‘Really, a Kalanishel… You’re worthy of your name.’
Ivern bowed his head once again.
“The possession and carrying of firearms and other weapons is prohibited on our riding grounds. There is also a limit to the number of guards that can enter with each guest of honour, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.”
“Is that so? We didn’t hear anything like that when we inquired in advance.”
“I am truly sorry for not being able to inform you. However, since rules are rules, it seems difficult to say anything other than ask for your understanding and cooperation once again.”
“Ashmia Kalanishiel doesn’t have a title; therefore, you can’t be accompanied by a security guard.”
“That’s…!”
Ashmia raised her hand to stop Vanessa, who was about to rush in.
“If the number of security guards has something to do with titles, there must be a lot of honoured guests who are dissatisfied.”
“…”
“Then, if I pay an additional fee per person, will it solve the problem?”
“If you don’t have a horse which belongs to our riding field, it will be difficult to do that.”
Ashmia’s eyes narrowed at Ivern’s words.
As expected, her prediction of trouble was never wrong. Even so, Ashmia didn’t expect to face such a rude welcome.
“So you’re saying that, after all, I’m the only one who can go in?”
Ashmia herself didn’t realize it, but when her emotions intensified, the pink hue surrounding her pupils spread and blended with her golden irises, changing her eyes into a ‘rose gold’ color.
As he was met with the mysterious glowing gaze, Ivern unconsciously swallowed dry, feeling cold sweat running down his spine.
It was the same with the horseback riding crew who stood behind Ivern, and Ashmia was aware of their tension.
‘You’re afraid of me, but you don’t back down. No, you can’t back down. Because there’s someone you’re more afraid of.’ And it wasn’t difficult to guess who it was.
Ashmia sighed lightly, her eyes returning to normal.
“Good. If that’s the case—”
It was then that Ashmia finally relaxed and was willing to speak to Ivern again.
“What are you doing?!”
An angry voice was heard from behind Ivern.
Surprised by the noise, a beautiful woman with blonde hair and sky blue eyes wearing a blue horse riding suit was seen standing with her hands on her waist.
“When did those strange rules come into existence, Ivern?!”
Ivern was taken aback by her words and shook his head.
“P-Princess Pendragon. It’s not like that…”
“It’s your father’s orders, right?”
Ivern replied to her with silence.
“I shall take responsibility, so treat her properly as an honoured guest. It doesn’t matter how many security guards there are!”
“…All right.”
Ivern Randolph smiled broadly and looked back at his crew. Bowing towards Ashmia, he said.
“Come on, let’s head inside. Ashmia Kalanishiel.”
‘Waah, you bat-like bastard.’
tl/n: i couldn’t find a better word for ‘bat-like’ in english, but basically it’s someone that acts in their own interest, depending on the circumstances.
His change of posture was indeed faster than a bullet.
“Is that Ashmia Kalanishiel? Nice to meet you. My name is Francesca Pendragon.”
The blonde woman strode forward and stretched out her hand towards Ashmia.
The Duke of Pendragon was considered to have the greatest influence in the political frontiers of the Empire.
Of course, there was never an opportunity for Michael to meet the Duke’s daughter in person, so she was a little surprised by Francesca’s ‘non-princess’ like personality and unadorned impression. Ashmia slightly bent her knee before taking Francesca’s hand.
“Ashmia Kalanishiel greets Francesca Pendragon. Thank you for your help and favour.”
“Ah, what is this? I’m rather sorry. My father is a little extreme… you know.”
Francesca said jokingly, but there were only a few people in the Empire who could laugh at the Duke of Pendragon’s intensity.
And Ashmia, one of those few, replied with a smile.
“I fully understand. I think my father has also become a little bit nervous because I have been through some unfortunate events recently.”
That was her explanation for the fact that she was accompanied by eight security guards.
“Oh, that’s right! I heard it was a disaster! Are your injuries okay?”
“Yes, I wasn’t seriously hurt.”
“That’s fortunate. We can’t keep talking in this place. Shall we head inside?”
“Yes.”
While talking, Ashmia caught a glimpse of a giant man standing a few metres behind Francesca.
