0&1 Ch 10.2

The Queen was completely focused on Joffrey, so Edward simply had to be careful not to get near him.

But now Edward was more cautious around Joffrey than ever before. Joffrey had always been a threat to Edward, but not in the same way as now.

Edward was puzzled. Could Joffrey really be worried about him?

It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong. It was a matter of possibility.

Was such a thing even possible in the first place?

If it was possible…

Was it right for Edward to want Joffrey to worry about him?

His head was filled to the brim with thoughts. If Edward didn’t try to clear his mind, his thoughts would take over both his outer and inner self.

Sometimes, even when he tried not to think, he couldn’t stop.

Edward walked as if his soul had been taken away. He didn’t know where he was going.

The palace servants passed by Edward with disdainful looks. How did they end up serving such a foolish prince? Tsk, tsk.

No one worried that Edward might bump into something or fall down. Edward was not someone who would be of any help to them in the future. The courtiers were each busy thinking about how to survive.

Edward returned to the palace where no one cared about him.

Let’s think this through.

Joffrey’s fall from his horse led to a series of events. Edward was punished and had to spend his birthday alone. Not only did he not receive a birthday present, but he was also beaten and had his horse taken away for causing Joffrey to fall.

The more he thought about the past, the more complicated it became. It felt like every time he climbed a mountain, he was faced with a river, and every time he crossed a river, he was faced with a pit.

Will Joffrey ever be able to restore his relationship with Edward? I’m beginning to have my doubts.

But I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. When I got up to go see the stables, Grey followed me for some reason. “Since when did you become interested in horses?” he asked.

The stablehand opened the door and showed us a horse with brown fur.

The horse had beautiful eyes and a long neck. Although it was a herbivore, it was large and had a big face, so it was a scary creature to approach.

“Is this the best horse here?” As soon as I asked, the brown horse raised its head. It seemed to understand what I said and looked at me. That couldn’t be.

Unlike white or black horses, brown horses had no distinctive features. To someone like me who didn’t know anything about horses, they all looked the same.

I thought that if I gave Edward a horse that looked impressive, he would like me more.

“Yes. He is difficult and clever, and very fast. I’m showing him to you because he’s not for the Prince to ride…”
“Yeah. I’m not going to ride him. That means he’s a horse that chooses his owner, right?”
“That’s right.”

The stablehand bowed his head apologetically. He had seen me trying to ride a horse. He already knew how terrible I was.

There’s no need to apologize.

It’s a common trope in fiction. Excalibur was a sword that chose its master, wasn’t it? In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Red Hare was ridden by Lü Bu. 

Fine horses are picky about their riders.

I felt a slight desire to be recognized as its master, but I stopped myself.

I would definitely fall off, and I wasn’t sure I could handle the consequences.

“How about this one?” 

When I asked Grey, who had followed me, he narrowed his eyes and examined the horse.

It was as if they were having a staring contest. Perhaps because I had heard that he was smart, it seemed strange that the horse was staring intently at Grey. Did he know that Grey was evaluating him?

“Are you really going to give him a horse?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Do you know what happened to Edward’s horse that I rode before?

Grey looked at me. “Yes.”
“That’s why.”

Grey was silent for a moment, then said, “His Highness Edward will be pleased.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”
“He loved that horse.”

Was he being sarcastic?

“It was a birthday gift from His Majesty.”

That was unexpected. The King always seemed to ignore Edward.

“It was a precious horse.”
“Yes.”

Grey looked straight at me, as if trying to guess what I was thinking.

But it was impossible to tell from someone’s eyes, whether they were a horse or a person. If that were the case, the Queen would have figured out long ago that I wasn’t Joffrey.

“Grey, have you ever tried to cheer up Edward when he’s upset?”
“What? Who’s upset?”
“Edward.”

“Oh, His Highness Edward. What?” Grey asked back. It didn’t seem like he was going to help. I would have to prepare on my own.

