Chapter 8: Seriously? (1)

I decide to ride on another horse, but all horses that were left had one problem or another. I looked at the girl from the Ice family resentfully.

Wasn't my horse snatched too unfairly?

If it had been decided by flipping a coin at the very least, I would have understood.

But it was too awkward to go back and talk about it now that she had already left.

Among the remaining horses, I chose a good-looking and muscular black horse. And again, as I expected, it had a problematic personality. As soon as I got on it, it started moving and made me into a spectacle.

“Woah!! Whoa, calm down, calm down.”

No matter how much I stroked and patted its mane, this black horse continued to spin around in place and only stopped abruptly to shake me off. At first, it was tolerable, but as this continued, I felt the urge to just tear off the mane. But I tried to control my anger on the swaying saddle.

Yeah, I have to be patient for just this class, then I will never choose this horse again.

But it seemed my bad luck had not ended yet… Sir Hoslow's voice resounded:

“The horses you have chosen are yours from now on.”

“…What?”

I inquired without realizing it. But my voice was too quiet, so he continued.

“All the horses you are riding are young. Give them a name and lots of love. They must become friends with you.”

Without realizing it, I looked at the horse I was riding. It was too harsh to say, but... Does he have to stay with me?

“Come on, give it a moment. Be friendly with your horse.”

At Sir Horslow's encouragement, loud noises grew everywhere. Everyone was talking to the horses they had chosen. I looked at the girl from the Ice family who stole my first horse. Contrary to the expression she had when we met, she was now stroking the horse with an affectionate expression.

“Ugh!!”

As I groaned in frustration, my black horse snorted and shook me again.

“Woah, let’s calm down.”

Yeah, this is the better option instead of getting frustrated. I can’t change it with another horse anyway, so let's just do my best to adapt.

“…Storm... From now on, your name will be Storm.”

Storm responded by hitting his front legs on the ground. I didn’t know if he liked the new name or not.

“Well, if you listen carefully, I’ll give you something delicious, so let’s do well.”

✧ ✧ ✧

After giving us some time to get acquainted with the horses, Sir Horslow confirmed our riding skills. Many students looked clumsy… I was one of them too.

Rather than blaming it on my riding skills, Storm didn’t listen at all. It was fortunate that the other students were also clumsy. If it were only me, I would have really wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

The only one who showed off her skillful riding skills was that girl from the Ice family. She was definitely skilled, but her horse was perfect too. It obediently listened to its master's orders. The difference between it and Storm was of day and night.

“…Hey. You should be like that too.”

I told Storm, but he only snorted in response. Fortunately, Storm did well in the training that followed.

Just what someone would expect from such a muscular horse, Storm was definitely tough. He was fast and had explosive acceleration. If he just listened carefully, he would be a perfect companion.

In the sprint evaluation with me, Storm showed overwhelming speed. He was sprinting like he didn’t care about me on top, but it didn’t matter since I could hang on. As if Sir Horslow also saw this point, he praised my riding skills first.

"You have a good sense of balance. It’ll be better if you get to know your horse a little more.”

“…haha…thank you.”

✧ ✧ ✧

After class, we headed to the stables. Sir Horslow said that it was our responsibility to take care of the horses from now on. He said that we would get closer to our horses in this way.

“I believe everyone has understood their horse a little. It may be awkward now, but try to spend more time with them. If war breaks out, you will be marching with the horses you are riding on now. In order to entrust your lives to them, you must have a certain amount of affection for each other.”

Storm suddenly grunted and began to chew on something.

When a war breaks out, I have to go out with this guy… Is this correct?

“Being close depends on your efforts. Keep in mind, if you put your heart into your horse, for them, you can become a friend who is more precious than anyone else. They will always be by your side.”

One by one, the cadets on horseback stroked the nape of their horse. They seemed to be counting on the words of Sir Horslow deeply. On the other hand, I was thinking about what to do with this guy.

“The morning class is over. Let’s meet again in an hour after lunch.”

He announced the end of class. The students in turn brought their horses into the stables. Except for me. Storm didn’t listen at all.

Having put Storm in the stables with difficulty, I looked around, but everyone had already left. As I was also about to leave the stables to eat, I found the only person left.

It was the girl from the Ice family; Bluish-gray hair, eyes as sharp as Asena, and tall like a knight.

She had already fallen in love with her horse, stroking it with affectionate eyes.

“Don’t you want to eat?”

“……”

She didn’t answer, but seeing that her affectionate face had hardened again, I knew she heard me.

For a moment, her reaction bothered me. Grandma didn't like the Ice family because of the war that continued till her generation, but I and this girl did nothing to build such a hostile relationship. So I wanted to crush this uncomfortable relationship right away.

“Haah… you shouldn’t behave like this.”

“…”

“I know that the families aren’t on good terms, but we don’t have to be like this.”

For a very short time, her expression twitched. She looked at me. Seeing that she finally showed a reaction, I spoke, “Let’s get along. We have to attend the same class for two years, after all.”

“…..”

“I haven’t done anything anyway, so why do you hate me?”

