Chapter 4: At the Shimmering Lake
“WELCOME to my humble home, Lord Brooke.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Rhuddlan.”
I was waiting outside my house until I finally spotted the Rhuddlan family carriage returning with a single passenger.
I’d been worried about Siraiya’s health after yesterday, but fortunately, he made a full recovery and was able to attend our planned get-together.
The day we’d been waiting for was finally upon us.
“…You look even more beautiful than usual,” he said softly.
“Thank you very much.” I spun for him. “…I gave today’s outfit extra attention since I knew you’d be coming.”
“Really…? For…me?”
The two of us stood around blushing for what felt like the millionth time.
“All right, please come with me so I can introduce you to my parents.”
We couldn’t just drag our feet outside of the carriage all day, so I led Siraiya around to our manor’s garden. My parents were waiting for him in the Rhuddlan family gardens. Upon our arrival, they exchanged pleasant greetings.
“We heard you protected our daughter from a bucketful of water. The two of us are extremely grateful that you came to her rescue.”
My father bowed, and my mother curtsied to convey their respect.
It was abnormal for someone with peerage and their spouse to bow to a person without a formal title, but they wanted to offer the boy who rescued me every possible courtesy.
I joined them and curtsied to Siraiya as well.
“No, please lift your heads.” Siraiya sounded flustered, so we returned to our normal posture.
“Lady Rhuddlan is a dear friend of mine. It was only natural that I protect her.”
When they heard that sincere declaration, both of my parents smiled softly.
“Come, join us for tea so the four of us can chat,” Father invited.
“We’re just dying to hear more about you,” Mother said, her smile bright.
I could tell how nervous this made Siraiya—after all, he’d never received such a warm welcome in all his life. But at the same time, it was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
No one held contempt for him here. Though our time together would be brief, I hoped it would be an opportunity for him to let his heart rest and recover.
After the four of us chit-chatted for a while, our servants brought out the Rhuddlans’ two best horses just as I’d requested.
“Allow me to introduce you to these two, Lord Brooke,” I said. “These are my favorite horses, Noah and Ally.”
Noah was a black stallion, while Ally was a snowy white. They were both clever creatures—friendly to anyone who treated them with respect.
“They’re beautiful. I can tell you spoil them well, Lady Rhuddlan.”
“Thank you, I do. Would you care to pet them?”
“I can touch them? I’d love to.”
The pleased Siraiya and I both stood up from our seats.
Neither horse recoiled as Siraiya approached. Noah, our black stallion, even nudged his face toward him to ask to be pet.
“Noah seems to have taken a liking to you,” I smiled.
“I’m honored. Hello there, Noah. It’s nice to meet you.”
Siraiya stroked Noah’s snout. Pleased by that, the horse pressed his head even closer. When he slid his hand down to under Noah’s chin, Siraiya made a startled expression.
“I was surprised by how soft his snout was, but his fur here is even softer. I imagined it would be hard and coarse.”
“Have you never touched a horse before?” I asked.
“No, I haven’t, but I’ve always wanted to try. This is really wonderful.”
As my attention was focused solely on Siraiya and his delight, Father stood up and approached us.
“It seems you’re getting along with Noah. The perimeter of our garden has a path for horses, you see. What do you say? Would you like to go for a ride with me?”
While it was common for noblemen to go horseback riding together as a show of friendship, it was also a particularly significant display of closeness. Father probably had that in mind when he made the offer. However…
“I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never ridden a horse before. I sincerely apologize for wasting such a kind offer.” Siraiya’s face fell with disappointment.
It was almost unthinkable for a nobleman of his age to have no riding experience. But Siraiya was no normal nobleman.
“I see… Then let me teach you,” Father offered. “Are you interested in giving it a try?”
Father could probably read between the lines when it came to his situation. Instead of asking for an explanation, he placed his hand on Siraiya’s back and sympathized with him. I watched as Siraiya’s face instantly lit up.
“Are you sure you’re willing to?”
“Of course I am.”
Siraiya’s eyes were sparkling with excitement as Father looked back at him fondly. The pair practically looked like a father and son. I decided to leave them to their business and joined Mother at the table again.
“What a sweet child,” Mother murmured those words as she set her cup down.
Even though she was speaking of Siraiya, I responded, “Absolutely,” with pride, as if it were praise directed at me. “He’s the one I want, Mother. Will you allow it?”
“Your father and I only want you to be happy, Cynthia. We’re both rooting for you.”
I felt a weight off my shoulders. Both of my parents had accepted Siraiya.
Now the rest was up to me.
After that, I watched as Father taught Siraiya the basics of horseback riding. To my surprise, he took to it in no time and was racing on Noah’s back in the blink of an eye. Noah looked to be enjoying the ride, too, thanks to Siraiya’s steady maneuvering.
“Mother! I’m going to change into my riding clothes!” I declared.