Riverside Picnic

The riverside picnic was reminiscent of a lavish outing.

A cluster of open-sided tents stood closely together on the wide grassy bank. They were adorned with white lace and flowers, and inside, tables with simple refreshments and comfortable chairs had been set up.

As Paimon had said, most attendees—men and women alike—came on horseback. Women who had shed their usual dresses for pretty riding habits exuded a lively energy.

While the women strolled along the riverbank under small parasols or sat in the tents enjoying tea, the men gathered to admire the horses. If a fine breed appeared, they would flock to it like ghosts, examining it from every angle. The horse’s owner would then puff up with pride and recite the animal’s lineage in detail.

“Lord Marquis Belgarga, what a splendid horse!”

Jeha smiled faintly at the praise from those gathered around his horse. So this was why Paimon had been so eager to buy a new horse. His new mount had pitch-black fur without a single blemish, its coat so lustrous that even dust seemed to slide off. Moreover, it was large enough to carry a fully armored knight without trouble.

The onlookers were busy observing and analyzing every part of the horse, exclaiming in admiration. But Jeha, who knew little about horses, could only nod and smile.

At any rate, thanks to Paimon, he had no reason to feel inferior here. Instead, he received plenty of admiring glances for the wealth of Marquis Belgarga.

“Lord Marquis Belgarga.”

A servant approached, greeting him. He gestured politely to one side.

“Mrs. Fanucci invites you to join her for tea.”

Jeha looked in the direction the servant indicated and saw an especially ornate tent. It seemed to belong to the Fanucci family.

Jeha nodded and began walking, following the servant. When he reached the tent, several noble ladies and Ainel Fanucci were already seated around a table.

“I wonder if I’m intruding,” Jeha said, greeting them and glancing around. He hadn’t tried to memorize them, but it was clear that these were some of the most prominent ladies in Encarrusha. Among them was also the young widow, Countess Delfard.

“If the young marquis joins us, this gathering will be even more delightful. Please, have a seat. The tea prepared today is exquisite,” Mrs. Fanucci said with a bright smile.

Jeha nodded and looked for an empty seat. Significantly, the only vacant one was right next to Ainel Fanucci.

“Ainel personally chose this tea for today. Would you taste it and give your opinion?” Mrs. Fanucci said as a servant set down a teacup.

Jeha lifted the cup, sniffed the aroma, and took a sip. He nodded. To his palate, accustomed to Hereis’s tea, it was unremarkable, but it seemed like a good tea nonetheless.

“As expected, Miss Fanucci has excellent taste. This tea suits the picnic perfectly,” Jeha complimented.

Miss Fanucci gave a slight bow of thanks. Dressed beautifully, she seemed in high spirits today.

Today, Ainel Fanucci kept sending him glances that were unusually insistent. Those looks were quite burdensome. But he couldn’t show it. Every time their eyes met, Jeha gave a small smile. Each time, Ainel Fanucci’s cheeks flushed slightly.

If he shut her out too firmly, the Pope’s scales might tip. Yet he had no intention of being too forward.

‘What to do…’

Thinking inwardly, Jeha’s gaze fell on her bright riding habit. Ainel Fanucci noticed his attention and immediately spoke.

“Since all the clothes His Excellency wears are so stylish, I ordered a riding habit from the same tailor.”

“Ah, I see. You look beautiful in dresses, but in this riding habit, you appear so lively. It’s lovely to see.”

“Thank you for the compliment. I chose the fabric and ornaments myself.”

As the two exchanged words, Jeha could feel the noble ladies exchanging meaningful glances.

Mrs. Fanucci smiled contentedly and began chatting with the other ladies.

“But Countess Delfard, you don’t look well today,” one of the ladies said to the Countess with concern.

The Countess Delfard, her red hair elegantly coiled, gave a slightly forced smile.

“Perhaps it’s because of the disturbing news I’ve heard lately. My mind is uneasy.”

At the Countess’s words, the other ladies began to chime in, as if they had been waiting.

