Chapter 67

Although it was said that I could ride it lightly, I felt a bit nervous about riding a horse after such a long time.

However, my body remembered how to do it, and the chestnut horse introduced to me by my lord seemed to be gentle and intelligent, making it easy to handle.

The distance to the riding ground was indeed a bit far if I walked, but it was just right if I urged the horse on lightly.

It currently seems that it is not being used, but training will start soon.

Before that, it was arranged that I could borrow it for a little while.

Rather, if the head of the household said he would use it, even if there were complaints, it would be allowed in the territory.

Of course, I don’t intend to push it that far, so I will only borrow it for a little while.

"Wow, it’s so vast!"

Immediately, as if echoing my thoughts, Michelle let out a voice filled with amazement and bewilderment.

The others, who are used to seeing it, said nothing.

"That way... I can see the horizon..."

"It is indeed vast."

My lord said lightly and dismounted from the horse.

He came to me right away and helped me down.

What a gentleman.

"You can play too."

"Leitzel, shall we run?"

For a moment, it seemed like Rihito was on his mind, but perhaps because he was feeling the lack of exercise, he handed Rihito to us and started running briskly.

I saw him for the first time, but he is fast.

He’s already so far away!

By the way, Rihito is also running around.

However, he doesn’t go as far as Leitzel and always stays within our sight.

Still, it seems he enjoys running in places without obstacles.

"Leitzel, I can’t see him anymore... Is he okay?"

"He’s smart, so he won’t jump over the fence. Since it’s this time of day, there’s almost no one around, so I don’t think there will be any problems."

No, I’m more worried about the people in the territory.

The biggest concern is the reaction of the people in the territory when they see Leitzel.

I hope they don’t overreact out of shock...

If the territorial army starts moving immediately, it would be a big commotion and I would feel bad.

Well, if they encounter such a large beast, the report will probably go to the head of the household first.

"He will come back eventually. Besides, if Leisha calls him, he will come back, right?"

"I did check, and he appeared even when I couldn’t see him. I don’t know how far away he was, though."

At this distance, where the horizon is visible, I’m not sure if he can hear, my lord.

"Maybe we should check that later. For now, let him be free."

Even though he has lived in nature, suddenly starting to live in a human environment must be stressful.

I don’t know what Leitzel is thinking.

Perhaps he thought it would be easier to raise Rihito here, or maybe he was driven out of his herd.

However, he is at least friendly towards us, and he is accepted at the capital residence.

He even helps with heavy tasks, you know.

It seems like he understands that he is a guest.

Of course, I don’t think Rihito is thinking about anything.

"Leisha, come here."

Riding a horse is light exercise.

Even if you don’t ride for long, you can get a bit tired.

Perhaps noticing this, my lord gestured for me to sit at the table and chairs outside, carrying a basket that was tied to the horse.

"I said we would have breakfast here and had it prepared. The knights will bring their own, so it’s fine."

"Oh, thank you."

He skillfully took out the food from the basket.

It felt like a picnic.

There were small sandwiches easy to eat by hand, scones and other baked goods with several types of jam, colorful hors d'oeuvres, and fresh fruits. There was even fruit juice.

It looks delicious!

I was a bit moved.

Somehow, this kind of food feels special.

It had the excitement I dreamed of as a child.

"Did you hear this from Ragnar?"

"No? I’m just doing something a child would like."

He said he wanted to give me experiences I didn’t have as a child, so...

"Are you treating me like a child!?"

"Is that not the case?"

I pouted slightly at my lord, who was smiling happily.

Well, he’s not wrong, right?

I did dream of such events! But picnics are fun for adults too! They even happen sometimes in women’s social gatherings!

"Even though the distance is short, you must be hungry after moving your body for the first time in a while. Besides, you didn’t seem to have much of an appetite yesterday."

I thought he was watching me.

My lord said I didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, but I was eating as much as a normal noblewoman.

My appetite was a bit down, but not to the point of worrying.

It was a matter of mood.

I can’t eat freely in such an important setting!

"Ah, I—"

I called out to my lord as he was pouring a drink into a glass.

However, he stopped me with a gesture and ended up doing it himself.

He was taking care of everything.

I just sat there.

Is it okay for you to do all this, my lord?

"Ha ha ha!"

As I watched my lord’s efficient movements, Rihito was running around my feet.

He understands that I will scold him if he climbs onto the table, so he runs around below.

My lord picked up Rihito easily and handed him to Michelle, who took him away with a resigned look.

"Here, Rihito! Don’t bother the couple. I have your food, so let’s go over there. By the way, you’ve really gotten heavy lately, haven’t you? Are you in a growth spurt? Or are you just getting fat? It’s hard to tell with your fluffy fur."

Michelle is saying this to you too, Rihito.

So, I’m not the only one who thinks you might be getting fat.

Maybe you should go on a diet? Or maybe we should increase your exercise... But, you seem to be playing energetically at the capital residence, so I don’t think you’re as inactive as Leitzel.

Maybe you’re just eating too much.

You get snacks from the maids and servants with those big eyes, and they give them to you secretly.

We need to ban them completely.

If we pamper you during your growth period, it won’t end well.

"What’s wrong?"

"Ah, no... Thank you."

While thinking about Rihito’s diet, my lord handed me a glass.

I took it and thanked him for all his help.

"Rihito will be fine with Michelle. They seem to get along well, no matter what."

They get along well, but it’s more like they are just playmates.

For both of them.

"Let’s eat."

"Everything looks delicious."

Eating outside is quite a pleasant experience.

I was excited every time the food was taken out of the basket.

I was also excited to see what was inside, my lord.

"The cook at the territory has been with me since I was a child, and we know each other well. He is good at formal dishes, but he is also skilled at making picnic baskets like this."

"Did you often go on picnics, my lord?"

His tone made it sound like that.

"Not often, but children of the same age were often grouped together, and we played a lot when we had time. We would go to the castle kitchen and have them make food for us. As the grandson of the lord, I could get them to make food even when they were busy."

"That’s a bit surprising. I thought your days were filled with serious studies."

When I said this with a bit of surprise, my lord shrugged.

"Playing with other children is also a form of social interaction. I think it was also a way to take a break."

"So that’s why you are familiar with this kind of thing?"

The preparation was very efficient.

My lord said it was just taking things out, but the way he neatly arranged everything showed that he was used to it.

"You should get used to it too. You can have a picnic anywhere."

That’s true.

Even when we return to the capital, we can enjoy a picnic-like atmosphere in the Lindvold family’s capital residence.

Eating outside seems to have a different flavor and might become a habit.

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