Episode 57. Words Don't Lie (2)
After dinner, the men took their seats in the annex, while the women settled into the main house. The master bedroom in the main house was spacious. There were two beds and a sofa by the window.
Isabella entered first and opened the window slightly. The night air came in. It was cool air mixed with the scent of grass. Lily followed her in, looking around the room. Bianca entered last and closed the door. Martha sat on the sofa by the window. Lily sat right next to Martha, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It seemed there was something unfamiliar since it was her first time here.
Martha patted Lily's shoulder once. Seeing Martha do that, Lily's tension soon released. Isabella sat on the edge of the bed and picked up a glass of wine. It was the one she had brought for dinner. She took a sip and looked out the window.
"I used to come here more often when I was younger."
Martha looked at Isabella.
"Claude really loved horses. I liked the scenery here more than the horses. If you go up that hill, the sunset is just so beautiful."
Bianca looked at Isabella as she sat on the opposite side of the bed. Her expression had softened a little. She looked more relaxed than she had earlier in the day.
"If Madqm came when you were young, the Princess must have come often when she was little too."
Isabella chuckled.
"Serena hated horses. She tried to ride one once when she was five, but fell off immediately. After that, she wouldn't even go near one. If we forced her to come, she would just wander in the opposite direction of the stable."
Martha thought as she listened. So that's why Grumpy was so shy. Her owner hadn't even looked at her since she was little. Lily spoke cautiously.
"I was scared of horses at first, too. They're so big."
"That's true."
Isabella nodded.
"But once you get close to them, there's nothing better. Horses can't lie. If they like you, they like you, and if they don't, they don't."
Bianca raised her wine glass and said.
"They're better than a human."
Isabella looked at Bianca. Bianca's face briefly showed self-consciousness over what she had just said. Isabella smiled and said.
"That's right. There are many times when they're better than a human."
The awkwardness eased a little. Isabella took another sip of wine and said.
"This is also where I first started dating the Duke."
Martha looked at Isabella. Bianca looked at Isabella as well. Lily's eyes widened. Isabella looked out the window and said.
"Up on that hill. The sun was setting, and he suddenly grabbed my hand. He just held my hand without saying a word. For a long time."
"Is that a confession?"
Bianca asked.
"Claude is someone who can't speak."
Isabella chuckled.
"He held my hand instead of speaking. I only realized it was a confession much later."
Hearing that, Martha thought of Claude. The person who pats the shoulder, unable to find words to praise. The person who looks away while saying, "She is just my daughter."
Young Claude, who holds hands instead of speaking. They were all the same person.
Isabella looked at Martha.
"Serena."
"Yes?"
"You like Prince Leon, don't you?"
Martha looked at Isabella. Isabella's gaze was serious. It wasn't the playful look from the dinner table earlier. It was a look of sincere inquiry. Martha chose her words for a moment, then turned her gaze to the window.
"That again! Actually, but still. I'm not sure."
"Not knowing is a good thing."
"Mother."
"I didn't know what it meant for my heart to feel strange when Claude held my hand. I realized it much later. That it really was strange."
Martha looked out the window. The night meadow was dark. Only the sound of the wind rustling the grass could be heard. Lily quietly linked her arm with Martha's beside her. She was leaning on her. Without a word.
Martha looked at Lily, then looked back out the window. Bianca finished her wine, set her glass down, and said.
"I need to sleep."
Isabella smiled and stood up. Lily rubbed her eyes and began to doze off while leaning against Martha. Martha waited for Lily to fall asleep completely, then quietly laid her down on the sofa. She pulled a blanket over her. With her eyes closed, Lily began to snore softly. Watching this, Isabella parted her lips slightly.
"Good night."
She said it silently. Martha also greeted Isabella with her eyes. The room fell silent. Martha sat by the window and looked at the night meadow. She could not sleep.
A breeze came from the direction of the stables. It was a breeze mixed with the scent of horses. Feeling the breeze, Martha rose from her seat. She quietly opened the door and stepped out. The night air was cold. There were many stars. They were stars that seemed close enough to touch if she reached out. She could not see so many stars in the city. Buildings blocked the sky. Here, nothing blocked it.
