When The Count’s Illegitimate Daughter Gets Married

Laritte recalled the time when Redra was taking care of her horse.
Even though there were separate employees for taking care of the stables and the horses, Redra managed her own horse.

Lady Redra, you’re very diligent.
Even though you’re soaked in sweat after training, you always make sure to come here.
It’s very hard just to feed the horses.

Laritte was sitting on a square pile of straws compressed with silos.

“Indeed, it’s hard for me, too.
Who doesn’t have a hard time? But he gets upset when I don’t come to see him”, Redra answered softly as she brushed the mane of the horse with a big comb the size of her head.

Laritte was both envious and amazed.
Redra and her horse looked like a family.

“You seem close.”

“We are close!” Redra chuckled at her words.

Redra’s connection had grown stronger with the stallion that accompanied her to the battlefield over the years.
Their bond was special.

“Horses are very clever creatures.
They can recognize their owners right from the beginning.”

As if ashamed by her compliment, Redra’s horse scratched his hoof on the floor and breathed out from his nose.

“Let’s find out how you can lead your owner to her destiny.”

To Laritte, Redra appeared as a stunning individual.
Both the duties of a knight and their horse were wonderful.

Laritte yearned to have such a bond with her horse.
She was amazed how they could recognize each other from afar.

Right now, Laritte’s heart was pounding.
She reached the bottom of the stairs and ran down the hallway on the first floor to stand in front of the door of the mansion.
She realized that Ian came down to bring what she wanted.
Ian was there when she arrived breathlessly.

The reason why he suddenly brought a horse was simple.
Since what happened earlier, he had been very quiet around Laritte.
He couldn’t even look at her in the face, let alone talk to her.

Even though he thought about apologizing, he couldn’t form a word out of his mouth.
So he just decided to be honest in his actions.
If it was necessary, he would kneel and beg in front of her.
Promising that he would not stop her from doing anything in the future.

Which is why he brought Laritte’s horse to prove his sincerity.
It had been a while since he brought it from a horse ranch, but he kept it a secret from her.

Ian did not want Laritte to regret coming here to the mansion with him.

He wanted to talk and fix everything.
However, words were stuck deep in his throat whenever he saw the distortion of her expression.

“Laritte.
I sincerely apolo–”

The moment he tried to apologize, Laritte’s lips curled into a broad smile.

It wasn’t a subtle change of her expression that only Ian, who had been watching her for a long time, could recognize.
It was a big and pretty smile that made anyone feel better.

“Is this my horse?”

Surprised by her huge response, Ian stumbled over his words, “……Uh, what? Oh, yes.
That’s right.
The reason why I suddenly brought,”

“My horse!”

Laritte opened her arms wide and hugged the ivory horse by its neck.
The horse was a little startled at first but it grew patient as if it understood that she was its owner.

Laritte rubbed her face on the horse’s cheek in delight.
It felt so great!

“What’s your name?”

Still in a daze at Laritte’s bright smile, Ian absent-mindedly muttered, “……Ian?”

“Not your name.”

“Oh, he would go by Bertrand.”

“Bertrand!” Laritte couldn’t stand the joy and wrapped her arms around the beast more tightly.
Her hands felt the white fur on the back of the horse that was as rough as a beard.

Ian belatedly came to his senses.
It wasn’t the time to be dazed by her loud giggles.
He needed to apologize.
He looked down at the ground as he said, “Laritte, I’m very sorry.
Whatever the reason, I shouldn’t have held you back.” He had thousands of words lingering on his lips since then.

But Laritte apologized, “I’m sorry, too.”

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for.” He was still looking down at his feet.
He had no face to raise his head.

“I will stay calm from now on,” Laritte muttered.
She could understand him even though she was unable to sympathize with Ian’s mindset.

He did it only to keep her safe.
This is how it felt to worry about someone.

“You don’t have to stay calm.
I did everything wrong.
Hiding you from everything, I had been mistaken about your safety.”

“I’ll also try to keep safe.
You don’t know when you have bad luck.”

That reminded Ian that he was going to find a way at the exchange meeting in May.
He was going to inform her, but as he realized her voice moving upwards, he jerked his head up at Laritte.

He chuckled at the sight of her wriggling her arms and sticking to the horse’s shoulders and torso like a slime.
Laritte reached out her hand to which he complied by leaning his chin on her shoulder and lightly hugging her.

Oscar was watching the scene from afar.
It was funny how he tried to advance the couple’s relationship with vain tricks.

“They talk, understand, and reconcile on their own.”

He scratched his head awkwardly before retreating into the mansion.

 

***

 

The Reinhardt mansion was brightened again by the delicate rays of the morning sun.
The horses sleeping in the stables woke up, while the maids started bustling in the kitchen at the dawn.
This was the day of Oscar’s return to the imperial palace.

“Gratin isn’t that hot.
The roof of my mouth is fine, too.
The cream is savory to taste.”

Laritte announced that she had no problems with her meal.

“Thank you for letting me know.
There’s no problem with my gratin either.
The chef will be delighted by your compliment.”

Everything between Laritte and Ian was going fine.
She was careful not to get hurt in consideration of him, while he tried to yield to her and reduce his worries.
It was the finest result possible after their reconciliation.

Oscar smiled happily, touched by how sweet they had gotten.
But his head hurt whenever he thought about their cold war………

Minutes after, an employee under Ian carefully stepped into the room.
“My Lord, it is to inform you that the escort of His Highness, the Crown Prince has been prepared for the palace.”

As he turned to the window, he saw a group of escorts that accompanied Oscar on his way to the Duke’s residence waiting outside.

Laritte muttered a “See you next time” with a little regret in her voice.

Oscar nodded with a smile on his face.

“I’ll see you at the May exchange, Ma’am.”

Laritte also learned about the exchange meeting, thanks to listening to the story when she reconciled with Ian.
If she could consult the fortune teller, she would be able to run through the fields with Bertrand!

Oscar winked as she said, “There must be something I can help you with at the exchange.
There must have been no problem so far since the imperial family is no better than the Duchy, but Ian isn’t close to any of the esteemed daughters.”

“You’re reliable enough,” Laritte replied insensitively again.

But both the men knew that she appreciated his kindness.

Finally, the time came for Oscar to take his leave.
Many horses and more knights waited around the wagon while he bid his goodbyes.

“Then I will be on my way.”

Oscar had one last thing to do before his departure.
After a light hug with Laritte, he pulled Ian into a hug.
“See you again, my friend.
I hope there will be no more insults from my mother.”

“I hope the Emperor regains his health”, Ian stated as he hugged Oscar.

Oscar whispered as he gave a squeeze on Ian’s shoulders, “But you know, Ian.”

Ian was nervous.
Oscar was never so secretive except when he overheard the Empress plotting against Ian.
But this time, it wasn’t bad news.

“I still feel bad about my actions related to the two of you.
As a meaning of apology, I give you a sincere piece of advice.”

“I’m listening.”

“You indeed like her, so don’t whine anymore and confess your feelings to your wife.”