Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 49: This Is Not What I Signed Up For

Chapter 49: This Is Not What I Signed Up For

Katherine walked briskly down the corridor, determined to get to her horse-riding class before any complications arose.

Unfortunately, she had one complication.

And that complication was Adolfo, who, despite her very clear attempts to outpace, ignore, and escape him, was still right there.

Matching her stride effortlessly.

She didn’t need to look at him to feel the smug amusement radiating off him like an annoying heat source.

It was only a matter of time before he said something.

So, of course—he did.

"You’re walking awfully fast," Adolfo noted, casually keeping up without the slightest effort.

"You’re following awfully persistently," Katherine shot back.

Adolfo hummed. "I’m simply heading in the same direction."

Katherine side-eyed him. "You do realize that just because you say it like that doesn’t make it less suspicious?"

He smiled. "I don’t know what you mean."

She didn’t believe him for a second.

But she had bigger things to worry about.

The open riding field came into view, the scent of freshly turned earth mixing with the crisp morning air. Several students were already gathered near the stables, chatting amongst themselves as stable hands prepared the horses.

A twinge of anxiety settled in her chest.

Katherine had signed up for this class because, quite frankly—she had no idea how to ride a horse.

It was one of the few things in the academy’s curriculum that had truly intrigued her. Growing up, she had always thought horseback riding was an elegant, noble skill, something that made characters in stories seem so effortlessly refined and free.

She had never considered the possibility that she can actually learn it herself.

Her palms felt clammy.

The last thing she needed was to make a complete fool of herself in front of everyone.

And yet, as if the universe truly loved making things worse for her—

Adolfo entered the class with her.

This had to be a joke.

She inhaled sharply. Calm. She needed to stay calm.

Maybe he was just here to watch? Maybe he had business near the stables? Maybe—

Then she saw it.

He was holding a pair of riding gloves.

Her eye twitched.

"You know how to ride," she assumed, narrowing her gaze. "So why are you suddenly joining this class?"

He shrugged, far too relaxed for her liking. "Why not?"

Katherine crossed her arms. "My lord, I believe you already know how to ride a horse?"

Adolfo turned his head slightly, his silver hair catching the light. He studied her—too intently, like he was weighing something, calculating something.

Then, finally, he answered.

"Maybe I find it educational and... entertaining."

Katherine stopped in her tracks.

"...Educational and entertaining?"

His crimson eyes gleamed. "Oh yes. Quite."

Do not engage. Do not ask. Do not entertain his nonsense.

Katherine inhaled slowly, deeply, and turned away with all the determination of a woman who was absolutely not going to deal with this.

She had signed up for this class to learn, she has to focus.

Focus on the horses. Focus on the lesson. Focus on—

She heard footsteps.

Adolfo had followed.

Of course he had.

She did her best to ignore that, too.

...She was not very successful.

***

The stables were even larger than Katherine had imagined, stretching across the field like a grand estate for noble steeds. The scent of hay, leather, and faint traces of earth filled the air, mixing with the distant whinnies of horses and the chatter of students preparing for their lesson. Sunlight filtered through the wooden beams, casting warm golden streaks on the neatly swept floors.

Several students had already chosen their horses and were in the process of mounting them, adjusting their saddles, or coaxing the more restless ones into cooperation.

The instructor had mentioned that those without their own horses could choose one from the stable—if they could tame it.

Katherine exhaled, already feeling the nerves settle in her stomach.

She had always wanted to learn how to ride, but it felt more like another social activity for nobles than an actual lesson. Of course, nobles had horses at home—they already knew the basics. Meanwhile, she was actually trying to learn.

Before she could dwell on her self-doubt, movement at her side caught her attention.

A man, dressed neatly yet practically, stepped forward, bowing lightly toward Adolfo.

"Good afternoon, Young Master," the man greeted smoothly, his voice calm and composed.

Katherine paused, studying him.

Where had she seen him before?

His chestnut-brown hair was, predictably, perfect—because some people just rolled out of bed looking like they belonged on a magazine cover.

Behind sleek glasses, his amber eyes gleamed with the quiet sharpness of someone who saw everything and gave away nothing.

His uniform? Immaculate. His posture? Straight out of a noble etiquette manual. And the way he moved? Effortless. Unfair, really. If attendants had a final boss, he was it.

The familiarity nagged at her, but the memory refused to surface.

Before she could place it, Adolfo spoke.

"Roiselin," he acknowledged, his tone as nonchalant as ever.

The attendant—Roiselin—turned to Katherine and gave a polite bow.

She raised a brow. "You are?"

Adolfo, ever the interrupter, answered before Roiselin could.

"My attendant," he said lazily. "He also studies in Athens."

