* * *
Watching the Duke consistently bet on horse number 1, Ed had scratched his neck.
As he casually skimmed through the booklet containing the horses’ information, he couldn’t help but feel unsettled, wondering if the Duke had come to the racetrack without any real interest.
‘Is it possible he doesn’t care about games like this at all, like when he skipped out on the turtle racing event?’
But when horse number 1 won the first race, Ed clapped even though it wasn’t the horse he had picked.
The same thing happened in the second race.
When horse number 1 won again, Ed shouted with excitement.
He raised his fists in the air, and the person sitting next to him quietly edged away.
Waaaah!
As Shu and Pearl appeared for today’s final race, another wave of cheers rose through the racetrack.
Ed jumped to his feet, his eyes fixed on Pearl’s movements.
“Your Grace! If we get this one right, it’ll be three wins in a row!”
Ed’s voice naturally grew louder.
The Duke, supporting Ed’s body as he leapt up, laughed.
By now, Ed was fully immersed in the thrill of victory.
“Don’t worry, Ed. Judging by the black horse’s condition, today’s victory is a sure thing for horse number 1.”
“Really?”
“The way it’s walking, light on its feet, and keeping its head up shows it’s in top form.”
Even when he had gone to the racetrack while staying at the Count of Herins’ estate, Ed had only focused on the results.
Hearing such detailed explanations made this race feel like a completely new experience.
Though the seats were far from the track, everything felt vivid and exciting, as if it were happening right in front of him.
It was a completely different feeling from cheering for Thunder on his own.
Ed’s eyes sparkled as he listened intently to the Duke.
“In contrast, the white horse keeps turning its head and fidgeting. Its condition doesn’t seem great today.”
Ed’s trust grew as he followed the black horse with his gaze.
The horse, light on its feet, entered the racecourse.
And then—Taaang!
As the third race began, a thought slipped into Ed’s mind.
‘…What if this ends disappointingly, like the turtle race?’
Taang!
The sound signaling the start of the third race rang out, and the crowd’s cheers erupted once again.
The horses sprinted forward, and the spectators clenched their fists, focusing on the race.
“Shu! You’ve got this! You’re going to win again today! I’m counting on you! Flatten Pearl and show them what you’ve got!”
“Pearl! Today, you have to win and shut that old neighbor up! Always going on about Shu, but how well does our Pearl run!”
Ed listened to the voices around him as he watched the race unfold.
Clenching his fist, he cheered as Pearl raced down the track at full speed.
The race was decided even before they reached the finish line.
The black horse, never trailing behind the white horse, crossed the finish line in first place.
‘The Duke was right again!’
As Pearl crossed the finish line, Ed instinctively threw his arms around the Duke beside him.
His bet had long since been wrong, and he didn’t even know what the prize was, but he didn’t care.
Even though it wasn’t his own win, Ed couldn’t contain his joy and shouted out loud.
He laughed as he high-fived the Duke.
Winning on his own was fun, but sharing the excitement of the race with someone else made the experience all the more thrilling.
Feeling the rush of excitement to his very core, Ed smiled brightly.
As the race ended, Ed quickly surveyed the area.
The exit from the racetrack was crowded.
The staff had divided the crowd into sections to help people leave in an orderly fashion.
Since Ed was in section 2, he had to remain seated even after the race ended.
“Section 1 spectators, please rise and exit through the east and west gates. Section 2 spectators, please remain seated and wait for further instructions,” came the announcement over the loudspeaker.
Ed glanced at the Duke, who wore the same black hat.
There was no change in the Duke’s expression, but Ed anxiously looked around, eyeing the exits.
‘Hurry up already.’
For the first time in a while, Ed’s typically Korean impatience surfaced.
He tapped the floor with his shoe, feeling nervous.
‘The Duke has been waiting too long!’
Just then, someone came running toward them.
“L-Lord Linden, Your Grace! I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t recognize your noble presence earlier. My deepest apologies!”
“We sincerely apologize!”
