I thought you’d left for good, but you’ve come back.
As soon as our eyes met, Natalie sharply turned her head away.
“Why all this magic all of a sudden? Shouldn’t we skip it if the professor isn’t here?”
“Natalie, we already agreed to do it, didn’t we? Just watch quietly.”
“You act like I’m about to cause a scene, Antony.”
At Natalie’s pointed voice, Antony shook his head.
“You’re talking even now. I can’t stand noisy things.”
“Hah! When something goes wrong, everyone will say, ‘Natalie was right~’ just you wait.”
“No, I bet they won’t even remember your name.”
“What?”
“They’ll only know you’re the daughter of a tycoon. So let’s keep it down. I don’t want to get dragged off by my father and get another lecture.”
“If you’re so bothered, why does your father still want you as his successor?!”
Natalie stomped her foot in annoyance. Her soft, painstakingly made lambskin shoes were now covered in dust.
“That’s why you should do well. I don’t care, anyway.”
Antony looked like he’d had enough.
“You’re so annoying.”
“Suit yourself.”
“So irritating!”
“……”
Antony didn’t bother responding to Natalie’s grumbling. Almost all the students had gathered. Even as they clustered together, talking quietly, it felt like they were all eavesdropping on Natalie and Antony’s conversation.
‘Hmm, so that’s the story…….’
Honestly, even if you didn’t want to listen, you couldn’t help it.
You two are just too loud! Especially you, Natalie! But I guess you’re not saying anything you want to hide, so you don’t care who hears?
‘Before my regression, I didn’t know anything except Cecilia.’
That thought suddenly hit me.
“Can… girls inherit the family business too?”
As their conversation ended, Daisy, gently leaning toward Cecilia, asked in a small, cautious voice. She seemed aware Natalie might overhear, almost whispering. Her tawny eyes were serious—she must’ve listened closely to their earlier conversation.
‘Is Daisy the daughter of a merchant too?’
It felt as if some hopeful spark had flickered to life in Daisy.
It was a question full of tension. I hadn’t even thought to answer it. I’d never even imagined living that kind of life. I’d just followed Cecilia as if it were meant to be.
What would Cecilia say?
Because of Daisy’s obvious nerves, I found myself tense as well.
“It’s possible.”
Cecilia answered immediately, without a hint of hesitation.
“Really?”
“Yes. As long as you have the will.”
I’d never seen Cecilia speak so firmly before.
The usual gentleness or softness that always lingered around her was completely absent in that moment.
“……Thank you.”
Daisy didn’t ask, “How?” She just seemed to mull over Cecilia’s words for a moment, then nodded and expressed her thanks.
Cecilia didn’t add anything more. Somehow, the mood felt odd.
I’ve never taken the initiative before, so I can’t really understand how Daisy feels. But for some reason, seeing Cecilia, who spoke so sparingly with such a determined look, she almost seemed to empathize deeply with Daisy.
“Everyone’s gathered, I see!”
Paul’s booming voice drew everyone’s attention. It was even louder than when he’d used the mechanical device earlier. Some rubbed their ears as if the volume stung.
Even the horses that had been wandering leisurely on the other side were all gathered now, leaving the riding arena feeling empty. Instead, seven horses stood neatly behind Paul, each with their rider.
The horses looked at least three times the size of a person. Seeing seven such animals lined up filled me with a swelling excitement.
“Wow……”
“Oh, they look pretty impressive.”
Sounds of awe spread around.
Some of the boys whistled, while others, perhaps intimidated by the sheer size of the animals, retreated to the back row. As a few girls and one boy in front of us stepped back, we found ourselves right in the front row.
It’s a bit overwhelming.
“How about we move back a little? What do you think?”
Feeling awkward, I turned politely to Daisy, who looked to Cecilia for a response.
“Cecilia, what do you think?”
I suppose that means she’ll go along with whatever Cecilia says?
“Let’s watch from here. I’m scared, but since you said they’re impressive, I’m curious too. Are you okay, Daisy?”
“Yes. If Lady Cecilia is fine, so am I.”
“Hehe. Thanks for worrying about us.”
Cecilia smiled sweetly.
“All right, then.”
It’s a bit intimidating, but seeing them up close is exciting, too.
My heart was still pounding. When I pressed my hand to my chest, Cecilia gave me a curious look. I tried to lower my hand casually, as if nothing was wrong, and she turned her gaze away.
We all looked at Paul. He was talking earnestly to the riders. Perhaps because the horses were standing close by, the chilly wind no longer felt so cold. The animals’ warmth seemed to heat the air around us.
A gust of wind blew, tossing the horses’ manes in one direction, making them look like flags announcing a victory.
Their eyes were pitch-black and pure. Maybe it was those eyes that made the gathered horses look gentle, but their massive bodies were anything but mild.
“If you run into one of those, you could die.”
“Just hush. Let us enjoy the view.”
Natalie’s cranky mutter was followed by Antony’s voice. Natalie stood at a diagonal behind us.
“Now I get what Ollie meant about horses.”
I muttered without thinking, staring blankly at the animals.
If Paul weren’t here, I might have gone over and impulsively touched one. My heart pounded harder and harder.
“What did Ollie say?”
“……”
‘Dindin is, oddly enough, a horse muscle.’
No way I can say that out loud!
There’s a knight in our family’s order who guards the main gate named Dindin.
His face is sharp and handsome, even delicate and small, so by looks alone—though it’s rude to say—he looks just like a scholar, or even like a noble lady’s cherished companion.
But his body is nothing like that. He’s big, with large, solid muscles packed tightly together like puzzle pieces, visibly flexing with every movement. Today, I truly felt what Ollie meant by “horse muscle.”