Roiselin straightened, his expression mild. "Good day, my lady. I had just finished tending to my master’s horses and was about to leave." His eyes flickered toward Adolfo before adding, "I did not know my master would be taking horse-riding lessons today..."

There was something pointed in his words.

Katherine narrowed her eyes.

Adolfo shrugged, utterly unbothered. "I just felt like it."

She didn’t buy it.

He had definitely followed her here on purpose. She sighed. Why though?

But she decided not to waste her breath questioning him. Instead, she turned her attention back to the stables, scanning for a suitable horse.

Then, she spotted it.

A breathtaking white stallion stood at the far end of the stable, its powerful frame exuding effortless elegance. Its coat gleamed under the sunlight, impossibly pristine, as if woven from silk rather than horsehair. Its pale mane drifted with the breeze, each strand catching the light, and its striking blue-gray eyes—keen, intelligent—watched the world with quiet curiosity.

Something about it pulled her in instantly.

Yes. This one.

"So pretty," she murmured, already moving toward it.

Without hesitation, she reached for the reins—

A voice interrupted her.

"I wouldn’t pick that one if I were you," Adolfo remarked lazily from behind her.

She didn’t even turn. "This one seems perfect."

Nearby, the stable hand—a lanky young man with straw-colored hair and a tunic dusted with hay—shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. His gaze flickered toward Adolfo, as if waiting for some kind of instruction.

Katherine took that as silent approval.

Confidently, she extended her hand—

A firm grip caught her wrist.

Warm. Steady.

Her breath hitched.

Her entire body became painfully aware of the fingers wrapped around her skin.

Katherine turned, her heart betraying her with an annoyingly noticeable skip. "W-What?"

Adolfo held her gaze, his crimson eyes unreadable.

"That’s my horse," he said smoothly. "Or rather, one of my horses."

She blinked.

The words didn’t quite register at first—because all she could focus on was the fact that he was still holding her wrist.

Slowly, she turned back to the stallion.

The horse stared at her.

Adolfo stared at her.

And she... stared at his hand.

"...No, it’s not," she said stubbornly—though her voice wasn’t quite as steady as before.

Adolfo sighed, his grip loosening slightly. "It is."

"It can’t be."

Roiselin finally spoke, his voice laced with quiet amusement. "I’m afraid it is, my lady. Maximillian belongs to my master."

Katherine’s brain momentarily short-circuited.

Adolfo’s smirk deepened.

"Did you just—"

"I AM NOT STEALING YOUR HORSE."

A beat of silence.

Then, far too calmly, Adolfo said, "I never said you were."

The white stallion snorted loudly, jerking its head away from her touch—almost as if offended by the accusation.

Except... not really.

Rather than retreating completely, the horse nudged her hand back toward its muzzle, pressing into her palm with surprising warmth.

Katherine blinked.

Adolfo blinked.

Roiselin grinned. "Ah. Like master, like horse."

"..." Adolfo shot him a glare. "Get out, Roi."

Roiselin gasped, pressing a hand to his chest in theatrical offense. "You’re dismissing me again, master? After I personally fed Maximillian and Leomord?"

Katherine tilted her head, grateful for the distraction. "Maximillian and Leomord?"

Adolfo exhaled, finally letting go of her wrist, and she hated how aware she was of the loss of warmth.

"The black one beside him is Leomord," he said, motioning toward the second horse—a striking black stallion with a mane like midnight silk. "This white one—" he motioned toward the stallion still nudging her "—is Maximillian." His tone softened ever so slightly. "He’s... particular with people, so I was trying to stop you. But it seems my concern was unnecessary."

Katherine looked at Maximillian again.

Her eyes lit up. "I can borrow him?"

Adolfo hesitated.

His gaze flickered between her and the horse, lingering on her hopeful expression a little too long.

Then, after a beat, he muttered, "Y-Yeah..."

A brilliant smile broke across her face. "Thank you!"

Adolfo cleared his throat, looking away. "Give him some apples, my lady."

"Hehe." She giggled, happily stroking the stallion’s mane. Maximillian huffed contentedly, leaning into her touch, as if thoroughly pleased with the arrangement.

Roiselin, watching the way Katherine beamed and the way Adolfo, despite himself, didn’t look entirely displeased, grinned knowingly.

With a casual bow, he said, "I’ll be taking my leave, master." A pause. His grin widened. "Enjoy your class. Though... it seems you already will."

Adolfo’s eye twitched. "Go."

Roiselin chuckled, raising a hand in mock surrender. "Yes, yes." With that, he strolled off, his laughter trailing behind him.

Katherine, blissfully unaware of Roiselin’s implications, continued doting on Maximillian.

And Adolfo...

Adolfo wasn’t sure if this was a victory, a disaster, or something far worse.