Large estates located outside the city of Tobesk, such as Lakeview Manor, typically have their own stables. However, Angelina did not choose a horse from the manor's stables; instead, she specifically sent people to the Lemel Stud on the other side of Lake Schluch to select a black horse.
By the time Shade crossed the bustling courtyard and reached the starting point of the race at the manor's entrance, many gentlemen had already gathered there with their horses. Each had his own female companion and had prepared his racing horse in advance; contestants like Shade, who decided to participate on a whim, were in the minority.
Among the participants was an acquaintance of Shade's, Baron Cobol. At the banquet where Shade was knighted, this gentleman had attempted to use a game of Rhode to win Shade's [Northern City: Coldwater Port], but instead, Shade had won five commemorative coins from him, including [The Pirate's Blood Money].
Shade greeted the Baron, who was dressed in riding attire and looked quite professional.
"Knight, who is your companion?" the Baron asked curiously. Shade pointed toward Princess Angelina, who was excitedly holding the black horse while waiting for him.
Baron Cobol first wore an expression of awe, but when Shade explained that Miss Galina had asked him to show Princess Angelina around, his expression shifted to one of realization.
By now, Angelina had changed out of her cumbersome gown and was wearing winter attire suitable for riding. The Princess's appearance naturally drew attention, and upon learning she would be participating in the race with Shade, the onlookers wore expressions of understanding.
The rules of the race were simple: start from the entrance of Lakeview Manor, follow the country paths in a loop, and return to the starting point. Since the manor was adjacent to Lake Schluch, the loop took place in front of the estate.
Although the last rays of the setting sun remained, the manor's servants were already stationed at the forks of the country paths, holding kerosene lamps to indicate the direction. Simultaneously, the servants held long poles aloft, with colored strips of stiff paper pasted onto them, each marked with a uniform number. As the riders passed by, either the rider or the companion had to reach out and pluck a strip of paper.
This was partly to make the race more interesting and test the riders' skills, and partly to prevent anyone from taking shortcuts to cheat their way to victory.
Shade was the last contestant to arrive. Once he had put on simple protective gear, the race was ready to begin.
Although there were no formal seating restrictions for the race, the other gentlemen had tacitly agreed to let their companions sit side-saddle in front of them, so Angelina also sat in front of Shade.
As he mounted the horse, Shade whispered with some concern, "Your Highness, I am actually not very skilled at riding."
Riding back and forth in Huntington had familiarized him with the sport, but compared to the gentlemen around him who were clearly proficient in the art, Shade lacked confidence. His success at the Lemel Stud last time had been a matter of luck, but this was not a gamble—it was a simple party game. Thus, Shade felt the need to warn the little Princess so she wouldn't hold too high hopes.
"It doesn't matter, Mr. Hamilton. I only enjoy the process of the race."
Angelina's face was flushed with excitement. Shade mounted first and then helped the little Princess sit side-saddle on the saddle in front of him. Her movements were agile, but she trembled all over as she settled in before him. Shade initially thought she was nervous, then decided she was likely just thrilled.
Miss Galina had mentioned that the royal offspring of Laecia's generation were all quite skilled riders, so Angelina was likely proficient as well.
"Gentlemen, ladies, please listen to me!"
The person organizing the race was a middle-aged butler from Lakeview Manor. He wore a thick brown coat, and his hair was meticulously groomed; he was the type of gentleman who looked as though he did everything with utmost seriousness.
"Safety first! Please do not perform any dangerous maneuvers during the ride, as that would hinder your enjoyment of the banquet at Lakeview Manor!"
His voice was loud, yet it was still drowned out by the music drifting from the courtyard.
While the courtyard was lively, many guests had also gathered at the manor entrance and the starting line to watch. Shade even heard some people placing bets on the outcome of the race.
"The entire course normally takes ten to fifteen minutes. Anyone who completes the loop will receive a small gift provided by Mr. Iceberg. Yes, everyone gets one. If you encounter trouble along the way, please seek help from the nearby servants. You shall depart under the sunset and return draped in starlight!"
He raised his voice as much as possible. Meanwhile, Angelina's maid stood before the horse holding the reins, softly advising her mistress on safety. The young maid seemed worried about Angelina's impulsive participation in such an activity, but she never stopped her.
"Mr. Hamilton, please ensure Her Highness's safety," she whispered to Shade before taking Shade's cat and carefully stepping aside. Mia didn't particularly like being held by others, but knowing it was inconvenient for Shade to carry her while riding, she let out a few meows and settled down obediently.
