「That is right. Do not kick the horse’s belly lightly. Just touch it gently. Yes, like that.」
「Do you not use a whip?」
「Horses feel pain when they are hit, too. Thinking they will run faster just because it hurts is nothing more than human delusion. The only one who enjoys using a whip is the person who made it.」
That is a pretty twisted way of putting it.
I simply match the rhythm of the horse’s leisurely clop-clop steps.
Horses are naturally intelligent creatures, so as long as the rider does not misbehave, they will move forward on their own.
But being up here is surprisingly high, and it is scary.
「Come on, Prince. Your back is hunched like a cat. Straighten up and puff out your chest properly.」
「It is unexpectedly high and frightening, you know?」
「You will get used to it. Soon the up-and-down motion will start to feel good and… why is it swatting dung at me with its tail!」
They certainly are intelligent creatures.
Good boy, good boy. I stroke its mane gently.
Your sense in delivering that perfect comeback to that pervert is excellent.
I will have them prepare extra carrots in your feed later.
Right now, I am a horseman. Starting today, I have suddenly been ordered to practice riding.
The reason… seems to be that it was bad for me to be carried by Noie all the way to the castle town entrance the other day.
Word reached my eldest brother, who I have yet to meet, and he apparently commanded in a voice imitating Prince Halfren (or so I am told) 『A member of the royal family should not be so pathetic. Learn to ride a horse properly.』
Naturally, I have never ridden a horse before. But this body has experience.
I got on with the dubious advice of 『If you ride for a while, you will probably remember, right?』
The teacher… is Mische, who is first-class when it comes to handling horses.
Everyone I asked recommended her. Even Noie.
『Noie? I want to learn horseback riding… Who should I learn from?』
『The small one with no chest.』
It was an instant recommendation.
Since even Noie recommends her, I gave up and decided to become her student.
「You are doing well. As long as you do not get scared, you are riding steadily.」
「That leftover one. It’s tough.」
「Is something wrong? …And I am simply not yet on the market.」
「I think you will probably stay unsold forever. …My thighs hurt more than I expected.」
「They get chafed when you are not used to it. …I should be hitting the shelves any day now. A highly recommended product!」
「Ehh. I do not want my skin peeling off all slippery like that.」
「I will give you some ointment later. Please apply it after your bath. Hey, are you ignoring my protest!」
Because there is no way she will ever sell, right? In this world, the marriageable age seems to be up to twenty.
There are cases like Frea-san, who has a fiancé and the delay is due to the partner’s circumstances… but she is already reserved.
「I want to get married too. I want to spend nights with my husband. I want to have children!」
「Ah, that. Maybe if you meet some shady tribesman in unexplored lands, it could happen.」
「What is that supposed to mean! That is already the kind of statement that makes normal people impossible!」
「That is what I am saying?」
「I hate you… I hate the captain.」
Wrapped in a dark aura, the idiot starts sulking.
I gently guide the reins to turn the horse, and it obediently faces toward Mische.
Good boy, good boy.
「Hey, you? Would you mind mating with that leftover over there?」
「…Prrrt.」
The horse snorts and turns its head away.
No good, Mische. It seems not even a fellow mammal will accept you.
-0-
「I will do it myself.」
「……」
「Noie. Come on, give it back.」
「……」
As expected, the inner thighs were rubbed raw and bright red.
After the bath, the hot water stung so much that I nearly cried out loud, but I somehow cooled it down, pretended nothing happened, and came to the bedroom.
When I tried to apply the ointment… Noie, who was supposed to be in the dining hall eating dinner, appeared and snatched it away.
「It is okay. I will apply it myself.」
「……」
Overwhelmed by the intensity in her eyes, I realize I have been backed all the way into the corner of the room.
There is no way I can win. She is one of the continent’s greatest dragon slayers, after all. But still… having her apply ointment there would be mortifying beyond words. You would not understand!
If it comes to this, I have to use my last resort.
I almost blurted out the trade-off 『If you are going to apply it, then let me apply it to your thighs too』, but I swallowed the words.
That was close. Knowing her, she would instantly say 『Yes』.
「Um, Noie.」
「……」
There is nowhere left to run.
Fine. I just have to endure it. Endure what exactly, I am not sure.
「Noie. Um… please apply it gently.」
「Yes.」
Resigned, I sit on the edge of the bed and spread my legs.
Her slender, pale fingers carefully work the cool, slippery ointment into the reddened skin.
It is fine. This is just medical treatment. Do not think strange thoughts… I must not think them!
I calm my excited little guy and somehow manage to hold out.
「Ahaha. It was my first day, so it got really chafed and turned bright red.」
She wipes the remaining ointment from her fingers with a cloth and stares at me intently.
「But riding is fun, is it not? And surprisingly, Mische is really good at teaching. I was honestly shocked.」
「……」
「When I have free time again, I will ask her to teach me more. Then I will be able to ride over to visit you on my own. But will that interfere with your work?」
「It is okay.」
「That is a relief. Then I need to ask Mische to teach me even more.」
Leave a Reply