Summer was coming to an end, and the weather was pleasantly cool. Perhaps due to the light cloud cover, the sunlight streaming through the windows seemed softer than usual.
Maybe I'll go horseback riding today. It's been a long time.
One of the things I discovered after having Camille's body was that she enjoyed riding horses as much as she enjoyed attending banquets.
During my period of house arrest, I felt very upset, and I didn't want to arouse suspicion by suddenly giving up a hobby I enjoyed.
Therefore, I went to the stables several times.
I was surprised to find it very interesting.
My body was like it remembered how to ride a horse, just like it does to dance, so I learned it quickly.
I was obsessed with it for a while, and rode regularly until it got too hot.
I didn't have a banquet coming up, and it wasn't time for the volunteer work Audrey had promised. Since I ordered the dresses yesterday, it will take some time for them to be ready.
I called Mary and asked her to prepare for the trip.
***
“Is the lady going horseback riding?” Victor asked with wide eyes and continued: “Is she going now? Where is she going? To the estate’s stables as usual, or is she going outside?”
Mary was taken aback by Victor's unusually quick questions, so she nodded like a frightened rabbit.
“Ah… yes, that’s right. She said she was going to the northern stables, as usual, and asked me to get ready immediately.”
Victor looked at his pocket watch.
It was just after three in the afternoon.
‘Master said he would be back before four today… the timing is perfect. The sky is on my side
Mary looked at Victor in confusion, and asked, “Ah, servant? Is something wrong?”
“What? No, nothing. Take good care of the lady.”
“…okay”
Mary still looked confused as Victor rushed off somewhere.
“Go to the knights’ headquarters and tell Sir Mael that the lady will be heading to the stables soon.”
“Yes sir.”
Victor instructed one servant, then sent another to relay the same message to Jack.
“This should work”
***
I was riding alone at the northern stables of the Dumont area.
“This feels amazing”
The breeze was fresh as it caressed me.
Although the clouds made it darker in the middle of the day, the weather was perfect for riding.
It's really nice to have money.
There is such a huge stable on the same property.
The entire stable was mine alone.
I should do this more.
It clears my mind and improves my mood.
After a couple of laps around the track, I slowed down to take a break and headed toward the shaded spot where Mary was waiting.
At that moment, I saw a person approaching on horseback from the direction of the stable entrance.
'...impossible'
Officially, only Ethan and I were allowed to use this stable.
But in all the times I rode, I never ran into Ethan.
Soon we were close enough to see each other's faces.
It was really Ethan.
As expected, he looked great in his riding clothes.
The clothes fit him perfectly, revealing his disturbingly perfect figure.
He frowned slightly and asked: “What are you doing here?”
I looked at him blankly, "Isn't that obvious? I'm riding at the stables. What else was I going to do?"
He looked around a few times before asking again, “Where is Mile?”
“Why are you looking for Mile here?”
“I agreed to meet him here. Haven’t you seen him?”
“No, you see, I was alone before you arrived.”
“This is strange. He said he would be here before me.”
"What? Were you two planning a race or something?"
Judging by his expression, it seemed like I had hit the target.
“You sure love competing. You were looking forward to training with Mr. Mayle last time as well.”
“Not with anyone, only when the opponent is worth my time.”
I can understand that. Since he was exceptional in every field, it must have been difficult for him to find a worthy competitor.
"But it's strange. He refused to train and agreed to race?"
“He did not agree, but it was Mile who suggested the race.”
“Really? How weird is this?”
It seemed a little strange.
Not only was Mile suggested to race first, it was also strange that he was late despite his ranking. It wasn't entirely foreign to Mile.
“Anyway, I would appreciate it if you could complete the route. I don't want any unnecessary distractions during this rare opportunity.”
Ethan's frank voice bothered me.
"Unnecessary distractions? That's a bit rude, isn't it?"
“I'm just asking you to clear the track so I can race. What's the problem?”
"You can put it more politely. It's not what you say, it's how you say it."
“What can I call a distraction but a distraction?”
“Oh, forget it. I should have known better.”
I clicked my tongue and turned my horse.
As I was about to return to Mary, I stopped.
“…Actually, why should I? I was here first. Why should I move just because you came later?”
“When did I tell you you had to move? I just said I would appreciate it if you could.”
“What if I refuse? Will you give up and come back?”
Ethan narrowed his eyes, “You refuse? Why do you refuse?”
"Like I said, I was here first. I was having a nice trip. Why should I give up my place just because you asked?"
"I've already explained that. I've arranged a mile race. It's a rare opportunity, and I don't want to miss it. Don't you understand?"
“Sure, I understand that. But I can still refuse, especially when the questioner is not polite.”
“Have you forgotten who owns this stable?”
“Oh, so now you're going to say it's your stable and I have to move? What a trivial matter.”
“I said I would appreciate it if you could move. It was out of respect for you being here first.”
“Well, that certainly didn't seem respectable to me.”
Ethan's eyebrows twitched, "What exactly do you have a problem with me? Why do you act like you can't stand me every time we meet?"
“When did I do that? If that's how you really feel, maybe you should ask yourself why.”
“……”
Ethan clenched his jaw, staring at me, and I immediately stared back at him.
Oh, how annoying! Why does he always talk emotionally?
The first thing he said was: “What are you doing here?” Then he called me an “unnecessary distraction.”
What if he's handsome? I won't spend my whole life looking at his face.
If I have to live with someone, let it be with someone who cannot live without me.
My decision to divorce Ethan has become more solid.
After a moment, Ethan pulled his horse's reins forcefully, sending him back to where he came from. I clicked my tongue again, and turned my horse the other way.
But as I took a few steps, something cold hit me in the head.
'...what?'
I looked up and found that the white clouds had turned dark grey.
"rain?"
The raindrops, which started as a light drizzle, quickly turned into heavy rain, drenching my head and shoulders.
I urged my horse forward.
Then a flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening boom of thunder.
For a moment, everything went white, and my whole body stiffened. Then, memories from the distant past flowed into my mind like a tidal wave.
***
“Ahh!”
Hearing the loud screaming, Ethan turned around.
He saw Camille huddled on her horse, holding her head and curled up on herself.
Ethan didn't understand what was happening, so he froze for a moment.
Then another sound of thunder rang out in the sky.
Camille screamed again, shrinking even more.
She looked like she was about to fall off her horse.
Ethan quickly tightened his reins and started towards her.
His horse, Antares, was well trained and did not tremble at the sound of thunder. But there was no guarantee that Camille's horse would remain calm, especially with a terrified rider.
"Camille! What's wrong?"
He called out as he approached her, but she didn't seem to hear him.
Ethan suddenly dismounted as another clap of thunder rang out in the sky, causing Camille to convulse.
Then, in the next moment, her body began to lean dangerously to the side.
“Camille!”