Martha walked toward the stables. She pushed open the door. It was quiet inside. The horses were sleeping. Only Grumpy was awake. Seeing Martha enter, she pricked up her ears. She was on guard. It wasn't yet time. Martha sat down in front of Grumpy's stall. It was next to a straw pile. A star was visible through the gap in the stable door. Martha gazed at the star and remained silent for a while. Grumpy was watching Martha. Martha opened her mouth.
"I used to be a handmaiden."
Her voice was low, low enough not to wake the other sleeping horses. Grumpy moved her ears.
"I lived like that for sixty years. I straightened the hems of other people's dresses, poured tea, and stood behind others. I was always behind; I never stepped forward."
Grumpy snorted.
"That is why I'm clumsy at riding. Because I never had a reason to ride in my life. But now that I have this body, I am trying to give it a try."
Martha said, looking at the star.
"You should be helping out, you rascal."
Grumpy looked at Martha.
"I'm not in a hurry. I have no intention of rushing. We can just take our time getting to know each other."
A breeze blew through the gap in the stable door. The straw swayed slightly. Grumpy lowered her head a little, her posture becoming lower than before. It was a posture where her guard was letting down a bit. Martha saw this.
"Right. That's all."
Just then, the stable door opened quietly. It was Prince Leon, wearing a thin coat. He looked at Martha as he entered. There was no surprise or doubt in his gaze. It was the look of someone who already knew she would be here. Martha said.
"You didn't sleep?"
"I couldn't sleep."
Prince Leon looked at Grumpy. Grumpy looked at Prince Leon. Her ears were hanging down more comfortably than before.
"You look much better."
"A little."
Prince Leon sat down next to Martha. He leaned his back against the straw pile. He and Martha sat side by side, both facing the direction where the stars were visible. There was a moment of silence.
Prince Leon took something out from inside his coat. It was a small cloth pouch. When he untied the bundle, it contained flat, round cookies. They were oat cookies. A sweet scent briefly changed the air in the stable. Martha saw it.
"What is that?"
"Something the horses like even more than carrots."
Prince Leon took out a cookie and placed it on Martha's palm. It wasn't a physical touch; he had simply set the cookie down. Yet, in that brief moment, she felt that Prince Leon's hand was cold. It was a hand that had been outside for a long time. Had he overheard my conversation from outside?
"Open your palm and hold it out. And wait patiently."
Martha opened her palm. She slowly extended it toward Grumpy. Grumpy looked at Martha, then at the cookie on her hand, and then back at Martha. But she did not take the cookie from her hand. Prince Leon spoke.
"Don't try to force-feed her. The horse needs to come first."
"If we wait this long, the landscape will change, and we will change too."
"Serena. Don't say such strange things; just be quiet."
Martha waited with her palm open. The wait was long. Prince Leon was also silent. He didn't rush her. He just waited beside her. After waiting for a while, Martha spoke quietly.
"Actually, I've never learned to ride. Today is my first time. Getting on a horse. Edward taught me a little bit of the basics, but that's all."
Prince Leon remained silent.
"That's why I can't ride. It's not that I'm afraid, it's just because it's my first time."
As she said this, Martha thought to herself. Considering that she was a nineteen-year-old princess of a noble ducal family, it might sound strange that she had never ridden a horse before. But Martha wanted to be honest. She didn't want to explain the reason. Just the fact that she couldn't ride.
Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze was different. It was expressionless, but something was moving inside it. Watching that, Martha thought. What is this man thinking right now?
Prince Leon opened his mouth.
"That there is something Princess Serena can't do."
Martha looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon continued speaking while looking straight ahead.
"I am actually a little happy."
Martha looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon looked at Martha. His eyes were different from usual. They were not expressionless. They held something-very briefly, just a tiny bit. What is this, young master? He gets happy about everything. If she didn't even know how to read, he'd throw a party.
"I thought you were someone who could do anything. Negotiations, paperwork, people. I thought you were someone who could do anything."
Martha looked at Prince Leon for a moment, then averted her gaze.
"There are many things I can't do."
"I don't know what they are."
"You know how to ride a horse, so that's enough. The rest is a secret."