“…I’ve heard a lot of bad things about your family.”

“Yes, but you haven’t heard bad things about me, and by the way, I also heard a lot of bad things about the Ice family.”

“…!”

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Okay, this wasn’t the right answer.

“Oh, okay! I see! stop!” I tried to calm her down. She was breathing irregularly.

I shouldn’t think like this in this situation, but her face looked really funny.

“First, let’s introduce ourselves. You didn’t tell me your name.”

“……”

“…You know as a knight, I’m going to tell my name to my enemies too.”

“…Judy Ice.”

“Judy Ice... As I said before, my name is Cayden Pryster.”

I proudly outstretched my hand. She looked between me and my hand a few times and then slowly extended her hand too.

I shook her approaching hand, and said, “Nice to meet you.”

Judy Ice... She was the person who did not appear in the novel. But I had heard the name. As our families were hostile to each other, I studied the Ice family carefully. If I remembered correctly, Judy Ice was the youngest and illegitimate daughter of Duke Ice.

I nodded. It seemed right. She must have come to the Knight's Department because her mother was a commoner. Since she couldn't join politics just like myself, it seemed that she too had chosen this method.

“The Ice Duke's illegitimate daughter… right?”

Judy Ice shuddered as if startled. Then she looked at me with a sullen face. I quickly tried to calm her down.

“No…why are you reacting so violently…?”

“…that’s why I hate Prysters…”

“Hey what's wrong with what I said?”

“Do you enjoy digging into other people’s weaknesses?”

“Yes?”

“Didn't you wanna point out I'm 'bastard' and provoke me?”

Words came pouring out of her frozen mouth.

I blinked my eyes.

"Don't you know who I am?"

“I don't know! Didn't you just tell me you are Cayden Pryster!”

“That’s right… um…”

I didn't want to say it with my own mouth, but she reacted like she really didn't know.

“…I am the adopted child of the Prysters.”

“…uh?”

“I didn’t call you 'illegitimate daughter' with the intention of exposing your weakness, but because I felt a sense of unity.”

Suddenly, Asena’s words, which I had never intended to think about, resounded in my head.

‘Once you graduate, return the Pryster surname.’

I forcefully pressed down those difficult memories.

“…this… you are an adopted child…? A person like you was in the Pryster family…?”

“…So you really didn’t know. Well, otherwise, I would have gone to the political science department instead, right?”

“……”

Judy blushed in embarrassment.

Seeing her reaction, I laughed out of nowhere.

After all, once an idea was established, it was not easy to break. Judy must have heard a lot of bad things about my family since she was very young, so her reaction made sense.

“Judy, we should just get along with each other. We are same… the family members should come together, otherwise, who are you going to talk about this sadness with?”

“…..”

“Whether you like it or not, we have to stick together for two years. If we fight every day, we will soon get tired.”

“…”

“Don't you think?”

After thinking for a while, Judy nodded slightly. Fortunately, she seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

“It’s not that we need to force ourselves to talk, but at least let’s not hate each other."

Saying that I approached her horse. The same horse she snatched from me.

“Uh!”

Judy tried to stop me, but the speed at which I approached the horse was faster.

It was definitely a good horse. I wished I could approach Storm like this.

“What’s his name?”

“……”

When she didn’t answer, I looked into her eyes and asked again.

“What is it?”

“……Goldie.”

She replied with a crawling sound.

I tried to hold it in, but without realizing it, I was fed up and laughed out loud.

Realizing she had a cute sense of naming, Judy's cheeks turned red in embarrassment too. Perhaps because she lived in a cold area, her pale skin emphasized her embarrassment even more.

I tried to stop laughing, but when I tried to force myself to hold it in, the laughter kept coming out. I turned around and adjusted Goldie’s stirrup. It had been bothering me for a while because it was a little longer for Judy's height.

“It’s too…hmm…long… I like it to be a little shorter. It’s like hugging a horse with my legs… You have to be able to ride it. Hmmm.”

As I tried to speak while holding back my laughter, my voice kept trembling.

Looking back, I thought I would have to see Judy’s crooked and angry face, so I leaned my head against Goldie until the laughter calmed down. Then I looked at Judy, barely calming my laughter.

“You know?”

But contrary to my expectations, Judy was also holding back her laughter.

✧ ✧ ✧

When I came out of the stable, I went to the restaurant, but before I could reach there, from afar, I saw a familiar silhouette walking toward me; Shoulder length silver hair, a dog-like atmosphere, and dimples that went well with her bright smile. It was Keirsey.

“Oppa!!”

When I smiled and waved my hand, she smiled and ran for a long time to fall into my arms. She entrusted her whole body to me as if melting in my arms.

“...Ugh... Oppa, I missed you…”

“Who jumps like that?”

Not hearing what she had to say, I first lifted her slightly so that she could stand back to her feet. Keirsey naturally followed my lead, then turning around to stand by my side, she crossed her arm with mine. Then we headed to the restaurant.

“It feels really good to hang out with Oppa.”

“Well, it’s only natural that playing around is fun.”

Keirsey looked up at me intently because of my answer.

