Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 901 - 901: The Knight and the Princess

Lakeside Manor, like other large estates outside Tobesk City, has its own stables. However, Angelina did not choose a horse from the stables of the manor. Instead, she sent someone to the Lemer Stable on the other side of Lake Schluch to select a black horse.

When Shard crossed the lively courtyard and arrived at the starting point of the horse race on one side of the manor, quite a few gentlemen had already gathered there with their horses. Each had their own female companion and had prepared their racehorse in advance. Participants like Shard, who decided to join at the last minute, were in the minority.

Among the contestants was Shard's acquaintance, Baron Cobol. During the banquet where Shard was knighted, this gentleman had tried to win Shard's "Northern City: Coldwater Harbor" through the game Roder Card, but instead, Shard won five commemorative coins from him, including "Pirate's Blood Money."

Shard greeted the Baron, who was dressed in a hunting outfit suitable for riding, looking quite professional:

"Knight, who is your companion?"

The Baron asked curiously. Shard pointed to Princess Angelina, who was excitedly holding onto the black horse waiting for Shard.

Baron Cobol first showed a look of reverence, and when Shard explained that Miss Galina had him take Princess Angelina for a turn, he showed a look of realization.

By then, Angelina had already changed out of her cumbersome dress and was wearing winter attire suitable for horseback riding. The princess's appearance naturally drew attention, and when people learned she would participate in the race with Shard, they all showed understanding expressions.

The rules of the race were simple: start from the entrance of Lakeside Manor, circle along the country roads, and return to the starting point. Of course, since the manor borders Lake Schluch, the circuit was around the front of the manor.

Though the last rays of the sunset were still visible, the manor's servants were already at the crossroads of the country roads, holding oil lamps to indicate directions. At the same time, the servants would also raise a long pole, with colored strip-shaped hard paper pieces posted on it, each numbered uniformly. When the riders rode by, either the rider or the female companion needed to reach out and grab a paper.

This was meant to make the horse race more interesting, to test the riders' skills, and, on the other hand, to prevent anyone from taking shortcuts and cheating to win the race.

Shard was the last to arrive at the race, and once he had donned simple protective gear, the race was ready to begin.

Although the race did not have seating restrictions, the other gentlemen, with mutual understanding, had their companions sit sideways in front of them, so Angelina also sat in front of Shard.

As he mounted, Shard quietly whispered:

"Your Highness, I'm not really skilled at horseback riding."

His back-and-forth riding in Huntington City had familiarized him with the sport, but compared to the gentlemen around him who clearly were adept, Shard wasn't very confident. Last time at Lemer Stable was just a stroke of luck, but this time it was only a simple party game, not a gamble, so Shard felt he needed to remind the little princess not to expect too much.

"It's okay, Mr. Hamilton, I only enjoy the process of the race."

Angelina's face was flushed with excitement. Shard mounted first and then helped the little princess sit sidesaddle on the saddle in front of him. She moved nimbly, but when she settled down, her whole body was trembling. Shard initially thought she was nervous, but then believed it might be from excitement.

Miss Galina had mentioned that Lecia's generation of royal heirs had excellent horsemanship, and Angelina must be skilled in it too.

"Gentlemen and ladies, please listen to me!"

The middle-aged steward, responsible for organizing the race at Lakeside Manor, wore a somewhat thick brown coat, with his hair neatly groomed—a man who was clearly very earnest in his work:

"Safety first, please do not perform any dangerous actions during riding, as this will delay your enjoyment of the Lakeside Manor banquet!"

His voice was loud but still could not surpass the music coming from the courtyard.

Though it was lively in the courtyard, at the manor entrance and the starting line of the race, a lot of guests had gathered to watch. Shard even heard some betting on the outcome of the race:

"The entire course should normally take no less than ten minutes to fifteen minutes. Completing one lap of the course will earn each of you a small gift provided by Mr. Esberg. Yes, everyone will receive one. If you encounter any trouble midway through the course, please ask for help from nearby servants. You shall leave under the sunset and return draped in starlight!"

He raised his voice as much as he could, while Angelina's maid was holding the reins in front of the horse, quietly reminding her mistress of the safety concerns. The young maid seemed worried about Angelina taking part in such an event rashly but never stopped her from doing so:

"Mr. Hamilton, please ensure Her Highness's safety."

She finally whispered to Shard and then took Shard's cat, carefully stepping aside. Little Mia didn't particularly enjoy being held by others, but knowing Shard couldn't carry it while riding, it only meowed a few times before settling down.

