CHAPTER 24 (2). IN THE RAIN

"..."

Both of them were silently staring at the raindrops falling beneath the leaves, which made a light sound. The silence between the two was accompanied by some awkwardness, but Patrizia did not feel that the silence was only so strange. The clear sound of raindrops falling on the floor removed some of the awkwardness.

"Coming out to ride a horse today… Is it because of the hunting competition?"

He spoke to her first. She replied quickly, "Yes."

"It was surprising. I did not expect you to participate."

"That must be regretful. That Lady Phelps did not participate."

She said it without much attention when saying this, but this wasn't the case for the one receiving it, and his forehead narrowed slightly.

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"It is just pure regret."

Silence continued after those words once again. Raindrops fell for a few seconds more, and his voice came back.

"I did not know that you had an affinity for the martial arts side."