(76) The never-ending danger (2)
When Ariana lost her grip on the struggling horse and was lifted into the air, Duke Obelius thought, 'Enough!'
He heard that Ariana lived in the West without any proper education and lived like a maid.
'I don't think she has any skills to protect herself.'
One leg would be broken. If she was lucky, she could be run over by a horse's hoof and die, or she could be left with a serious head injury and become a fool. Falling from a normal galloping horse would be life-threatening, but falling from a bucking horse with a damaged thigh would be no easy feat.
Even if he is safe, the incident of falling from a horse today will be remembered in people's minds for a long time.
A fragile princess who doesn't get along with Dongryung, who is also a warrior.
'But...'
Something felt uneasy.
Ariana's body, which had been fluttering in the air, suddenly curled into a ball, as if about to fall.
Amidst the cries of the White family and the screams of those who realized the situation belatedly, a small body fell to the floor.
Bam-
The body fell with a light, almost cheerful sound, rolling around, deftly avoiding the bucking horse's legs. While the people watched in a daze, Ariana leaped to her feet and approached the bucking horse.
The horse raised its upper body as if it would trample Ariana, but she fearlessly grabbed the horse's bridle and patted its neck.
"Shhh..."
The wild words gradually became quiet.
Russell, who arrived late, pulled Ariana away from the horse, and Geor grabbed the bridle.
Only then did people catch their breath.
They had never seen anything like it. They never dreamed that the poor Princess, who had returned from the cruelty of the West, would so masterfully subdue a mad horse.
Ariana picked up her cloak, which had fallen to the floor. She put it on without even shaking it, covered in dirt. She looked like a warrior who had already crossed the line of death several times.
“Oh, Ariana. Are you okay?”
“Yes, Father.”
Ariana looked around at the people with a kind smile.
“Are you surprised?”
People nodded without realizing it. Ariana smiled as if she found it amusing.
“It’s nothing.”
Her clear, cheerful voice, as if singing, melted the hearts of the people. They felt awe, affection, and longing for their Princess, who had returned after a long absence.
Their Princess is too intense to be considered merely pitiful, and too lovable to be considered a spy of the spirit world.
The people were proud that their Princess was such a wonderful girl.
While everyone's eyes were on Ariana, Geor observed the horse and discovered a silver needle stuck in its thigh. He quietly removed the needle and discarded it on the floor. He turned to Ariana, their eyes meeting.
Ariana was staring at Geor with eyes that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Geor smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you're safe, Princess. At least now we know what kind of person our Princess is."
Geor strode over to Ariana and extended his hand. Ariana smiled gently and placed her own hand on his palm.
Geor said, lightly kissing the back of her hand.
“Welcome back to th East, Princess.”
Only then did people come to their senses and raise their arms.
“Waaaaaaaaa!”
"Princess!"
“Welcome!”
The crowd's outpouring of cries shook the sky of the East. Ariana looked around at the crowd with a warm smile. Without even needing to declare herself a Princess in the main square, Ariana was accepted as the Princess of the East.
Today's events would spread throughout the East by word of mouth. As they spread, they would grow and grow, creating a narrative that made Ariana a god of war.
'There's someone after me.'
But Ariana's mind wasn't as warm as the smile she was wearing.
Ariana's frequent horseback riding experience has also led to countless accidents. She's fallen from her horse, dodged arrows, and even tumbled off an injured horse.
She's jumped out of carriages many times before, but she hasn't been seriously injured, thanks to past experience.
Although she lacked the power to defend herself, she possessed some skills to defend against such situations.
'If I hadn't had that experience, it would have been dangerous.'
No matter how much experience you have, the moment something like that happens, your mind goes blank. Even when she was thrown off track earlier, her heart suddenly thumped.
'Who could it be? There must be someone here who's after my life.'
If the other party was concerned about the East's safety and was doing this to Ariana, who might be a spy for the West, then it would be better. Taking the time to prove she wasn't a threat would solve the problem.
But if Ariana's life is being targeted for other reasons, things won't be easy in the future.
'There's no way the Western Lord would have sent someone. With the Emperor intervening in my custody case, he's probably not going to make a move. Given his nature, the Western Lord would quickly give up and move on.'
Then why would they seek my life?
'Is it because of the position of the successor?'
But the cry of Geor as she fell from her horse sounded genuinely startled.
'You never know. The succession might be a great actor.'
Geor had already tried to kill Ariana once.
'I can't let my guard down for the time being.'
Ariana took Carradine's hand and climbed into the carriage, hearing Geor say to Russell, "I think it got stung by a bee or something."
Things went wrong.
Duke Obelius was so upset that he couldn't stand it.
