Chapter 8

***

"I don't really have anything to do these days."

"Huh?"

"I'm a pretty good speaker."

Evan was disillusioned with himself. It was hard to understand why he lied like that.

In fact, he didn't know how to speak well.

Of course, he knew how to ride, but his subordinates brought the best horses. He knew roughly which horse suited him well, but it was different from seeing a racehorse.

Besides, horse racing was an area that he had never been interested in.

"I can't stand lying."

He said that the first moment he saw her.

If he goes to a horse racing event and Laria asks him something about the horses…

Perhaps he would become one of the two.

He was a hypocrite who couldn't stand other people's lies, but he was a liar.

Or worse, he was a bluffer who walked away without knowing his back.

He was also the top-ranked graduate of the Academy, but it seemed like no one had ever told Laria that.

He was frustrated why they didn't tell Laria about such an important thing.

In the end, there was only one conclusion.

If you've told a lie that won't be correct, you can make it non-false two days later.

So he spent his time in the library.

The basic knowledge of horse racing, history of horse racing, variety of horses, understanding horses, entrance to racehorses…

Even though he was not good at practical skills, he felt like he could not be caught lying if he pretended to know anything.

While he was confined to the library with a big meal, he suddenly sighed, wondering why he was buying trouble.

What the hell is wrong with me…

In fact, when he saw a girl standing with his father in front of the academy after a long time, he thought she was pretty.

Fluffy pink hair, round purple eyes, red cheeks and lovely expressions.

Her small body and gentle impression was like a puppy.

Of course, there were many cute kids in the academy, too.

However, everyone faced him with half the question, 'why is Duke Icard here?' and half the prejudiced said 'too creepy and gloomy.'

But as soon as his wife saw him, she said, "Congratulations on your graduation."

At that moment, he suddenly realized that he had been waiting for those words. What everyone else heard, but not himself.

'Usually, those weak-looking kids are supposed to avoid me just by looking at me.'

On top of that, he thought he was a little excited when she even said, "A couple who lives beautifully."

What do you mean, beautifully? It was a word he never expected.

'If he had her, maybe the dreary duke would look a little different.'

It was nice to see the gentle touch of the girl who stroked his hair. He just didn't want to look bad.

He studied everything about horses for two full days like that.

He had already finished analyzing what he would recommend on my way to the carriage.

However, he fell asleep on the way. He had already arrived at the racetrack when he opened his eyes.

"Evan, Evan! Wake up, we're here."

Laria held his hand slightly and woke him up and said as if suddenly she had remembered.

"We didn't sleep together at night, so no matter how much we hold hands, we won't have children. Don't worry."

Her purple eyes, which were slightly gentle like a puppy, smiled.

"I know."

He got out of the carriage, clasping her hands curtly.

***

The atmosphere at the racetrack was as lively as a festival.

I was distracted by looking around. The sky was blue, the weather was nice, and there were so many things to see.

"The horse 'Arovos' is over there."

Every time I saw the horses at the event, Evan told me this and that.

Which horse is a good horse, which one is the most famous, which one has what dividend, the sum of the jockey and horse…

His last remark that he was a good speaker did not seem to be a bluff.

Even Duke Icard was about to say something.

"Did you just study horses at the academy?"

Evan's liking for horses was something I didn't know about, even though I knew the original work.

'You know how to speak so well that you can't help but want to come to the race.'

While walking around the venue looking around, countless people greeted us.

It was an opportunity to see the power of Duke Icard.

Everyone praised me for being pretty and cute, and made a fuss about how I fit well with Evan.

"It's been a long time since I've seen a young couple. You get along really well."

Of course, it's lip service, but it wasn't bad to hear.

"Are you going out with your family? You look good."

Listening to the good words pouring out, I firmly thought that flattery is the answer to live in the future.

If you hear good words, you will have no choice but to be tolerant of others.

When I looked around, there was no case of children coming together.

Although it is said to be a red spot for aristocrats, it seems that they are all accompanied by guardians because they are betting money.

'It's nice… to be here all together.'

Come to think of it, it was my first family outing.

Although it was an innocent intention to make money, I was a little excited because it seemed like a really harmonious family picnic.

We haven't gotten along at all yet, but it was good to even look like that from the outside.

"Duke Icard!"

Meanwhile, another person came up and pretended to know us.

"I heard that you are coming with your family. We will guide you to a special seat as soon as you have been told in advance."

He was a middle-aged man with a nice mustache.

He smiled brightly at us and greeted us.

"Hello, I've heard of your marriage. I'm Ordy Sadavar, the representative of this venue."

Wow, Duke Icard…

Although he is not yet at the center of power, high-ranking aristocrats were also aristocrats.

'Once he comes up, the representative of the venue comes and says hello.'

Money and power were good.

Well, it's so good that he would like to have more power by marrying his son to his daughter-in-law.

"Thanks for your consideration. I'm Evan Linear Icard and this is…"

Evan took my hand and shook it, coughing once and introducing me.

"My wife, Laria Rose Icard."

When he greeted him with good manners, Ordy held both hands and smiled happily.

"I've heard that the Count Rostry and his wife passed away and so you married early. I also got married when I was 14…"

He clapped and laughed, smoothing his mustache.

"Anyway, do you know a lot about horse racing? Even if you're just here, you have to bet on it to double the fun."

"Well."

Duke Icard spoke with a grain of salt.

"I'm not interested in horse racing."

Oh, my God. How cruel of you to say that you're not interested in horse racing in front of the head of the race venue.

"This time again, my new daughter-in-law was so interested that she forced me to follow her."

Oh, I see.

The person who followed you forced you to get a good seat from the venue head…

It was an answer with both justification, decency and condescension. Of course, there seemed to be no truth or conscience.

"Then isn't Sir Evan interested in horse racing?"

"I think it would be better to bet on Berto, Arvos, and Khalid, respectively. In the form of number three."

"Oh, my God, form three."

Ordy looked at Evan in admiration.

"You know something. If you're not a superb analyst, you don't bet well in the form of three."

The two men began to talk about horses and horse racing.

It was only then that I found out that there were so many horse racing methods.

Guessing the first place, guessing the three horses that will be in the top 10, guessing the combination that will be in the top five, etc…

Evan seemed to have mastered the way, but I didn't know anything.

"Does the little lady have a lot of experience in horse racing, too?"

Ordy smiled and asked me, and I shook my head.

"No, I don't know…"

But one thing was for sure.

"I'm just going to bet on the first place horse. It's the most dividend-making, the simplest form."

I could earn a lot more than Evan.