Byren Bernando. Perhaps that was Francesca’s only guard in the facility at the moment. The reason was that one man was enough. He was a man who could beat a bear with his bare hands without using an ability. Security is quality, not quantity.
With that man in front of her, it was not worth bringing in eight security guards.
“Ivern, list these men as my guards. There should be no problem then, right?”
“No, you don’t have to do that.”
Ashmia smiled in response to Francesca’s words.
“Here, just let Vanessa go in with me, that’s enough. Thanks again for the favour.”
“Hmm… If that’s the case. Ivern, did you hear her?”
“Yes, I did.”
Francesca looked at Ashmia and Vanessa for a moment with an unknown smile, then turned around. Ashmia instructed her guards to wait in the car before she was guided into the building by Ivern.
Francesca, who had been waiting in the lobby after entering first, walked alongside Ashmia and opened her mouth.
“Have you always been interested in horseback riding?”
“No. But now I want to try.”
“That’s a good idea. So, I think there are a lot of people I would like to introduce to you. Lady Ashmia, don’t you know that you are secretly a celebrity among ‘us’?”
Francesca said with a meaningful smile.
“Is that so? Either way, you don’t have to…”
“Don’t worry. I do it because I like it.”
Francesca led Ashmia into a spacious drawing room. The structure was reminiscent of a small party room rather than being decorated for preparation or relaxation.
Only after she stepped in did Ashmia realise why there were so many cars in the parking lot.
‘No way. Did everyone come because I was coming?’
The young aristocrats of various ages, from teenagers to twenty-year-olds, and their children who were gathered around in groups of two or three had stopped talking once Ashmia made her appearance.
“Everyone! She’s finally here! This is Ashmia Kalanishiel, who will become a member of ‘Fleur’ starting today!”
tl/n: fleur = flower in french
‘Starting today, what…?’
It was her first time hearing it, but Ashmia couldn’t show her embarrassment here.
Ashmia looked around the audience and bent her knees slightly, saying.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ashmia Kalanishiel. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
Clap, clap—
The sound of insincere applause rang out.
Despite the obvious awkward atmosphere, Francesca said with an excited face while pointing towards an empty spot.
“Let’s go over there and talk for a bit.”
It was when Ashmia tried to call Francesca’s name while she was talking in front of her.
“How dare a gangster come all the way here without knowing the subject of our meeting?”
“Hey, where is this strange smell coming from? Why are you crawling out now when you’ve been stuck in your house for seven years?”
Ashmia stopped for a moment once she heard quiet voices coming from around her.
Hahaha—
Vanessa also looked around her, but she could only hear small laughter here and there, and she had no idea who was speaking.
“You…!”
“Vanessa.”
Ashmia quietly called out to Vanessa, who was about to lash out.
“Stay still.”
“…Yes, sorry.”
“Ashmia? What are you doing? Come here quickly.”
Watching Francesca wave at her, Ashmia said with a smile on her lips.
“Princess. It’s a shame, but I don’t have much time allowed today, so I think I have to check everything out.”
“Ah, that’s right. It’s your first time here, so it’s probably right to see everything. I forgot.”
Francesca beckoned.
“Then let’s go to the riding field.”
Francesca spoke to Ivern while passing through the door leading to the riding field outside.
“Ivern, please bring Lady Ashmia’s horse.”
“All right.”
Ashmia felt the sneering gazes that continued to pour on her.
‘I feel like I’m something out of the zoo.’
Francesca stared at Ashmia and said as if she had read Ashmia’s mind.
“What’s wrong?”
Ashmia already felt it, but when she noticed Francesca’s tone and expression, she was convinced.
‘Ah, yes. Of course, of course.’
She felt like she was watching a poorly acted play.
Francesca Pendragon did not approach Ashmia with good intentions. Perhaps confronting the guards at the entrance was also part of Francesca’s act.
More than anyone else, it was none other than Francesca who didn’t like her — ‘a gangster without a title that dares to come to this riding field’.
And the climax of Francesca’s play was.
Neighhh—
“Oh my God!”
It was the white horse being pulled from the stable.
A white horse that was 1.5 times larger than a normal horse and had bulging muscles all over its body, so wild that even five adults couldn’t control it.
‘They made me wait two weeks just to find this horse.’