A Cold-Hearted Prince Who Has Had 23 Engagements Broken off Is Manipulated by a Useless Young Lady From the Countryside - Chapter 7

Ophelia’s plan to raise a lady was progressing smoothly, albeit slowly.

Her needlework skills were still terrible, but her table manners had improved to the point where she no longer spilled food off her plate.

One fine, pleasant day.

Adonis’ mother ordered him to teach Ophelia how to ride a horse.

The two of them headed to the stables together.

The stable boy arrived with two horses in tow.

One of them was a slightly smaller chestnut horse with gentle, calm eyes. And the other one was…

“Wow! What a beautiful horse!”

Adonis’s beloved horse with slender, slender legs.

Its well-proportioned body was pure white as snow, and its shiny silver mane fluttered in the wind.

“It’s very different from my family’s farm horse!”

“Of course. Not only does it look good, it’s smart too.”

As he says this, he busily brushes it.

‘You can tell he loves it.’

Named Lea, this white horse was a precious gift from the King to the Marquis family.

It was a thoroughbred descended from the finest horses, selected for both looks and intelligence to carry the royal family during national ceremonies.

It was a proud horse that only Adonis liked, so it was kept exclusively for him.

“That’s surprising. You’re kind to horses.”

“Hmm. I want to say that’s rude… but I won’t deny it.”

Then he suddenly looked at Lea with a gentle expression.

“You’re my precious partner.”

Adonis’ gentle face was dazzling to see for the first time.

Ophelia’s heart started beating a little.

(Even this person can make such a face)

She felt a little envious of the white horse.

Lea shook her beautiful mane and snorted proudly.

“Have you ever ridden a horse?”

“Of course. We’re in the countryside, so there’s no other means of transportation.”

“Well, let’s see how it goes.”

And with that, she tried to help Ophelia mount the chestnut-colored horse. But Ophelia was faster than him, and she mounted the chestnut horse by herself.

She flipped up the hem of her skirt. She didn’t care that her underwear was visible.

“I see that you can ride a horse, but the way you ride is a zero for a lady.”

Adonis sighed in amazement.

They galloped around the hills and lakes owned by the Bahnhof family.

The early summer sunshine felt good.

“Hey, don’t ride standing up!!”

“It feels better and we can go faster this way.”

She was in high spirits after being able to move her body freely for the first time in a while.

There was no trace of elegance in Ophelia’s riding style. But when she was going at full speed, she looked like she was having the most fun.

Adonis was stunned and staring at her.

(Wow. She looks like a cross-dressing jockey.)

Meanwhile, Ophelia was secretly mesmerized by how dignified Adonis looked on Lea.

He was just like the prince charming in a picture book. And then the commotion started.

After a quick ride through the nearby hills and forests.

“Um… I don’t know if I could just ride that white horse for a little while?”

A beautiful white horse that she might never get a chance to see in her lifetime.

She really wanted to ride that horse.

Adonis hopped off Lea’s back and handed the reins to Ophelia.

“Wow! Thank you.”

Ophelia excitedly adjusted Lea’s stirrups to fit her and then straddled her.

“Hmmm. It’s strange how noble horses look like farm horses when you ride them.”

Adonis said something unnecessary.

It was just his usual flippant remark, but this was no good.

Farming, farming, horses.

Lea’s ears caught these words clearly.

‘What, what, how rude!’

If you were to compare him to a human being, he would be comparable to royalty… but to be a farm horse of all things.

The proud Lea was indignant.

It was because of this country girl that she was ruining her dignity!

“Ufu, nice to meet you, Lea. Let’s try a quick jog. Here we go!”

Ophelia lightly kicked Lea in the side with the heel of her boot.

“…”

Lea didn’t move even a millimeter. Ophelia’s orders were completely ignored.

“Oh, what? Lea, look, here you go! Here you go!”

“…” 

Lea decided to ignore her.

“Why? She’s not moving. Doesn’t she understand the instructions?”

“…!!”

That was the moment Lea’s patience ran out.

(Heehee! I understand the instructions, but she’s ignoring them on purpose!!)

She couldn’t take it anymore.

She was not a horse that a useless girl like her should be riding.

(Get off, you little girl!! Get off!!)

Lea suddenly took off at breakneck speed.

The misfortunes continued.

The moment Lea took off, there was a clink! With a metallic sound, one of the stirrups came loose and fell to the ground.

“…!!”

Adonis was also startled by the fallen stirrup.

That’s right. Ophelia was clumsy with her hands.

When she adjusted it, the belt must have shifted position and not stayed in place properly.

Without the stirrups, her feet felt like they were floating in the air, and she couldn’t brace herself.

Even when he pulled on the reins, Lea wouldn’t stop.

“Aaaaahhh!!”

Lea ran wild, shaking her body wildly, trying to shake Ophelia off.

Ophelia clung to his mane to hold on, but she had reached her limit.

(Aaaaahhh!! I’m falling!!)

The next moment she instinctively closed her eyes tightly, Adonis’ arm reached out from beside her and scooped her up just in time.

“…!”

She opened her eyes timidly and found herself in the arms of Adonis, who was riding a chestnut horse.

“…Ugh! Hey, are you okay?”

“…! Y-yes, sorry…”

She tried to reply, but her hands were shaking and she couldn’t put any strength into them.

Perhaps it was because she had been clutching the horse’s mane desperately just a moment ago.

Adonis noticed this and put one arm around Ophelia’s waist and pulled her tight.

Ophelia, who was riding sideways, ended up burying her face in Adonis’ chest.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry, you won’t fall. I’ll take you home safely.”

The two returned to the mansion, rocked on the chestnut horse’s back.

Lea on the white horse seemed satisfied after shaking Ophelia off, and followed her silently with a composed look on her face.

In Adonis’s broad chest and stable arms, Ophelia’s tension gradually eased.

She felt relieved, and tears came to her eyes.

“I thought I could ride a horse… I’m sorry.”

She felt so pathetic that she couldn’t do anything.

“No… I think it’s because my words hurt Lea’s pride. Your riding was passable. I’m sorry.”

Adonis’ voice was gentle from above.

Ophelia rested her cheek against Adonis’ chest and cried for a while.

They remained silent until they reached the mansion.

When they returned to the mansion, Adonis jumped off his horse first and held out his hand to Ophelia in a pretentious manner.

“Lady, please give me your hand.”

As if to break the strange atmosphere that was flowing between the two on horseback.

“Eh?”

Adonis grinned with a mischievous look on his face.

He was handsome, but what was amazing about him was that his pretentious behavior didn’t come off as unpleasant.

Ophelia felt embarrassed instead.

“Today’s lesson point. You got on your horse by yourself when you left, but ladies should ask for help when getting on and off. Remember that.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Not just on horses, but when riding in carriages too!”

Ophelia timidly took the hand that was offered to her.

(It feels like I’ve really become a noblewoman…)

She was confused by the tickling sensation deep in her chest, which she had never experienced before.

She didn’t want anyone to see her flushed face, so she bowed her head.

Adonis usually had trouble falling asleep, but he was tired that day, so he went to bed early.

(It’s been a tough day with a lot going on.)

He drove his horse as fast as he could and caught Ophelia as she fell. It was a truly thrilling experience.

(Being licked by both dogs and horses, how useless is that guy?)

Slowly his eyelids started to get heavy.

(I’m never bored with him.)

Thinking like that, Adonis fell asleep and didn’t realize he was smiling.