Did I say it too harshly?

“Haha… I don’t know. I guess it’s just because I have the best Oppa…”

But, contrary to my worries, Keirsey made a cute reply. I grinned and playfully flicked Keirsey’s forehead. Keirsey just smiled and rested her head on my arm.

✧ ✧ ✧

We sat down in the restaurant and began to talk while waiting for the food.

“So, why can’t I see Asena?”

“Oh, Unnie joined the student council.”

“Student Council?”

“Yes. That’s why I think she will eat together with the people of the student council.”

In fact, when one thought about it, no one in the academy had more power than Asena. Yes, there were some students from strong families but Asena was almost the only one in the academy to be the head of such a family. So, it made sense for her to join the student council.

“So Asena is already busy, huh.”

“I know. I don’t think I could have done it.”

“So Keirsey, did you make any friends?”

“Oh right!”

She cried out and her face bloomed like a flower.

“I have a lot of friends! ten people? As Oppa said, everyone was really nice.”

“Right?”

“Yes, and because they are new friends, there are so many things to talk about. Everyone has a different personality and I don’t know why but it’s so much fun.”

Keirsey seemed to be adjusting well. I mentally sighed in relief.

When we first met and we were young, I wished the twins wouldn’t have a grim, emotionless future, and my wish was coming true right before my eyes.

“Today my friends wanted to eat together, but I came out saying that I had to meet Oppa.”

“Yes? No, try eating with your friends next time.”

I didn’t want to become an obstacle in Keirsey's academy life, which was just starting to work out.

“Um… Nah, I hate it. I just want to eat with you.”

Keirsey thought for a moment, then opened her mouth cutely.

“Ahhh~~~”

Naturally, I used the fork in my hand to feed her.

“You can’t eat alone with me for the rest of your life.”

I said worriedly. It was the fastest way to build friendships while eating… Hence there was a drinking culture. It was not that one couldn't get along just because they were not part of the meal, but it surely was a great way to get to know each other. I wanted Keirsey to not miss out on such things and have fun.

But Kirsey seemed to ignore my words. She didn’t respond and just hummed. It felt like I had to say something.

“And Keirsey I can’t always eat with you.”

“…uh?”

Keirsey’s face hardened and the smile disappeared.

“Because I also made friends. You should eat with your friends and I will eat with mine.”

“…Friends…?”

Keirsey tilted her head and patted her chest.

“…Oh, why does my heart feel like this again?”

“…Keirsey? Are you sick?”

“Oh, no. It must be because of food… Yeah, but… Oppa is making friends too. Why didn’t I think of it..?” Keirsey muttered without replying to me.

“Are you ignoring me?”

I asked her with a smile, but Kiersey's expressions were serious.

“…That… how many people?”

“Yes?”

“How many new friends did you make?”

“Well…”

Thinking about it, I could not call anyone my new friend; Sir Horslow only trained us as a teacher. I talked to Judy, but not enough to call her a friend either.

It was just a lie made out of the wish for Keirsey to have a meal with her friends, but I didn’t know it would turn out like this. Then, suddenly, a new friend came to my mind.

“…One person. No, only one.”

“Uh?”

“Storm.”

“Storm… the horse you told me about earlier is the new friend?”

“That… Yes.”

Keirsey's face, which had hardened, broke out in a fresh smile, and she began to laugh loudly. I didn’t mind because her laughter was cute, but it was a little loud, as people began to look at us.

I leaned over to her and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Stop laughing. Everyone is looking at us strangely.”

But Keirsey just lifted her head and hugged me. In that state, Keirsey did not know how to stop and laughed for a long time.

Was it that funny?

“Ahahaha…ah… Oppa, really. Hehehe.”

I didn’t quite understand what the situation was.

After shaking off the remaining laughter, Keirsey opened her mouth again.

"Ahh~~"

After laughing at me for so long, she shamelessly demanded I feed her by showing her red tongue and white teeth.

I quickly picked up my fork and fed her again.

“Oppa, can you introduce me later?”

Keirsey asked, chewing the food.

“...What...”

“Will you introduce me to your new friend?”

“Ah…”

It reminded me of Storm's unruly appearance.

Was it okay?

I was worried if Keirsey got too close, Storm would bite her hand or hair. He might even give a scar on Keirsey's cute face.

“Um… I'll think about it.”

“Why..!”

“He’s a little weird.”

“It’s okay. I mean, we can be friends.”

“…..”

“Please, Oppa.”

Keirsey began to show aegyo.

I guess I was really weak on this one. Keirsey seemed to know too.

“Ehh… I see. If you are free next time, then go to the training ground that you came to see me at and cross it to walk a little more until you reach the stable. If you don’t see me after class, I’ll be there.”

“Got it.”

“Though I don’t know if it will be okay.”

“Don't worry. Since Storm is Oppa's friend, I should get along too. Just like Oppa said, I will try to eat dinner with him. Does he like carrots?”

“…I don't know, but I'll check.”

“Thank you, Oppa. If I make other friends, should I introduce them to you?”

A smile came to Keirsey's face as she asked that.