IWBTVCF 57

Chapter 57

We decided the bet would be a horse-riding race.

97 to 98.

I was one point behind.

Still, I was confident in horse riding more than any other event.

It was one of my strengths. I had spent more time on it than Kail.

Even knowing that, Kail agreed to finish the match with horse riding until the end.

Maybe it was his consideration — to make the conditions a little fair for me, since I was behind.

After preparing for the race, we stood side by side on the open field.

The method was the same as always. About 1km away, we marked a tree as the turning point.

We would ride to it, circle it clockwise, return to the starting point, and grab the ribbon hanging on a tree branch there. Whoever grabbed it first would win.

“Take care of me.”

I whispered softly while stroking my horse.

I raced more desperately than in any match I had with Kail over the past three years.

With all my strength, I won the first round.

But I lost the second.

In the third round, I won again and managed to tie the score at 99 to 99.

Sweat ran down my temples.

The horses were panting, just as tired as we were.

We got off and took a short break.

We gave water to our horses and let them breathe before the final round.

There was no small talk before the last match that would decide everything.

My heart was heavy.

If I win and use my wish to stop Kail from going to the duchy, that’s good.

But after that… how will I fix the conflict between us?

Will this really be the end of our friendship?

My chest tightened, but I shook my head.

First, focus on winning. I can think about the rest later.

It had been hard to reach a tie.

Just one more time. Just one more victory to stop Kail.

Determined to give everything, I removed my accessories and threw them on the ground.

I tied my hair tightly and took off my coat and even my frilled dress to reduce air resistance.

It was cold enough to see my breath, but the adrenaline kept me warm.

I was left in only my inner skirt, my bare arms and legs exposed.

It didn’t matter. Only Kail was here.

Kail glanced at me and opened his mouth as if to protest.

Then he frowned deeply and looked away.

After finishing my preparations, I mounted my horse first.

“Let’s start. The final match.”

Kail got on his horse too.

We stood at the starting line, breathing deeply.

“……You give the signal.”

It was his turn to call the start, but he gave the chance to me.

After a short hesitation, I accepted.

I lowered my body into riding position.

When the wind stopped, I counted down and shouted the signal.

At the same time, I struck the reins, and the horse shot forward like a bullet.

The world rushed backward.

The sound of hooves hitting the ground mixed with my heartbeat.

I saw only the front. My senses sharpened.

I took the lead and ran at the fastest speed I ever had.

I could feel Kail behind me, but victory seemed to be mine. I could see the turning tree.

One kilometer passed quickly at full speed.

I turned smoothly around the tree.

For less than a second, our eyes met as he followed close behind.

In that short moment, I saw something in his eyes — emotions I couldn’t describe.

My breath shook. Time felt slow.

Kail. You probably can’t understand why I’m trying to crush your dream.

I’m sorry. Please forgive me. It’s for you.

At first, after I possessed this body, I only wanted to fix Kail for Darius’s sake.

But now it was different.

Of course, Darius was still my favorite character. I still wanted to protect him.

But now, the first reason I wanted to stop Kail from falling into darkness was simple.

Because he was my precious friend.

Without knowing it, my goal had changed long ago.

Realizing that, my confused heart calmed.

Yes. First, separate Kail from Duke Selphius.

I can fix our relationship later.

I held the reins without hesitation.

Soon, the finish line came into sight.

The red ribbon fluttered ahead.

Just a little more.

In that very short moment, my horse’s front hoof stepped into a small hole.

The saddle shook, and my body leaned forward.

I quickly pulled the reins, and the horse regained its pace.

But that one moment was enough.

Kail passed me.

His hand reached out and grabbed the ribbon right in front of me.

It was by a hair’s difference.

I arrived at the finish line right after him.

‘Did I… lose?’

My head rang as if struck by a hammer.

Kail turned his horse and looked at me with a cold face.

He jumped down and picked up my dress and coat from the ground.

When I got off my horse, he threw the clothes to me.

I put them on clumsily.

Because of that small mistake at the end, I lost.

Which means the one who earned the wish was… Kail.

I couldn’t stop him with begging.

And I lost the match.

I slowly looked up.

The sky had already turned gray with sunset.

Because of the backlight, I couldn’t see Kail’s face clearly at first.

Then I realized — his anger was not normal.

He had been angry before the last race.

But in just five minutes, that anger had grown heavier.

“……I understand now.”

His voice was terribly cold.

“You don’t want me, instead of Darius, to inherit the Diern family.”

“No!”

I shook my head strongly.

“That’s not it! Of course, I wish you and Brother Darius could get along without fighting, but—”

“You know that’s impossible. As long as both of us aim for the successor position.”

His voice was flat, like he was holding back fire.

“You still prefer that bastard. You want him to become the next Duke of Diern.”

With dark eyes, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Ka–Kail, that’s not it. I really just want you to—”

“Shut up.”

His grip tightened.

“Ah! It hurts.”

Hearing my pain, he slowly released me.

It was a misunderstanding.

I wanted to fix it. But how could I, while hiding the truth?

His voice trembled as if squeezed.

“I thought you were on my side. I thought you would support me… But from the beginning, everything was a lie.”

He let out a long breath.

The red ribbon slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

At the same time, a single drop of water darkened the dirt beside it.

It was Kail’s tear.

Seeing his tears after so many years made my heart drop.

“……Take care.”

With a rough voice, he said goodbye and mounted his horse.

“Kail! Wait!”

I reached out my hand.

But he ignored me and whipped the horse.

I watched him disappear into the distance.

My legs lost strength, and I collapsed to the ground.

There was no energy left to chase him.

I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

It was a precious friendship.

It had just begun to grow stronger.

But because of a small crack, three years of trust shattered.

“Kail… come back….”

My empty voice was swallowed by the dark forest.