The Villain's Terminally Ill Wife

Chapter 13

It was only after the morning arrived that everyone began to organize their belongings.

I waited inside the carriage until everything was sorted out. After about 30 minutes, the carriage started moving again.

After another two hours of travel, we finally arrived at the mansion safely.

“A meal has been prepared. Wouldn’t it be good to have something before going upstairs?”

Upon arrival, a servant from the kitchen approached and spoke.

“Do you think it’s alright?”

Richard, concerned about my condition from yesterday, asked. I nodded in agreement.

“It’s better to eat something than to be on an empty stomach.”

“Alright, then let’s go.”

With Richard’s escort, I arrived at the dining room.

The chef soon began serving the prepared food.

Richard and I had a late brunch to soothe our empty stomachs.

Today’s meal prepared by the chef included butter rolls, salad, a few slices of bacon, and cream soup.

As Richard dipped his bread into the soup, he suddenly shifted his gaze toward me.

Feeling his eyes on me, I looked up.

“What is it?”

“Do you have any special plans for today?”

“No, nothing special.”

My tasks at the mansion involved first organizing what I should have received from my mother, then visiting Richard’s study for tea time, and finally getting to know the names and faces of the servants and understanding their duties.

But since these were routine tasks, they weren’t particularly special.

I didn’t think that suspicious Richard would entrust me with managing the mansion.

Puzzled by his inquiry, I blinked, and Richard nonchalantly spoke.

“Then how about going horseback riding today?”

“Horseback riding?”

“Yes.”

Richard casually made the suggestion.

I pondered his proposal and then shook my head.

“Sorry, but I’ve never ridden a horse before. I don’t think I can ride with you.”

“You’ve never ridden a horse before?”

Richard asked in disbelief.

I nodded at his question.

“I’m a bit afraid.”

Considering that horseback riding is a common hobby among nobles, it was not surprising that Richard was astonished.

Most male nobles, and even female nobles, were adept at riding horses.

But I was not one of them.

After my mother passed away, I grew up neglected by my father and never had a horse of my own or even rode one.

The fear was partly a lie.

While it would be a lie to say I wasn’t afraid of trying something new, the bigger reason was that I had never had the opportunity to encounter horses.

“I see.”

Richard, seeming to give up, lowered his head and then looked at me again.

“In that case, I’ll teach you. You might need to ride a horse someday.”

“Okay?”

We had managed well traveling by carriage until now, so I didn’t see the necessity of riding a horse at this point.

As I was startled and blinking, Richard turned his gaze away, as if he would not entertain any further arguments.

“It will be quite a good hobby.”

“……Alright.”

Although I wasn’t confident, it didn’t seem polite to refuse Richard’s first proposal.

While I knew that a horse wouldn’t harm me, the idea of mounting a large, furry beast was mentally burdensome.

“Then wait here.”

Richard, oblivious to my thoughts, finished his meal and immediately turned to leave through the door.

The door opened, and he went out.

I watched the door close with a soft click.

“Yes.”

I replied quietly after he had disappeared.

* * *

In the afternoon, following Richard’s suggestion, we headed to the fields.

Somehow, Olivier had prepared riding clothes for me.

Fortunately, it seemed that there was a riding outfit that fit me.

Wearing the snug riding clothes reminded me of the clothes I used to wear before my reincarnation here.

The everyday attire in this world was dresses.

It was fine now that I was accustomed to it, but I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it was adjusting to this world initially.

I used to wear pants and shirts……

Nevertheless, the riding clothes didn’t feel awkward because of my past memories.

“Diarna!”

As we reached the fields, Richard spotted me and called out.

I looked up to confirm Richard.

The stableman was approaching with two horses, holding their reins next to Richard.

One was a glossy black horse, and the other was a bright brown horse with a white mark.

“You look good in the riding clothes.”

“Thank you. It feels awkward since it’s my first time.”

Wearing riding clothes after always wearing dresses felt truly different.

“Come over here first.”

