I Told You

Like Trey, Bree finally became impressed with the farming area they visited.

The hills surrounding almost every border created a somewhat enclosed and breezy, fertile region, giving the region, called Allauch, the appearance of being nestled in a bowl. The trees around had started to lose their leaves as it was nearing the end of the fall season, but some trees still displayed red and yellow hues.

Allauch stood out the most, with its vast expanses of brown wheat fields, ready for harvest. Bree imagined that the wheat would be their last harvest of the year. A joyous harvest. The abundance of wheat assured the winter food supply. Upon seeing this, Bree couldn't help but acknowledge Rad's greatness in her heart.

The winter preparations in Marseille were vastly different from those in Le Mans. Bree still remembered how Le Mans had to endure the terrible winter conditions last year. For the first time in history, the servants in the Le Mans castle had to ration the food for its residents.

The Le Mans harvest failed due to an epidemic, and Trey spent all of Le Mans' wealth trying to buy food from other areas. It still wasn't enough. Trey apologized several times for this.

For Bree, it wasn't a problem because she rarely ate regularly, but it was a disaster for Amber. She complained almost every day during that winter. This eventually led Bree to distance herself from the castle, as Amber's favorite consolation during anger was to torment Bree. However, their situation couldn't be worse than that of the common people trying to survive those terrible conditions.

Bree engraved those memories in her mind when accepting this arranged marriage. The images of hunger from many people made Bree step forward and say yes. The "yes" changed her life, altering Bree's fate on the strange path she was currently on.

"Let's rest up ahead!" Edmond's call echoed, signaling the members of the entourage. Edmond pointed to a flat clearing on a small hill—a perfect resting place.

The horses and the carriage would be at the base of the hill, tied to the trees there, right by the side of a clear and swift-flowing river. Meanwhile, the people would gather in the open space above.

Edmond's subordinates, understanding their tasks, quickly ran to set up the tents that would serve as their lodging.

Bree just learned about this plan, but it didn't come as a surprise and could be anticipated. It was nearing evening, and if they were stubborn enough to continue, they would be traveling in the dark. Everyone knew that continuing the journey at night was dangerous.

Moreover, there were other areas Trey wanted to visit. Vegetable plantations were beyond the hills, and Trey also wanted to inspect that area.

"Duchess?"

Curtis's bow near Briar startled Bree.

"I'll take Briar," Curtis said. He was undoubtedly part of this entourage to take care of the horses.

Curtis's right hand now held the reins connected to a large black horse with white fur on its legs. The horse, named Mir, belonged to Rad. It was a very different type of horse from Briar; just from its size, it looked intimidating to Bree. She preferred medium-sized horses like Briar.

"I hope you give her plenty of food. She looks exhausted," Bree said, petting Briar's neck.

"Of course, Duchess. Don't worry." Curtis bowed and smiled, then grabbed the reins Bree had released before dismounting from Briar's back.

But a smooth landing was just an illusion for Bree because, as soon as her feet touched the ground, she felt the muscles in her legs weaken.

Riding a horse for such a long time without a break was unfamiliar to Bree. Rad's warning proved to be very true. Perhaps Bree's legs didn't feel tired or stiff until now because they had been in the same position for so long. Now, as she moved, every muscle in Bree's legs protested. And the protest began with her thigh muscles cramping.

Bree tried to stand by holding onto Briar's side, but not for long. Because Mir blocked his view, Curtis pulled Briar away, causing Bree to lose support and her body to topple forward.

There was no pain, not even a yelp, as Bree knew what fate awaited her. She would hit the ground. Bree just closed her eyes to welcome the impact, but her body didn't ache. She hit something but felt no pain. The sound of rustling fabric indicated that someone had caught her.

Bree opened her eyes and saw Rad holding her in his arms just before she hit the ground.

"You're becoming quite a nuisance, aren't you?" Rad couldn't miss the chance to mock.

Bree, who was a bit dazed, hurriedly pushed Rad's body, but forgot that her legs couldn't stand properly yet. With reluctance, she gripped Rad's arm to remain standing.

"Forgive me, Duchess." Curtis, who finally noticed Bree's turmoil while standing, rushed over with nervousness.

"I didn't know..."

"Just take them away." Rad cut in, dismissing Curtis, who quickly led Briar and Mir away.

Bree still clung to Rad's arm while tapping her foot on the ground to stand on her own sooner.

"Is this the moment where I say, 'I told you so'?" Rad mocked.

"You enjoy seeing me suffer, don't you?" Bree grumbled in irritation.

"Wrong. I enjoy being right and being able to reprimand you. This way, you'll learn a lesson and reduce that always-right and stubborn attitude."

"I'm not stubborn!"

"Well, that's the proof. You feel always right."

Rad smiled again, unaffected by Bree's emotions, finding amusement in her attempts to express anger.

"I think you've forgotten your desire to be sweet." Rad asked. He was still standing silently, waiting for Bree to stand on her own.

"I don't want to be sweet to you!" Bree retorted with annoyance.

"Okay."

Rad shrugged, knowing that Bree was lying but not pressing the matter. It was clear that Bree wouldn't admit it.

Finally, they stood in silence, waiting for Bree's legs to recover. Rad didn't want to talk anymore, saving his breath. Meanwhile, Bree chose silence to avoid appearing odd.

Bree bore three strong emotions within herself simultaneously—hatred, shame, and her heart racing uncontrollably. In her opinion, they were too close. Even in the past, Bree had never been this close to Rad.

Bree could smell Rad's body aroma from such close proximity. Rad smelled like fresh pine. Like the pine forest they had passed through earlier. Bree didn't understand how it was possible, but that was the unique scent wafting into her nose. Bree didn't know someone could smell like a forest.

"Haven't you moved yet?" Rad reminded her in a grunt, struggling for breath as his lung's air supply dwindled.

"Let go then! I didn't ask you to help me!"

Bree pushed Rad's body once again, and Rad released her, but only for a fraction of a second. Once again, Rad caught Bree as she was thrown off balance and about to fall.

The rescue was easy, but Rad had to take a breath afterward. And Bree's sweet scent filled his nostrils. Rad quickly held his breath, but it was too late. The scent is now embracing Rad in an intoxicating temptation.