Rehabilitating the Villainess

Chapter 86: Words

It was time for the Blessing Meeting to conclude. Regrettably, I couldn't participate in the event's second half, but the upside was the creation of many memories with Shael. 

Now, it was time to return to the Azbel family, standing before the stables housing horses of fine build.

I got on a horse, and suggested to Shael, “Please ride behind me.”

“…wouldn’t a carriage be a better option?” Shael asked.

“Riding a horse isn’t as bad as you think.” I responded. 

Shael expressed displeasure; after all, it was I who stopped her from using the teleportation station, as well as the horse carriage.

Nevertheless, I felt a sense of pride. All of this was to create lasting memories with Shael and satisfy my selfish desire to be close to her.

However, when Shael attempted to mount the horse, it resisted. She glared at the stubborn creature and remarked, “You better be good!”

“It will be fine in a little while. It must be because it’s not familiar with you…” I reassured her.

“…it wasn’t like that when you were riding it.” Shael pointed out. 

Well, it was true; it never refused to let me ride. 

‘Did it notice Shael’s reluctance?’

Although I was confident that it would adjust, Shael interpreted it differently. “…no way.”

“What it is now?” I asked.

“It’s a mare…” Shael observed. 

While this was true, it wasn’t the point. Was she perhaps jealous of even animals? It was indeed a peculiar notion.

“It’s just an animal. Don’t worry and get on.” I urged.

“…” Shael hesitated, creating a nuisance for the coachman who lent us the horse. We were still in the stable even though it had been quite some time since we borrowed the horse. In a place where the aristocratic influence had weakened, I could sense impatience from the coachman's gaze.

Approaching the horse with a frown, Shael spoke with a glare, “I kissed this person over 100 times today!”

“Hey, what are you…” I stammered, bewildered by her absurd words. Although true, it made me feel somewhat ashamed. 

The coachman, too, looked quite bewildered.

In an attempt to salvage the situation, I quickly picked up Shael and left the stable, chiding her, “Why would you say that to an animal?”

“What’s wrong with it?” Shael responded awkwardly. 

Observing her confident demeanor, I was also struck by a thought.

Considering it from another perspective, what if a male horse only entrusted his back to Shael and rejected me? 

‘…it would bother me.’ I reasoned. While I didn't mind being rejected, if it concerned Shael, it would feel wrong.

Understanding that, I enjoyed the warmth of Shael hugging me from behind. However, one thing couldn't be easily overlooked. Shael was now ignoring the horse, and when it struggled, she even glared at it, an act that needed correction.

Despite Shael's recent loveliness, some of her habits remained unchanged. It made me wonder if she still felt remorse for the flowers she had trampled in the past while we were walking around.

Even if the horse initially behaved a bit oddly, it was still an animal. If Shael treated it kindly from the start, everything would’ve been fine. Thus, I aimed to correct Shael’s behavior. Shael had trampled flowers and bullied innocent birds, and it was time to rehabilitate her.

“Wouldn’t it be nice it you gently stroked it’s back?” I suggested.

Shael didn't respond audibly, but I sensed her reluctance. Ignoring her reservations, I continued, “You’re making a face that shows your feelings, meaning that you don’t want to do it. You must be dissatisfied with me for saying something you hate.”

After hesitating, Shael finally spoke, “…why me?”

I couldn’t find a suitable answer, because it wasn’t something she had to do as a must. I mean even if Shael committed bad deeds habitually, I would stick with her and help her change.

Unexpectedly, Shael's left hand, which held me, moved to stroke the horse. The horse stopped running and began to enjoy Shael’s touch. Sensing an opportunity, I took Shael off the horse and suggested, “How about a hug? Interacting with animals feels pretty good.”

Interacting with animals would be beneficial for personality development. It would also be helpful for Shael, who rarely spent time outside her family and with me.

Despite my request, Shael hesitated. She only stared at me with a furrowed brow, not acting on my suggestion.

“…tell me more reasons,” She demanded.

“Will you deny my request?” I asked. 

Shael nodded but promptly rejected my proposal.

Attempting to persuade her, I said, “You said you loved me more than I loved you.”

While my love for Shael was significant, what Shael said was true.

“…so?” she asked.

“The person who falls in love first, is the loser.” I explained, while I rummaged through my pocket, extracting a contract. Then I handed it to Shael. It was a contract that Shael had created for the journey, a contract that allowed no contact with people of the opposite gender except for Shael Azbel.

“I signed it.” I confessed. 

Shael blushed, looking away, but her eyes remained fixed on the contract.

“…then give it to me.” She requested.

“There is no benefit to me, is there?” I pointed out.

Aware of the lack of advantages for me, Shael blushed even more but kept her eyes on the contract.

“Benefits, I want some.” I demanded.

“…what benefits do you want?” She inquired.

“You tell me. What will you give me?” I asked in return.

Shael hesitated before shyly confessing, “Shael…Azbel?”

An awkward silence ensued, the warm air of the Holy Land transforming into a chilling atmosphere. 

Well, it seemed advantageous enough for Shael to keep these provisions, to the point of imbalance. Handing over the contract, I saw Shael smile as if she was doing me a favor, shaking off her reluctance and quietly embracing the horse.

Before the hug concluded, I stated, “It’s an animal, but I think you should treat it with respect and praise.”

Responding to my words, the horse thrust its face toward her, trying to lick her face. However, Shael recoiled, stating, “You can’t do that. Because I only allow one person to do that.”

Her following words were spoken with a blush that embarrassed even me, “It looks pretty.”

Puzzled by this unusual compliment, I wondered if Shael was doing it as a sign of respect. This thought seemed unbelievable, given her typical attitude.

With this, Shael and I continued in silence.

***

After spending some time with the horse, I urged it to run faster. 

Soon, an imperial festival accessible to all, regardless of social status, would take place. Before that, a gathering of all nobles would occur, and given the spread of rumors about Shael, I felt a sense of urgency.

My destination was a boutique, which was famous among the nobility. If we dressed in attire befitting lovers, we could enjoy the festival and abate some of the rumors surrounding Shael.

While lost in thought about creating a happy time with Shael, I felt her hugging me from behind. Everything seemed fine until I realized that Shael was surreptitiously groping me.

I gritted my teeth, silently enduring it due to my well-defined abs. 

‘Is she trying to put her hand in the suit?’ Despite this discomfort, I remained silent, and Shael, seemingly unaware of my distress, asked, “…what about this potion?”

“What did you say?” I replied, struggling to hear over the wind and Shael’s quiet voice.

“It’s nothing.” She quickly dismissed.

“…”

Nonetheless, it sounded as if she was flustered, likely due to her focus on her actions rather than my response.

‘It shouldn’t be that important…’ I thought, while enjoying the cool breeze and thinking about spending a happy time with Shael.

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