How to Escape from My Possessive Fiancé - Chapter 53

Even so, the two hours in the morning riding through the hunting grounds on horseback gave Sophia some energy.

 

Not only did she have to let go of the reins and run, but she also had to learn how to shoot arrows while riding. She hadn’t made any progress in mastering that difficult skill.

 

“Please take care of me.”

 

She chose a gentler horse today and got on its back. But as soon as the horse started to speed up, her back bent forward automatically. The harsh wind brushed her cheeks, and her whole body shook with the horse. It was terrifying.

 

If she made one wrong move, she felt like she’d fall right off. After only two laps, Sophia was exhausted and got off the horse as if she were falling.

 

She patted the horse’s side, which must have suffered because of her.

 

“Sorry. It’s because of me.”

 

Her voice was full of gloom. No matter how she thought about it, the result would never please the emperor or even a passing puppy. Judging by how Yulicias offered to let her meet Solid, she must already know what Sophia wanted. If Sophia failed badly in the hunting contest, maybe they had a punishment planned for her, too.

 

“This kind of thing was originally for men only, so why…”

 

Sophia muttered with frustration.

 

“Are you afraid of riding horses?”

 

A familiar voice spoke from behind. When she turned her head, she saw the white troublemaker not in his knight uniform, but in simple riding clothes.

 

The outfit was made of expensive fabric, which made her a bit curious. Was he the son of a rich merchant or something?

 

“Why are you here?”

 

Sophia asked with a suspicious tone. Sometimes, she wondered if he really was a knight he always seemed too relaxed.

 

The man answered casually.

 

“I came because of the upcoming hunting contest. What about you?”

 

“Could you call me Miss Hilden?”

 

Sophia drew a cold line between them.

 

She had to after all, thinking about their last conversation…

 

‘I’m engaged, you know.’

 

‘But you don’t love the duke.’

 

He wasn’t just a thug. He was trying to tempt her into cheating. No matter how kind he looked, Sophia told herself not to let her guard down.

 

When she lifted her chin proudly, the man smiled and answered,

 

“No.”

 

His face looked so bright when he said it that Sophia thought she might have misheard.

 

“What did you say?”

 

She asked in disbelief. The man said,

 

“I’m tired of starting everything from scratch. At least let me call your name. Let me live with that comfort.”

 

‘What is he talking about?’

 

Sophia frowned. He sounded like they had some kind of history together. His attitude was serious and calm, not like a joke, which made her frown more deeply.

 

As if he sensed her thoughts, the man smiled and said,

 

“If you really don’t like it, I’ll use my wish for it. Let me call your name.”

 

Using a wish for something like that was way too embarrassing. Sophia shook her head.

 

“Fine. I don’t know what kind of fantasy you’re playing out in your head, but I’ll allow it—because you saved my life.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Despite her sarcastic tone, the man replied politely. He really didn’t seem to have a mean bone in his body. Just then, something Sophia did while petting the horse must have gone wrong, because the horse reacted roughly and shook its head.

 

Sophia flinched in surprise.

 

“Are you afraid of horses?”

 

The man asked again. Sophia nodded.

 

“Yes. I fell off one as a child. If my father hadn’t caught me in time, I would’ve broken my neck.”

 

“When was that?”

 

“You act like you know everything about me, but you don’t know that? I was ten. Before that, I was really good at riding and could race fast.”

 

“Do you want me to help you?”

 

“With what?”

 

“I’ll help you not be afraid of horses.”

 

That sounded a little tempting. Sophia tried not to seem too interested as she asked,

 

“How?”

 

Then the man quickly got on his horse. He rode over to her and reached out his hand. Sophia inhaled in disbelief.

 

“You want me to ride the horse with you right now?”

 

“Why that face?”

 

His expression was so innocent, like a priest or something. With that calm and pure look, he didn’t seem like he had any bad intentions at all. In the end, it made Sophia look like the one thinking something weird.

 

She cleared her throat and said,

 

“People will think it’s strange. Two people don’t usually ride the same horse—unless they’re engaged.”

 

“It’s normal during war.”

 

“We’re not at war.”

 

“And there’s no one else here.”

 

The man brushed off her words. Sophia let out a dumb “Huh?” and looked around.

 

It didn’t make sense. When she arrived, there were more than ten people riding around. But now, after looking more carefully, she realized there really wasn’t anyone else there but the two of them.

 

“That’s strange… There were a lot of people just a while ago.”

 

“No one’s here to find it strange, so would you like to get on? Oh, I guess I should help you. I keep forgetting my manners maybe because I’ve only helped men onto horses before.”

 

Sophia pouted. He was pretending to be clumsy, but he made it clear that he didn’t do this for other women.

 

‘Wait, he did this for men?’

 

Actually, that sounded even stranger.

 

‘It’s normal during war.’

 

She remembered what he had said. Was this man someone who had been through war? That would explain his awkwardness and why he seemed oddly used to violence.

 

Then, the man wrapped his arm around Sophia’s waist and lifted her onto the horse in one smooth move. Sophia let out a startled cry.

 

“Eek!”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Sophia learned something that day: when she was too surprised, she became obedient. Being suddenly lifted onto the horse left her too confused to protest properly.

 

“We’re going to run. Don’t worry I’ve got you, so you won’t fall.”

 

The man began to speed up. At first, Sophia’s body kept stiffening, but the man’s presence behind her didn’t feel so uncomfortable. On top of that, his skilled riding smooth and fast helped her relax and straighten her back. The wind brushing past her started to feel nice. Even after two laps, she wasn’t very tired.

 

By the third lap, Sophia even grabbed the reins. She wasn’t as good as the man, but she picked up speed and didn’t lean forward in fear.

 

“Did you see that?”

 

After riding pretty fast—well, maybe only half the speed he went Sophia stopped the horse, turned around, and looked at him with a proud smile. The man nodded with a smile.

 

“You’re almost there.”

 

“So I’m not there yet?”

 

“No. Honestly, I can’t say you’re good yet.”

 

For someone who was trying to seduce her into an affair, he sure was blunt. Sophia pouted and rode another lap with renewed energy.

 

“How about now?”

 

The man shook his head without a word. Sophia sighed, her cheeks flushed and her hair messy, and got off the horse.

 

“But I have to go. The princess gave me just two hours to practice.”

 

“Oh, are you doing this because of Yulicias?”

 

The man casually called the princess by name again. Sophia frowned and scolded him.

 

“Again with that. You have to say Princess Yulicias.”

 

The man made a blank face like he had forgotten and nodded. Sophia shrugged; she was only saying this for his sake. She didn’t really care how people called Yulicias.

 

“I’m going to join the hunting contest with the princess. The emperor said he’ll grant a wish to whoever beats the second prince. The princess said she’ll compete with her maid and that maid is me.”

 

“Why? Why did Yuli— I mean, the princess choose you?”

 

His eyes were innocent, but anyone could tell he meant, “Why did she pick someone this bad?” Sophia bristled and replied,

 

“I got first place in Parahal, you know.”

 

He clearly didn’t understand. So Sophia explained more clearly.

 

“I’m good at shooting arrows while standing still.”

 

“The princess must not like you.”

 

The man ignored what she said and spoke again.

 

“If things go wrong, she’ll definitely blame you.”

 

His eyebrows knit together like he was really worried about that.