Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke: Volume 4 [Parts 1 to 7] by Ichibu Saki

Author:Ichibu Saki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Hence how she ended up here.

“My, it has been so long since we’ve ridden together, Lui,” Claire remarked.

“Yes, we often take carriages instead, don’t we?”

Claire clung to Lui’s back. The black-bay horse they’d borrowed from the stables was a decidedly good-natured creature and quite gentle; it had allowed Lui and Claire to ride despite having never met either of the girls before.

Claire sighed as they trotted through the sunset-dappled forest. Even though she’d been roped into coming here by Gilbert’s overbearing invitation, the verdant wood still delighted her spirits.

“I never noticed yesterday that there was such a lovely forest out behind the castle,” Claire said.

“Neither did I. I have to say, I expect Vik would have been nigh on apoplectic if you and Prince Gilbert had shared a horse.”

“Vik, apoplectic? I can’t begin to imagine.”

“That’s because he always makes sure to behave himself in front of you.”

Claire giggled. Now that Lui mentioned it, Vik had been jealous when she’d decided to visit Lupty. She had the feeling that Lui’s idea was not overly exaggerated, which made Claire smile and blush. Her thoughts turned to Vik after having not seen him for several days. Vik said he makes frequent visits to Lupty, she recalled. He must have walked this very same path himself. If I imagine it... Oh, but now I wish we could have come here together.

She lingered in her sweet, sentimental feelings for a few moments before a scream from Gilbert snapped her back to reality.

“Help, help!” he shrieked.

Claire was alarmed. She looked over to see the white horse tearing by at top speed, Gilbert clinging to its neck. He seemed to have lost control of it somehow. The animal was in total panic, doing everything in its power to shake Gilbert loose. This was an inconceivable blunder for a member of the monarchy, whose education should have covered such things as swordsmanship and the equestrian arts.

“What in the world?” Lui said, visibly appalled.

Claire beseeched her for help. “How horrid! Lui, we must do something.”

“I don’t want to help him out, truthfully.”

“Believe me, I couldn’t agree more, but we really can’t leave him to his fate.”

Lui hesitated. “I suppose not. I’m sure he must have his own wards, but it doesn’t hurt to play it safe.” She sighed and chanted a spell.

The horse flung Gilbert off, but a cushion of winds caught him mere moments before he collided with a tree. The gusts lightly deposited him on the ground, whereupon he sank into a weak heap on the spot.

Claire slid off her horse and dashed over to him. “Are you hurt, Prince Gilbert?”

“No, but...” he faltered. “It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve never heard of a white horse turning wild before.”

“Never mind about that. Let us just be grateful that you are safe.”

Lui came over, leading her own horse. “I’m glad you are unharmed,” she said. “It would have been a horrible nuisance if we had to bring you back injured.”

“Oh my,” Claire said, noticing a smidgen of mud on Lui’s face.

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