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Chapter 73
Rai gently lifted Iba with both arms. It was the same comfortable “princess” posture as when he had steadied her on the swaying carriage.
He immediately moved, carrying her out of the puddle.
“…P-please put me down now.”
Even though they were on dry ground, Rai didn’t put her down, and Iba squirmed slightly in embarrassment.
“We’ll mount the horse immediately and pursue the others.”
Rai adjusted his posture once more, holding Iba more securely. Her heart kept racing at the touch of his body after so long.
“Do you know how to ride a horse?”
“No… I’m more used to carriages than horses.”
“Then you’ll have to sit in front of me.”
Rai carefully set Iba on the saddle while still holding her, then mounted lightly himself.
“We’ll depart immediately.”
“W-wait a moment!”
Iba had barely ridden a horse before, and suddenly being placed on one made her feel like she might fall. She couldn’t hold the reins or stabilize herself properly.
What should I do? Am I going to crack my head open before we even reach Pene?
Fear made Iba’s face pale. Rai frowned slightly at her expression and spoke softly.
“Hold onto my waist.”
“Eh?”
“As long as I don’t fall, you’ll be safe.”
“But that means if you fall, it’s over.”
“I’ve never fallen off a horse before.”
Hearing Rai’s low voice so close slowly eased some of Iba’s fear.
“Then… just a moment, excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Just as she began to wrap her arms around his waist, the horse—waiting for the signal to start—shifted impatiently.
“Waaah!”
Startled, Iba clutched him tightly around the waist, as if hiding in his embrace.
“Now we’ll start…”
“Wait! My heart is still racing!”
Her startled heartbeat made her dizzy, and she scolded Rai, though it wasn’t his fault. She tried to calm herself with deep breaths, but the more she tried, the harder it became.
“Is this better?”
He raised a hand and gently patted her back. The slow, soothing touch warmed her, and her breathing gradually steadied.
“Are you ready to depart now?”
Feeling that she had settled, Rai asked, and Iba nodded. He cautiously guided the horse, ensuring she wouldn’t be startled, and increased the pace.
“Milady, we’ve arrived.”
“Already?”
She blurted out her disappointment without meaning to.
“Stop the carriage for a moment.”
Following Rai’s command, the attendant at the carriage halted it.
“What happened?”
Chase peeked out as the carriage door opened.
“The carriage following Milady got stuck in a puddle and can’t move. It seems she must travel with His Highness.”
Seeing Iba sitting before Rai, Chase immediately relayed the situation to Claude.
“I’ll place her myself.”
“Eh? You’ll personally?”
“Yes.”
Normally, a simple permission to mount would suffice, but Claude insisted on personally placing her on the horse. Chase, though flustered, quickly conveyed this to Rai.
“His Highness wishes to place her personally. Captain, please set Iba down.”
Rai dismounted first and looked up at Iba.
“Hold onto my shoulders as you descend.”
His calm tone reassured her, and she looked down at him. The warmth she felt from him after so long seemed almost foreign, yet it was very real.
“Duke.”
“Yes.”
Iba smiled faintly and placed her hands on Rai’s shoulders.
“Please… catch me well.”
“Understood… Ah!”
She tried to descend holding only his shoulders, but the height of the horse scared her, and her arms wrapped around his neck instead.
Rai was briefly surprised but, thanks to his athletic ability, he lifted her gently.
In that secure embrace, he lowered her safely.
The attendants behind them, witnessing the captain’s unusually gentle manner, were taken aback, nearly whispering among themselves.
“Everyone, remain silent and maintain your stance.”
Rai’s sharp gaze commanded instant attention.
“That’s enough.”
“Phew… thank you, Duke.”
It was Iba’s first time dismounting a horse, and the tension released with a long exhale of relief.
Hiiiiiing—! The horse, feeling discomfort from Iba’s sudden movement, reared its front legs.
“Ahhh!”
As the kicking hooves aimed for her, Rai swiftly held her back, avoiding harm. Iba pressed her face into his chest instinctively.