It was the racetrack staff.
The senior staff in charge of the VIP seats lined up and bowed to the Duke.
Ed quickly tried to rise from his seat to match the atmosphere, bowing his head like a servant, ready to hear the Duke’s response.
“…”
But the Duke, grasping Ed’s wrist, lightly tapped the back of his hand.
It was a signal to remain seated, and Ed glanced at the Duke before lowering his gaze.
One of the more experienced-looking staff members stepped forward to speak.
“Please forgive the mistake made by our racetrack. From now on, we will assist with Your Grace’s swift departure.”
Ed, who had been waiting to leave alongside the Duke, could sense the same feeling in the staff’s nervous sweat.
They too were worried about wasting the Duke’s precious time.
Moments ago, Ed had been reveling in the excitement with the Duke, but as the heat of the moment cooled and reality set in, he quickly removed the hand that had been practically wrapped around the Duke’s waist.
‘Why in the world did I do something so crazy?’
Sitting back down and coughing awkwardly, Ed wished that the scene of him clinging to the Duke had just been a dream.
But the solid sensation of the Duke’s firm body remained vivid in Ed’s mind, and he found himself repeatedly clenching and unclenching his hand, trying to shake off the memory of the touch.
The staff in front of the Duke seemed equally on edge, glancing nervously at him as they awaited his next move.
The Duke tilted his head slightly before finally opening his mouth to speak.
“How did you know I was here? I was wearing a hat, so I shouldn’t have stood out.”
“Ah, well, Your Grace…”
The staff’s gaze shifted toward the noble seats.
“Lady Lisa, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Nels, a well-known patron of the arts in Illa, spotted Your Grace while attending the races. She was so surprised that she informed us immediately.”
“The Marquis of Nels…?”
The Grand Duke tilted his head slightly.
“Yes. Apparently, last autumn, Lady Lisa encountered a serious danger while returning from viewing art near the Black Sea. She recalls that it was thanks to Your Grace’s timely help that she was able to escape safely. Ever since that incident, she’s remembered Your Grace’s face and name with great gratitude.”
Ed glanced aside.
A woman stood in the now-empty noble spectator’s box, holding a parasol.
Through binoculars, she was watching them.
Ed began to rise, but the Grand Duke chuckled softly and tugged him back down by his collar.
“Ah, now that you mention it, I think I do remember.”
“Indeed. Lady Lisa has never forgotten Your Grace’s help and still hopes for the chance to repay you.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“On the contrary, Your Grace. If it isn’t too much trouble, she would like to invite you to a dinner hosted by the Marquis of Nels this evening to express her gratitude properly.”
The Grand Duke adjusted the brim of his hat.
“I only did what anyone would have done. And if I recall, her thanks were already more than enough at the time. Let’s leave it at that for today.”
“But, Your Grace—”
“Oh, by the way, I heard there’s going to be a fireworks display tonight to celebrate the festival in Illa. When does it start?”
“Ah, well…” The staff, about to try persuading him further, answered instead, “The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. in the central plaza, Your Grace.”
“Is that so?”
The Grand Duke took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
“Would you recommend a place that serves the best steak in Illa? Watching such an exciting race seems to have worked up quite an appetite.”
“We’ll make a reservation at a restaurant with a good view of the fireworks.”
But the Grand Duke shook his head, gently dismissing the idea.
“No need for that. I’d rather take a leisurely walk tonight.”
* * *
Thanks for the chapter 😌
Not a chance girl the Duke already head over heels for Ed
The duke is ONLY for Ed
Thanks!
will the duke be jealous of horses too? hahahaha 😂
❤️❤️
love rival appeared on the horizon🤩🤩🤩🤩
I really wanna know the dukes thoughts on Ed hugging his waist
Os dois são tão lindos
Ela não pode atrapalhar o encontro deles
Cute
Duke only wants ed hahs
Girl ain’t gonna have a chance with Dude, that’s for sure 😤
Omo omo
This is too cute
👍