A herd of wild horses raced across the green fields.
Dudududu. The thunderous and crisp sound of hooves echoed through the ground, bringing a sense of exhilaration. Diane's face brightened as she watched from afar.
"Amazing!"
"Indeed."
Joyce, who had been leading the way with Diane in front, agreed. Talfryn, the steward of the White Swan Castle who took on the role of a guide, smiled as he explained.
"The area near Fenwick is the most famous habitat for wild horses in Maindland. It's not the region with the highest population, but the sight of wild horses running across the lush plains with a silvery river flowing is incredibly beautiful."
"I see. It must be famous."
Diane responded dreamily.
Neris secretly chuckled at Diane's reaction. When she caught Cladwyn looking at her like that, their eyes met, and she widened her eyes.
Cladwyn smirked and mouthed the words. Cu-te.
Neris blushed. She quickly excused herself and went to Diane's side.
"There!"
Guests from afar were welcomed with various people coming out to the outskirts of Fenwick as part of the hospitality. The lord of the castle, Cladwyn, and Neris, the chief greeter, along with the subordinate lords and important officials who happened to be at the White Swan Castle, were all dressed brightly and elegantly, driving beautifully adorned horses.
Neris's accessories were minimal for formality, and her clothes looked comfortable without extravagant decorations. Her equestrian skills were probably average in this setting.
Nevertheless, she undoubtedly caught everyone's attention.
Her poised demeanor was more elegant than any embellished action, and the simple silhouette of her attire accentuated her straight posture and confidently held face. Even the small accessories, each of excellent quality, sparkled brilliantly where necessary.
"Of course, Liz is the most stylish person in the world."
Diane chuckled with renewed pride in the fact that she was friends with such a person. Neris habitually took Diane's outstretched hand and gently shook it, asking, "Why?"
"Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
Diane's gaze turned towards the Maindland people who were looking in their direction.
Laughing, chatting, and sometimes riding horses, they were similar yet different from the Southern people. While the gathering of people boasting about their merits and enjoying the sunny summer day was a common sight, the locals here expressed such desires and sentiments much more straightforwardly than the Southern nobles. It was rather endearing.
"Above all."
The admiration that came to mind every time their eyes met this way during the outing. Their pure and overt emotional expressions left no room for misunderstanding.
"They are really doing well."
Since coming here, Diane has been really attentive. Is there anyone pretending to be nice to deceive Neris, or someone smart who might make her jealous and bother her? Is there anyone rejecting outsiders, looking down on the young, pretending to like her while taking advantage of her... Fortunately, the atmosphere here was very pleasant. It was clear that everyone liked Neris.
"Is that so?"
Neris replied with a faint smile. Diane let go of her hand slightly and turned around.
"Brother, brother."
"Why, dear?"
"Don't call me dear! Can I get off for a moment? I have something to talk to Liz about."
Due to Joyce's overprotective nature, the two were on the same page, but Diane was not completely inept at horseback riding. Moreover, at the current pace, which was almost like being still.
Joyce got off the horse smoothly and kept a reasonable distance. Diane moved slowly alongside Neris.
"Where are we going?"
"Let's go to the stream over there."
The spot Diane pointed to was a stream on the edge of the area where the group was staying, suitable for just the two of them to have a conversation.
After making the suggestion, Diane remained silent until they reached the stream. Her sparkling green eyes gazed at the horizon with admiration.
Finally, as they arrived at the stream reflecting the sunlight, the horses began to drink water. Neris dismounted and helped Diane get down safely.
Neris, who is small and weak, needed some skill to help Diane dismount from the tall horse of the MacKinnon family. However, since both of them had ridden horses across the fields like this before, they were both well aware of the technique.
Dismounting by the stream, Diane grinned.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Liz."
"Thank you."
Neris had never seen anyone so genuinely happy about someone else doing well, especially someone who wasn't even family. Diane felt like something mysterious, not quite like someone similar to herself.
The warmest and kindest presence in the world.
"At first, I was worried that you were brought here without knowing much. So, I came here as if I was forced because I couldn't stand it, but if you brought Mother here, you must have been preparing for a long time."
Neris felt a sudden warmth in her chest and nodded slightly, looking down.
"That's right."
"I won't ask why you did that. You can tell me when you want to, or you don't have to."
"Really? You don't find it strange?"
"You must have your reasons. If you're happy, then I'm happy."
The words felt too good to be true for herself, and Neris recalled a hesitant smile. Diane held Neris's hand, smiled warmly, and said, "You know, Liz."
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"Yeah."
"You?"
"...Me too."
The phrase 'I love you' had hardly been uttered since childhood, except for when pretending for political purposes. Neris felt embarrassed and stopped speaking there.
Diane seemed to think that was enough.
"I have to go back to spend my final year at the academy, and since you've already graduated, we won't see each other every day like before. But even if we're apart, never forget. If you're ever in trouble, I'll definitely help you."
Neris nodded repeatedly. A warm and tingling sensation surged from the hand Diane held, making her feel like she was about to explode.
"Come to think of it, I had that thought, Diane."