The horse, already agitated, attempted to chase the retreating pair. The attendants were about to intervene when…
“Steady, steady. Calm down.”
Claude, who had dismounted earlier, seized the reins and calmed the horse.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
Rai’s black horse, accustomed to Claude, gradually settled under his touch. Claude continued soothing the animal, making it manageable.
“Are the two of you alright?”
The question was directed at Iba, though Claude’s gaze focused solely on her.
“Yes… I was just a little startled.”
Her trembling reply made sense; narrowly avoiding the horse’s hooves was terrifying.
“Milady!”
Jane rushed to her side from behind. Rai tried to step aside, but Iba’s hand clutched his sleeve.
Her small hand trembled. Rai looked at it and said,
“Milady.”
“Yes?”
“You must let go.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”
Iba instinctively released him.
“Are you alright, Milady?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Jane. The Duke saved me, so I’m unhurt.”
“That’s a relief. I was so worried. Thank you, Duke.”
Jane bowed repeatedly, grateful to her lifesaver.
Rai nodded in response, then approached Claude.
“Is His Highness alright?”
“Yes, let’s continue.”
Claude handed the reins back to Rai.
“Iba.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You’ll ride in my carriage.”
Claude escorted her, offering his hand.
“I can manage on my own.”
“You’re still trembling.”
Iba realized it now and took his hand.
“Come quickly. Everyone is waiting to depart.”
Accepting his escort, she climbed into the carriage, and Claude sat beside her.
“Jane, you should come too.”
“Yes, Chase.”
Once Chase and Jane were aboard, the carriage doors closed.
Rai mounted his horse again, commanding the attendants:
“We move out again! Follow directly without straying.”
“Yes!”
Once in the carriage, Iba felt a bit subdued. She felt guilty for delaying everyone.
“Iba, are you alright?”
Claude gently checked on her.
“Yes, just a little startled.”
“If we had known the carriage was stuck, we would have waited immediately.”
“Thanks to the Duke, we arrived quickly anyway.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“You’ve been working. I hope we haven’t been a distraction.”
Many documents were on the carriage’s seats.
“Distraction? I was a little bored, so it’s actually nice to have company.”
Claude’s direct comment surprised Chase, who was observing him. Normally expressionless, Claude looked at Iba with warm, gentle eyes, ignoring the documents.
Even as an advisor, Chase had never seen His Highness show such candid warmth.
So this is how he truly feels about Iba… Chase realized.
When Iba was invited to the greenhouse, he hadn’t asked Claude anything, waiting quietly for him to explain.
In truth, Chase had hoped His Highness would tell him first, or that Iba might not become the princess.
But seeing the two together now, he felt as though he was finally confronting the moments he had avoided.
I was the one who didn’t understand, Chase thought, lowering his gaze to the documents in quiet resignation.
“Chase?”
Iba’s soft voice called him.
“Y-yes?”
“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
Seeing his exhaustion, she asked worriedly. Claude’s eyes also reflected concern.
“You look unwell. Feeling dizzy from the reverse direction, Chase?”
The two concerned gazes lifted the corners of Chase’s mouth into a faint smile.
Yes, these two are important to me. That fact will never change.
“No, it’s nothing. I was just reading documents. Your Highness, shall we enjoy the snacks together with Iba?”
“Yes. It will be better together.”
With permission, Chase took out the prepared refreshments.
“Actually, I also brought some snacks from our carriage.”
Jane revealed some fruit she had secretly brought for Iba.
“This feels like a picnic.”
“Yes, Iba, you can’t eat it all alone. His Highness should have some too.”
“Hey, I’m not eating that much.”
“You had two plates of dessert to yourself.”
“Chase, it’s actually three. Our Milady just has a healthy appetite.”
“…Jane, you’re really taking care of me, right?”
“Of course!”
“Hahaha, everyone calm down.”
The previously quiet carriage became lively.
Seeing Iba’s trembling subside, Claude smiled quietly.