Prince Leon looked at Martha for a moment, then looked back toward Grumpy. It was then. Grumpy slowly poked her head out. And she took the cookie from Martha's palm and ate it. Soft, warm lips touched her palm. Feeling that, Martha thought. Ah, it's warm. So this little guy was this warm. Martha looked up at Grumpy.
"Hey, you're eating well."
Grumpy looked at Martha. Martha held out her hand to Prince Leon.
"Want another one?"
Prince Leon took out another cookie and placed it in Martha's hand. Martha offered it to Grumpy. This time, she didn't wait. Grumpy took it and ate it right away. Martha let out a soft snicker. Prince Leon heard the sound. He felt like he knew what that sound was. It was the sound made by someone whose heart opens for the first time. Prince Leon stood up from his seat.
"Try mounting her."
"Now?"
"Grumpy is the softest right now. You can't miss this timing."
Martha looked at Grumpy. Grumpy looked at Martha. Their eyes were different from before. They weren't wary eyes. Martha stood up from her seat. Prince Leon went over to Grumpy. He didn't hold the reins. He just stood beside her. Grumpy looked at Prince Leon, then at Martha. Martha tried to climb on without a footrest.
"Wait."
Prince Leon stood in front of Martha.
"Put your hands here."
He pointed to Grumpy's back. Martha placed her hands there. Prince Leon touched Martha's waist. It was direct contact. He wasn't lifting her, but helping her maintain her balance. Martha stomped her feet. She climbed on. This time, Grumpy didn't twist her body. She didn't stomp her feet. She just stood there. Martha froze for a moment on top of her. She climbed on. This time, she didn't fall. Prince Leon looked up at Martha from beside Grumpy.
"Hold the reins loosely. Don't pull."
Martha took the reins. Loosely.
"Place your feet lightly in the stirrups. Don't tense them."
Martha placed her feet. Prince Leon slowly led Grumpy forward. He wasn't actually holding the reins; he was just walking beside her. Grumpy walked slowly, following Prince Leon.
They were inside the stable. Since the space was cramped, one full circle was all there was to do. But for Martha, that single circle was different. She swayed. Her body swayed in time with the horse's stride. At first, she tried to stop the swaying. But by not trying to stop it, she actually felt more stable. She could feel the horse's rhythm. She could feel the warmth rising from beneath her feet. Prince Leon said.
"Let your body go with the horse. Sway with it. Don't try to hold on."
Hearing those words, Martha relaxed. She swayed. But she didn't fall. She completed one lap around the stable and stopped. Prince Leon looked at Martha. Martha looked down at Prince Leon. There was no word. Grumpy brought her nose close to Martha's feet. It was a movement that seemed to be checking. Feeling it, Martha thought to herself, "It's done."
Prince Leon said.
"You can ride tomorrow morning."
Martha dismounted. Prince Leon helped her balance again. Her feet touched the ground. The two left the stable. There were more stars in the night sky than before. It was a night waning toward dawn.
Prince Leon and Martha stood side by side, gazing at the stars. There were no words. The wind blew. The meadow swayed in the darkness. Only sounds could be heard. Prince Leon gazed at Martha intently and smiled.
"You will ride well tomorrow."
Martha looked at Prince Leon. He was looking straight ahead. Martha glanced briefly at Leon's profile. His lines were distinct even in the darkness. His black hair swayed slightly in the wind. He had no expression, but that lack of expression looked different today. It didn't seem like he was stiff; he just seemed quiet. Martha averted her gaze.
"I should go inside."
"Yes."
Prince Leon walked first toward the annex. Martha walked toward the main house. It was the opposite direction. After taking a few steps, Prince Leon turned around.
"My lady."
Martha stopped and turned back.
Prince Leon looked at Martha and said.
"Good night."
As she accepted those words, Martha thought to herself, "He actually says good night." Suddenly, Martha felt a tickling sensation on the bridge of her nose.
"You too, Young Master."
Prince Leon turned around. Martha watched Leon's retreating figure for a moment before opening the door to the main house. The next morning, just as the sun was rising. Light stretched long across the rolling hills. The sky was clear, and a cool, low breeze blew. Martha led Grumpy out of the stable.
