TDWO Chapter 2

 

 

Under the man’s black hair, tousled by the wind, were exceptionally deep, dark eyes, and his nose and jawline were sharply defined as if carved.

Even the sharply tailored, dark-colored frock coat, fluttering in the wind, displayed a flawless appearance without a single wrinkle.

The white kravat around his neck was also not overly extravagant. He was dressed in a shirt, vest, and formal coat, yet he looked as light and elegant as a model.

Curious about whose family he belonged to, Anri discreetly glanced over his carriage and attire. However, there were no visible signs that could hint at his family or background.

Suddenly, the man’s eyes narrowed, and his chin tilted slightly.

Anri’s heart raced as she snapped back to attention at the unsettling gaze of the man. The man’s adam’s apple trembled as if it had swallowed a gulp of saliva.

 

“Are you the owner of this mare?”

 

With his eyes, the man gestured to the mare. Suddenly, a chilling aura emanated from him.

The man’s complexion was pale. There was a faint blue hue below his eyes.

Immersed in his mature and enigmatic aura, Anri blinked as if caught off guard.

As the man approached abruptly, Anri felt an odd sensation—a tingling in her chest. It was a strange feeling.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

Anri still couldn’t grasp the situation.

Why had the two carriages suddenly stopped, and why did the two coachmen look puzzled and unsure of what to do?

In contrast, the man in front of her seemed calm, as if nothing had happened. His calm, low voice was something Anri had never expected.

 

“That mare over there is in heat for our family’s stallion.”

“……?”

 

Somewhere, a hollow, eerie wind blew.

The lace on Anri’s hat fluttered slightly.

The man spoke with the refined accent typical of the upper class.

Both his accent when mentioning the mare in heat for their family’s stallion and his manner of speech were textbook examples of someone well-versed in language.

It was a manner of speaking and pronunciation that only the highest nobility among the upper class could enjoy, with impeccable articulation.

Do proper high nobles have a distinctive tongue……?

 

“I don’t think you understand.”

 

The man’s pronunciation was so clear that Anri understood it well.

However, she still blinked in confusion.

The man, on the other hand, remained expressionless, calm, and cold.

 

“I sincerely apologize for relaying this message to the lady.”

 

There was not a trace of apology in his impeccable, crisp voice.

 

“That mare over there.”

 

Anri’s gaze slowly followed the man’s gesture.

 

“She’s in heat with this stallion here.”

“…….”

 

The stallion was now at the end of the man’s gaze.

The jet-black horse, flawless without a single blemish, had exceptionally well-defined muscles that seemed to capture the attention of every passerby.

He was more handsome than most men.

Then the man’s cold voice resounded once again.

 

“Excuse me, but could you please move aside? We do not mate our horses with just any mare.”

“…….”

 

Anri’s eyes and lips slowly parted.

Did she mishear something just now?

 

‘What? Don’t mate with just any mare.’

 

The story she heard left her bewildered, but now it was even more shocking.

She felt a shock akin to being struck in the back of the head by the mesmerizing man, who was overwhelming at first sight.

 

‘Is he really picking a fight with me?’

 

Suddenly, Anri’s face lit up with confusion.

Although the man’s expression and voice showed no sign of movement, he was clearly disregarding Anri.

It’s not just Anri, but her entire family and lineage!

Her father trusted Hendel as a coachman, and Anri grew up witnessing his dedicated care for the horses every day.

And even though she didn’t manage the stables herself, she would occasionally wash and feed them. With only two horses in their possession, they held a special place in her heart.

However, to be treated as ‘just any mare’ is unacceptable!

Anri quickly regained her composure.

She regretted her earlier reaction to the man’s strange aura.

Whether he was frighteningly handsome or not, she was about to go into combat mode.

Anri gracefully lowered her gloved hand that had been caressing the mare.

She drew in a sharp breath, as if she had made up her mind, and smiled gently, her eyes twinkling.

 

“I’m sorry, but there seems to be some misunderstanding. It might not be our Marilyn; that horse over there could be infatuated with Marilyn, don’t you think?”

 

Marilyn was the name of the mare.

The coachman’s complexion grew even more pensive at Anri’s comment.

But Anri maintained a gentle smile. Under her soft and transparent face, there was a thorn of determination.

The man’s indifferent expression remained unchanged. Eventually, he let out a cold, brief laugh.

As he looked at Anri, the man’s pupils glowed even more strangely intensely.

 

“You don’t seem to know anything about animal’s heat cycles.”

‘You?’

 

By now, Anri was convinced of the man’s rude and arrogant nature.

To address an unmarried, lovely aristocratic lady like Anri without using titles such as Lady or Miss was simply improper.