If you knew about the past, how would you feel?
Would you look at me with the same eyes as now back then?
Neris could vaguely understand now. Even if Diane knew everything she had experienced in her previous life, she would still look at her with the same eyes as she did now.
Diane had herself inside, and Neris had Diane inside her. And that fact would remain the same even if Neris was revealed to be imperfect or flawed.
Diane smiled as lovely as a fully bloomed apple blossom.
"That's enough!"
Morning in the countryside village was dull. At least, that's what the shepherd girl Dina thought.
Next door, Gail fetches water, milks the cows, spins yarn, bakes bread, and does sewing. Across the way, Old Jim tends to the fence, checks on the horses' hooves, shears the sheep, and pulls weeds. The types of tasks were many, but each day was the same without a hint of change.
In the back, Mrs. Hanna is...
"She'll be making cheese and brewing beer. She'll be bringing it to the workers repairing the temple."
Mrs. Hanna, who was originally not known for her deep faith, was pointed at by others for lacking in religious fervor. However, when her son, who was dying of a fever, miraculously recovered under the care of the new priest, she began living as if she were in the temple every day.
"At least our priest isn't boring."
Until Dina's childhood, the parish was led by an old priest with almost no charisma. At that time, people attended worship out of habit rather than fervent faith.
However, when the elderly priest passed away and a very young priest arrived, the atmosphere changed.
"First thing he did was straighten out the lord."
This land belonged to a viscount - Mother scolded, saying, "What if you forget the lord's name?" - but Dina felt unjustly treated. After all, didn't everyone just call him 'the viscount'? - It was one of several estates owned by the viscount. People thought that even with a new priest, things wouldn't change much, as they were mostly just farming and tending to sheep and cows.
But things did change. Especially after the lord's fall from a horse and the new priest ran through the rain to treat him.
Since the accident, the viscount was seen fervently praying every morning and evening. Additionally, he was said to be beseeching the new priest, who he had completely fallen for, to move the worship services to a larger parish with a lordship for his sake.
The humble new priest continued to politely decline the viscount's offers. Fortunately for Mrs. Hanna, who was ready to devote everything to the new priest.
Rustle.
Breaking through the dawn mist surrounding the village, the sound of someone stepping on grass could be heard. Dina paused for a moment, waiting for the figure to reveal itself.
Eventually, a young man with white priestly robes and dark pink hair appeared.
"Father Len!"
Dina greeted him warmly.
Len smiled kindly. While his face may have seemed youthful at first glance, those who had conversed with him remarked that he had a depth beyond his years. And those who got to know him better were always surprised.
How deeply he loved God in his soul was evident to anyone with eyes.
"He's quite handsome too."
Len's pretty dark pink hair, straight nose, and graceful jawline caused a subtle stir of unattainable affection among the few young girls in the village. Since seeing Len for the first time, the foolish boys in the village had gone unnoticed by Dina.
"Are you going out to the meadow? You've been working hard since morning, Dina."
That gentle voice. Thoughtful and affectionate tone. Did God create him with such kindness to make the young lambs feel His love? As always, Dina was moved.
"Yes, Father Len. Oh, a guest came yesterday. Shall I milk the sheep and bring it over?"
It was strange that someone had visited this village where guests rarely came. With many shiny embroideries on his clothes, he seemed like a high-ranking priest.
Rumors spread through the village that the guest had entered the "Maple Mansion," where Father Len resided.
When Father Len first arrived a few years ago, the priest's quarters at the village temple were half-collapsed and neglected. The young priest, left with nowhere to go, was allowed to stay at the Maple Mansion by the wealthy village elder, Mr. Camil, and it became a substitute for the priest's quarters.
Camil Grandfather seemed to have been a very high priest a long time ago. It was hard for Dina to imagine as a local.
"Thank you for your help, Dina. But Father Adams will be leaving soon."
So the guest's name is Father Adams. Dina tilted her head.
"Why?"
"He's a very busy man. He came this time to deliver important news and now he has to go back to work."
Ah, I see. Dina nodded. In response, Father Len, as kind as an angel, said to her.
"If you have time next time, please look after Mr. Camil, Dina. I'm always grateful for your kindness, but I might have to ask for a little more help."
"No, Father Len. It's not difficult for neighbors to help each other. I'll do that."
Father Len smiled kindly and walked past Dina. Then he slowly walked away.
It wasn't until a while later that Dina realized how casually Father Len had mentioned leaving soon.
As Len, who had distanced himself from the shepherd girl Dina, looked up at the slowly brightening sky, the villagers wore a mischievous smile filled with curiosity, something they had never seen before.
"Neris is in Maindland."
Although that wasn't the essence of the news that Adams had hurried to deliver, Len's mind had been filled with thoughts of her from last night until this morning.
The fact that he was to be appointed as a magistrate through the recommendations of various nobles was nothing special compared to that.
"Neris."
The image of the girl with morning sunlight-like blonde hair, who had become an adult unseen by Len, faintly came to his mind.
'I'll meet her soon.'
He smiled warmly.