Chapter 7: Spring Evening

Eva, who guided him to the mansion, asked the gatekeeper who came out for contact with her uncle and assistance with the guest.

Upon entering the mansion, Ian, a close aide who also assists her uncle in his duties, greeted them.

“Welcome to Stahl’s house. I am the butler, Ian.”

“I am Viscount Raymond Coquinos from the Dacian Empire. I have come to the Kingdom of Tifris for negotiations on goods handled by my trading company. I wished to greet the Lord before heading to the capital. I sought permission for entry,” Raymond explained in place of Eva, who had brought the guest with her.

He must have noticed Ian’s sideways glance at Eva, who was concerned about her bringing a guest with her.

“I happened to meet Miss Eva on my way here, and I asked her to show me around.”

Raymond smiled and explained on Eva’s behalf.

“I see. Understood. I will guide Viscount Coquinos to the reception room. Your companions can rest in a separate room with tea and refreshments prepared.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. We crossed the mountain range at the border, so the horses seem tired. May we use the stables for their rest?”

“Certainly. I will call a stable boy immediately.”

Ian gave detailed instructions to the waiting servants and guided Raymond to the reception room.

“What about Miss Eva?”

“I’ll change my clothes first.”

Having brought them this far, there would likely be explanations for her uncle.

As Eva was about to return to her room to change, her blushing aunt and cousins hurriedly arrived at the hall.

Perhaps they had seen from the window; it seemed they were intrigued by Raymond’s beauty.

With an enraptured expression, her aunt greeted him while looking at Raymond’s face.

“Eva, you may leave. You can’t stand in front of the guest looking like you’re going into the woods.”

Eva was tactfully ushered out.

Eva decided to forgo changing and went to retrieve the bow and arrow she had hidden and the basket of wild strawberries before entering the mansion.

Carrying the bow and arrow she had hidden in the bushes near the gate and the basket, she peeked into the stable. Lucas was carefully brushing a black horse.

His eyes, gazing at the horse, were soft and filled with affection.

(He can make such a gentle face too.)

The sight of Lucas with a serene expression and the beautiful black horse with its glossy coat side by side seemed almost divine. Perhaps noticing the presence of Eva, who had stopped and stared at him. Lucas turned back at the entrance and returned to his emotionless iron mask.

“Oh… I apologize. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

…

“Everyone is resting inside the mansion. If Sir Lucas wishes, please take a break as well.”

“Thank you.”

“Well then, I will take my leave.”

Nevertheless… Both of them are incredibly handsome. She wonders who they are.

She was surprised by Lucas’s strength, as he effortlessly took down a large boar, and the other attendants moved flawlessly. For the guards of a merchant, they were too disciplined.

As the daughter of the Stahl’s House, Eva had received some martial arts training from her father, and she could usually tell whether someone practiced martial arts just by observing their movements.

They were a highly skilled group.

And… the crest on the sword belt that Sir Raymond wore was…

—

Normally, Eva, who dined with the servants in the kitchen, was asked to attend the rare family dinner with her uncle. It seems that Raymond’s party will stay at the mansion tonight.

Heading to the dining hall, Raymond and her uncle were already talking over an aperitif.

When she tried to greet and take her seat, her overdressed aunt and cousins, looking out of place, also arrived. Perhaps an appeal to Raymond. It looked rather pitiful.

As dinner began, captivated by Raymond’s calm demeanor and charming smile, her aunt and cousins actively engaged Raymond in conversation, competing to speak to him.

Eva did not actively participate in the conversation. She simply listened while moving her mouth and hands.

“Viscount Coquinos, please stay here for a while.”

Her aunt, with a sweet voice, recommended staying in Stahl’s territory.

Even her cousins, who had been gazing at Raymond with enraptured eyes, eagerly said, “Please do!” It seemed they had read the signal from her aunt. Even her uncle began supporting her aunt.

“What kind of goods does Viscount Coquinos handle in this country? There are many mines in this territory, and high-quality ore can be obtained. If you’re interested, I would like you to see it.”

“Mines, you say. It sounds intriguing. I came here hoping for good business negotiations, so if you have any recommendations, I would appreciate it.”

“Yes, yes. We take pride in having the best-quality ore on the continent. If you’re interested, I can guide you to the mining site tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it. But is it alright to be taken to such an important place?”

“Of course. I’ve heard that you were close to my late brother. Didn’t you discuss business with him? Well, he was more interested in training than business, so we never talked much about it.”

Eva froze at her uncle’s words.

(Do not insult my father!)

Raymond, even though they were the same gender, created a stunning smile for her uncle.

“Lord Klaus was a wonderful person. As the Marquise, he embodied the importance of regular training with a firm philosophy. I learned a lot from our conversations. I became engrossed in discussions about noble spirits rather than financial transactions. Lady Elizabeth was also a virtuous person. It’s a great loss to hear about their passing.”

Eva’s heart trembled at Raymond’s words. He countered her uncle’s malicious words.

When Raymond and her uncle’s gazes intertwined, she quietly gave a nod of gratitude.

The awkward silence in the dining hall, which had momentarily stiffened, was broken by the insensitive aunt and cousins.

