Chapter 140

A herd of wild horses galloped across the green plains.

Thud-thud-thud. The heavy yet crisp rhythm of hooves struck the ground, almost cheerful in its clarity. Diane’s face lit up as she watched from a distance.

“That’s amazing!”

“It really is.”

Joyce, seated in front of her and guiding the horse, agreed. Acting as their guide, the steward from White Swan Castle—Talfrin—smiled as he explained,

“The area around Penmewick is one of Maindulante’s most famous wild horse habitats. It doesn’t have the highest population, but the sight of a herd running across the green plains along the Silver River is truly beautiful.”

“I see. I can believe it.”

Diane replied in a dreamy voice.

Nerys quietly smiled at how adorable Diane looked. And when her eyes happened to meet Cledwyn’s, who had been watching her, she blinked in surprise.

Cledwyn smiled and mouthed the words: So. Cute. (T/N: My boy Cledywn, the rizzler.)

Nerys’s face flushed red. She quickly urged her horse forward and rode up beside Diane.

“Hyah!”

Because guests had come from afar, several people had gone out for an excursion in the countryside near Penmewick. Among them were Lord Cledwyn himself, Nerys as the main host, the visiting guests, and even some of the vassal lords and key officials who happened to be at White Swan Castle. All were finely dressed and rode equally well-groomed horses.

Nerys wore only a few accessories for formality’s sake, and her clothes were simple and comfortable without lavish embellishment. Her riding skill was probably average at best among the group.

And yet, she stood out unmistakably.

Her composed demeanor was more elegant than any affectation, and the clean silhouette of her outfit accentuated her upright posture and poised expression. Even the small accessories she wore were of fine quality, sparkling tastefully at just the right moments.

‘Of course—Riz is the coolest person in the world.’

Diane smiled proudly, feeling once again honored to be friends with someone like her. Nerys caught Diane’s outstretched hand and gave it a gentle shake as she asked,

“What is it?”

“I just think everyone’s really nice.”

Diane’s gaze shifted to the people of Maindulante, who were watching them from afar.

Laughing, chatting, and occasionally galloping their horses—they were just like people from the south, and yet different. Everyone wanted to show off their strengths and enjoy the sunny day, but people here expressed those desires and feelings far more directly than the southern nobles. That made them feel almost endearing.

‘More than anything…’

Every time someone glanced their way, Diane could see admiration in their eyes. The open and unmistakable sincerity in those gazes could not be misunderstood.

‘She really is doing well here.’

Ever since arriving, Diane had watched closely. She looked for anyone pretending to be nice while secretly scheming, anyone jealous of Nerys’s brilliance, anyone rejecting her as an outsider, treating her as lesser for her age, or trying to use her under the guise of affection…

Fortunately, the atmosphere here was genuinely warm. It was obvious everyone liked Nerys.

“Right?”

Nerys replied with a faint smile. Diane let go of her hand and turned around.

“Brother. Brother.”

“What is it, little one?”

“Don’t call me that! Can you get down for a second? I want to talk to Riz alone.”

Though Joyce insisted on riding together due to his overprotective nature, Diane wasn’t completely inept at horseback riding. Especially not at their current leisurely pace.

Joyce obediently dismounted and gave them some space. Diane steered her horse next to Nerys’s and rode quietly for a while.

“Where are we going?”

“Let’s check out that stream over there.”

She pointed to a small creek that lay just at the edge of the group’s roaming area—far enough to talk privately, but still within sight.

Diane didn’t speak again until they arrived. Her sparkling green eyes took in the horizon with awe.

When they reached the shimmering creek, the horses began to drink. Nerys dismounted and helped Diane down safely.

Helping someone down from the MacKinnon’s tall horse was a challenge for the petite and delicate Nerys, but it wasn’t the first time they’d ridden together. They both knew the routine well.

Once on the ground, Diane beamed.

“I’m so glad you look happy, Riz.”

“Thank you.”

Nerys had never known anyone who could be so purely happy just because someone else was doing well. Diane didn’t seem like a fellow human, but something more mysterious.

The warmest, kindest being in the world.

“At first, I worried you were dragged into this without knowing what was happening. That’s why I forced my way here like this. But if you even brought your mother here, you must’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”

Nerys felt a pang in her chest and nodded solemnly.

“That’s right.”

“I won’t ask why. You can tell me when you’re ready—or not at all.”

“Really? You don’t think it’s strange?”

“I trust you have your reasons. If I like you, I like everything about you.” (T/N: The BEST BFF ever awards goes to you Di.)

The words felt almost too good to be meant for someone like her, and Nerys could only respond with an awkward smile. Diane smiled back and clasped her hand.

“Hey, Riz.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“Yeah.”

“And you?”

“…Me too.”

It had been ages since she’d said the words “I love you”—not since childhood, and even then only under pressure or for appearances. Nerys stopped herself from saying anything more out of embarrassment.

Diane seemed satisfied anyway.