Even after the carriage carrying Ariana disappeared, people continued to talk about the princess's appearance.
'How come that woman possesses such skills? Was it just a rumor that she learned nothing while in the West?'
What he did today ended up only helping Ariana. Even those who had previously looked at her with wariness or jealousy have now changed their attitudes.
Ariana's smile after she finished her work was equally lovely. But in Duke Obelius's eyes, it only seemed a little bit tacky.
'It seems like there's something about that woman that I don't know about.'
Duke Obelius decided to admit that he had been a little hasty in this matter.
'I can't just believe rumors and act accordingly. I need more information. Until then, I'll have to be careful.'
The welcoming ceremony in the Great Square was canceled for Ariana's safety, but Ariana was recognized as the Princess of the East.
A festival was held in the streets to celebrate the Princess's return.
While people were laughing and having fun talking about the Princess, Ariana arrived safely at Chase Castle.
She was secretly moved to a room reserved for her, and Ariana headed to the dining room where a banquet was being held. It was a gathering exclusively for the White family.
The family talked about Ariana's custody case and the horse-fall incident that had just occurred. While there were some voices of concern, the conversation was mostly cheerful.
Ariana nodded, smiled, and responded appropriately, occasionally glancing at Geor. Each time, Geor was looking at Ariana. He seemed to have no intention of hiding his gaze.
'Why is he looking at me like that? Could the falling horse incident have been orchestrated by Geor?'
It didn't occur to her that the horse had been stung by a bee and was bucking like that. Geor, who had been examining the horse's thigh earlier, had a look in his eyes that clearly indicated he was hiding something.
'But I didn't think that guy would take things so lightly. Did I misjudge?'
She had a feeling that if Geor were to use his hands, he would use them more carefully.
On the day the Princess returned, it didn't seem like he would do something reckless in front of the countless people gathered for the festival, something that might or might not turn out well.
While Ariana was lost in thought, Geor was looking at Ariana in his own way, lost in thought.
'You'll doubt me.'
Ariana's gaze, occasionally directed at Geor, was cold and sharp. Her eyes, shining as if trying to read Geor's inner thoughts, didn't seem like those of a young girl.
Geor felt like he was standing before a beast.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Duke Obelius said he would leave it to Geor. He had promised to intervene if Geor didn't move, so he thought things would be quiet for a while.
'I didn't know he'd act so quickly on the day she moved in. And so aggressively...'
Geor's head was aching terribly.
Duke Obelius had always had a rash streak. His eldest son, the little Duke and little Duchess, were no exception.
'This is driving me crazy. Surely the Duke hasn't already given his children some instructions?'
There was one thing that Duke Obelius did not know.
The Eastern Duke's feelings for his daughter were deeper than Duke Obelius could have imagined. He could tell just by looking at his eyes.
Russell was looking at Ariana with a gaze that Geor had never seen before. It was as if this whole moment was a dream, a gaze that suggested he would give his life for his daughter.
The Lord of the East is known as a fair and cool-headed man, but that was when his daughter was not by his side.
'His Excellency will not be fair even in the Princess's affairs.'
It was the same for other members of the White family.
The former Duchess and her husband were a given, and Count Fellowes White looked as if he was about to suffocate whenever Ariana smiled.
'If it becomes known that Duke Obelius is behind this...'
Those who follow the path of Obelius will not be safe.
‘Even my mother...’
As long as Ariana wasn't a threat to the East, Geor wouldn't touch her. If Duke Obelius tried to harm Ariana, he wouldn't.
'Do I have no choice but to protect her? But... then what will happen to my mother?'
Geor could no longer remain calm and sit there. He was reaching his limit when it came to enduring Ariana's scrutinizing gaze.
“I’m tired, so I’ll go in now.”
Averaster spoke to Geor as he stood up.
“Go to bed early, brother. There’s a party tomorrow, so you need to get some rest today.”
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
As he was leaving after giving a brief greeting, Ariana's surprised voice was heard behind him.
“Are we having another party tomorrow?”
“Again? We’re not having a party today?”
“But that thing on the street earlier...?”
"That was a welcoming party to welcome you, and tomorrow is the real party. Do you hate parties?"
“No, that’s not it... I was just surprised.”
Before leaving the restaurant, Geor glanced back. Ariana was talking to Averaster, her expression genuinely surprised.
'I really don't know what to do.'
Sometimes, when he looks at her, she seems like holding a million-year-old snake, and he can't read her mind, but at other times, she looks like a child.
Her profile, with her eyes wide open and her lips slightly parted, was so beautiful that Geor seemed to understand why Russell couldn't take his eyes off her.
'It's understandable that he's happy to have such a pretty daughter back. He won't even think about me.'