Richard took my hand and led me.

Following his lead, I approached the horses.

“This horse is Diarna, your horse.”

Richard led me to the bright brown horse and said.

“My horse?”

Though I had heard about horseback riding, I had never been informed that I would be given a horse.

Richard, with a casual nod, continued.

“This one’s name is Lana. She’s a gentle horse, so it should be fine even if it’s your first time riding.”

Richard took the reins from the stableman.

He then brought the horse closer.

“Pet her on the nose. Like this.”

Richard gently stroked Lana’s nose. Lana, seeming pleased, tilted her head toward Richard.

“Like this?”

Following his example, I carefully raised my hand and placed it on Lana’s nose.

Fortunately, Lana accepted my touch without any sign of rejection.

The soft and ticklish short hair brushed against my hand.

Lana’s clear and gentle eyes seemed to be looking at me.

As I stroked her nose, she turned her head towards me, making it easier to pet her.

The sensation of her soft fur brushing against my hand was moving, but more than that, her gentle gaze seemed to recognize me, which was heartwarming.

“How is it?”

Richard asked with a smile.

“She’s soft and warm.”

“It seems Lana likes you too.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I looked at Lana in surprise.

Lana had affectionate eyes. Her eyes were so pretty that I smiled softly.

“Lana.”

When I called Lana softly, she took a step closer to me as if responding to my voice.

Seeing the large body of Lana approach made me nervous, but more than that, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Now, let’s practice getting on the horse. Come over here.”

“Okay.”

I lowered my hand from Lana’s nose and approached Richard.

“This is the mounting block. Place your foot here and get on the horse.”

“How?”

Since it was my first time, even after placing my foot on the mounting block, I struggled to get on. Richard handed the reins back to the stableman and approached me.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Yes, of course.”

Richard, after dismounting, wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me effortlessly.

It looked very easy for him to lift me.

Thanks to that, I was able to easily get onto the saddle installed on Lana’s back.

Lana waited patiently until I was mounted.

“Wow! I’m on!”

I exclaimed like a child, overwhelmed with amazement and emotion.

I felt a rush of excitement even though I realized it might have sounded childish.

“Well done. Now, keep your back straight and hold the reins.”

“Got it.”

Richard didn’t wait to watch me savor the moment but moved on to the next step.

Richard slowly pulled the reins forward.

Lana began to walk slowly in response to Richard’s movements.

I gripped the reins tightly and tensed my body, feeling nervous.

“Relax your body. If you’re tense, Lana will sense it. Also, if you squeeze Lana’s sides, she might think it’s a signal to go faster, so don’t press your feet.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Though it was hard to avoid tensing up, I was more afraid of potential problems if I didn’t follow Richard’s instructions, so I had no choice but to comply.

After riding for about ten minutes and with Richard’s help, I dismounted from the horse.

Even though I had only been on the horse for a short time, my body felt stiff from the tension.

“Are you that nervous?”

“It’s my first time. How could I not be nervous?”

Seeing me act so primly, Richard shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s quite a sight to see you like this.”

I shot him a slightly annoyed look and replied.

“Then why don’t you ride as well, Richard?”

“Alright. I’ll show you how.”

Richard mounted the black horse with graceful movements.

“Watch carefully. Hah!”

Richard kicked the horse’s sides with his stirrups, and the horse began to trot.

It was a stark contrast to the slow walk of Lana.

Thinking about how amusing my riding posture must have seemed to Richard made my face flush with embarrassment.

But then again, I was a beginner, so it was understandable.

Comforting myself, I watched Richard ride.

Watching the strikingly handsome Richard riding the black horse across the field was breathtaking.

As I watched, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed me, and I hunched over.

The pain, coming sporadically, was making it hard to stay conscious.

So, I slowly collapsed from Lana.

Thud, falling unceremoniously to the ground, I couldn’t fight the closing eyelids and shut my eyes.

In the distance, with my fading consciousness, I heard the stableman shouting something.