Large estates like Lakeview Manor, located outside Tobesk City, all have stables, but Angelina did not choose a horse from the manor's stable. Instead, she specifically sent someone to Lemeir Racecourse on the other side of Schluch Lake to select a black horse.
When Xia De passed through the bustling courtyard and arrived at the starting point of the racecourse at the manor's entrance, many gentlemen had already gathered there with their horses. Each person had their female companion and had prepared their own racehorse in advance. Xia De, who decided to participate at the last minute, was in the minority.
Among the contestants, there was Baron Cobol, an acquaintance of Xia De. At the banquet where Xia De was knighted, this gentleman once tried to win Xia De's 【Northern City, Coldwater Port City】 through a game of rhode cards, but instead, Xia De won five commemorative coins from him, including 【pirate's blood money】.
Xia De greeted the Baron, who was wearing hunting attire suitable for riding, looking quite professional:
"Knight, who is your female companion?"
The Baron asked curiously. Xia De pointed to Princess Angelina, who was excitedly holding the black horse, waiting for Xia De.
Baron Cobol first showed a respectful expression, then a look of understanding when Xia De explained that Jialinna had asked him to show Princess Angelina around.
Angelina had already changed out of her elaborate dress and was now wearing winter riding attire. The princess's appearance naturally attracted people's attention, and when they learned she would be participating in the race with Xia De, they all showed expressions of understanding.
The rules of this race were simple: start from the entrance of Lakeview Manor, circle around the country road, and return to the starting point. Of course, since the manor was close to Schluch Lake, the circling took place in front of the manor.
Although the last rays of sunset were still visible, the manor's servants were already at the forks of the country road, holding kerosene lamps to indicate the direction. At the same time, the servants would also hold up a long pole with colorful, long, stiff paper strips affixed to it, each with a uniform number. When riders passed by, either the rider or their female companion needed to reach out and pluck a paper strip.
This was partly to make the race more interesting and test the riders' skills, and partly to prevent anyone from taking shortcuts and cheating to win the race.
Xia De was the last contestant to arrive. After he had donned his simple protective gear, the race was ready to begin.
Although there were no seating restrictions for the race, the other gentlemen tacitly allowed their female companions to sit sideways in front of them, so Angelina also sat in front of Xia De.
As he mounted the horse, Xia De whispered, not without worry:
"Your Highness, I'm actually not very good at riding."
Riding back and forth in Huntington City had made him familiar with the sport, but compared to the gentlemen around him who clearly seemed to be masters of the skill, Xia De didn't have much confidence. Last time at Lemeir Racecourse, he was just lucky, but this time it wasn't gambling, just a regular banquet game, so Xia De still needed to remind the little princess not to have too high hopes.
"It's alright, Mr. Hamilton, I only enjoy the process of the race."
Angelina's face flushed with excitement. Xia De mounted the horse first, then helped the little princess sit sideways on the saddle in front of him. Her movements were agile, but when she sat down in front of Xia De, her whole body trembled. Xia De initially thought she was a little nervous, then later thought it might be excitement.
Jialinna had said that the riding skills of Leia's generation of royal offspring were quite good, so Angelina must also be skilled at riding.
"Gentlemen, ladies, please listen to me!"
The person in charge of organizing this race was a middle-aged butler from Lakeview Manor. He was wearing a somewhat thick brown coat, his hair meticulously groomed, the kind of gentleman who looked like he took his work very seriously:
"Safety first, please do not perform any dangerous actions during the ride, this will delay your enjoyment of the Lakeview Manor banquet!"
His voice was loud, but it still couldn't overpower the music coming from the courtyard.
Although the courtyard was lively, there were also many onlookers at the manor's entrance and the race track where the starting line was drawn. Xia De even heard someone betting on the outcome of the horse race:
"The entire course normally takes ten to fifteen minutes. As long as you complete one lap of the course, you will receive a small gift provided by Mr. Eisberg. Yes, everyone gets one. If you encounter trouble along the way, please ask a nearby servant for help. You will leave in the sunset and return here bathed in starlight!"
He tried his best to raise his voice, while Angelina's maid stood in front of the horse, holding the reins and quietly reminding her mistress about safety. This young maid seemed very worried about Angelina's rash participation in such an activity, but she never stopped her from doing so:
"Mr. Hamilton, please ensure Her Highness's safety."
Finally, she whispered to Xia De, then took Xia De's cat and carefully retreated to the side. Mia didn't really like being held by others, but she also knew that Xia De couldn't carry her conveniently while riding a horse, so she whined a few times and then settled down.
