Chapter 3

Vespera

Under Sebastian's coercion, I ran toward the distant stables in a pair of heavy high heels, stumbling all the way.

I knew it—Sebastian was the type to hold a grudge. He hadn't forgotten about last night at all.

Dropping me off miles away from the stables was just his way of making sure I'd embarrass myself in front of Alistair.

I arrived breathless and ten minutes late.

"I'm so sorry I'm late..."

I leaned against the doorframe, gasping for air, my face flushed from the exertion.

My vision swam, my heart hammered, and I didn't dare search for Alistair's figure just yet.

Ten minutes late—he'd probably decided to send me packing already.

"Seb, your sister's dressed to the nines. She must really take this date seriously."

A young man's gentle, amused voice cut through the air, nothing like the reproach I'd braced for.

Surprised, I looked up to see two young men on horseback, both in riding gear.

Sebastian was here too.

I'd heard he and Alistair were childhood friends, but I'd assumed he'd let me flounder today.

Sebastian had traded his usual formal, stiff suit for riding clothes that made him look refreshed, even softening the coldness in his eyes.

Beside him, Alistair radiated youthful energy, his amber eyes crinkling with a smile that put me at ease almost instantly.

From what he'd said, he didn't seem upset about my tardiness.

"Your brother's already prepared riding clothes for you. Go change and join us."

Alistair's easy warmth lowered my racing pulse a notch.

His gaze held open amusement, as if he didn't look down on me for being from the countryside at all.

I glanced at Sebastian. He turned his head away, his expression as icy as ever.

Now I was certain.

Sebastian had prepared riding clothes for me but hadn't bothered to tell me beforehand.

The man really knew how to hold a grudge.

Still, at least this date wasn't a lost cause yet.

I hurried to the changing room and put on the riding outfit.

Peeling off that tight, constricting dress and seeing myself in the mirror—energetic in proper riding gear—I finally felt like I could breathe. Even my stride felt more confident.

When I stepped out, Alistair waved at me from across the stable.

"Vespera, come on over!"

I quickened my pace toward them, only to hear Sebastian say with a furrowed brow and distaste in his voice:

"Don't put her on the spot. She's from the countryside—she's never had riding lessons."

I froze mid-step, my face flushing with embarrassment.

This marriage had been arranged by Lucien and Sebastian themselves, yet now Sebastian was emphasizing my country origins right in front of Alistair.

Did Sebastian want me married off or not?

And who said I couldn't ride?

Before my father died, he'd run a farm in the countryside. I'd practically grown up on horseback.

I might not have had formal lessons, but in the saddle, I was every bit as capable as these aristocratic boys.

If only for Grandma's sake, I had to make this match work.

I lifted my chin, my clean, innocent face radiating determination, and looked at Alistair with confidence.

"Riding? I can handle it."

Sebastian's frown deepened.

At home I might fear him, but not here—not in front of my potential future husband, and certainly not in something I excelled at. My stubborn streak kicked in.

Under Sebastian's dark gaze, I swung myself onto the horse with ease, as if stepping over a single stair.

The stable horses were far gentler than the wild ones back on the farm.

Already broken and trained, they were docile as dolls beneath me.

I rode lap after lap around the ring, my movements fluid and graceful, so effortless I barely needed to hold the reins.

The wind roaring past my ears briefly transported me back to the happy days in the countryside.

When I dismounted, I didn't even realize it myself.

The me here, now, was nothing like the timid girl at Vance Manor.

Breathing lightly, I walked toward them with newfound confidence. Alistair's gaze burned noticeably hotter.

His eyes sparkled with undisguised delight, fixed on me with unspoken admiration.

"Seb, your sister rides beautifully—and you kept insisting I'd be putting her on the spot. Now I'm embarrassed to show off in front of her."

Alistair nudged Sebastian with his elbow, oblivious to the storm cloud darkening his friend's face.

Sebastian's scrutinizing gaze swept over me. I pretended not to notice.

I didn't have time to explain to him that I knew how to ride.

My mission today was to convince Alistair that I was worthy of becoming his wife.

I'd studied Alistair carefully while riding.

Dark brown curls, fair skin, two playful canines peeking out when he smiled.

I couldn't understand how such a sunny, wholesome boy could be best friends with someone as cold as Sebastian.

But I believed that marrying Alistair would mean a secure future.

I walked straight up to Alistair, ignoring Sebastian's brooding expression, and spoke confidently.

"Seb was just worried I'd embarrass myself in front of you."

Alistair made an exaggerated show of surprise and laughed.

"Seb canceled a party he'd committed to a month ago, brought you here at the crack of dawn, and even got you such lovely riding clothes—and you still call him 'mister'?"

He sighed and clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. "Looks like you haven't been good enough to your sister if she won't even call you her brother."

I turned to Sebastian in surprise.

He'd canceled a party scheduled a month in advance?

Why hadn't he mentioned it when Lucien brought this up at breakfast?

But I quickly dismissed the thought.

Lucien was head of the household. Sebastian wouldn't dare refuse his orders.

I hadn't forgotten the look of disgust on Sebastian's face when I'd called him brother—how he'd said I wasn't worthy.

I smiled at Alistair. "Seb doesn't like it when I call him that..."

Before I could finish, Sebastian's gaze cut toward me, his voice low.

"I never said I didn't like it."