“Viscount Coquinos, are you going to the capital?”

“Yes, I plan to visit other regions before heading to the capital.”

“We are going to the royal palace ball in two weeks, so we’ll be going to the capital soon. How long do you plan to stay in the capital, Viscount Coquinos?”

“I haven’t decided on the details yet, but I think it won’t be a short stay. Is that so? You’re attending the royal palace ball.”

“Yes, this time it’s also for these girls’ social debut.”

“Congratulations. All three of them are making their social debut?”

Eva answered “yes” to Raymond’s gaze.

“It’s said that they will decide the prince’s fiancee at the ball. My daughters are also candidates.”

Her aunt giggled with delight.

Blushing, her aunt and cousins were excited by Raymond’s beautiful smile.

Observing the scene with a sense of dismay, Eva excused herself from the table as soon as dessert was over.

After leaving the dining hall, Eva felt somewhat uneasy and decided to go outside the mansion.

Despite being spring, the night air was still cool. Strangely, it felt pleasant to Eva.

Suddenly, she remembered the impressive horses that Raymond and the others had ridden and headed towards the stables.

(Their coats were splendid too. Perhaps they’re military horses. I’d like to take a closer look at them sometime.)

The stable boys were probably not around during mealtime. After confirming that no one was there, Eva quietly entered the stable.

The horses that Raymond and the others had ridden were noticeably large, and their fur was magnificent.

Sensing Eva’s presence, the horses, who were grazing on grass, all raised their heads to observe her. Perhaps judging that she meant no harm, the horses remained calm, continuing to munch on the grass.

One horse, in particular, stretched its nose toward Eva. It was the black horse that Lucas had been taking care of.

“May I touch you?”

Quietly asking, Eva received a gesture from the horse, rubbing its nose against her.

“You’re allowing me to touch you. Thank you.”

Interpreting it as consent, she gently reached out to the horse’s forehead. As she stroked it gently, the horse’s large, moist eyes became dreamy and melted in a cute manner.

“You’re adorable. Are you accustomed to this place? Is there anything you lack?”

Eva’s cheeks also relaxed involuntarily.

As she absentmindedly petted the horse, she heard a sharp voice from behind: “Who’s there?”

Turning around, Lucas, with a stern gaze, was standing at the entrance of the stable. He must have changed clothes. His slender figure, dressed in a black shirt and black pants, looked refined.

“Is it you?”

“I apologize for touching the horse without permission.”

Lucas showed a momentary, surprised expression but quickly returned to a stern look as he approached the black horse.

“Did it bite you?”

“No. It let me pet it quietly the whole time.”

When Eva gazed at the black horse, Lucas walked towards her with an intense stare and pressed its head against Eva’s hand, as if urging her to continue.

“I see… This horse has a wild temperament and only lets me touch it. But it allowed you to touch it.”

Wild temperament?

The horse remained calm as if it had become docile, allowing Eva to continue petting it. Lucas, who had come to Eva’s side, muttered absentmindedly, “Who are you?”

“Oh, I’m Eva, the daughter of Klaus Stahl.”

“Marquise Stahl’s daughter?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

He looked at Eva with a mix of surprise and suspicion.

“Are you familiar with horses?”

“Yes, I received some training in horseback riding.”

“Hmm…”

Lucas seemed to be contemplating something as he continued to observe Eva.

After a brief silence, he spoke, “I’m Lucas, the stable master. You seem to get along well with horses.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucas. I’ve always loved horses.”

Lucas nodded in response, still wearing a serious expression.

Eva continued to pet the horse, and Lucas observed silently.

After a while, he said, “If you’re interested, you can visit the stables anytime.”

“Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate that.”

With that, Eva continued to enjoy her time with the horses in the stable, feeling a sense of calmness and connection with these magnificent animals.

After enjoying Roch’s beautiful coat for a while, Eva asked, “Are you going back to the mansion now?”

“Yeah… Are you going back like this?” Lucas inquired.

“I came out to feel the night breeze. Somehow, I don’t feel like going back yet. Lucas, please go back ahead of me.”

“But that…”

“Oh, do you know the way back? Shall I escort you back to the mansion?”

Seeing Eva smiling without reservation, Lucas responded with a sense of urgency, “No, I know the way back, but… It’s dangerous for you to be alone outside at this hour, even within the estate.”

For some reason, Lucas’s concern made Eva’s heart warm.

(He’s a kind person who cares about me, even though we just met today.)

“Did you come to see Roch, Lucas?”

“I heard that Stahl’s mansion has a splendid rose garden. I just came to check on Roch while taking a walk.”

Lucas answered Eva’s question with a slight hint of confusion.

“A rose garden! The roses are blooming beautifully right now. Would you like me to show you?”

Upon hearing that he was about to go to the carefully tended rose garden, Eva couldn’t contain her joy and blurted it out before thinking.

Lucas, who seemed to ponder for a moment, nodded. “If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate that.”

(He’s still as reserved as ever, but maybe it’s thanks to Roch. I feel like his demeanor has softened a bit.)

“Yes! Let’s go then.”

Smiling, Eva gazed into Lucas’s eyes.