WBWB | Chapter 14

Confused by the increasingly strange situation, I hastily shook my head.

“I’m truly grateful for the offer, but… even if I were to learn how to ride, what use would it be? As an exile, I have nowhere to go even if I could ride, and above all, even if there were a place to go… I have neither the money nor the ability to care for a horse.”

That was precisely why horseback riding was considered a basic skill for nobles. Yet, the Duke seemed puzzled by my words.

“The stablehands take care of the horses. It’s too late to learn a skill after you need it, so you’ll discover the usefulness of riding as you learn. In any case, winter is coming. You’re a foreigner, so you don’t yet know how cold the winters get here.”

It was exactly as he said. Although I had been nervous at first, the climate here, despite the frequent drizzle and fog covering this place, wasn’t as cold as I had imagined. Contrary to its reputation as a frozen, harsh land, the autumn here was warm and beautiful.

“If you’re still running when winter comes, your lungs will freeze. Join the riding lessons as soon as your riding clothes are ready.”

“I! I’ve come to enjoy running. If Your Grace permits, I would like to continue.”

“You’ll feel the same way about riding soon enough.”

He completely ignored my words.

“You can run anywhere you like, not just on the training grounds. Horseback riding is much more enjoyable exercise. Horses are intelligent animals that understand human language and can perceive emotions and intentions, so it’s rewarding to connect with them.”

“…”

“A horse might be startled by a mouse or a bird, but with a deep bond, it will charge into the middle of the battlefield for its owner. I believe horses are more loyal than dogs. You’ll soon grow fond of them.”

‘…Why would I need to become fond of a horse?’

A fundamental question arose within me.

‘What does this man gain from a mere tutor, an exile and a foreigner, becoming fond of a horse?’

Horses were very expensive animals, even if they were just draft horses pulling carts. I couldn’t understand why this man would give me a horse and make me practice riding.

‘Why?’

The man in front of me was truly incomprehensible. I felt like the day I would come to understand him would never come. I had just started enjoying running, and now he wanted me to learn how to ride a horse.

‘My thighs were chafed raw and bloody. My petticoat was soaked with blood, and despite the shattering pain in my pelvis, I had to keep riding and riding…’

I had developed a strong aversion to horseback riding after my ordeal during the journey to Skadi. Just thinking about the pain I felt at that time made me shudder.

But an order was an order, and it was foolish for a prisoner to defy the jailer who held her fate in their hands. So, the day after the dinner, I ordered riding clothes and boots from a merchant.

A fortnight later, the considerable sum of money had been transformed into a dark purple riding habit and knee-high riding boots. The custom-made riding clothes were much more comfortable to move in than the maid’s uniform I wore for running, but I felt only annoyance. 

Annoyance at having to learn something new.

‘Why on earth do I have to do this?’

Sometimes, even breathing felt like a chore, and the familiar urge to simply drown myself in my melancholy was more appealing. As I was led to the indoor riding arena by a servant, my only thought was to get this over with quickly.

The instructor assigned to teach me horseback riding was an elderly man. The stablehand brought my horse out from the stables, and I found myself face-to-face with the horse the Duke had given me.

I was surprised. 

The horse the stablehand brought was smaller than I expected. Most of the horses I had seen before stood taller than an adult man when they raised their necks, with lean, muscular bodies without an ounce of excess fat. To be honest, I was a little afraid of horses.

However, the horse in front of me was slightly shorter than me, and most importantly, its whole body was covered in fluffy fur. Its eyes, hidden beneath its caramel-colored fur coat, were also caramel-colored.

“Isn’t it a foal? Is it alright for me to ride such a small horse?”

“Haha, no. It’s just a small breed but it’s fully grown.”

The stablehand said, stroking the mane of the unsaddled horse.

“It’s a gentle mare that enjoys carrying people. Despite its appearance, it’s strong enough to easily pull a carriage with two people, and she’s never been sick—not even once. It used to pull carts in the apple orchard here at the castle. Its short legs prevent it from jumping over obstacles, but why would a riding horse need such tricks? His Grace has chosen a good one for you, Miss.”

Perhaps because of its small size, it resembled a large dog or cat. As I hesitantly looked at the horse, the riding instructor approached and said,

“Would you like to pet it?”

At his suggestion, I slowly reached out my hand. The horse, unfazed by the touch of a stranger, closed its eyes as if enjoying it. I immediately took a liking to the horse.

“What’s this horse’s name?”

“This one…”

“It’s your horse, Miss, so you should name it. It’s the name you’ll be calling it most often.”

The riding instructor cut in before the stablehand could answer.

“It will bond with you much faster if you give it a name.”

He seemed right. As I stroked the horse, I noticed the inside of its ears were white, around the edges. The fur around her muzzle lightened to a pale white, making it look as if it had just stuck her nose in a pile of flour.

It was strange how easily people’s hearts could change. 

Just before meeting this horse before me, I had dreaded riding. I had thought it would be tedious and horrible, and that connecting with a horse seemed impossible. Before this, horses had been nothing more than a means of transportation. But now, looking at this horse, I felt like I could read its mind.

“Let’s call you Brulee.”

Horseback riding was much more difficult exercise than running. 

Brulee was the one running, but just sitting on her back for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea made my whole body tremble and I was drenched in sweat. I had been greatly mistaken in thinking that running had improved my stamina.

“Horseback riding is 30% technique and 70% synchronization with the horse. Don’t try to move on your own, and just relax and follow Brulee’s movements.”

Of course, that was easier said than done. Unlike running, which only required moving your two legs, horseback riding involved coordinating so many different parts of your body.

I had to point my toes inward in the stirrups, press my heels down, keep my lower body close to the horse, and maintain an upright posture by putting strength in my thighs and core. But if my upper body was too stiff, it would clash with the horse’s movements, causing discomfort for both of us. 

I had to put strength in my core and thighs while keeping my upper body relaxed and in rhythm with the horse’s movements. My eyes had to stay fixed straight ahead in the direction I was riding, and the reins, held in both hands, had to be near my navel, but not still because I had to gently pull and release them.

Concentrating on these unfamiliar movements left no room for other distracting thoughts in my mind. When I got off the horse, my whole body was shaking.

“Don’t forget to pat the horse’s neck and praise it after riding.”

I stroked Brulee’s neck and said, “Good girl.”

“See you tomorrow.”

And so, Brulee became my horse.

‘I believe horses are more loyal than dogs. You’ll soon grow fond of them.’

The Duke’s words, though annoying, were true.

It wasn’t difficult to become attached to Brulee. Unlike in the past when I had dreaded riding, I quickly came to enjoy riding Brulee. I could feel that Brulee also enjoyed carrying me.

Even outside of riding lessons, I often visited the stable to see Brulee whenever I had time. Brulee also liked me, perking up her ears whenever I appeared. 

I learned from the stablehand how to mix her feed, how to wash and groom her, and how to brush her long coat. It wasn’t something a noblewoman would typically do and would have been cause for ridicule, but what did it matter? I was an exile, and there was no one here to judge me for not acting like a noble.

As my bond with Brulee grew, I became deeply interested in horseback riding. I, who had initially struggled even with walking, could now ride Brulee at a canter. When I rode Brulee, it felt like we were the only two beings in the world.

“You are now skilled enough to go on an outdoor ride.”

At the end of autumn, with the riding instructor’s permission, I rode Brulee everywhere. Being able to ride Brulee expanded my range of movement incredibly.