The middle-aged butler was currently displaying the prizes for the race champion. The winning gentleman would receive a gilded brooch, while the lady would receive a silver hand mirror with a scenic view of Lakeview Manor on the back.
These prizes were not particularly valuable, but they could be considered nice gifts. Xia De's opponents were very enthusiastic about them. The most professional-looking Brady Baron even jokingly boasted to his female companion that he would surely win her that small mirror.
Although Angelina, sitting in front of Xia De, said nothing, Xia De noticed that Princess seemed quite moved as well.
"The key problem is that although I've learned to ride a horse, horse racing is still a bit problematic."
This time, Xia De did not have the elf rider's amulet he had made himself.
"Gentlemen, please pay attention!"
The butler shouted loudly, putting the brass whistle to his mouth. The people watching on both sides of the riders began to discuss loudly. Even the carriages coming from the country road directly opposite the manor's entrance stopped to wait for the group to set off. Gentlemen and ladies in the carriages poked their heads out of the windows, smiling as they watched the mounted riders, and waved and cheered to their acquaintances.
"Three, two, one!"
The whistle blew, and Brady Baron's bay horse was the first to charge out, with the others following closely. Xia De didn't charge too fast, staying in second place in the second group.
His hands passed through both sides of Angelina's body, gripping the reins tightly, and the little princess, leaning against him, seemed to be laughing at this moment.
He couldn't be sure if he had misheard, because once the horse galloped, the wind was simply too loud.
"Mr. Hamilton, this feeling is truly wonderful!"
This time he hadn't misheard; the little princess was indeed speaking, her cheerful tone something he had never heard before.
"Yes, but the wind seems a bit cold. Can you still bear it?"
Xia De asked on the bumpy horseback. This black horse was extremely fast, and Xia De, as the rider, didn't play much of a role. Now, Brady Baron, who was at the very front, was already approaching the turn ahead on the path. Xia De was at least four or five horse lengths behind him; the other party was indeed a professional.
"Of course, compared to this temperature, what I long for more is the freedom of this moment!"
The princess said. Amidst the rhythmic thud of hooves, only Xia De could hear her words.
"Freedom?"
Only then did Xia De understand that the little princess inviting him to the horse race was probably not just about enjoying the banquet.
"Knight, has Leia told you about me?"
She suddenly asked. Xia De pulled the reins tightly and turned ahead. The servant holding the kerosene lamp was holding up the long pole. Before Xia De could reach out, Angelina deftly plucked off the paper strip.
"Leia mentioned it to me."
Xia De said. He couldn't see Angelina's expression at that moment, but he knew she must have been stimulated by today's wedding.
"Sister promised to help me, as long as I also help her. Sister Leia is indeed the best of all my sisters to me, but I also know that she is using me."
The little princess's voice was very soft.
Ahead was a curved road, but no forks. However, the second horse in the first group, closely following Brady Baron, somehow failed to run along the path and instead charged into a nearby harvested wheat field.
"Oh, damn it!"
The rider who had overshot was cursing loudly, trying to make the horse that had taken the wrong path stop. Every rider who passed by laughed loudly.
"Your Highness, do you want me to help you?"
Xia De asked, trying to control the horse's path. If he just didn't win first place, that wouldn't be embarrassing, but if he ran off the correct track and into the farmland, then his first step in proving his strength, wisdom, and charm tonight would fail.
"Of course not, why would you think that? I wouldn't drag you into something like this, I'm not like my sister."
Angelina asked. Xia De felt her leaning sideways in his direction, shifting her weight onto him:
"Knight, I mean, even so, I want to help you."
"You help me?"
Xia De was a little confused. He didn't think he needed any help:
"Does she want to give me pounds? But why would she do that?"
Xia De thought to himself, momentarily unsure how to answer. Both fell silent, only the sound of hooves remained so clear. When the next fork in the road appeared again, there were three country children curiously watching the riders next to the servant holding the gas lamp.
Angelina seemed to gather her courage and finally spoke her mind. The wind was strong, and Xia De was so nervous on horseback that his muscles were even stiff.
"Yes, Knight. I want to help you, to free you from the shackles and threats of Sister Leia."
"Help me break free from... Leia's hands?"
Xia De never expected this answer. Due to his extreme shock, he actually forgot to reach out and pluck the paper strip from the long pole in the servant's hand. Fortunately, Angelina reached out again and very precisely retrieved the paper strip.
"Yes."
Her profile leaned against Xia De's clothes:
"Sister Leia, hasn't she been threatening you all this time? Otherwise, why would you... do that kind of thing with her?"
---Out of Topic---
PS: Looking for people to promote books to each other. Killing Dao Fruit, a new book by a LV5 author, Cthulhu cultivation.
7017k