Dindin really is horse muscle.
“Riana?”
“I mean… the horses are cool.”
“Ollie said that?”
“Yeah.”
‘It’s not exactly wrong…!’
“So you’re interested because of Ollie.”
Cecilia muttered something, but I barely caught it. I was too overwhelmed, just staring at the horses. Daisy looked concerned, but I didn’t have the energy to worry about her now.
This is the first thing that’s captivated me since Cecilia!
“I feel like my blood’s boiling…….”
“Oh, Riana.”
‘It’s true, though!’
I’d never felt this way before. From fingertips to toes, a tense energy seemed to flow through me.
It feels like something might burst out at any moment.
Suddenly, the horses—standing imposingly with their massive muscles—began to snort and paw the ground.
“Huh? What’s going on?”
A rider’s voice cut through the air.
“Is it dangerous?”
Natalie couldn’t help but raise her voice.
“If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Why does she always have to pick a fight?”
“She’s the daughter of a tycoon, that’s why. And aren’t we nobles? Ah! Well, not everyone here is a noble.”
“She’s not wrong, though. Look at the size of them. The riders must be really skilled, right?”
“Everyone! Please quiet down! The riders are all experienced. They can practically sleep with their horses! Look, they’re calming them down already!”
At the commotion, Paul stopped talking to the riders and called out. As the riders calmly stroked the horses’ sides, the animals quickly settled down.
From behind, Antony’s voice rang out clearly.
“Natalie. Shut. Up.”
Are they close or not?
Natalie’s face twisted in annoyance, but she held her tongue.
‘Must be their usual routine.’
“Hey! Don’t go over there!”
“Who’s he talking to?”
“Yeah, who?”
Paul suddenly bounded off, his thin body leaping across the field. Looking to where he was running, I spotted Maon.
He was the quiet boy who’d lain next to me on the first day.
Even in the sunlight, his face looked pale. Maon was searching the ground on the opposite side of the riding arena, as if looking for something.
Even when Paul called out loudly, Maon didn’t seem to hear, but as Paul quickly caught up and tapped him on the shoulder, he looked up. His demeanor didn’t seem flustered at all.
“What are you doing over here? We’re about to start the magic demonstration! What if it gets dangerous? Didn’t you hear the announcement?”
Paul’s voice rang out, but I couldn’t hear Maon’s reply. His mouth moved, but that was all.
“That guy’s kind of odd, isn’t he?”
“Maon?”
The words just slipped out. I was surprised, and so was Daisy, who hesitated before nodding.
“…Yes. You even know his name.”
“That is strange for you, Riana. You’re usually bad with names.”
“He’s coming this way.”
Before I could reply, Daisy spoke. Maon was following Paul back.
‘You’re usually bad with names.’
Ah, so that’s how I came across all this time.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t remember names.
I was just afraid to say them.
Maybe before my regression, I did something really rude. If even Cecilia, who was always with me, thought that, then others probably did too.
‘You don’t even know my name.’
I think someone once said that to me.
“All right! It looks like we’re all safely gathered now. Please do not set foot past where the grass ends. Everyone, please step back a little!”
Before I could get lost in thought, Paul rushed over and moved us back. At his sweeping gesture, we all took a few steps away.
I glanced back. Maon stood at the very back, his black hair quietly fluttering in the wind.
It felt oddly quiet around Maon, even though he stood in the same arena.
‘What was he looking for?’
“If you just stay off the grass, you’ll be safe! Even just brushing against a galloping horse can be dangerous, so be careful not to step forward without thinking!”
“Honestly, a fence… Okay, Antony! Don’t pinch me, you wretch!”
“They just keep arguing.”
Daisy glanced back, annoyed by the noise.
‘No…!’
What if they start fighting? Daisy, your glare is too fierce!
I saw Antony stepping in to block Natalie, whose eyebrows were twitching. When Cecilia soothed Daisy, she swallowed her annoyance.
‘Kids may grow up fighting, but…….’
Why do I feel like I’m in the middle of a bigger commotion than before my regression? This isn’t right.
Ugh, I had a bad feeling—like my hackles were standing on end.
“We’ll introduce the riders after they show you some excellent horsemanship! Led by me, Paul, we’ll form up and race! We’ll show you the wonder of horses. After half a year or a year of lessons, you may not be as good as me, Paul, but you’ll work wonderfully with the horses too!”
His voice was filled with pride, confidence, and love for horses. Even though none of the gathered students responded, Paul didn’t look the least bit discouraged.
Pfft.
When I giggled, Daisy glanced at me.
It’s just uplifting to watch someone who loves their work so passionately.
As if on cue, I started clapping. Paul’s face brightened. Even though I only clapped quietly, several others joined in from behind. The applause grew, and Paul bowed deeply, looking delighted. It almost felt like we’d come to see a circus.
Though I’ve never actually been to one. Hehe.
“Formation!”
At Paul’s loud command, the riders—lined up in a row—turned and all mounted their horses at once.
Thud, they leapt onto their mounts in a single motion.
Waaaah!
Oooooh!
Cheers and shouts followed the galloping horses.
Hyah! Hyah!
The riders’ voices and the sound of hooves echoed through the vast woods. With Paul in the lead, the riders whipped their horses into a run around the wide riding arena. Dust billowed around us, but no one complained.
Even Natalie was silent.
Curious about her expression, I glanced back and saw her cheeks were flushed. Her gaze was fixed on the flying manes of the running horses.
The thunder of hooves pounding the ground sounded almost like grand music. The riding arena was so wide it was hard to take it all in, but before I knew it, they’d already completed half a lap and were racing back toward us.
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