However, the man openly disregarded Anri’s presence, addressing her as ‘you.’

A man who perfectly pronounced the upper-class accent would undoubtedly be aware of even the most basic manners.

He was being rude on purpose. Either that, or he didn’t feel the need for even basic courtesy.

Thus, Anri had no intention of greeting him first.

The man continued to teach Anri with his calm and sharp expression.

 

“Fundamentally, mating instincts occur in females, not males. The female, who needs to fulfill their desire for reproduction, seeks the male to initiate the mating process.”

“…….”

 

Anri’s once gentle smile cracked slightly.

 

“In humans, of course, the brain controls that instinct, but your Marilyn is an animal, so she must have been in a real hurry, to the point of stopping a running horse.”

 

Anri had to force herself to keep a straight face under the man’s barrage.

 

“Is Marilyn really in such a state, Hendel?”

 

Anri asked Hendel while maintaining eye contact with the man.

She felt like she would lose if she averted her gaze first.

 

“Well, Miss. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you earlier, but it seems Marilyn has been wanting to breed lately, so we borrowed a few stallions to introduce her to. However, she seemed to refuse persistently.”

 

Hendel sweated while delivering the explanation to the young lady, who was receiving heated remarks from the man.

Following that, Anri heard more about Marilyn’s situation.

Marilyn had been in such heat that she had lost her appetite and was suffering from inflammation.

But since there were only two horses at the manor, she was still forced to pull the carriage.

Even the stallions they met during their journey recognize that Marilyn is in heat.

Marilyn, on the other hand, is said to have been very defiant in the face of their flirtations.

But as soon as she saw the rude nobleman’s handsome black stallion, she charged.

The two coachmen were stunned and hastened to stop the carriage.

That’s why Anri and the man are now standing face-to-face.

Anri’s eyes widened as she realized what had happened, but she tried to keep a sophisticated attitude.

The man’s arrogance and disrespectful demeanor were truly annoying. However, given the near-accident, Anri also made her fair share of mistakes.

Luckily, no horses or people were injured, but somehow it didn’t end well. Her pride had been bruised, and her competitive spirit was ignited.

 

“Marilyn?”

 

Anri called softly and looked down at the mare, who was still excited.

Marilyn was still whinnying at the black horse. Unable to approach the stallion, tried to touch it with her muzzle and pranced around, keeping her legs out of reach.

Can a horse fall in love at first sight, like humans?

Anri began to soothe her.

 

“No matter what, you can’t just take any stallion. We should find out what we’re dealing with first. That horse could be a playboy or even an addict, you know. It might have serious flaws. Still, I appreciate your honest and brave actions.”

 

Anri patted Marilyn on the back.

After giving her a loving glance, she looked back up at the man.

 

“I’m sorry. Our Marilyn has been disrespectful to your horse. I sincerely apologize.”

“…….”

 

In a gesture of respect, Anri raised the hem of her dress slightly and bent her knee. The man stared down at her head.

 

‘SERIOUS FLAWS?’

 

It was obviously a jab at Kristan, but why does he feel like…

Why does he feel like his pride was struck in the solar plexus?

 

“Sorry. I would like to compensate and apologize. How can I make amends?”

 

At that moment, their eyes met for a while.

 

“I’d like to correct some misinformation you gave to your Marilyn.”

 

The man’s speech suddenly quickened.

 

“Our Kristan is more than just a stallion; he is the finest stallion in the kingdom. Have you ever heard of the legendary stallion who wasn’t allowed to breed with anyone, even if they paid the price of a full mansion?”

“…….”

 

Anri blinked.

There was no way she’d ever heard of it.

However, the man’s complexion seemed to harden, as if he were stirred by something. He looked a bit irritated.

 

“Even now, several noble families are sending letters to secure a night with Kristan, and even the royal family is sending people to acquire Kristan’s excellent genes.”

“Oh, is that so?”

 

Anri let out a bright, blooming smile.

It seemed cheerful at first glance, but it held a hint of mockery. Her fluffy cheeks had turned a flesh-colored blush.

Nevertheless, the man, with an air of unyielding dignified demeanor, continued his words, unaffected by Anri’s sweet and wistful smile.

 

“Originally, Kristan’s ancestors were the legendary royal horses that served the Hapsburg royal family for generations. His diet is a nutritious mix of alfalfa and other grasses grown in excellent soil. We even have a specialized coachman who looks after his diet alone. The recipe is a highly confidential matter passed down only to the successors of our family.”

“You seem to have a great interest in livestock!”

 

Anri’s pupils sparkled sarcastically.

A smirk tugged at one corner of the man’s mouth.

 

“Indeed. As the head of the household, our concern extends to all employees in our home, even to a single chick.”