I wanted to take a closer look at his face, but I didn’t have the chance. I had to keep moving to match his steps.
As the dizzying sensation crept in again, I instinctively tightened my grip on the arm I was holding.
Raynan seemed to flinch briefly but didn’t stop walking. Instead, he slowed down considerably, as if matching my pace.
Holding onto something, as he’d suggested, truly helped calm my nerves. By the time we reached the end of the bridge, I was practically clinging to his arm.
“Renee! Look at this! There are fish here!”
Edwin, still brimming with excitement, was now peering over the edge of the bridge, gazing down at the water.
That’s dangerous! So dangerous!
I couldn’t even voice my concerns, fearing he might lose his balance. All I could do was fret internally.
“Renee! Come see this!”
He waved eagerly, as if he couldn’t bear for me to miss the sight.
“No, Edwin, I…”
I wasn’t confident I could even make it over there, let alone bring myself to look at fish from such a precarious spot.
Though I doubted Edwin would be disappointed if I declined, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
He looked so excited, and I wanted to match his mood. But for someone as easily scared as me, it was a difficult ask.
“Edwin, why don’t you get on the boat?”
At that moment, Chase, seemingly responding to a glance from Raynan, leapt onto the boat and extended a hand to Edwin.
“Wow! Can we ride this?”
The mention of the boat instantly shifted Edwin’s attention.
My relief was short-lived. Watching Edwin hop onto the boat made my face go pale again.
“Edwin!”
Even as the boat rocked, Edwin didn’t seem frightened. If anything, he looked exhilarated.
“Hm?”
Hearing me call out, Edwin turned to me with wide eyes, surprised.
Oh, my heart…
“No, it’s nothing,” I said with an awkward smile, shaking my head.
Amelia chuckled softly and boarded the boat, sitting beside Edwin to steady him.
As the rocking subsided, Raynan climbed onto the boat and extended a hand to me.
I took a deep breath and grabbed his hand.
My feet refused to move at first, but sensing Edwin’s gaze, I mustered my courage and stepped forward cautiously.
Thanks to Raynan’s firm grip, I managed to climb aboard steadily, though I couldn’t ignore the slight sway of the boat.
Even with the faint rocking, I clung to Raynan with both hands.
“Perhaps you should sit down now?”
After holding onto him in frozen silence for a while, Amelia spoke up gently.
Raynan, seeming distracted, nodded and guided me to sit.
“Shall we set off?”
Once everyone was seated, Chase loosened the rope and began rowing.
“Wow! We’re moving! Rene, look! We’re on the water!”
“Yeah, we are.”
Edwin’s pure excitement was contagious, and before I knew it, I was smiling, my tension easing slightly.
What I didn’t realize was that I still had my arm linked with Raynan’s, holding onto him tightly.
As the boat gained speed, a pleasant breeze brushed against my face.
Only then did I begin to take in my surroundings properly.
The gentle rocking of the boat on the water wasn’t as unnerving as I’d expected. I started to understand why Edwin was so thrilled.
It felt like we were in a completely different place. Instead of looking at the lake from afar, we were now in its very center, surrounded by its serene beauty.
“It’s so peaceful and beautiful,” I murmured.
“It really is,” Amelia replied softly, nodding in agreement.
“It’s like the trees are cradling the water,” Edwin remarked, his voice filled with wonder.
His innocent observation brought smiles to both Amelia’s and my faces.
But it wasn’t just endearing—it was also strikingly accurate. That sense of protection from the trees was likely why the lake felt so calm and secure.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Raynan’s voice drifted to me on the breeze.
His tone was calm, almost content. I turned to look at him.
Raynan was gazing leisurely at the scenery, the wind playing with his hair.
Watching his hair flutter gently in the breeze left me with a ticklish feeling, as if something inside me was stirred.
I forgot all about the scenery I’d been so captivated by moments earlier and found myself simply watching him.
I’d never seen him look so relaxed and happy before.
And I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him like this again.
His rare display of emotion was more comforting than the view around us.
It felt like a moment I wouldn’t forget for a long time.
No, I didn’t want to forget it. Not ever.
*****
The calm and peaceful vacation continued for several more days. We spent time in our own ways, enjoying delicious food and tea in scenic spots.
Of course…
Even during this tranquility, Raynan was unwavering in his daily horseback riding lessons.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that he relentlessly made sure I got on a horse.