When Ariana lost her grip on the struggling horse and was lifted into the air, Duke Obelius thought, 'Enough!'
He heard that Ariana lived in the West without any proper education and lived like a maid.
'I don't think she has any skills to protect herself.'
One leg would be broken. If she was lucky, she could be run over by a horse's hoof and die, or she could be left with a serious head injury and become a fool. Falling from a normal galloping horse would be life-threatening, but falling from a bucking horse with a damaged thigh would be no easy feat.
Even if he is safe, the incident of falling from a horse today will be remembered in people's minds for a long time.
A fragile princess who doesn't get along with Dongryung, who is also a warrior.
'But...'
Something felt uneasy.
Ariana's body, which had been fluttering in the air, suddenly curled into a ball, as if about to fall.
Amidst the cries of the White family and the screams of those who realized the situation belatedly, a small body fell to the floor.
Bam-
The body fell with a light, almost cheerful sound, rolling around, deftly avoiding the bucking horse's legs. While the people watched in a daze, Ariana leaped to her feet and approached the bucking horse.
The horse raised its upper body as if it would trample Ariana, but she fearlessly grabbed the horse's bridle and patted its neck.
"Shhh..."
The wild words gradually became quiet.
Russell, who arrived late, pulled Ariana away from the horse, and Geor grabbed the bridle.
Only then did people catch their breath.
They had never seen anything like it. They never dreamed that the poor Princess, who had returned from the cruelty of the West, would so masterfully subdue a mad horse.
Ariana picked up her cloak, which had fallen to the floor. She put it on without even shaking it, covered in dirt. She looked like a warrior who had already crossed the line of death several times.
“Oh, Ariana. Are you okay?”
“Yes, Father.”
Ariana looked around at the people with a kind smile.
“Are you surprised?”
People nodded without realizing it. Ariana smiled as if she found it amusing.
“It’s nothing.”
Her clear, cheerful voice, as if singing, melted the hearts of the people. They felt awe, affection, and longing for their Princess, who had returned after a long absence.
Their Princess is too intense to be considered merely pitiful, and too lovable to be considered a spy of the spirit world.
The people were proud that their Princess was such a wonderful girl.
While everyone's eyes were on Ariana, Geor observed the horse and discovered a silver needle stuck in its thigh. He quietly removed the needle and discarded it on the floor. He turned to Ariana, their eyes meeting.
Ariana was staring at Geor with eyes that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Geor smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you're safe, Princess. At least now we know what kind of person our Princess is."
Geor strode over to Ariana and extended his hand. Ariana smiled gently and placed her own hand on his palm.
Geor said, lightly kissing the back of her hand.
“Welcome back to th East, Princess.”
Only then did people come to their senses and raise their arms.
“Waaaaaaaaa!”
"Princess!"
“Welcome!”
The crowd's outpouring of cries shook the sky of the East. Ariana looked around at the crowd with a warm smile. Without even needing to declare herself a Princess in the main square, Ariana was accepted as the Princess of the East.
Today's events would spread throughout the East by word of mouth. As they spread, they would grow and grow, creating a narrative that made Ariana a god of war.
'There's someone after me.'
But Ariana's mind wasn't as warm as the smile she was wearing.
Ariana's frequent horseback riding experience has also led to countless accidents. She's fallen from her horse, dodged arrows, and even tumbled off an injured horse.
She's jumped out of carriages many times before, but she hasn't been seriously injured, thanks to past experience.
Although she lacked the power to defend herself, she possessed some skills to defend against such situations.
'If I hadn't had that experience, it would have been dangerous.'
No matter how much experience you have, the moment something like that happens, your mind goes blank. Even when she was thrown off track earlier, her heart suddenly thumped.
'Who could it be? There must be someone here who's after my life.'
If the other party was concerned about the East's safety and was doing this to Ariana, who might be a spy for the West, then it would be better. Taking the time to prove she wasn't a threat would solve the problem.
But if Ariana's life is being targeted for other reasons, things won't be easy in the future.
'There's no way the Western Lord would have sent someone. With the Emperor intervening in my custody case, he's probably not going to make a move. Given his nature, the Western Lord would quickly give up and move on.'
Then why would they seek my life?
'Is it because of the position of the successor?'
But the cry of Geor as she fell from her horse sounded genuinely startled.
'You never know. The succession might be a great actor.'
Geor had already tried to kill Ariana once.
'I can't let my guard down for the time being.'
Ariana took Carradine's hand and climbed into the carriage, hearing Geor say to Russell, "I think it got stung by a bee or something."
***
Things went wrong.
Duke Obelius was so upset that he couldn't stand it.
Even after the carriage carrying Ariana disappeared, people continued to talk about the princess's appearance.
