My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 39

Chapter 20.1 — How to create a child (9)

As Cain turned the horse’s head lightly, the glossy black horse, with its muscles shining, gracefully turned its body and approached the passenger seat. Amidst the loud engine noise, the rhythmic sound of hooves hitting the solid ground echoed like an unwavering percussion instrument.

Finally, he stopped beside Riette.

His disheveled black hair looked oddly captivating, perhaps it was because he had always obsessively brushed it aside to maintain a neat appearance. The loose strands cascaded down, partially covering his forehead, and for the first time, he looked like a handsome young man of his age. The contrast of his stern and rigid face against the disheveled hair and military uniform felt like a double-edged sword striking her heart. It was as if she were the one who had pursued him instead.

With effortless grace, Cain released the reins and dismounted from the horse. Despite its considerable height, he moved with skill and ease. Then, stopping at the passenger seat, he greeted the man before him with utmost politeness.

“I apologize for the intrusion, but unfortunately, the Princess has made a prior arrangement with me. So, I seek your generous forgiveness and kindly ask for your understanding.”

Such a curt and blunt greeting it was.

Narkissis’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Even so, he couldn’t retort a word, realizing once again that he was overshadowed by Cain’s presence from the very beginning. As he let go of the steering wheel, he leaned his body against the driver’s seat headrest.

Narkissis’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Even so, he couldn’t find the words to retort, realizing once again that he was overshadowed by Cain’s presence from the very beginning. He released the steering wheel and slouched against the driver’s seat headrest.

“If there’s already a prior arrangement, I suppose I should yield. Don’t mind me and go ahead, Lariette.”

Thud.

Before he could finish his sentence, Riette grabbed Cain’s hand and got off the passenger seat, disregarding her hat that flew off and landed on Narkissis’s lap. She didn’t seem to care about that.

In the meanwhile, Cain slightly lowered his head to Narkissis.

“Well then. I shall step aside.”

He then turned his body elegantly.

With gentle care, he swiftly lifted her slender waist and effortlessly placed her onto the high horse saddle. His hands were large and firm enough to almost envelop her entire waist that even holding a piece of tissue would require more force than this light gesture.

“Ah!”

As the speed suddenly increased, her body wavered. Just as she was about to lose her balance, he securely wrapped his arm around Riette’s waist.

Her body vibrated, and the wind gently tousled her cheeks and hair.

With a robust and sturdy body, his arms were thicker than her own and wrapped around her waist. Her heart pounded like a drum at the sight, even more so than when she was thrown off balance during the precarious ascent from the open passenger seat.

Riette briefly glanced over her shoulder.

She could clearly see Narkissis, who had risen from the driver’s seat, nervously loosening his uniform collar. As she averted her gaze from him once again, she leaned against Cain’s strong chest, letting go of all the tension from her body.

˚ ･: * ✧ * :･ ˚

Cain finally stopped after entering the courtyard of the Princess’s Palace. As he dismounted from the horse, Riette gazed at him as if she had been waiting.

“Is this really alright? He is still the Prince…”

While her rationality returned a beat late after distancing from Narkissis, Cain’s expression remained indifferent, unlike her, who seemed worried.

“It’s just a day or two, so it’s fine.”

…But wouldn’t that pose its own problems?

Cain’s voice flowed back to Riette, who was bewildered.

“Since you mentioned it, I have been keeping a close eye on His Highness Narkissis. I knew that if I observed him for too long, I would be caught, so he took the opportunity when I was momentarily unguarded to aim at you, Princess.”

“You’ve been watching His Highness after what I told you?”

“That’s right.”

“Ah…”

‘He has been watching Highness Narkissis because of me…’

Riette sat sideways on the saddle, swinging her legs in the air. Somehow, it was difficult for her to stay still.

It felt unfamiliar.

It was rare for someone to believe in her words so readily and act on them without hesitation. Like leaves swaying in the gentle breeze, he fluttered her entire field of vision. Her heart tickled, akin to a ray of sunlight that colored the pure white sheets with golden hues.

Strangely, an unfamiliar sensation began to stir within her.

The feeling living beneath her chest was beating faster and faster. Looking at him, it was as if a faded feeling, long dormant, was awakening from the depths of her heart, causing her cheeks to flush.

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