“Ah… you mean the rumors about that…”

“I heard it too. My goodness, how could such a thing happen…”

“I heard she’ll arrive in Encarrusha soon. If she’s truly a heretic, she deserves to be burned at the stake, but if it’s a false accusation…”

The Countess Delfard trailed off. The tent fell silent for a moment.

“Lord Marquis Belgarga, since such talk is hardly suitable for Ainel, who isn’t yet married, why don’t you show her your horse?” Mrs. Fanucci suggested.

Jeha thought she’d chosen the perfect timing. He couldn’t very well stay seated after that request.

“Miss Fanucci, would you like to come see my horse?” Jeha rose and invited her.

Ainel Fanucci stood up joyfully.

As they walked side by side toward the horses, Ainel Fanucci suddenly linked her arm with his. Jeha flinched and looked at her. Even though she must have felt his gaze, she pretended not to notice and kept walking forward.

‘Truly Mrs. Fanucci’s daughter… or perhaps the Pope’s daughter.’

Jeha couldn’t bring himself to shake off her arm, so he gallantly escorted her.

When they reached the horse, the few onlookers and the groom stepped aside.

“Oh my, what a beautiful horse!” Ainel Fanucci finally let go of his arm and approached the horse. She began to stroke its glossy black fur with her gloved hand. She seemed genuinely smitten with the horse.

“It’s magnificent. Even better than my second brother’s horse,” she exclaimed.

By “second brother,” she meant the Pope’s second son, a knight serving the Emperor in the capital.

After circling the horse once to admire it, Ainel Fanucci came back to Jeha with shining eyes. An uneasy premonition struck him. It was accurate.

“Will you let me ride it? I really want to try, just once.”

Today, Ainel Fanucci was remarkably assertive and enterprising.

Jeha nodded and helped her onto the horse. Then she hesitated and spoke again.

“I’m still scared and not used to riding alone… Could you ride with me?”

Jeha was momentarily speechless, looking up at her. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were tense.

To Jeha, Ainel Fanucci, still only sixteen, seemed no more than a friend’s very pretty little sister. Even though she was obviously showing her affection, it felt burdensome and pitiful rather than moving.

It was clearly inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to ride the same horse. If he climbed on behind her, rumors of engagement or marriage would surely spread. Jeha didn’t want such talk to reach Hereis’s ears.

He glanced around. Sure enough, the loyal Paimon was within sight.

“Paimon!”

Jeha called, and Paimon approached. Jeha introduced him to Ainel, who was still on the horse.

“This is Baron Lanchester, a longtime retainer of the Belgarga family and my tutor. He’s a better rider than I am, so why don’t you take a ride with the Baron?”

“What? But…” Ainel Fanucci stammered, unable to hide her fluster.

In the meantime, Paimon vaulted onto the horse behind her.

“Take Miss Fanucci for a very slow ride so she won’t be frightened, and come back,” Jeha said with a smile to Paimon.

“Lord Marquis!” Ainel tried to protest, but Paimon started the horse before she could say more.

Feeling relieved, Jeha looked around again. The tents were open on all sides, revealing who was inside. He headed toward a tent where young noblemen were gathered. He was curious about what they were discussing.

As he drew near, he saw them debating with raised voices. The topic was, once again, Marchioness Scarlet.

The young nobles were outspoken in their opinions. While not openly defending her, they didn’t shy away from expressing sympathy for the young, beautiful widow or the possibility of her innocence.

“Ahem.”

Jeha cleared his throat beside the heated debaters. The voices stopped at once, and all eyes turned to him.

“If it isn’t Lord Marquis Belgarga,” one of them acknowledged.

Jeha smiled at them.

“Would you mind if I joined? As you know, I’m new to Encarrusha and don’t have many places to fit in.”

The young nobles exchanged glances. Then they quickly nodded.

“Of course. The Marquis is always welcome.”

They shifted slightly to make room. A servant quickly brought another chair and set it in the empty spot. Jeha settled into it.