'How come that woman possesses such skills? Was it just a rumor that she learned nothing while in the West?'
What he did today ended up only helping Ariana. Even those who had previously looked at her with wariness or jealousy have now changed their attitudes.
Ariana's smile after she finished her work was equally lovely. But in Duke Obelius's eyes, it only seemed a little bit tacky.
'It seems like there's something about that woman that I don't know about.'
Duke Obelius decided to admit that he had been a little hasty in this matter.
'I can't just believe rumors and act accordingly. I need more information. Until then, I'll have to be careful.'
***
The welcoming ceremony in the Great Square was canceled for Ariana's safety, but Ariana was recognized as the Princess of the East.
A festival was held in the streets to celebrate the Princess's return.
While people were laughing and having fun talking about the Princess, Ariana arrived safely at Chase Castle.
She was secretly moved to a room reserved for her, and Ariana headed to the dining room where a banquet was being held. It was a gathering exclusively for the White family.
The family talked about Ariana's custody case and the horse-fall incident that had just occurred. While there were some voices of concern, the conversation was mostly cheerful.
Ariana nodded, smiled, and responded appropriately, occasionally glancing at Geor. Each time, Geor was looking at Ariana. He seemed to have no intention of hiding his gaze.
'Why is he looking at me like that? Could the falling horse incident have been orchestrated by Geor?'
It didn't occur to her that the horse had been stung by a bee and was bucking like that. Geor, who had been examining the horse's thigh earlier, had a look in his eyes that clearly indicated he was hiding something.
'But I didn't think that guy would take things so lightly. Did I misjudge?'
She had a feeling that if Geor were to use his hands, he would use them more carefully.
On the day the Princess returned, it didn't seem like he would do something reckless in front of the countless people gathered for the festival, something that might or might not turn out well.
While Ariana was lost in thought, Geor was looking at Ariana in his own way, lost in thought.
'You'll doubt me.'
Ariana's gaze, occasionally directed at Geor, was cold and sharp. Her eyes, shining as if trying to read Geor's inner thoughts, didn't seem like those of a young girl.
Geor felt like he was standing before a beast.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Duke Obelius said he would leave it to Geor. He had promised to intervene if Geor didn't move, so he thought things would be quiet for a while.
'I didn't know he'd act so quickly on the day she moved in. And so aggressively...'
Geor's head was aching terribly.
Duke Obelius had always had a rash streak. His eldest son, the little Duke and little Duchess, were no exception.
'This is driving me crazy. Surely the Duke hasn't already given his children some instructions?'
There was one thing that Duke Obelius did not know.
The Eastern Duke's feelings for his daughter were deeper than Duke Obelius could have imagined. He could tell just by looking at his eyes.
Russell was looking at Ariana with a gaze that Geor had never seen before. It was as if this whole moment was a dream, a gaze that suggested he would give his life for his daughter.
The Lord of the East is known as a fair and cool-headed man, but that was when his daughter was not by his side.
'His Excellency will not be fair even in the Princess's affairs.'
It was the same for other members of the White family.
The former Duchess and her husband were a given, and Count Fellowes White looked as if he was about to suffocate whenever Ariana smiled.
'If it becomes known that Duke Obelius is behind this...'
Those who follow the path of Obelius will not be safe.
‘Even my mother...’
As long as Ariana wasn't a threat to the East, Geor wouldn't touch her. If Duke Obelius tried to harm Ariana, he wouldn't.
'Do I have no choice but to protect her? But... then what will happen to my mother?'
Geor could no longer remain calm and sit there. He was reaching his limit when it came to enduring Ariana's scrutinizing gaze.
“I’m tired, so I’ll go in now.”
Averaster spoke to Geor as he stood up.
“Go to bed early, brother. There’s a party tomorrow, so you need to get some rest today.”
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
As he was leaving after giving a brief greeting, Ariana's surprised voice was heard behind him.
“Are we having another party tomorrow?”
“Again? We’re not having a party today?”
“But that thing on the street earlier...?”
"That was a welcoming party to welcome you, and tomorrow is the real party. Do you hate parties?"
“No, that’s not it... I was just surprised.”
Before leaving the restaurant, Geor glanced back. Ariana was talking to Averaster, her expression genuinely surprised.
'I really don't know what to do.'
Sometimes, when he looks at her, she seems like holding a million-year-old snake, and he can't read her mind, but at other times, she looks like a child.
Her profile, with her eyes wide open and her lips slightly parted, was so beautiful that Geor seemed to understand why Russell couldn't take his eyes off her.
'It's understandable that he's happy to have such a pretty daughter back. He won't even think about me.'
Comments
Post a Comment