Strong Hatred
Bree glanced at Rad's face briefly before turning away. It was their second meeting since the wedding day. Bree had never crossed paths with him while they were in the castle. She only observed him from a distance when he entered or left the castle, nothing more.
Bree intentionally avoided Rad, not wanting to engage in conversation with him or meet him. It was the only way for Bree to stay sane and not relive the closeness that made her feel foolish.
However, avoiding Rad for so long didn't seem to have any effect. Bree's heart still raced when Rad's eyes met hers. Rad's pale face contrasted sharply with the black hood he wore, framing his handsome face and emphasizing its flawlessness.
He didn't look bad at all with the growing beard on his chin, and his dark red lips complemented his pale skin perfectly. Rad had the kind of attractiveness that easily turned him into a skilled charmer. Rad's sharp eyes squinted, while his almost fused eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at Bree.
"You can't just leave the castle like that. Don't you know the rules?" Rad's voice resembled a growl, and his lips barely moved when he spoke.
"I know, but I won't go far. I'm just going to the beach!" Bree dismissed the prohibition. Her objection deepened the furrow on Rad's forehead.
"The beach is outside the castle gate. That means you still can't go alone, no matter how close it is. That's the rule!" Rad asserted with a tone that brooked no argument. While Bree now wanted to slap or maybe scratch that perfect face, how could Rad talk about rules and compliance when he himself acted recklessly without regard for norms and ethics?
But Bree didn't vent her frustration. She didn't want to appear concerned about Rad's behavior.
"I just want to go to the beach!" Bree ended the debate and pulled Briar towards the stable gate.
This time, a firm grip on her shoulder stopped her steps. The grip wasn't painful but strong and challenging to resist, even as Bree tried to move her shoulder.
"Who said you could just leave like that?" Rad growled again.
"Who said you could touch me?!" Bree disgustedly brushed away Rad's hand.
The two locked eyes. Bree's was filled with hatred, while Rad's expression didn't reveal much. But now he was puzzled, looking at the hand that Bree had just pushed away.
Bree's mind was clear; envisioning the woman she had seen entering the carriage, she displayed anger without difficulty. She was no longer influenced by feelings of weakness.
"Do you hate me?" Rad lowered his hand, looking at Bree, who nodded without hesitation.
"What's not clear? Do I need to scream it for you to understand?" Bree glanced at Rad briefly, seeing that he wanted to say something but held back. Bree didn't want to wait.
Bree walked away, this time leaving the stable gate and heading towards the back gate of the castle. The beach was more accessible from there. After the gate, Bree only had to descend a gently sloping rocky path; there was no need to circle around, and they would reach the beach.
"ED!" Rad's shout echoed, but Bree no longer cared. She waved to the guards at the back gate, and they rushed to open it for her.
However, as Bree stepped outside the gate, she realized there were other footsteps following her besides Aima. Bree turned, seeing Edmond also following her and leading a dark brown horse.
"Why are you here?!" Bree snapped, displeased.
"Duke Valois asked me to escort you."
Edmond looked satisfied. Since the beginning, he has discouraged Bree from going out alone, and now it seems Rad has supported him. Of course, he felt victorious.
"No need! You go back!"
"Apologize, My Lady. But I have to accompany you. It's an order." Edmond appeared calm. Edmond was one of the five knights assisting Rad in managing the forces and areas of Marseilles; he's ready to be confronted.
"Then I order you to go back!"
"Sorry, Duchess. Only the Duke can cancel this order. I'm more obligated to follow his command than yours."
Bree wanted to argue but had no clever reply. Indeed, her orders would be useless against Rad. As a knight, Edmond was duty-bound to obey Rad more than her.
Bree felt truly annoyed. She just wanted to go out and learn horseback riding. Why did it have to be so difficult? First, Aima reprimanded her, then Edmond, and now Rad. It seemed the entire universe conspired against her riding a horse.
In the previous timeline, Bree never faced such issues because she was too afraid to leave her room due to Irene's terror. But now, to go out and do what she wanted, she had to overcome Rad.
It was more challenging.
***
The beach mentioned earlier finally came into view. It was deserted, with not a soul in sight. Not because of the season, as the weather wasn't too cold.
The beach was empty because it was too close to Marseilles Castle. Not just anyone was allowed to approach that beach.
About five kilometers west of this beach, there was liveliness. That was the bustling harbor, with fishermen catching fish and trade ships coming and going from various regions.
Bree stopped Briar at the eastern edge of the beach and placed one foot on the stirrup on the other side of the horse.
"Wait! I'm sorry. How do you want to learn horseback riding?" Edmond hurriedly approached when he saw Bree's unusual preparations.
"Horseback riding, riding like you."
"Oh!" Edmond was astonished. Bree's wish wasn't normal.
It wasn't strange for women to ride horses, but usually it was just for recreation. Taking a leisurely ride in the park or going for a picnic. Typically, noblewomen would ride horses in a side-saddle position.
Opening the legs wide when mounting a horse like a man would be considered very improper. It would expose the calves, thighs, and other body parts beneath the skirt.
In this side-saddle position, it was impossible for noblewomen to ride at high speeds. Their bodies would be thrown off if they dared to run the horse too fast, not to mention the added difficulty of controlling the horse's direction in that position. And if Bree just wanted to ride like that, she was already proficient. She wore pants beneath her skirt to avoid showing any body parts.
Initially, Bree cautiously pulled Briar's reins, trying to regulate the speed and avoid going too fast.
However, Bree didn't realize that Briar was a sensitive horse. The slow pull she made caused Briar to suddenly sprint. The white horse raced like lightning, kicking up wet sand with its hooves.
Bree's face paled, not knowing what to do to slow down the horse.