“That’s enough for today. You’ve improved a lot over the past few days.”
I couldn’t muster any joy at his praise. Once again, I had poured all my energy into the futile goal of trying to beat him.
Every day, he found new ways to provoke me.
“I’ll start from way back there.”
“I’ll count to ten after you start and then begin.”
Countless times, I fell for his casual remarks and charged forward, only to realize too late how pointless it was.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t win. All I got for my efforts was muscle pain.
And yet, each time, I only realized this after it was all over.
At least Amelia’s massages kept me walking.
“Honestly, it’d be better if I just collapsed…”
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
“You did well. See you this afternoon.”
“Yes.”
It had only been a few days, but I must have toughened up a bit because now I could walk back to my room on my own without Raynan’s help.
Ah, Amelia. Please come back soon.
The more time passed, the more I wanted to return to learning horseback riding from Amelia instead of Raynan.
“Huh?”
I encountered an unexpected figure outside my room.
“Oh, Renee, long time no see.”
“Huh. You’re here too?”
Waiting by the door was none other than Marvin.
I hadn’t seen him at all since we left or while we’d been staying here, so I hadn’t even considered that he might have come along.
“Well, Edwin’s here, so of course I came too.”
“Right. That makes sense.”
“I heard you’ve been working hard with horseback riding lately.”
“Yeah, that’s right. But what brings you here?”
“Oh, Edwin seems to be running a bit late today, so I thought I’d stop by and say hi.”
“Say hi?”
“I’ve got to make a good impression on the future Duchess, don’t I?”
His playful remark made me frown slightly. I had finally been free from comments like this for a while, and now he was bringing them back.
Even though I knew he was joking, it still made me a little uncomfortable.
“There’s no need for that…”
“Come on. The Duke came all the way here with you and is personally teaching you horseback riding. I think I do need to make a good impression.”
“Ha… haha… Maybe. Well, I’m tired, so—”
As my discomfort grew, I tried to quickly retreat into my room. But Marvin grabbed me hurriedly.
“Take a break with something cool to drink. You must be thirsty, right?”
I noticed the tray in his hands with two glasses of water. The sight of the cold, refreshing drinks reminded me of my forgotten thirst.
“Thanks. Come in for a bit.”
It felt wrong to turn him away after he’d gone out of his way to bring drinks, so I invited him in.
I figured I’d drink quickly and then send him off.
Once inside, Marvin placed the tray on the table and handed me one of the glasses.
“Here, drink up.”
“Thanks.”
It was water with a slice of lemon floating in it. I brought the glass to my lips but stopped, curious.
“Why haven’t I seen you until now?”
For a brief moment, Marvin’s expression flickered with something like disappointment—no, maybe frustration or unease.
“Because Chase is here.”
His response made sense. Since Chase rarely left Edwin’s side, there was no need for Marvin to stay close all the time.
As I reached for my glass again, I noticed Marvin watching me intently.
“What is it?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You were staring.”
“No, it’s nothing…”
When I questioned him, Marvin quickly looked away.
I walked toward him slowly, and he seemed flustered, trying to change the subject.
“This room’s really spacious and nice. Are the rooms at the Duke’s estate this good?”
“Hm… I guess.”
The closer I got, the more he avoided my gaze, eventually retreating toward the balcony.
“Wow, the view from here is amazing.”
“Yeah…”
My attention shifted to the other glass on the table. Compared to mine, the slice of lemon in his glass was smaller, and there was less water.
Is that it? Does he like bigger lemon slices? Maybe he gave me this one and now regrets it.
Glancing between the two glasses, I swapped them while Marvin wasn’t looking.
“The balcony must look even better up close.”
“Yeah, it does.”
As I replied from beside him, Marvin flinched and stepped away.
“You’ve never gone out on the balcony before?”
“No, it never crossed my mind.”
He wasn’t wrong. The view from the room itself was stunning.
The neatly arranged garden and the leisurely people strolling through it gave off a sense of calm.
Though everyone was likely on edge, being surrounded by such scenery seemed to have a relaxing effect.
I sipped my water as I gazed outside. The cold drink slid down my throat, refreshing me completely.
“This is really refreshing.”
“Right?”
As I drained half the glass and spoke cheerfully, Marvin’s face lit up with relief.
