Chapter 155. Restraint
To calm his pounding heart, Loic took a deep breath, filling his lungs.
‘Get a grip.’
“Won’t Pyros feel too heavy with two people riding him?”
“He probably won’t even notice that you’re on him.”
Loic barely held onto his sanity as he answered Annette’s innocent question.
At that moment, Pyros lifted his head, and Annette’s small shoulders flinched.
“Are you scared?”
“A little.”
Annette glanced down and spoke in a rare nervous tone.
“It’s much higher than I expected.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll hold you tightly.”
He wrapped one arm firmly around her waist, and Annette flinched in surprise.
“If you get too nervous, you can hold the reins here.”
Her small hand gripped the reins so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Her tense little head looked unbearably cute.
Loic gently closed his hand around hers, helping her hold the reins.
“Then let’s go.”
He lightly nudged Pyros’s side with his heel, and the horse began to run.
***
Annette’s POV
Riding a horse was much scarier than she imagined.
The scenery of the stable disappeared in an instant, replaced by a short forest path.
Loic seemed to be adjusting the speed for her, but the scenery still rushed past too quickly.
Her whole body stiffened from tension when—
“It’s all right, Annette.”
Loic whispered softly beside her ear.
“Lean on me comfortably.”
His arm tightened a little around her waist.
‘He’s so warm.’
The solid, heavy warmth slowly eased her fear.
The dust Pyros kicked up mixed with the cool forest air, spreading a refreshing earth smell.
It was the same scent Loic had when he returned from training—cool yet warm.
Annette’s stiff shoulders gradually relaxed.
The short forest path opened up into a wide, bright field.
Beyond Pyros’s black mane spread a vast, beautiful stretch of green that filled her with awe.
***
At the Field
“Let’s rest here for a moment.”
Loic stopped the horse under a huge tree in the middle of the field.
He dismounted lightly and reached up toward her.
She leaned down, and his large hand steadied her waist as he helped her down easily.
Oddly, the back of Loic’s neck was burning hot.
The wind earlier had been very cool, though.
“Are you hot?”
“…No.”
“Come into the shade.”
She took Loic’s hand and walked under the shadow of the big tree.
When she moved to sit on the bench, Loic suddenly stopped her.
“Wait.”
He removed his vest and spread it over the bench.
“Please sit here.”
“I can sit without it.”
“That bench is used by the knights. It’s dirty.”
The knights would probably be offended, but Annette quietly sat on the vest.
Loic soon returned with a large water flask and poured some into a cup.
“You must be thirsty.”
Annette quickly accepted the cup.
The water cooled her throat pleasantly after riding.
Some water dripped down her chin, and Loic gently wiped it away with his palm.
His face was cool from the wind, yet flushed with heat.
When she glanced at the faintly reddened skin beneath his eyes and their gazes met, she quickly looked away.
— “Now I’m going to seduce you. So you can never escape from my side.”
Loic’s words from last night echoed in her ears.
It was hard to look at him properly.
And honestly—
with that face—
if he seriously tried to seduce her, she doubted she could resist.
“How was your first time riding a horse?”
Loic asked gently as he straightened her messy hair.
“It was more fun than I thought.”
Although she was nervous at first, the experience was surprisingly enjoyable.
The wind rushing past felt refreshing.
“I’m glad. You seem to have a talent for riding, Annette.”
“I only sat there doing nothing.”
“Just staying on the horse without falling is already impressive. Even stablehands fall off the first time they mount a horse.”
She knew he was exaggerating to encourage her, but it still felt nice to hear.
“You’ll learn quickly.”
At that moment, she realised what had been bothering her deep down.
“Loic… were you maybe embarrassed?”
She hesitated before asking.
“Because I don’t know how to ride.”
“What do you mean?”
Loic’s expression hardened instantly.
“Who said something foolish to you?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Ever since arriving here, Annette had always been confident.
Helping the inn with the ‘Menu of the Day,’
creating ‘Cecile’s Recipe,’
designing the lakeside shopping area— seeing others surprised by her knowledge and skills always brought her joy.
Maybe it was the sense of satisfaction and confidence she never fully had before inhabiting this world.
But the deeper she got into noble society and life here, the more her flaws as a proper noble lady would show.
“As a Grand Duchess… not knowing how to ride seems a bit shameful.”
Loic gently held her hand.
“May I be honest?”
“Yes.”
“I was happy.”
“Happy?”
His calloused fingers intertwined deeply with hers.
“I’m happy because I get to be the one to teach Annette how to ride for the first time…”
Loic leaned forward until their foreheads touched.
“I’m happy that I can have any kind of first with you.”
Shaa—
The wind rustled the dense leaves above them.
Loic’s loose black hair brushed against her eyelashes, tightening something deep in her stomach.
When she flinched slightly, he pressed a soft kiss beside her eye.
“If I thought this way… does that make me a lowly man?”
His low voice sent heat rushing to her ears.
Instead of waiting for her answer, Loic kissed her nose.
Peck.
Wherever his lips touched, her skin burned as if branded.
“Loic… you said you’d seduce me, but…”
His lips paused.
“Did you plan to seduce me with your body?”
The words slipped out because his actions had become far too smooth and practiced.
Loic let out a quiet laugh.
“If I seduce you with my body, will you fall for me?”
“W-what?”
Her face flushed like a tomato.
“As long as I can keep you with me, anything is fine.”
His lips slowly descended and brushed hers.
Their hands were still tightly intertwined.
Loic pressed his lips lightly against hers, again and again, as if teasing—
until the skin around her lips grew warm and damp.
Then he finally deepened the kiss.
Her back bent involuntarily under the intensity.
Her breathing grew uneven, but the more she leaned back,
the more persistently Loic followed, pressing closer.
When he tilted her chin and tangled his tongue with hers, her mind went blank.
His hand stroked down her back, lifting the hem of her shirt.
And then—
when his hot hand slipped under her shirt and touched her bare skin—
Loic suddenly froze.
“Haa…”
He withdrew his hand slowly, breathing heavily.
When he lifted his head, his face was flushed with intense heat.
He clenched his jaw as if in pain and carefully pulled her shirt back down.
The veins in his forearm stood out sharply.
“I’m sorry, Annette.”
Loic said in a strained voice.
“I… went too far…”
He cut himself off, then abruptly stood up and walked several steps away, turning his back on her.
His broad chest rose and fell sharply as he ran a hand through his hair.
He was clearly trying hard to calm himself down.
The sight made Annette’s own face burn.
And even in this situation, her eyes drifted to his tall frame and strong thighs.
She fanned her face to cool down.
She definitely wasn’t cut out to be a modest noble lady.
***
After calming down
“Shall we head back?”
Loic finally turned around, having regained control, and Annette nodded quietly.
He grabbed the vest from the bench, and dust scattered from it.
If he wore it again, the dirt would transfer to Annette when she leaned on him.
So Loic scrunched it up and stuffed it into the saddlebag.
“This way.”
He gently supported her waist and lifted her onto the horse.
But her loose shirt slid forward before he could adjust it.
Her white skin showed below her collarbone.
Loic quickly turned his head away.
Thankfully, Annette didn’t seem to notice.
The heat he had barely controlled surged again.
It was getting harder and harder to restrain himself—
but he didn’t want to lose control in front of Annette.
Loic shook his head sharply and climbed up behind her, forcing a calm expression.
Then he bit his lip hard.
Just because he wasn’t wearing his vest—
Annette’s back touching his chest felt dangerously vivid.
Loic closed his eyes tightly as his head spun.
Unlock soon!~