SHORT CHAPTER
“But I don’t yet have a horse of my own.”
The room fell silent. Agatha looked briefly flustered, while both Felix and Calrex appeared equally taken aback. Beatrice, however, remained unaffected, casually slicing her steak and placing a piece into her mouth.
“Then choose a horse for her before riding, Calrex,” Agatha instructed.
“…Yes,” Calrex replied.
“A calm one.”
“…Yes.”
“The most expensive one.”
“…Yes.”
“Brother, while you’re at it, could you look into getting a forest horse for me?” Felix chimed in.
“Second son, keep your mouth shut,” Agatha cut in, smiling but with eyes sharp enough to silence him. If he said anything further, it was clear she would eviscerate him with her glare alone. Felix wisely stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth instead of responding.
Thus, Beatrice was able to finish her dinner in peace.
* * *
The next morning, Calrex followed through with his promise to take Beatrice horseback riding. However, before they could begin, they needed to purchase a horse specifically for her. Although the family owned a large number of horses, owning a personal horse was a necessity for a noblewoman.
In noble society, horseback riding was a critical part of networking after debuting into social circles. Most nobles owned at least one personal horse. For a lady of Beatrice’s stature not to own one would only imply she was disregarded within her own family.
Calrex and Beatrice boarded a carriage and headed to the Bilros Baron’s ranch, located on the outskirts of the capital. While the term “ranch” suggested a large estate, it was little more than a glorified horse market.
Baron Bilros had a peculiar hobby of collecting horses, importing various breeds to sell or gift to nobles. While not a large-scale business, the price of each horse made it a reasonably lucrative endeavor.
Beatrice stepped down from the carriage with Calrex’s assistance. Neither sibling spoke much, leaving an air of silence between them.
Calrex occasionally glanced at her, but he refrained from speaking. Beatrice, fully aware of his gaze, chose to ignore it. Since their last interaction, they had exchanged little more than polite inquiries about each other’s well-being.
Despite meticulous maintenance, any place housing animals inevitably had an odor. Expecting her discomfort, Calrex silently extended a handkerchief from his inner pocket.
Beatrice stared at the handkerchief, slightly puzzled, before taking it without a word.
“Lord Ember, welcome!”
Baron Bilros himself appeared, having been notified the previous evening of the visit.
While it was customary to send notice of such visits at least three days in advance, Calrex’s sudden request had prompted the Baron to respond swiftly and personally.
Bilros was well-known for acquiring fine horses, but that was the extent of his reputation. His domain was unremarkable, and his personal achievements were modest. While he maintained light connections with horse-enthusiast nobles, he lacked any real ties to high-ranking aristocrats.
Most higher nobles already owned prized horses or sourced them directly from abroad, leaving little need for dealings with a mere baron. Thus, the letter from the Duke had puzzled Bilros, though he eagerly obliged.
“I’m here to purchase a horse. Once again, I apologize for the abrupt notice,” Calrex began.
“No apologies necessary, my lord! These days have been slow, and it is my honor to have you grace my ranch with your presence,” the Baron replied smoothly, his deference practiced to perfection.
However, Bilros couldn’t help but cast sidelong glances at Beatrice. Noticing this, Calrex’s brow subtly furrowed.
“This is my younger sister, Beatrice,” Calrex introduced.
“Greetings, Baron Bilros,” Beatrice said politely.
“Ah, the Lady of House Ember?”
Bilros, not particularly attuned to gossip, was momentarily thrown off by Beatrice’s presence. Did the Duke’s family have a daughter? His blinking confusion earned a visible tightening of Calrex’s expression, prompting the Baron to swiftly bow and flatter her.
“My apologies, Lady Ember. I was momentarily struck by your beauty—what a privilege to meet you!”
“It’s no trouble at all, Baron. I’ve heard much about the fine horses you keep here. May I trouble you for a tour?”
“Of course, this way, please,” the Baron said, visibly relieved.
Wanting to avoid unnecessary friction, Beatrice naturally steered the conversation. Leaving their guards and attendants by the carriage, they followed the Baron into the ranch.
Calrex stole a glance at his sister, noting her composed expression. There was no hint of discomfort or unease, only a dry detachment. For a moment, her reserved demeanor seemed oddly familiar to him.
As they walked, Beatrice suddenly turned her gaze toward Calrex. Taken aback, he frowned slightly, expecting her to speak. Yet, after a few seconds of holding his gaze, she simply turned back to face forward. Calrex followed suit, his thoughts momentarily unsettled. To an observer, the resemblance between them might have been striking.
“These horses here are among the finest I’ve recently acquired,” Bilros announced as they entered the spacious stable.
The pungent smell of animals was stronger inside, yet Beatrice showed no reaction. She continued holding the handkerchief Calrex had given her without using it.
While Calrex kept an eye on her, Beatrice appeared focused on the Baron’s explanations. Though she wasn’t paying particular attention, her composed demeanor made it seem otherwise.
Bilros stopped before a white horse at the far end of the stable, gesturing with pride.
“This mare hails from the Pellos region, known for producing gentle and beautiful horses. It would be an excellent choice for a lady. Easy, now,” he said, trying to calm the horse.
The Baron, perceptive enough to guess the purpose of today’s visit, had surmised that the horse was intended for the young lady rather than the Duke. After all, Calrex was already reputed among horse enthusiasts for owning exceptional steeds.
However, the white horse seemed oddly restless. From the moment the group entered, it had been tossing its head and backing away as though spooked. In truth, the entire stable had become unusually unsettled, as if sensing a predator among them.
Beatrice knew why but said nothing.
“Seems like a skittish horse,” Calrex observed.
Calrex spoke in a dry tone as he silently observed the white horse. Its quality was evident, but it seemed too skittish. He attributed the horse’s restlessness to unfamiliarity with strangers, unaware of the real cause.
A skittish horse posed a significant risk, especially for an inexperienced rider like Beatrice. Calrex’s concern was valid—such a horse could easily throw its rider in panic. Baron Bilros, now visibly flustered, scrambled to redirect their attention.
“Th-this one isn’t usually like that. Perhaps this other horse would be better?”
He guided them toward a bay horse a bit further away, but it too appeared agitated. As Calrex sighed audibly, the Baron seemed on the verge of panic. In the midst of this tension, Beatrice casually surveyed the stable, her gaze wandering.
The horses weren’t merely restless because of unfamiliarity; they were reacting to her. Animals, with their keen senses, instinctively recognized danger, and to them, Beatrice exuded an unidentifiable threat.
She briefly brushed her tongue over her dull canines, as if considering the irony. ‘Strange, I’m no predator.’
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