This time, Grumpy followed without much resistance. She didn't even stomp her feet. Martha stepped onto the footrest. Grumpy did not turn. Martha mounted the horse. It was quiet. Grumpy stood still. Martha loosened her grip on the reins. She tried letting Grumpy do as she pleased, rather than pulling. It was something she had learned from Leon last night. Not resisting, but letting go.
Grumpy began to walk slowly. She set her direction toward the hilly terrain. Grumpy walked in that direction. Where the slope began, Martha tightened the reins slightly. Grumpy picked up speed. She started to run. She climbed the hill in a flash. Martha's hair blew back in the wind. The ground whizzed past beneath her feet. Her knees did not hurt, nor did her back. She swayed, yet she did not fall. She did not fall precisely because she was not resisting.
As she reached the top of the hill, the sky opened up before Martha. In that wide-open space, the morning sunlight poured down directly from the front. Martha opened her eyes wide. She could see far into the distance. The meadow was endless. The wind swept across the meadow to one side. It was like a wave. It was not the meadow she had seen at the dinner table yesterday. The meadow viewed from above was different.
As she gazed at the scenery, Martha thought. There were things she could see because it was her second life. And there were things she could see because it was in this body. So this is what it feels like to ride a horse.
Below, Prince Leon was watching Martha. He sat on his horse, looking up at the hills. The sight of Martha galloping across the hills came into view. The morning sunlight was pouring down directly from the front, and Martha stood right in the center of that light. Her golden hair spread out in the wind. Every single strand seemed to hold the light.
The word "gold" was not merely a metaphor. It shone as if light were actually passing through it. The hem of her dress flowed down in the breeze. She galloped over the hills as if the horse and the rider had become one. Leon looked closely at Martha's face. The sunlight pouring down directly on her revealed the bridge of her nose clearly. Her eyes were fixed forward. Her lips were slightly parted. That was all. It was not a special expression. Yet, Prince Leon could not take his eyes off that face. It was the face of someone accepting something for the first time. The face of someone whom he had held onto and resisted for so long, only to finally entrust himself to them.
So this is what it looks like. Prince Leon thought as he looked at it. Beautiful. Serena, so this was a beautiful woman. Leon thought of Serena, who had confided her secret in the stable last night. That she had never learned to ride. Prince Leon knew the weight of that horse. Serena was someone who did everything on her own. She was not someone who would admit she didn't know something. Yet, the scene of her sitting on the straw pile in the stable and taking out that horse kept coming back to him.
Recognizing this, Prince Leon kept his gaze fixed on the hill. Martha was stopping the horse at the top of the hill. She paused briefly in the morning sunlight. Her hair swayed slowly in the wind. Edward looked up at the hill as he set the horse beside Prince Leon.
"It's all done."
Prince Leon looked at Edward. Edward looked straight ahead and let out a snicker.
"I guess she's become friends with Grumpy. Did something happen last night?"
Prince Leon looked up at the hill again. He said nothing. Edward stifled a laugh as he listened to the silence.
The return journey was quiet. The procession naturally split. Lily and Isabella talked at the front. Edward and Prince Leon walked side by side in the middle. Martha and Bianca followed behind. This time, Grumpy walked quietly. Bianca glanced at Martha briefly while matching her words beside her. It seemed as though she was about to say something, but then decided not to. They simply walked side by side, looking straight ahead. Riding side by side, feeling the wind. Forward.
Martha thought as she looked ahead. She never had time like this when she lived as the Head Maid. She always had to do something, and always had to stand at the back. Time like this, just riding side by side in silence. Some things came about because it was a second life.
Martha thought to herself. Oh my, this body is really nice.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 57]
I woke up from a light sleep at night, and on my way back from the bathroom, I saw everything.
That Prince Leon stood outside for quite a while, following right behind the Princess as she entered the stable. And the scene where the two of them came out much later and gazed at the night sky together.
And the Prince, lost in thought, staring blankly as the light enveloped the Princess's face while he was riding his horse in the morning. This is not something to ponder alone.
I must meet with Lord Siegfried soon. We are really meeting because of the Princess and the Prince. Life really does bring all sorts of things.
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