The Safety Guidelines of The Duke’s Haunted Castle Chapter 55

At the disbelief in my voice, Edwin calmly explained.

“Pegasi are proud creatures. They don’t blindly obey simply because their master tells them to. But the fact that this one approached you means…”

Snort.

Geumjok let out an irritated snort through his nose.

“…that he’s also sorry for hurting you.”

“…Do you really think so?”

He still looked thoroughly displeased, but… maybe he was a little gentler than before?

“For now, let’s start by getting him used to spending time with you.”

“How?”

“Take this.”

Without warning, Edwin held out the reins he had been holding.

Even Geumjok hadn’t expected that. He immediately let out a betrayed-sounding whinny.

“Neighhh!?”

If anyone else had tried to put a bridle on him, he never would have stood still for it.

But because it was Edwin, he’d accepted it without complaint.

Ignoring Geumjok’s reaction completely, the Duke firmly placed the leather reins into my hand.

“Let’s begin by walking one lap.”

After glancing around, Edwin held out his hand to me.

“Huh? Why…?”

“In case something unexpected happens.”

“I mean, why are you…?”

“Take it.”

“…Huh? Y-Your hand!?”

Even at my panicked reaction, Edwin remained perfectly calm.

“Yes.”

“Uh, this…”

Is this… a green light?!

Had the romance route started the moment his affection meter unlocked?

My heart began pounding exactly like the title of Heart-Pounding Destiny Love☆Crush, and I stared at Edwin’s outstretched hand.

Finally…!

Although excitement was bubbling inside me, I deliberately hesitated before slowly taking his hand.

His handsome face wasn’t exactly new to me anymore.

No… by now I should’ve been used to it.

His hand is warm.

I remembered being surprised because his hands had once been cold.

Now, though they were still dry, they were filled with surprising warmth.

Belmont Castle hardly experienced any changes in weather, but today the wind was unusually chilly…

So his warm hand…

Flinch.

Feeling something sharp poke at me, I turned my head.

Geumjok was glaring at me with fierce, narrowed eyes.

As if he were warning,

Don’t touch what’s mine.

Seriously…

With Geumjok’s reins clutched tightly in one hand and Edwin’s hand firmly held in the other, I marched forward with renewed determination.

“By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Is Geumjok… a mare?”

“NEIGH!!”

[Pegasus (Name: Geumjok / Male) forcefully conveys his thoughts to you.

“Who are you calling a lovesick female? I’m a battle steed for brave knights—and an alpha male with multiple mares!”]

Alpha male, my foot!

The force of Geumjok’s thoughts echoing inside my head made it ache, and I stumbled slightly.

Edwin immediately steadied me so I wouldn’t fall.

“As I said, Pegasi are proud creatures.”

“Ah… did I say something wrong?”

“Not exactly. You simply don’t know much about them yet. But if he knew you were trying to obtain something for his sake, he might think differently.”

Just moments ago he’d been fuming.

Now, apparently curious about what Edwin meant, Geumjok looked at me with bright, innocent eyes.

Just based on his appearance, he truly looked like the mysterious legendary Pegasus himself.

If only his personality weren’t so violent…

Then again…

That was probably why he’d been on a ninety-percent discount.

Fortunately, perhaps because Edwin was present, Geumjok didn’t openly resist.

So our walk continued relatively peacefully.

“Do you really think Geumjok will change his mind?”

As the gentle breeze brushed past us, I quietly asked Edwin.

“…”

“Your Grace?”

“I believe it’s very likely.”

Wait…

A minute ago you said he definitely would.

Why are you changing your answer now…?

Instead of pointing that out, I simply continued walking quietly.

I knew Edwin had given me the most honest answer he could.

After completing our lap, Geumjok was visibly in a much better mood.

He trotted lightly in circles around Edwin and me.

Watching him, Edwin finally spoke.

“As far as I know, Pegasi enjoy physical affection.”

“Ah, I read that in a book too.”

They supposedly bond with their owners through touch.

“Try petting him here.”

“Hmm…”

Slowly, I stroked the part of his mane Edwin indicated.

Three seconds later…

I immediately withdrew my hand.

Not because Geumjok had bared his gleaming white teeth like he was about to bite it off.

Absolutely not.

Is he actually a dog instead of a horse?

That expression…

It looked exactly like those angry dogs I’d seen in online videos, growling with their teeth exposed.

Should a horse even have this many facial expressions?

Looking up at Edwin in bewilderment, I watched as he quietly took the reins back from me.

“…He’ll improve little by little.”

“Y-You think so?”

People always said names influenced personalities.

Maybe naming him Geumjok had been a mistake.

“Let’s stop here for today. I originally intended to have you ride him, but… his reaction isn’t very encouraging.”

“Ah…”

So even Edwin thought so.

After returning Geumjok to the stable, Edwin and I were left alone.

I sighed openly.

“I guess Geumjok really hates me.”

“More accurately… he doesn’t respect you. Miss Windsor, you’re rather lacking in… physical combat ability.”

“Ah, actually…”

Something had been bothering me for a while.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring it up.

“Go ahead.”

“You can call me by my name.”

“…?”

Apparently my request had come out of nowhere.

Edwin looked down at me in surprise.

Maybe this was just because I was Korean…

But the way he addressed me felt strangely distant.

It was like being called “Miss Kim” or “Miss Park” all the time.

Besides…

We’d literally just held hands.

Wasn’t this close enough?

“I-If it isn’t too rude, I mean. We’re engaged, after all.”

Even I felt embarrassed after saying it.

Unable to meet his eyes, I quickly turned my head away.

“…Very well.”

“In that case…”

“I’ll call you Edwin!”

Honestly, I’d been calling him by his name in my head from the very beginning.

This was much more natural for me.

But when I looked back at him…

I was greeted by an unexpected result.

[Affection +3 (5/50)]

…?

His affection went up…

Just because I asked to call him by his name?

At this point, I had absolutely no idea what kinds of things made Edwin like me.

 

****

 

 

“Ahem.”

Several days later.

Once again, I was walking along the forest path toward Monter Village.

The Geumjok I encountered before leaving hadn’t dramatically turned his back on me this time.

Maybe seeing me so often lately had made a difference.

If I can just get the Golden Carrot…

Maybe next time I can ride him there.

The goal isn’t far away now.

I carried a basket of freshly baked bread whose shelf life had been greatly extended.

Now that I had a suitable item for barter…

If everything went well, obtaining the Golden Carrot would only be a matter of time.

I wonder when the villagers’ faces will return…

Although I’d gained the Restoration ability…

I still couldn’t restore the faces of the people in Monter Village.

Which probably meant…

Just like the people at Belmont Castle…

The villagers also had to fulfill certain conditions before their faces could be restored.

Lost in thought, I eventually emerged from the forest.

The sign for Monter Village came into view.

Ever since my last visit, the atmosphere had become much brighter.

People could be seen busily sowing seeds in the surrounding fields.

When I finally arrived at the Ruden Trading Company…

“Miss Windsor! Welcome! We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Huh? For me?”

Carol, who had been standing outside the shop, dashed over and grabbed my arm.

“Come inside! Hurry!”

“W-Wait… what’s going on?”

Completely bewildered, I let Carol pull me into the shop.

Then…

The scene waiting inside was nothing like I’d expected.

“W-What is this…?”