Chapter 38

The ebony stallion wagged its tail with delight and affectionately nuzzled Elise’s hand. Elise’s face lit up with a wide smile as she gently caressed the horse, her voice filled with admiration.

“Despite his size, he possesses a gentle nature. Even when carrying a stranger upon his back, he remains composed and obedient.”

“Gentle, you say?”

The knights, who had been surreptitiously observing from afar, along with Ruben, could not conceal their astonishment. The stable boy, clutching a muzzle that he hadn’t yet placed on the horse, stood frozen, his face drained of color.

Only Elise remained composed, her demeanor unruffled.

“And what is the name of this horse?”

“Um, my lord did not bestow upon him a specific name.”

“I see… No name, then.”

Not even a common moniker for the horse that braved the battlefield alongside them. Such was to be anticipated.

“Gumdoong-ah,” Elise affectionately called out, causing the knights, including Ruben, to contort their faces in comical disbelief. The whimsical nickname she bestowed upon the horse, who effortlessly tossed off five riders, was as wild and unpredictable as the creature itself. Now, the princess treated him as if he were a playful pup.

Only the grand duke had managed to tame him, although “forcefully subdue” would be a more accurate description, using his transformed right arm. The memory of the duke twisting the horse’s head and asserting dominance with his altered form left the witnesses visibly pale.

“Well, you see, my lord’s words have a certain prophetic quality. Let’s see if he recognizes his master,” Elise remarked, her words prompting a reluctant acceptance from Ruben. After all, “Gumdoong-ah” was an endearing nickname that seemed unfitting for the mischievous troublemaker who had come close to being put down.

With a contented smile, Elise embraced the black horse, which responded with joyful neighs.

“Gumdoong-ah, when will your master come to see me?” she pondered aloud.

Disappointed that she had come all the way to the castle early in the morning, solely to catch a glimpse of that man, Elise couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. According to the unwritten rule, it was the one who regretted first who had to make a move. It seemed like a wasted effort to have sought him out in vain.

“Surely he doesn’t intend to leave me in this state,” Elise pondered, feeling the weight of their obligations. Their marriage had been bound by a contract, explicitly outlining their duties.

“He promised he wouldn’t resist when I attempted to capture him. Is he afraid to show himself because he fears I’ll hold him captive, like a prisoner in this lofty tower?” Elise entertained the idea, even though Rezette had never once curtailed her freedom. Blaming him seemed to alleviate her uneasiness.

Furthermore, as Elise ventured out, she realized something. The Rotiara Castle was brimming with beautiful women, and this fact troubled her immensely. With so many potential rivals, wasn’t there even one who had captured his heart?

Ruben, misinterpreting Elise’s contemplative expression, subtly made a suggestion. “If Your Highness truly feels bored, why not explore the territory? Shall I have Alfredo prepare a carriage?”

“It’s fine. Can I just borrow a horse?”

“Huh? Um, of course, you can ride any horse you desire, but… Are you going out?”

“Just for a leisurely stroll up to the hill in the backyard.”

As if understanding Elise’s words, Gumdoong-ah nudged his head eagerly. It was as if he was urging her to take him along. The sight of the horse prancing around, despite his size, was endearing, and it elicited laughter from Elise.

“Would you like to accompany me, even if just for half an hour?” Elise proposed, her voice filled with hope.

“You are not permitted to ride horses,” came the cold interjection.

Elise, who had been gently caressing the horse’s jaw, flinched. Tilting her head diagonally, she caught sight of a man who had approached from behind. As always, his prominent feature was his strong jawline, followed by his bluish crystal-like eyes devoid of warmth. His hair and collar were slightly disheveled.

A frigid voice resonated. “Isn’t it dangerous for the princess to ride alone?”

Silence lingered in the air.

“Of course, being in such close proximity to a warhorse like this is also…” Rezette reached for the reins that hung beneath the horse’s neck, as though he had caught them. The black horse pawed the ground, seemingly greeting its master. With a firm and sharp voice, Rezette pushed Elise back with his arm.

“It is dangerous.”

It was the first time in a solid week that she had heard his voice so clearly. For some reason, he appeared more composed than usual. The exhale at the end of his short statement was rough, enough to unsettle Elise.

The shy joy she had timidly expressed with her head dropped as if it were a falsehood. She hadn’t anticipated a warm greeting, but she hadn’t expected an immediate reprimand either.

Reluctantly, Elise responded, “I didn’t realize that riding would be inappropriate. I apologize.”

