19 Off to the Duke's Mansion

"Yes."

The knight nodded before leaving the shack. Still keeping the forced smile on my lips, I looked around my humble abode.

This shack had witnessed the love between my mother and father. It witnessed everything about my life — good times and bad ones — and the thought of leaving this place left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Who knows? I might not come back here again.

As I had said, I was not born stupid. Although I admit I wasn't smart and hadn't figured out everything, going to the Duke's Mansion, I know leaving that place was impossible.

It was no secret that no one could approach the mansion, even nobles, during normal days. It was almost like a law everyone abides. A forbidden that even us peasants knew about.

"A proper date?" I muttered, shaking my head as I didn't want to think about it anymore.

His Lordship must have a different meaning of what a proper date was. Although I was never been into one; that made us two.

"I've accepted my fate. There's no going back." I whispered before taking a step towards the entrance, now the exit of my home.

"You're protecting everyone, Lilou." I convinced myself, comforting the uneasiness in my heart.

Dreaming about something was already being ambitious and greedy for peasants. To keep me sane until this point, I had to deny what seemed pleasant to avoid clinging to false hope.

And so, I was now clinging to the little hope that the duke would stick to his words. That he wouldn't touch everyone in exchange for taking mine. What a tragedy.

The second I stepped foot outside, I took a deep breath. My fist loosened as I huffed all the heaviness in my heart. I looked back at my shack once again and smiled, silently bidding it farewell. 

Each time my sole touched the crisp and damp grass, it echoed right in front of my ears. The golden rays from the sunset illuminating straight in this hill brightened as the distance from me and my home deepened. 

The knights outside already finished preparing and were ready to set off with their horses. Moving my gaze around, I bit my lower lip as some knights had their eyes on me.

"Peasant, do you know how to ride a horse?" asked Rufus, holding the rope attached around the horse's neck.

"No, sir." I shook my head, ignoring his humiliating tone.

Riding horses in this era was common for only a selected class. It was beyond a peasant's reach to own one, let alone learn how to ride one. Not to mention, we had a cart to use whenever we need to deliver and sell goods in the major towns. Hence, it would be more strange if I knew how to ride one.

What does the acting duke expect?

Since I had a poor impression of the acting Duke, I could not help but criticize him in my mind. It was quite a stupid question for someone who exalted himself so much.

"Right, obviously." Still using his cold and flat tone, Rufus glanced at the few knights and gave out his orders. "Men, some of you return to the manor first, while others will escort us along the way." 

"We didn't bring a carriage with us today. Hence, ride on Bella," he  added, tugging the rope around the horse's neck named Bella. What a pretty name for a horse.

"I can just walk, sir," I stated with a polite bow. Walking would take me forever to reach the Duke's mansion, but I was used to it. Moreover, it could buy me some time before my impending doom.

"That's obvious, but we don't have all the time in the world to wait for you. Don't misunderstand. I'm letting you ride on Bella's back, not because I want to. His Lordship ordered us to escort you to the mansion safely," Rufus coldly explained, sounding displeased at my indirect rejection. I might have hurt his pride unintentionally.

Since I figured Rufus' mind wouldn't change as he was merely following orders, I did another neck bow. I haven't ridden a horse, but I've been wanting to mount one. Thus, it wasn't bad to experience riding a horse for once.

They said riding a galloping horse was akin to flying. I've been wanting to experience that kind of freedom.

"Come." After a moment, Rufus invited as he faced Bella the Horse.

I trudged forward, keeping a safe distance from Bella and Rufus. As I watched Rufus caress Bella and patted it lightly, he cast me a side-eye before arching his brow.

"Can you ride a horse from that distance?" He asked, annoyed as always.

'Well, who knows? I haven't ridden one,' I answered internally, but from the outside, I just pursed my lips.

"The sun is about to set. Come and I'll help you ride Bella." With the same attitude, Rufus ordered coldly. I just briefly raised my brows and came closer to him.

"Stand on its left, then place your hands over here." When I got closer, Rufus instructed me while pointing to the area where I should stand and hold.

I listened carefully, following his instruction as I got into the position. As instructed, I placed my left foot in the stirrup. From the count of three, I stepped up with the help of Rufus. Swinging my right leg over Bella's rump, being careful not to accidentally kick the horse.

Rufus repeatedly told me to be careful and not hurt Bella. Fortunately, I didn't.

Soon, I sat on the saddle. Just mounting the horse was a little hassle. But now that I've already mounted one, there's this sparkle of excitement bubbling in my stomach.

"Stay still no matter what," Rufus ordered, and I nodded.

Rufus then adjusted my foot on the stirrup. I slightly flinched when he held my ankle and adjusted its position.

"You don't have proper boots for riding," he pointed out while adjusting my foot.  I subconsciously curled my dirty toes upon hearing his remarks.

"Nevermind. Hold still as we're leaving," Rufus said, shifting his attention to the knights. He briefed them for several minutes before we finally set off. 

I was riding the horse while Rufus was holding its reins while walking ahead. Not just him, but all knights escorting us weren't riding their horses.

They were walking, holding the reins in silence. I looked around and thought they could've ridden their mounts since the horses' backs were vacant. I understood Rufus wouldn't ride with me since I'm a peasant. Coming close to me could taint his expensive clothes.

"Uhm…" As the sound of the horse and the knight's footsteps mixed in the air, I bit my lower lips while constantly glancing at Rufus's back.

"Sir?" I called out, but Rufus didn't turn around nor halted.

With him feigning deaf, the question lingering at the tip of my tongue rolled back. I didn't need to ask, as it seemed the acting lord wouldn't answer me, anyway.

"The knights weren't riding their horses simply because I'm not riding one. And before you hop into your silly conclusions, I'm not riding with you, not because I didn't want to."

Just when I refrained myself from asking, Rufus suddenly spoke without looking back at me. I pursed my lips tightly, clearing my throat as I felt guilty for hopping into a conclusion.

"His Grace warned me not to ride with you. I'm simply fulfilling my duties."

"His Grace?" I furrowed my brows, tilting my head to the side as I wondered why Samael would order such a thing.