The middle-aged butler was now displaying the prizes for the champion. The winning gentleman would receive a gilded brooch, while the lady would receive a silver hand mirror with a landscape of Lakeview Manor on the back.
These prizes weren't exceptionally valuable, but they were decent gifts. Shade's opponents were enthusiastic; Baron Brady, who looked the most professional, jokingly boasted to his companion that he would certainly win her that little mirror.
Although Angelina, sitting in front of Shade, said nothing, Shade noticed that the Princess seemed quite tempted as well.
"The key problem is that while I've learned how to ride, racing is a different matter."
This time, Shade did not have the Elven Rider amulet he had crafted himself.
"Gentlemen, please attend!" the butler shouted, placing a brass whistle in his mouth. The crowds on either side of the riders began discussing loudly, and even the carriages arriving via the country path facing the manor entrance stopped to wait for the group to depart. The gentlemen and ladies in the carriages leaned out of their windows, smiling at the mounted riders and waving or cheering for friends they recognized.
"Three, two, one!"
The whistle blew, and Baron Brady's chestnut horse charged out first, with the others following close behind. Shade did not rush too fast, placing himself second in the second tier.
His arms passed on either side of Angelina's body to grip the reins tightly. The little Princess leaning against him seemed to be laughing.
He couldn't be sure if he had misheard, as the sound of the wind was deafening once the horse reached a gallop.
"Mr. Hamilton, this feeling is wonderful!"
He hadn't misheard this time; the little Princess was indeed speaking, her tone filled with a joy he had never heard before.
"Yes, but the wind seems a bit cold. Can you still bear it?" Shade asked atop the bouncing horse. The black horse was very fast, and Shade as a rider wasn't contributing much. Baron Brady, currently in the lead, was already approaching the bend ahead; Shade was at least four or five horse-lengths behind him. The man was indeed a professional.
"Of course! Compared to the temperature, what I long for more is the freedom of this moment!" the Princess said. Amidst the rhythmic drumming of hooves, her words were audible only to Shade.
"Freedom?"
Shade finally realized that the little Princess's invitation to join the race was likely not just because she wanted to enjoy the banquet.
"Knight, has Sister Laecia told you about me?" she suddenly asked. Shade tightened the reins to turn the corner; the servant with the kerosene lamp was holding the long pole high. Before Shade could reach out, Angelina deftly plucked the strip of paper from it.
"Laecia has mentioned you," Shade replied. He couldn't see Angelina's expression, but he knew she must have been stirred by today's wedding.
"Sister promised to help me, as long as I was willing to help her. Sister Laecia is indeed the kindest of all my sisters to me, but I also know that she is using me."
The little Princess's voice was very soft.
Ahead was a curved path with no forks. However, the second horse in the first tier, following right behind Baron Brady, somehow failed to stay on the path and charged straight into a harvested wheat field.
"Oh, damn it!" the rider who had overshot shouted, trying to stop the straying horse. Every rider who passed by burst into laughter.
"Your Highness, do you want me to help you?" Shade asked, striving to control the horse's trajectory. Failing to win first place wasn't embarrassing, but if he veered off the correct track and ended up in a field, the first step of his plan to prove his strength, wisdom, and charm tonight would be a failure.
"Of course not, why would you think that? I would never drag you into such things; I am not like my sister," Angelina asked. Shade felt her lean back and look up toward him, shifting her center of gravity onto him. "Knight, what I mean is, even so, I want to help you."
"You help me?" Shade was confused; he didn't believe there was anything he needed help with. *Does she want to give me gold pounds? But why would she do that?* Shade wondered, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Both fell silent, with only the clear sound of hooves remaining. When the next fork appeared, three country children stood beside the servant with the lamp, watching the riders with curiosity.
As if summoning her courage, Angelina finally spoke the words in her heart. The wind was loud, and Shade's muscles were somewhat stiff due to the tension of being on horseback.
"Yes, Knight. I want to help you, to let you break free from Sister Laecia's constraints and threats."
"Help me... break free from Laecia's hands?"
Shade never expected this answer. Due to the sheer shock, he actually forgot to reach out and pluck the strip of paper from the servant's pole. Fortunately, Angelina reached out again and precisely grabbed the slip.
"Yes." Her cheek rested against Shade's clothes. "Hasn't Sister Laecia been threatening you all along? Otherwise, why would you do those kinds of things with her?"