WTPB - Chapter 97




What kind of barking is this?

Arkan was startled by himself for a moment as he thought that.

It was the first time in his life that he had such hostile thoughts toward someone, especially a woman.

However, he had no intention of turning back. He didn’t know why he was so unpleasant.

Montiel’s words were just the same as those of other officials and nobles.

Although there was an unpleasant flirtation mixed in... That could have been her personality.

Although it was understandable, Arkan took a step back with a hardened expression as if he didn’t want to be near her.

Then Montiel sidled up to Arkan again.

The hurried steps were a habit, and every time her small body bounced, her braided hair that was decorated in a round shape next to her ear swayed frivolously.

“I understand what you mean, but that doesn’t mean I have to do what you say. Don’t you think so?”

Montiel’s face turned slightly pale.

She opened her eyes wide in confusion and quickly pretended to step back.

“Your Majesty, why are you saying that? You said you would do as you are told, but I would never think of such a thing...”

“Then let’s pretend that what I just heard never happened.”

For now, there was no choice but to step back.

Montiel answered politely, “Yes,” and lowered his head, biting his lips.

“But.”

Arkan suddenly looked back at Montiel.

Those golden eyes looked strangely cold, but she was so absorbed in Arkan’s face that she didn’t notice the mood at all.

As Mrs. Wickes had once commented, she was usually frivolous and self-willed. She was slow to read other people’s expressions.

Arkan, who had been silent for a moment, let out a short sigh and turned his head.

“Your Majesty?”

Montiel tilted her head and pursed her lips as she called him.

It was one of the expressions she had practiced in the mirror several times a day since she was twelve or so, but... Arkan's gaze was elsewhere.

"Nothing."

Why is Plat so late? Arkan narrowed his brows.

Where on earth did the rumor that he was going horseback riding spread and reach Count Zelma's daughter? Since the bureaucrats and nobles are usually well-informed of the King's schedule, she might have heard it from her father or a fellow bureaucrat she often hangs out with...

He was a little suspicious of her intention to try so hard to follow the schedule today.

It could also be Montiel's own idea.

At that time, Plat, who had gone to the Queen's palace, returned and reported.

"Your Majesty, I have conveyed a message to the Queen."

"What did she say?"

"She didn't say anything, but she simply said 'I understand.'"

She's not helpful here and there. Arkan thought. However, he imagined Erdene's expression when she said 'I understand.'

It probably wasn't a very pleasant expression, and he wondered why she had accepted so readily.

Why didn’t you just refuse like you usually did...

‘I can’t help it.’

Arkan let out a short sigh.

Judging by his expression, it seemed clear that Plat had only told Erdene that ‘Count Zelma’s daughter came to visit to serve her.’

If only she had known how to act more like a sly squirrel. Arkan glanced at the pitiful Plat and shook his head.

“What about the Queen?”

“She said she would go out and wait.”

Arkan tapped his tongue and brushed off his bare vest.

“I’ll be back, Plat.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Arkan went ahead, and Montiel followed him.

Arkan’s eyes widened at her impudent attitude of completely ignoring her, and he shook his head, trying to suppress the anxiety that was welling up in him.

“I don’t know. If you value your life, you’ll know how to handle it.”

***

Erdene had come down first, wearing the same plain riding clothes as the men, and was waiting.

Sophia was nowhere to be seen, but instead, Anne, who was just as cautious as Sophia, stood obediently behind her.

“You have come, Your Majesty.”

Arkan was momentarily speechless when he saw Erdene slightly bowing her head.

Her long hair was tied up tightly and hanging down, and she looked completely different from usual in a light cream-colored shirt, a black leather vest, and soft wool trousers.

The tips of her riding boots, which went up to her knees, were slightly pointed and matched Erdene’s slender figure amazingly well.

“Your Majesty.”

Erdene called him with a puzzled expression.

Arkan suddenly realized that he had been lost in her gaze and coughed.

Arkan quivered his lips and said,

“...It suits you very well.”

Erdene looked down at her attire as if to say, “Is that so?” and smiled.

“Come to think of it, Your Majesty, this is the first time you’ve seen me in riding clothes. I often went out horseback riding with the Duke, so I wondered why you were staring at me so intently.”

