The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 255: A Horse Whisperer

Chapter 255: A Horse Whisperer

[At a certain time... before the knights and ladies met up]

Drystan ambled along the bustling path of the plaza, fully immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. With each bite of the delicious treat he purchased from a nearby stall, he relished the burst of flavours that danced on his palate.

As he strolled, his eyes darted around, revelling in the picturesque scenery that unfolded before him. People of all ages and walks of life converged for the annual celebration of the bountiful harvest.

It was a joyous occasion on which farmers and vendors eagerly showcased their abundant yields and merchandise at favourable prices. The plaza teemed with a diverse crowd, comprising not only locals but also visitors from beyond Gantz. Laughter and merriment filled the air, amplified by the splendid weather that enhanced everyone’s enjoyment.

Drystan’s walk brought him past a group of young women who couldn’t help but be captivated by his presence. Their eyes locked onto him, their giggles blending with a touch of bashfulness as he reciprocated their gaze with a warm, charismatic smile.

His commanding stature as a knight, accentuated by the distinguished Gerhard emblem adorning his surcoat, drew the attention of onlookers, particularly the enchanting maidens who found themselves spellbound by his charm.

The young women were well aware of the renowned Knights of Gerhard, known not only for their exquisite looks but also for their meticulously honed physiques resulting from rigorous training. Their formidable strength and esteemed reputation as the kingdom’s finest knighthood were widely recognised throughout the land.

Thus, whenever the Grand Duke of Gerhard and his knights graced the capital with their presence, maidens would eagerly gather to feast their eyes on the handsome Kyren and his gallant comrades.

Drystan’s leisurely walk was abruptly interrupted by a piercing commotion emanating from a distance. A sense of unease rippled through the crowd as an agitated horse charged towards them. Panic-filled screams pierced the air as the untamed equine careened through, colliding with a nearby stall.

In the midst of the panicked chaos, Drystan instinctively cast aside the food skewer he had been holding and sprang into action, driven by a deep sense of responsibility.

The people around him, overwhelmed by shock and fear, scattered in every direction, seeking refuge from the unfolding turmoil. Meanwhile, in its distressed state, the horse had lodged its head within the collapsed remnants of the toppled tent, thrashing about in a desperate attempt to free itself.

The horse was clearly nervous, as seen by its shaking frame and the high-pitched, panicked neighs that resounded throughout the air. Its terror and perplexity only increased with each frantic movement that only served to entangle it more.

Still, Drystan, the epitome of poise and assurance, approached the frightened animal with unrelenting determination.

The knight closed the space between himself and the restless horse, his calm demeanour in the middle of the mayhem. He timed his approach precisely and moved with an agility that belied his experience. The horse’s first resistance let way temporarily as he approached.

Drystan jumped upon the horse’s back, using his skillfully developed muscles to flex with strength and quickness as he seized the opportunity. His strong hands took hold of the reins, and he tried to give it a sense of security and command with his touch, directing his serene energy into the powerful being underneath him.

With a soothing tone, Drystan spoke gentle words of reassurance, letting the distressed horse know he was there to help, not harm. His hand extended, stroking the mare’s neck or shoulder in a rhythmic motion, seeking to alleviate its anxiety. Like a skilled horse whisperer, he employed his expertise to establish a connection, and gradually, the animal yielded to his command, ceasing its struggle.

Carefully, Drystan removed the obstructing canvas from the horse’s head, freeing it from the entangled rope that had caused its distress. The relieved mare responded to his touch with a soft, appreciative neigh.

Taking a moment to ensure her complete calmness, the knight descended from her back and firmly grasped the reins in his hand.

"Good girl," Drystan praised the mare as he patted her shoulder lightly.

Concerned for the well-being of those around him, the knight surveyed the area, assessing the situation.

"Is everyone all right?" Drystan inquired as he sought to ascertain the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of those present.

His gaze fell upon the voice emerging from beneath the stall’s wreckage; it was the stall owner who had managed to survive the impact.

"I’m all right!" responded the stall owner.

"Is there anyone else underneath the canvas?" asked the knight.

"No. only me."

The stall owner emerged from the rubble, stood up and brushed his body with his hands to remove the dirt.

"I’m glad you’re fine," Drystan replied, relieved to hear the stall owner’s response.

The destruction caused by the horse’s rampage had been contained, sparing any other pedestrians from harm.

The onlookers, filled with gratitude and admiration, erupted into joyful applause, expressing their appreciation for Drystan’s swift intervention that prevented the situation from escalating further.

However, amidst the commotion, a man rushed forward, his distressed cry capturing everyone’s attention.

"My horse!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief as he beheld the wreckage of the demolished stall. "Why you...."

