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Chapter 97.2

They rode with their upper bodies low to the horses, the wind rushing past them as they galloped. Eli’s speed was breathtaking, and for a moment, Lia could see nothing but the blur of the trees whizzing past them.

As they neared the junction of the forest exit, Eli finally caught up to Carso’s horse. Carso was surprised by the sudden pursuit, but he chuckled in amusement.

Canillia let out a cool laugh as they slowed to a stop. Lia took a moment to catch her breath, her hair tie loosened from the exhilarating gallop.

“Did you want to run like that?” she asked Eli, who raised his head in response.

Lia dismounted from Eli’s back, feeling the sweat-soaked fabric sticking to her skin. She stroked Eli’s coat, which was damp with exertion, and headed towards the stable. As she entered, her eyes fell upon a familiar back. It was Claude, clad in a perfectly fitted red jacket and white pants.

I thought you hadn’t returned from the hunt yet, Lia thought, surprised to see him there.

Claude turned his head, still holding a paddle, and exhaled sharply upon spotting her. His face contorted into an expression of annoyance as he spoke in a cold voice. “Where did you go?”

Lia’s heart sank, as if she had done something wrong. “I went for a walk. I wanted to let Eli run freely.”

“I used to let Eli roam the forest on his own. He’s not meant to be cooped up like this,” Claude snapped.

Lia bit her lip, refraining from retorting. Though they had reconciled the previous night, and even shared a kiss, Claude’s current behavior was unsettling. His voice was harsh, and his demeanor was intimidating.

After seeing to Eli’s needs, Lia unbuttoned her jacket, fanning herself as she began to feel hot. Claude’s glare intensified upon seeing her do so. “I’ve told you that you shouldn’t exert yourself like that without warning,” he scolded.

He looked down at her sweaty forehead and reached out to brush her damp bangs aside. Lia trembled at the touch of his cold fingers on her hot skin. Suddenly, Claude withdrew his hand, avoiding her gaze.

“Let’s go. You need to rest,” he said, holding out his hand to Lia.

Lia carefully slipped off her gloves and reached for Claude’s hand. He took it in his own, clasping it tightly with a sense of decorum and affection. But despite his touch, there was a disconnect between them. Lia couldn’t shake the feeling that he was present yet distant, his blue eyes fixed on a point far beyond her.

Her chest tightened, a strange sensation akin to icy water rushing through her veins.

* * *

Claude’s piercing gaze fixed on the two letters lying on the silver tray, his expression turning icy. One missive bore the royal seal, the other the emblem of the Geore Royal family. He picked them up, weighing them in his hand, and settled heavily into his chair, weariness etched on his face.

Outside, preparations for a picnic were in full swing, but the misty weather had put an end to the hunt. His brother Carso lounged on a nearby sofa, absorbed in a book, his face wreathed in a smile that suggested he knew something Claude did not. He had been enjoying everything a little too much during their visit.

“It seems the hunt was a failure today,” Carso’s voice rang out, and Claude turned his gaze to him.

Claude sighed and lit a cigarette, taking a long drag before settling into his own seat. “It was too misty,” he replied, his tone clipped.

“Lies,” Carso retorted, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Rodrigo didn’t say anything like that. He said you seemed distracted and couldn’t concentrate on anything else. Why did the best hunter miss all the prey?”

“I didn’t miss anything; I just didn’t shoot,” Claude replied, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag.

“Another lie,” Carso grinned. “I heard you shoot twice in the north forest.”

Claude remained silent, his eyes boring into Carso. The younger man’s blonde hair shone in the light, and his blue eyes seemed to dance with amusement. Claude approached him, exhaling a cloud of smoke. Carso continued to read his novel, his expression hardening.

“Carson del Ihar,” Claude said slowly, drawing out his name. “Did you go to the forest with your horse?”

“You enjoyed yourself quite a bit in the north forest. Is that why your face is so bright?” Claude continued, his eyes narrowing

Carso coughed as the smoke filled his lungs, his mind racing to come up with a plausible excuse. He stood up abruptly, but felt small and childish in front of his older brother.

“I, I was resting first! I didn’t know Lady Canilia would bring Eli with her. It’s true!”

“So? How was she?”

Carso was caught off guard by the unexpected question, his mind still reeling from the encounter he had just had with Canillia. He hesitated for a moment, expecting Claude to ask about their meeting, but instead, his brother’s piercing gaze fixed on him, demanding an answer.

Claude flicked his cigarette into the ashtray and returned to his desk, where a letter lay unopened. “Tell me,” he said, as he picked up the letter and sat down in his chair. “How was she?”

Carso’s mind raced as he tried to recall Canillia’s expression. “Uh, well… she seemed fine. She looked happy and a bit tired, so we finished the conversation quickly. But Eli really likes Lady. I was really surprised.”

Claude removed the seal with a knife and took out the letter, while Carso walked around the room, trying to make sense of his own thoughts.

“Don’t make me crazy and get out,” Claude said, his voice cold and distant.

“Really, it seems like he likes her,” Carso said, trying to lighten the mood.

Claude’s gaze rose from the letter he was reading, his eyes locked on Carso’s. There was a brief moment of silence, as the two men stared at each other, neither speaking.

Finally, Carso broke the silence, his voice laced with amusement. “I don’t understand having a picnic on a day like this, but I guess I have to join in too.”

“Carso, don’t spread baseless rumors,” Claude said, his voice flat and emotionless.

“That the great Claude Del Ihar has fallen in love, right?”

Despite Carso’s playful tone, Claude’s expression remained calm and collected. “It’s not even gossip,” he said. “I’ve never stopped loving Lia for a single day.”

Carso was stunned by his brother’s revelation. He clutched his hair with both hands, his mouth agape, struggling to process what he had just heard.

After a few moments, he composed himself and disappeared from the study, leaving Claude alone with his thoughts. As he crumpled the two letters he had read one by one, his gaze shook. “Darn it,” he muttered.