“Never mind. I’ll take care of it.”
“No, I’m really curious about what happened.”

Grey, displaying his usual contrarian nature, began to ask what Edward was upset about. What an annoying guy.

I ignored Grey and asked the stablehand, “I want to give Edward a horse as a gift. Can you help me? I’m planning a surprise for him. I’ll pay you.”

Even if I gave him a horse as a gift, I couldn’t take it to Edward’s palace. I could only leave it at the stable and arrange for Edward to take it out himself.

The elderly stablehand, who was friendly toward Edward, agreed to do so.

Now all that was left was to bring Edward here.

Birthday presents were important in romance games. Not only did you have to remember the birthday of the character you were trying to win over, but you also had to prepare a birthday present that they would like.

Giving birthday presents was one of the easiest ways to increase your likability. Edward’s birthday had already passed, though.

It was Duke Pie’s class. I wrote a message on a piece of paper I had prepared: Come to the stable after class. I have something for you.

That should be enough.

I tapped Edward’s chair and handed him the note. Duke Pie was staring at his book. I just hoped he didn’t see it.

Edward glanced at the note, folded it, and put it in his pocket. Was he going to read it after class?

But when class ended, Edward got up immediately. He followed Duke Pie out of the classroom.

Grey turned to me. “Did you two fight?”

“No.” Was it that obvious to Grey? “You would like it if we fought.”

I shouldn’t have picked a fight. Grey replied maturely, as if he knew everything, “Don’t take it out on me.”

“Your Highness. What would you like for lunch today?” Dot asked about the lunch menu.

“Something simple. A sandwich or bread. Whatever you have. Just give me anything. I have to go out soon.”
“What? Your Highness?”
“Hurry up.”

“Ah, yes! I’ll be right back!” Dot got ready to run. I could see him falling in the future.

My mind calmed down. Was there any need to rush? Edward might not even have read the memo. He might not read it at all today.

“No, there’s no need to run.”
“Isn’t it urgent?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ll just skip lunch.”

“What? You can’t do that!” Dot clung to me, asking what was going on. Overwhelmed by Dot’s persistence, I said I had an appointment.

“With His Highness Edward? Just tell him to come to the palace. You always do that,” Dot said. That was true. But Edward was pretending not to know me right now.

Dot was a good servant, but he was still young and overly partial to Joffrey. He wasn’t the right person to consult about Joffrey’s friendships.

“I have an appointment somewhere else. I’ll wait there, so you go ahead.”

“Then I’ll pack a lunch for you. His Highness Edward is waiting for you, right? Does the Prince have to go? But bread for a meal? I’ll pack two lunch boxes and bring them with me!“ Dot said cheerfully.

What if Edward doesn’t come? To be honest, I think there’s a high chance he won’t.

Dot looked at me as if asking for permission. It seemed like he wouldn’t let go of my arm unless I nodded.

“Then please do.”

“Yes!” Dot ran off. This time, he managed not to fall. How unusual.

I felt proud of him, but then I felt strange. Why did I find that so surprising? Was I becoming too accustomed to this world?

Feeling puzzled, I headed for the stables.

For some reason, Grey was already there.

“Why are you here?”
“I thought His Highness Joffrey might be coming.”

Grey closed his book. He was sitting on a small chair that belonged to the stablehand. The stablehand was standing next to him.

The stable hand was an old man, and Grey was at least fifty years younger than him.

Grey, you look really awkward.

But I didn’t point it out. There was no need to.

When I stood there, Grey got up from his chair. He didn’t offer me a seat. He just stepped aside so I could sit down.

I didn’t sit down. So Grey couldn’t sit down either. The three of us stood there staring at each other.

If I want to give the stablehand his seat back, Grey and I can’t stay here.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The stablehand replied.

The preparations for the birthday present-giving party seemed to be more or less complete. It was a modest celebration, but the important thing was that Edward would be happy.

Now all that remained was to wait for Edward.

That was actually the biggest problem.