A surge of anger coursed through him, and in his frantic search for something to vent his frustration upon, his gaze fell upon a broken stick. Consumed by his fury, he raised the stick, ready to strike the mare that had caused the chaos.

With lightning speed, the knight intervened, swiftly moving to intercept the man’s imminent act of aggression. He firmly grasped the man’s arm, preventing him from inflicting harm upon the defenceless mare.

"Whoa... Hold on a moment," the knight interjected firmly, fixing a stern gaze upon the man.

"This is my horse, and she has been so stubborn! She refused to carry the goods and now has damaged this seller’s tent! She should be punished!" the man insisted.

Drystan’s voice remained resolute as he responded, "Even if she made a mistake, resorting to cruelty is not the answer."

The knight’s attention shifted to the mare, his eyes tracing the telltale marks on her body, evidence of past whippings. A mixture of empathy and concern welled within him, deepening his understanding of the potential mistreatment the horse had endured.

"This mare is useless!" her owner expressed frustration again, saying, "I should just sell or send her to the slaughterhouse."

Drystan said, "This mare is not useless," in an unyielding tone. "As soon as I took hold of her, she obeyed me. This begs the question, how have you handled her? Did you rely on beating her up every time she refused to work?" he said, a note of censure tinted his curiosity.

The man averted his eyes, acutely aware of the gathering crowd that now fixated their gaze upon him. The scrutiny of the onlookers intensified his discomfort, forcing him to confront the consequences of his treatment towards the horse.

"I had no choice! She used to be diligent and well-behaved. Lately, however, she’s become increasingly lazy and stubborn," the man explained.

"Horses don’t typically change their behaviour without a cause. She might be ill," he suggested.

"No, she’s not! I consulted the farrier, and he examined her thoroughly. She’s perfectly fine!" the man responded.

"Farriers specialise in horseshoeing, and their expertise in horse health might be limited. Relying solely on their assessment may not be entirely accurate. You should consider consulting an animal healer," Drystan advised.

"But animal healers charge exorbitant fees! I can’t afford that. Besides, finding one is difficult, and even if I do, they are reluctant to examine her. Only the nobles have such privileges!" the man scoffed.

Drystan remained silent this time, acknowledging the validity of the man’s point. He gently rubbed the horse’s neck and then placed his hand on her stomach. Then he groped the mare’s belly and checked further. His forehead furrowed, and after a moment, he spoke.

"She’s pregnant. That explains her behaviour," he finally revealed.

"What? That can’t be!" exclaimed the horse owner.

"Yes, I’m certain. She’s likely four to five months along, which is why the pregnancy isn’t visibly noticeable yet," he confirmed.

"But how did you know?" asked the man, captivated by the knight’s knowledge.

"I have experience in handling horses. I can determine it through a physical examination. Her body is swollen, and her stomach is enlarged slightly from the normal size," Drystan explained. "You shouldn’t treat her harshly. It’s wrong to subject her to cruel punishment by whipping."

"Forgive me for interrupting, Sir Knight! But please, bring justice to me! This man’s horse caused chaos in my stall. I had paid a significant deposit to set up the stall for the festival, and I can’t afford to replace the damaged items or set up another one," the stall owner interjected, aware of Drystan’s status as a knight of Gerhard.

"What about your goods? Has it been damaged as well?" the knight inquired.

"No, Sir. Fortunately, my wife and I haven’t unpacked the goods from the crate yet since we just opened our business. We arrived a bit late as we came from outside Gantz and had to rent a cart to transport our goods. We must make enough money to rent another cart for the return journey. However, under these circumstances, it will be difficult for us to sell our items. The festival lasts for three days, and without a proper stall, we won’t be able to attract customers, and our business will be ruined," explained the stall owner with a sigh. "Additionally, we will have to pay a penalty for the damage caused to the festival site."

"As the owner of the horse, you should take responsibility for this," Drystan addressed the horse owner.

"But it’s not my fault! This stup*d mare caused it!" argued the horse owner.

"If you hadn’t whipped your mare so harshly, it wouldn’t have run and caused chaos among the crowd. Your actions endangered the safety of the public. If you don’t accept responsibility, I will involve the authorities and have you arrested!" Drystan warned sternly.

The horse owner’s face darkened at the reprimand. The crowd began whispering among themselves, casting scornful glances at the man. Fearing further escalation and the trouble it would bring, the horse owner reluctantly agreed to pay.

The stall owner was delighted with the resolution, his gloomy expression transforming into one of relief.

The horse owner paid the stall owner the agreed-upon amount at Drystan’s instruction. However, the knight stopped him when he came to fetch his horse.

"Not so fast!"

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