“Hmm, yes. It would be much more fun to play with Pelarhar than with me.”

Arkan furrowed his brows slightly as he approached her and carefully took hold of her hand.

The shiny cufflinks on the end of her sleeves became familiar to his eyes.

“These buttons...”

“Your Majesty used to wear them? I asked the official in charge of clothing to make a new riding shirt, and he asked what cufflinks would be good and brought me a few.”

Arkan furrowed his brow slightly.

“But you brought this? This one was broken.”

Erdene nodded and showed Arkan the other sleeve.

“Oh, I know. One of the six was broken, but since it was a rare type of mother-of-pearl, they didn’t throw it away and kept it. That’s why I asked them to repair it and make it. It would be a waste to leave it worn out.”

Arkan answered.

“Even so, who is the official in charge? I should just cut it off or have his salary reduced. He's out of your mind to give away a broken button while making a new shirt for the Queen.”

“Calm down.”

Erdene’s eyes widened and she let out a small laugh.

Arkan, who was genuinely angry over something like this, suddenly felt cute.

Meanwhile, Montiel, who was watching this scene from behind, was surprised by Arkan’s attitude for the first time in her life, she couldn’t stand the jealousy and her face turned blue.

As she looked down at Erdene's sleeve, looking at Arkan with a pitiful expression, she felt annoyed at Erdene, not him.

'Huh, how could she pretend to be quiet now?' 

He couldn't help but mutter inwardly.

Erdene let Arkan, who still had a displeased expression, pretend to play with her sleeve and caress the back of her hand, enjoying it.

Meanwhile, she was also glancing at Montiel over his shoulder.

Plat had said that she wanted to apologize, but in Erdene's view, rather than apologize, she seemed closer to wanting to kick Erdene with her shoe.

Looking at her eyes rolled back as if she couldn't even see Erdene's eyes properly...

'Isn't that a joke?'

Erdene, who had casually dismissed the matter, pulled out her wrist that was in Arkan’s grasp. 

“Who is the young lady that Your Majesty brought?”

Only then did Arkan remember Montiel’s presence.

At first, he had been so absorbed in Erdene’s appearance in her riding outfit, and then in the fact that her sleeves had recycled buttons, that he had not even noticed Montiel.

“She is the daughter of Count Zelma .”

Arkan turned his head.

At that moment, Erdene was inwardly amazed when she saw Montiel’s expression change to that of an innocent young lady.

‘If she had used her talent, she would have been a great spy.’

“What are you doing instead of greeting the Queen?”

Montiel blinked his round eyes twice with a surprised expression.

For someone in her twenties, she seemed so naive that she almost looked immature.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I did not want to disturb you two.”

Montiel, who had been walking briskly, spread the hem of her dress with both hands and bowed her head in a courtly manner in front of Erdene.

It was at that moment that Erdene’s gaze slowly lowered.

Her slender shoulders trembled slightly, and Montiel, who had been greeting her, suddenly collapsed on the floor, covered her face with both hands and began to sob.

‘What is this...?’

Erdene thought. Arkan, who was standing next to her, also had a bewildered expression.

“What are you doing?”

Arkan said in a stern voice.

It was meant to tell her to stop and get up, but Montiel quickly raised her tear-stained face and looked only at Erdene.

“Ugh, Your Majesty... Please forgive me for my mistake!”

Look at this. Erdene snickered at the sudden talk.

In fact, when Plat came to the palace and said something about the Count's daughter, Erdene didn't understand what he was talking about.

It was Sophia who brought back the memory.

At first, she, like Erdene, did not understand Plat's words, but then she suddenly remembered the conversation she had had with Viscountess Wickes.

[That's what I meant. Would I have done that normally? Even though she was my daughter's age, I really hated her behavior.]

At that time, Sophia had used her connections to stop Montiel Zelma from spreading false rumors about the Queen to the young nobles of her age.

Thanks to this, the commotion in the hallway was forgotten after only a few people who were present mulled over and whispered about it.

[Your Highness, Montiel Zelma is reckless and sensible, but persistent.]

Erdene looked down at Montiel, who was sobbing, as she recalled the words Sophia had recited one by one.


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