The Reason I Keep Avoiding My Childhood Friend - Chapter 20

The most popular means of transportation in this world is horses. I’ve seen horses because I’ve been in a carriage, but I’ve never touched them. And I’ve already mentioned that my father is a knight. However, I know that my father’s horse is managed in the Duke’s mansion since there is not enough space or servants to manage it in my house.

I’m from a knight’s family, but we’re not nobility, so we lived modestly.

Knights are higher in rank than ordinary people. However, being a knight also cost a lot of money. My father spent a lot of money to maintain his body and the weapons he used.

Additionally, since mother was gone, there was no one to maintain the household and advise on where to save money.

In other words, even though he was the Commander, our family was quite poor. All my father could afford was hiring me a tutor. I need to grow up quickly and take on the burden of bringing in more money.

Anyway, why is he suddenly talking about horses? Seeing him looking at me with expectant eyes, I shook my head.

“No.”

“Okay, let’s go see some horses. I have a very nice horse. Follow me.”

… He’s just showing off, right?

Kirsec’s voice was excited, and the tip of his nose seemed slightly trained towards the sky.

A child’s psychology is that they want to show off when they get something good. Well, fine by me. Now that I’ve given in to him, I might as well do it right. I obediently trailed after Kirsec.

“Come on, hurry up! Why’re you so slow?”

Consider the difference between our legs’ lengths, okay! I’m already having a hard time trying to keep up with these short legs, but now you’re being so mean I could cry! Of course, instead of expressing my pain, I walked harder.

“Lev is really~ pretty. He’s all black, but looks so big and strong. He’s still smaller than my father’s horse, but father said he’ll grow bigger.”

He’s good at talking to himself. I struggled on and arrived at the stable, silently listening to Kirsec’s boasting. Kirsec walked directly to a stall in which stood a beautiful black horse.

“This is Lev.”

“Wow…”

He was breathtaking. Black and glossy, strong and sleek – Kirsec’s description was spot on. Born with a gold spoon, it was no wonder he had such a good horse. I’m sure this horse is of great descent too.

“Beautiful, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to ride him?”

‘Say yes!’ he seems to be saying. But I didn’t really want to. I wonder if there are any adults around; I’m afraid of accidents. 

Kirsec was watching Lev smugly, when suddenly, his eyes stopped at a place and his face hardened.

My eyes followed his gaze reflexively. Looking closely, I noticed a small cut on Lev’s hind leg.

“What’s this? Are you hurt?”

Just when Kirsec started fuming, the caretaker appeared, carrying a pail of water, apparently to feed the horse. He jolted in surprise when he noticed Kirsec, and immediately put down the container and lowered his head.

“Greeting the young—”

“What is this?!”

Even before the greeting was over, Kirsec’s cry cut the caretaker off. I was so startled, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“There was a bit of an accident. Yesterday, Lev got a little edgy—”

“So? Does it make sense that he got hurt? If someone had to get hurt, you should’ve been the one who did.”

Listening to the caretaker’s explanation and Kirsec’s tirade, I started feeling increasingly distant. My heart beat fast and I felt short of breath. This situation felt too familiar, even though I wasn’t the one involved.

“I’m sorry! It’s all my—”

“Don’t you know that Lev is more important than your life? Sorry doesn’t cut it!!”

Kirsec kicked the pail on the ground in anger, and it hit the caretaker’s leg and spilled over. The man clutched his leg, grunting in pain, but then immediately released it.

“Sorry! I’m sorry!”

Even in such a situation, he kept on apologizing. He didn’t even seem to care that he was half-soaked.

I felt cold, as if my blood had turned to ice. My vision turned strangely blurry. Despite the caretaker’s apology, Kirsec was still livid and was becoming even more agitated.

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