The middle-aged steward was now showing the prize for the race champion: a gold-plated brooch for the winning gentleman, and a silver hand mirror with a view of Lakeside Manor on its back for the lady.

These prizes weren't particularly valuable, but they were nice gifts. Shard's competitors were very enthusiastic about them. The professional-looking Baron Brady even joked with his companion, boasting that he would surely win her the little mirror.

Sitting in front of Shard, though Angelina said nothing, he noticed that Her Highness seemed very interested as well.

"The crux of the problem is that although I've learned to ride, racing might still be a bit challenging for me."

Shard did not have the Elf Rider amulet he had made himself with him this time.

"Gentlemen, please be attentive!"

The steward called out loudly, placing a brass whistle in his mouth. The onlookers on both sides of the riders were talking loudly, and even the carriages coming down the country road directly facing the manor entrance, all stopped to watch the group start. The gentlemen and ladies in the carriages stuck their heads out of the windows, smiling at the riders who had mounted their horses, waving and cheering for familiar friends.

"Three, two, one!"

The whistle blew, and Baron Brady's chestnut horse was the first to charge forward, with the others closely following. Shard did not rush too fast, staying in the second rank's second position.

His hands passed through the sides of Angelina's body, tightly gripping the reins, while the Little Princess leaning against him seemed to be laughing.

He couldn't be sure if he was mistaken, because once the horses galloped, the sound of the wind was really too loud.

"Mr. Hamilton, this feels amazing!"

This time, he wasn't mistaken, the Little Princess was indeed speaking, and that cheerful tone was something she had never had before.

"Yes, but the wind seems a bit chilly, can you still bear it?"

Shard asked on the bumpy horseback, this black horse's speed was extremely fast, Shard as the rider didn't have much effect. Now, Baron Brady at the very front was already approaching the corner ahead of the path, while Shard was at least four or five horse lengths behind him, the opponent was indeed a professional.

"Of course, compared to this temperature, what I long for more is the freedom of this moment!"

The Princess said, in the rather rhythmic clattering of hooves, only Shard could hear her words.

"Freedom, huh?"

Shard then realized that the Little Princess inviting him to the horse race was probably not just to enjoy this banquet.

"Knight, has Sister Lecia ever talked to you about me?"

She suddenly asked, Shard tightened the reins as he turned ahead, the servant with the kerosene lamp was holding that long pole high. Before Shard reached out, Angelina skillfully picked the paper from the top.

"Lecia has mentioned it to me."

Shard said, he couldn't see Angelina's expression at this time, but knew she must have been stimulated by today's wedding.

"Sister promised to help me, as long as I'm willing to help her too. Sister Lecia is indeed the best among all my sisters, but I also know she is using me."

The Little Princess's voice was very light.

At this time, ahead was a curved road, but there was no fork. However, the second horse in the first rank following Baron Brady somehow failed to follow the path and unexpectedly charged into the already harvested wheat field beside it.

"Oh, damn it!"

The rider who rushed ahead was cursing loudly, trying to stop the horse that ran astray, every rider passing there was laughing.

"Your Highness, do you want me to help you?"

Shard asked, diligently controlling the horse's route. If it's just not winning the first place, that's not disgraceful, but if he also ran into the farm fields off the right track, then his proof of strength, wisdom, and charm tonight would fail at the first step.

"Of course not, how could you think that way? I wouldn't involve you in such matters, I'm not like my sister."

Angelina asked, as Shard felt her leaning to his side, placing her weight on him:

"Knight, I mean, even so, I still want to help you."

"Help me?"

Shard was somewhat puzzled, he didn't think he had any need for help:

"Could it be giving me Gold Pounds? But why would she do that?"

Shard wondered in his heart, for a moment he didn't know how to respond. Both fell silent, only the sound of hooves was still so clear. When the next fork appeared again, beside the servant with the gas lamp stood three curious countryside children watching the riders,

Angelina seemed to have mustered up her courage and finally said her inner thoughts. The wind was strong, Shard was excessively tense on horseback, even causing some muscle stiffness.

"Yes, Knight. I want to help you break free from Sister Lecia's restraints and threats."

"Help me break free from... Lecia's grasp?"

Shard never expected this answer, due to excessive shock, he actually forgot to reach out and grab the paper slip from the servant's pole. Fortunately, Angelina reached out again and skillfully took the paper slip.

"Yes."

Her side profile leaned against Shard's clothes:

"Hasn't Sister Lecia always been threatening you? Otherwise, why are you... doing such things with her?"