“I have to return to the Academy for my final year, and you’ve already graduated, so we won’t be able to see each other every day like before. But don’t ever forget, even if we’re apart—I’ll always be there when you need help.”

Nerys nodded weakly. The warmth and tingling that surged through her hand made her feel like her whole body would explode.

‘That reminds me, Diane…’

She had once wondered what Diane would think if she knew everything.

Would she still look at her the same way?

Now, Nerys had a hunch—no, a quiet certainty—that even if Diane knew everything about her past life, she would still look at her with the exact same eyes.

Because Diane lived in her heart, and Nerys lived in Diane’s. And that wouldn’t change, even if Nerys turned out to be far from perfect or brave.

Diane smiled—like a fully bloomed apple blossom.

“That’s all I needed to hear!”

❖ ❖ ❖

Mornings in the countryside were dull. At least, that’s what Dina the shepherd girl thought.

Next door, Gail fetched water, milked the cows, spun yarn, baked bread, and sewed. Old man Jim in the front cottage mended fences, checked his mule’s hooves, cut grass, and pulled weeds. There were many tasks, but they never changed. Every day was exactly the same.

Behind her, Aunt Hanna…

‘…is probably making cheese and brewing beer again. Says it’s for the workers fixing the chapel.’

Aunt Hanna had never been particularly devout and was often criticized for it. But when her fever-ridden son was saved by the new priest, she practically moved into the chapel.

‘At least our priest isn’t boring.’

Until recently, the parish had been led by an old priest with barely any divine power. Everyone attended services more out of habit than piety.

But after he passed of old age, a very young priest took over—and everything changed.

‘Well, he did heal the baron right away.’

This land belonged to a baron—technically one of the estates under him. Dina’s mother scolded her for forgetting the baron’s name, but Dina thought it unfair. Didn’t everyone just call him “the baron” anyway?

No one expected the arrival of a new priest to change much. Most people here just farmed or raised livestock.

But things changed. Especially after the baron fell from his horse and nearly died, and the new priest rode through the storm to heal him.

Since then, the baron reportedly offered passionate prayers every morning and evening. He was also hopelessly smitten with the new priest, constantly begging him to transfer to a bigger parish and conduct services exclusively for him.

Thankfully, the new priest kept humbly refusing—much to Aunt Hanna’s relief.

Rustle.

A soft sound of someone stepping through grass broke through the morning mist. Dina paused and waited.

Soon, a young man appeared, dressed in a white robe with vivid pink hair.

“Father Ren!”

Dina greeted him warmly.

Ren smiled kindly. Though he looked young, anyone who spoke with him said he had a depth that belied his age. And once they got to know him, they were always surprised—

By the pure and unwavering faith that radiated from his soul, visible to anyone with eyes.

‘And he’s so handsome.’

His pretty rose-colored curls, sharp nose, and graceful jawline gave several girls in the village hopeless crushes. Ever since Dina met him, the village boys didn’t stand a chance.

“Heading to the meadow? Up early as always, Dina.”

That calm, thoughtful voice. That gentle tone. Did God create him with only kindness in mind? Dina, as always, was moved.

“Yes, Father Ren. Oh, a guest came yesterday. Should I bring them some goat’s milk?”

This village rarely had visitors, but someone had arrived the day before. Their robe sparkled with fancy embroidery—perhaps a high-ranking priest?

Rumor had it they entered the “Oak Manor” where Ren lived.

When he first arrived, the chapel residence had been in ruins. Old Kamil, the village’s wealthy elder, had offered him a place to stay at his home, which then became Ren’s unofficial residence.

Kamil was supposedly a very prominent priest in the distant past, though Dina found it hard to picture.

“Thank you for thinking of that, Dina. But Father Adams will be leaving soon.”

So the guest was named Father Adams. Dina tilted her head.

“Why?”

“He’s a very busy man. He came to deliver important news and will be returning to his duties.”

Ah, that made sense. Dina nodded. Then, Ren said sweetly,

“If you get a chance, check in on Mr. Kamil, would you? He’s always grateful for your kindness, and I’d like to ask a bit more of you.”

“Of course, Father Ren. It’s nothing among neighbors. I’ll do that.”

He smiled and passed her by gently. Slowly, he walked away.

His demeanor was so calm that Dina only later realized—he had spoken as though he were preparing to leave.

As Ren walked away from shepherd girl Dina, he looked up at the brightening sky.

And he smiled—a mischievous, cunning smile the villagers had never seen.

‘So Nerys is in Maindulante.’

That wasn’t the main message Adams had rushed to deliver—but ever since last night, and into the morning, Ren’s head had been filled only with her.

News of his likely appointment as a cardinal, backed by nobles from every region, meant little in comparison.

‘Nerys.’

That golden-haired girl, bright as the morning sun. In his mind, he imagined what she might look like now—fully grown.

‘We’ll meet again soon.’

He smiled radiantly.

(T/N: Bro Ren you better step up your game! Cledwyn is leagues away from you now.)