“It’s not about being careful for my sake, but for Your Highness’s,” Rezette sternly replied.

Elise rolled her eyes. “The world is indeed filled with danger.”

“That is especially true for you. Everyone, turn around,” Rezette commanded with a voice that resounded like thunder. The knights, including Ruben, swiftly obeyed and pivoted on their heels. Meanwhile, Elise remained bewildered as Rezette scanned her attire with his scrutinizing gaze.

Her grip on the reins loosened as she took a step back, inadvertently revealing glimpses of frills and smooth, fair skin that shouldn’t have been visible beneath her ordinary clothes. Rezette’s expression turned stern.

“Have you been roaming around dressed like this all along?”

“What?” Elise noticed where his gaze was fixed, causing her cheeks to flush like ripe apples. She hastily readjusted her shawl, covering her collarbone.

“Actually, I hadn’t intended to go outside…”

“Ruben, fetch my robe,” Rezette commanded, cutting off Elise’s feeble excuse. Ruben hurriedly dashed into the castle to fulfill the request.

Attempting to regain her composure, Elise hastened to explain, “The people in the castle rarely see me. They are accustomed to seeing me in simpler attire, so it wouldn’t strike them as unusual…”

“Your Highness,” Rezette decisively interrupted, making it clear that he didn’t consider it a valid excuse.

While in Argan, the princess had the freedom to dress as she pleased, and the lower ranks would discreetly avert their eyes. However, in this enemy territory, numerous individuals scrutinized her every move with curious glances. The mounting annoyance became unbearable, prompting Rezette to strike with a cold and resolute tone.

“You are only allowed to appear dressed like this in front of me. Otherwise, it is not permitted.”

“What?” Elise’s voice held a tinge of surprise.

“Or only in front of the maids who attend to your bedtime.”

Unless all the men in the castle were blind, they would have undoubtedly noticed. Rezette swallowed the words that nearly slipped out from the tip of his tongue. The mere thought of men’s gazes lingering on the slender ankles peeking out from beneath her hemline or catching a glimpse of the delicate texture beneath her shawl made him increasingly uncomfortable.

“…It doesn’t really matter.” Elise, for some reason, responded coldly, averting her gaze.

“They won’t spare a glance in my direction as they’re all busy. Just like you are,” Elise muttered under her breath, biting her inner lip. Her frustration was palpable. However, Rezette gently used his thumb to brush her lips, preventing her from further injuring herself.

“If that were the case, would I have entered an area where men would talk, openly declaring that I’m mad? I understand that level of humiliation as well,” Elise continued, her expression hardening in an instant. “It’s not a big deal. Nightclothes are just clothes.” 

“You’re aware that this is a place where men converse. Why did you come knowing that?” he questioned. His voice, unfortunately, carried an unnaturally sensitive tone, overshadowing the restraint he had previously displayed.

“Is this a place I shouldn’t have come? Then you should have informed me,” Elise responded, her tone laced with defiance. Rezette saw no need to offer a reply, and Ruben quickly interjected to come to her defense.

“It’s my fault. I assumed you wished to meet Her Highness, so I brought her here without considering the implications. I apologize.”

Ruben Diark, come to my office later,” Rezette commanded.

“What? Wait a moment…!” Elise, startled, grasped Rezette’s arm. Though his demeanor suggested he was about to scold Ruben, from her perspective, he had merely accompanied Elise into the castle. If that was considered a fault, then so be it!

However, Rezette swiftly draped the robe over Elise, causing her to fumble and miss her opportunity to speak. It seemed like a clear statement, indicating that he was no longer willing to listen to her. Finally, Elise’s rebellious spirit ignited.

In a burst of frustration, she impulsively removed her hood and turned to face Ruben. “Ruben, when will you show me around outside the castle?”

“What? Oh, well…” Ruben stuttered, caught off guard.

“You said you would guide me. I want to go with Ivetsa. Can I request an escort?”

Partly fueled by anger, Elise locked eyes with Rezette, displaying her determination. “Do you truly believe that exploring the territory is one of the things I am forbidden to do? Grand Duke, if you do not possess the authority to dictate my companions and escorts, then tell me so. I have no intention of insisting.”

Rezette quelled Elise’s rebellion by swiftly and silently carrying her into the castle, allowing no room for further protest.

Once they arrived at his office, he offered no explanation for his absence from her bedroom or his deliberate obstruction of the staircase leading to his office.

“If he refuses to answer every time, he might as well remain silent…!” Elise suppressed her anger, keeping her frustrations inward.