“My arms hurt. Please, won’t you accept it?”
I couldn’t refuse her smiling face. After a moment’s hesitation, I accepted it.
“Thank you. I’ll use them well.”
She bowed slightly, then turned away, pausing to look back at me.
“You know…”
“Yes?”
“If it’s alright… would you like to ride with me?”
The sound of horses walking side by side echoed through the riding arena.
I rode alongside her, chatting lightly. She seemed more relaxed as she spoke.
“My mother passed away when I was young. I live with my father and younger sibling, but sometimes when I’m stressed, I come ride horses.”
“I see. Horseback riding is perfect for relieving stress.”
“How did you come to enjoy riding?” she asked, curious.
Since we met at the riding arena, we naturally talked a lot about horses.
Riding alone could be lonely, so having a companion wasn’t such a bad thing. I answered:
“I was looking for an exercise to support my physical training, so I tried horseback riding.”
“Oh, I see. May I ask what you’re learning?”
“…I’m learning to paint.”
Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed how cool it was. I just smiled.
She seemed eager to get closer and full of curiosity.
“But for someone who just started riding, you seem quite skilled.”
She continued.
“Did you ever ride as a child?”
“…Yes. I come from a small noble family. Though we’re almost like commoners now.”
“I see.”
She smiled gently.
“…Me too. I love horses, but I can’t own one. They’re too expensive for me.”
I felt a little odd. Even if you’re poor and must rent a horse, you still need riding gear.
Being able to buy riding gear already proved that horseback riding is a sport for those with money.
The perception that riding is a noble’s privilege exists for that reason.
Moreover, the gloves she gave as a gift were a brand far too expensive for ordinary commoners.
Even if she valued the necklace highly, could someone truly poor afford such a gift?
I didn’t voice these thoughts. Instead, I continued riding.
“So you rent horses at the riding arena, and you ride really fast?”
“Yes. I have stress, but this is the only way I can release it.”
“…I see.”
I hesitated over what to say. Noticing my pause, she looked back at me.
“Why?”
“Ah, well…”
I paused, wondering if I should say this. Would it be overstepping?
But I decided to speak up, especially since it concerned safety.
“I noticed when you passed by, you were riding very dangerously.”
“…Ah.”
“You’re stiff while riding at that speed. If you keep riding like that, you could fall.”
I carefully continued, not wanting to sound intrusive. Fortunately, she nodded and listened.
“Riding fast isn’t bad. But it seems like you’re too focused on speed, not the horse itself.”
She rode as if speed were the only goal.
It might relieve stress, but it’s dangerous.
It seemed like she didn’t know how else to manage her stress, so she just rode fast.
I wanted to teach her the proper way to ride at speed.
“How about riding while connecting more with the horse? It makes riding much safer and more enjoyable.”
She listened intently, eyes wide.
“How should I ride, then?”
“Feel the horse’s movements and breathing.”
I stopped and gently stroked Agatha’s neck.
“It’s important to ride as one with the horse. Match your body to the horse’s steps and breathing. Then even at speed, your posture remains stable.”
“…Riding as one with the horse.”
She repeated my words thoughtfully, then smiled at me.
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll try it that way.”
That’s how I grew closer to the mysterious woman.
With a companion at the riding arena, going became more enjoyable.
We always rode together and chatted while at the arena.
She improved her riding skills with my guidance.
I wasn’t an expert either; I just shared tips I used while riding.
Still, she became much steadier and more confident on horseback.
She even thanked me for teaching her a proper way to relieve stress.
One day, as we finished riding and were heading home, Sophie said:
“Kasiah, the person you ride with these days… I don’t think she’s a commoner. She looks familiar, somehow.”
Even Sophie, who had lived her entire life as a palace maid, found her familiar.
“If you don’t want your identity revealed, you should be careful around her.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Thanks for worrying, Sophie. But I don’t think anything will happen.”
I had my suspicions that she wasn’t a commoner.
I noticed it from various conversations, and she seemed familiar to me as well.
Even if she were noble, nothing would happen—just like with Adolf.
No one wanted to disturb superficial relations.
As expected, nothing happened. We became like older and younger sisters.
Life repeated itself—studying art, reading, riding, talking with the mysterious woman.
Sometimes communicating with Michael.
Time passed quickly, and several months went by.
9. Two Proposals
Several months had passed. The season had changed. The intense summer sun had weakened, and the chill in the air became noticeable.
I was receiving Adolf at my home.
“Kasiah, how have you been?”
“Long time no see.”
Adolf visited regularly, about once a month.
He was officially employed by Mrs. McKenna, checking my progress.
He always discussed my condition with Sophie to ensure I was doing fine.
I didn’t know the details.
All I had to do was study diligently under the path Adolf set for me.
And I could confidently say I had done my best.
Adolf sat at the table, drinking tea with me.
“You’re improving rapidly, Kasiah.”
“That’s good to hear,” I said with a smile.
It had been a long time since I last did sketches, and recently I was learning coloring and other techniques.
Mrs. McKenna’s sharp criticism remained, but a few days ago, she did not throw my painting into the trash for the first time.
She had finally acknowledged my work.
I was thrilled but determined not to be arrogant.
Having seen so many works of art, I knew my painting still had much room to improve.
As I lifted my teacup for a sip, Adolf said:
“It’s time to start preparing for your debut.”
“…Excuse me? What did you say?”
