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Chapter 41

"A horse suitable for a lady… How much riding experience do you have?"

The owner asked, perhaps finding it frustrating that the customer was just staring at the horse's head.

"None at all."

Angelina confessed to the fundamental and urgent issue.

"None at all?"

"You can't ride?"

It was common for noble ladies to learn horseback riding. That didn't make it mandatory, though. Some were too frightened or had cursed athletic abilities, so they made full use of the excellent alternative—carriages.

But Angelina's case fell into neither category. She had no fear and possessed top-tier physical skills. Alexei had always assumed that Marquis Augert had taught her shooting because he didn't want to waste such talent. Yet he hadn't taught her to ride.

It was an incomprehensible educational decision.

Of course, the owner, unaware of her background, was merely surprised that someone renting a horse couldn't ride.

Angelina was equally flustered.

She knew that most noble ladies learned to ride. But she'd heard they didn't gallop at full speed—just rode for leisure on the estate or at hunting grounds. That was what her father, the Marquis Augert, had said, so she couldn't tell if it was true or just a convenient lie.

"Then you're just not good at riding?"

"No. I've never ridden at all."

How could someone who shot guns and climbed trees so well not ride horses?

It wasn't her fault.

In her previous life, the action noir film she'd starred in was set in the future—2050—and the protagonist mainly drove advanced cars. She'd swung from ropes and flown through the air, but never ridden a horse.

In her current life, her father, Marquis Augert, had forbidden her from even going near horses. He said he'd seen too many soldiers die from falls.

Thanks to her father's overprotectiveness and advanced technology, she had become an odd young lady—a shooting prodigy who could climb trees but not ride horses.

"I've always taken carriages."

"Well, that's true, but…"

"For a beginner, this horse would be a good choice."

The owner quickly brought out a horse.

Its long head and shiny black eyes were visually appealing. Its straight legs and sturdy yet sleek body were also passable.

Neigh—

A resounding cry that pierced the ceiling—vocal cords also passed.

And its gait was elegant—more graceful than her own.

"Your name, from now on, is Nini. Nice to meet you."

Angelina was completely moved by her first horse.

Alexei filled out the contract and paid.

"We have rental stables wherever you go, even in neighboring countries. You can return the horse when you finish your journey. You're free to use any branch stable. However, there will be extra charges if you exceed the agreed period, or if the horse dies or is injured."

"Is there an empty lot or field nearby?"

"There's our training ground ten minutes away. Would you like to use it?"

"Yes."

"It's ten Bath per hour. A trainer costs an extra twenty Bath."

He was sharp and good at business.

"We'll just use the training ground."

Alexei handed over the money.

The three entered the training ground with their three horses.

Fine sand was spread across the ground, with fences placed here and there.

"Try riding first."

Even at Alexei's urging, Angelina stood still. She felt that the excitement she'd felt earlier was purely about ownership.

Ride it myself? It's so tall?

She could kill a mouse with a broom, but mounting a horse was another matter.

No seatbelt, and the brake and steering were just a single rein. To speed up, you didn't press an accelerator—you swung a whip. And there were no turn signals to activate!

Angelina's fear of riding was largely due to her father's conditioning.

"I want to ride too."

"Today, a soldier fell and broke his leg. They say he'll have to walk with one leg for the rest of his life."

"Father, I'll be careful."

"Today, a soldier fell and broke his neck, they say."

"Father, other noble ladies ride too."

"Baron Karl Lis's son, whom he hadn't seen in ten years, died instantly after falling during riding practice."

Her wishes were repeatedly crushed with terrifying reasons.

Riding is nothing but danger.

Horses are like flowers blooming on a cliff—don't even approach them.

Hooves can crush bones, he'd said.

"Let me hold the reins, so don't be scared."

Her father, who'd made those ominous remarks, was gone, and she was grown—but horses still didn't look like cute little poodles to her.

Angelina took a deep breath.

Not having a horse would be like walking across the American continent on foot. I have no choice.

Let go of the thought that I can't do it. Free myself from the fear of accidents. Then my body will relax.

Recalling the driving lessons from long ago, Angelina gripped the reins.

Then she leaped and mounted the saddle. Alexei helped her.

"Good job."

Next is the lesson…

"To start, I'll lead the horse. Let's begin by overcoming your fear."

Oblivious to her concerns, her husband urged her on.

"Actually," Angelina said.

"Yeah?"

"I want Franz to teach me."

They say never to learn driving from your husband. Amen.

Alexei made a sour face.

"Why?"

"It's awkward with you."

"……"

He'd said he wouldn't get angry, claimed he could teach better than a professional instructor—but reality was different, according to the wives on the internet.

As a rule, it's wise to heed the advice of those with experience.

Angelina looked away from Alexei's sour expression and toward the instructor she'd chosen.

"I'm not naturally good at teaching, but I'll try."

Franz uncrossed his arms and took the reins. As the horse began to move, Alexei had no choice but to step aside.

The lesson naturally began.

Alexei watched from a distance.

"Keep your back straight."

"I am."

"Straighter than that."

Every time Franz's hands touched Angelina's body, Alexei's brow twitched.

He understood intellectually that it was a necessary process, inevitable physical contact.

His heart just couldn't accept it.

As the lesson progressed, Alexei experienced the growing disconnect between reason and emotion.

It wasn't common, but it wasn't the first time either. And at the center of that experience was always Angelina Augert.

Unaware of his turmoil, Angelina happily rode the horse. Before the hour was up, she could already circle the training ground on her own.

"With your athletic ability, you're a quick learner. I think we can stop here."

"How about it? Alex, does it look okay to you?"

"Yes. That's good enough."

It was a relief that her athleticism was well-developed. Otherwise, Alexei's heart might have given out before the lesson ended.

Oblivious to Alexei's condition, Angelina was in high spirits.

Having mastered riding, she felt as if she could conquer the world.

No—the nine diamonds seemed to shimmer within reach.

The map full of codes, this continent teeming with enemies—none of it seemed like a problem.

Getting excited and overconfident was her chronic weakness.

"Let's go to the library!"

Angelina Augert swung her reins and shouted.

---

Is Royal Library.

A place with high ceilings and towering bookshelves lined up like conifers.

So this is what a library looks like.

It was a place she rarely had any connection with. She absolutely hated text.

Her philosophy was: just read the textbooks you're born with.

Her current life was satisfying precisely because she was free from text.

A life where all she needed to know was etiquette and dance.

That was also why she couldn't understand Alexei Werner, who buried himself in archives.

"You're going to find a book on ancient script among all these?"

There was no computer to tell you the location just by typing keywords.

Angelina was overwhelmed by the majesty of the towering stacks.

"I'll look through the history section."

"I'll check the language section."

The two men each moved to their chosen areas. Angelina, having chosen nothing, wandered wherever her feet took her.

She roamed freely between shelves, even climbed to the second floor.

How can they read those thick books without falling asleep?

After thoroughly exploring the interior, Angelina's expression darkened.

The history section alone looked like over a thousand volumes—and the language section even more. Were they really going to search through all of that?

Wasn't there another way?

Angelina came back downstairs.

If there was no computer, there had to be another way to ask.

Like a librarian, for instance.

But the counter was empty.

Angelina decided to find the librarian.

A librarian would be organizing books. Maybe wearing thick glasses.

"What are you looking for?"

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