Chapter 2

As I closed the wooden crate, I heard Rowan's footsteps echoing in the corridor again.

He brought in hot water, without any maids following behind him.

Are your feet still cold?

He placed the basin of water by the stove, reached out to test the water temperature, and then pulled over a soft stool, just like countless nights before, to prepare to take off my shoes.

I held his hand down.

"I'll do it myself."

Luo Wen looked up at me and smiled.

"Are you still angry? We can talk about the forest patrol later."

He thought I was just upset that he had turned down the captain's offer on my behalf.

I did not correct it.

When the hot water reached my ankles, he draped a towel over his knees and sat down beside me to wait. Seeing me frown, he even added a little cold water.

He has always been very good at taking care of me.

The year we became partners, a neighboring tribal chief wanted him to end his relationship with me and marry his sister in exchange for the right to pass through the mountain path between the two tribes.

Rowan pushed the agreement back in front of everyone.

Later, he led his forest patrol team and spent an entire winter finding a new route through the mountains.

When he returned, he transformed back into human form. His hands were so cold that he could barely hold the reins, but he still remembered to take out a small bunch of dried flowers from his pocket.

Those were the flowers I asked him to keep an eye out for, growing near the snow line.

"The road has been found, and the flowers have been found too."

He put the flowers in my hand.

"Nora, stop worrying. No one can ask me to change my partner."

At that time, I believed that I would grow old with him.

I even thought that when we can no longer run, we would live by the lake on the west side and watch flocks of geese fly overhead every year.

A small ripple spread across the basin of water.

Rowan reached out and wiped away the tears on my face.

"Why are you crying?"

I turned my head away.

"The water is too hot."

He immediately went to get some cold water.

As I watched his retreating figure, a tightness gripped my chest.

This person will drop everything they're doing just because I say something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

He would wait until I fell asleep before kissing another woman.

***

When Luo Wen carried me to bed, I braced myself against the edge of the bed and sat down by myself.

He didn't notice, he just pulled the blanket up for me and leaned close to my neck.

As his warm breath fell, I saw Clara clinging to his shoulder.

I raised my hand and pressed it against his chest.

"Not tonight."

He stopped.

"Leg pain?"

"I'm so tired."

Rowan looked at me for a while and then kissed me on the forehead.

"Then go to sleep."

He lay down beside me, his arm still draped over my waist as usual.

I closed my eyes and listened to the wood crackling softly in the fireplace.

After a long time, the mattress beside me moved slightly.

He slowly withdrew his arm, tucked the blanket around me, and left quietly.

I opened my eyes only after the door closed.

He did indeed remember his promise to Clara.

I sat in the dark for a while, then reached out and drew the curtains shut, and relit the candles.

There was still an unfinished list of winter clothes on the table.

Two outlying villages were short of thick blankets, so I checked the quantity and wrote down the names of the people responsible for delivery.

These things shouldn't be left unattended just because I'm leaving.

Once the manager took over, I had one less thing to deal with when I returned.

***

The next morning, there were still five days left before the caravan was to depart.

Rowan is back.

When I woke up, he was by the window picking out a cloak for me.

"The wind is light today, I'll take you for a walk by the lake on the west side."

He brought a thick cloak to the bedside, a smile playing on his lips.

"Didn't you used to like that place the most?"

I glanced out the window.

The lake is outside the castle, not far. I've mentioned it several times over the past few months, but he always says he's too busy or the weather is bad.

Just as I was about to leave, he suddenly became available again.

"I need to go to the stables this morning."

My old saddle and travel water bladder are still there.

Rowan draped the cloak over my shoulders.

"You can get them when you get back. I'm with you today, so you don't need to bring those things."

Just as I was about to speak, I heard the servant's voice from outside the door.

"Alpha, Miss Clara has arrived."

Rowan stopped adjusting my collar.

A moment later, he frowned.

"Tell her to wait in the reception room."

"She said the delegation members had already assembled at the stables and were going to check the mountain path to the west today..."

Before he could finish speaking, Clara appeared at the door.

She was dressed in a skirt that was easy to ride in, and was holding a pair of leather gloves.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were ready."

Her gaze swept over Rowan's hand on my shoulder, and her smile paused slightly.

Is Nora coming too?

Rowan took a step forward.

"Her injuries haven't healed yet."

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching his back as he blocked the doorway.

In the past, when I heard him say that, I always felt that he was worried about me.

Only now do I realize that he didn't even need to turn around and ask me if I wanted to go.

Clara offered a perfectly timed apology.

"It was my oversight. But the people over there are waiting, and you personally found this road, so I was afraid that others wouldn't be able to explain it clearly."

Rowan paused for a moment, then turned to look at me.

"Nora, I'll take them there first. I'll come with you to the lake when I get back."

I looked at him.

It turns out he didn't suddenly have free time today.

He just thought he could put me aside for another time and then come back to coax me.

"No need to rush back," I said. "I have my own things to do too."

He visibly relaxed and leaned down to kiss the top of my head.

"I will do it as soon as possible."

Clara stood outside the door and slowly put on her gloves.

She didn't ask me again if I wanted to come along.

***

After breakfast, I handed the roster to the steward and went to the stables alone.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I heard a familiar neighing of a horse.

My gray horse was led to the stone steps.

It was a gift from my sister when I left Baisong. It has an irregular white patch on its forehead. When it saw me, it immediately pricked up its ears and took a step toward me.

Rowan, however, pulled on the reins.

He was helping Clara mount her horse.

I stopped in my tracks.

That saddle is mine too. There's a small tear on the side, which I got from a branch when I was patrolling the forest, and I sewed it back up myself.

Will it really let me ride it?

Clara hesitated.

“I remember Nora treasured it very much.”

"It has a steady temperament and is familiar with mountain paths."

Rowan adjusted the pedals for her.

"Nora won't be needed for now, you can ride her for the time being."

"But--"

"With me here, everything will be alright."

The gray horse neighed at me again.

Rowan then turned around.

"Nora?"

I walked over and touched the horse's forehead.

It lowered its head, its nose touching my palm.

Since it was injured six months ago, I've rarely come to the stables. Rowan always says he'll take good care of it for me, so I leave it here without worry.

But it still remembers me.

“This is my horse.” I looked up at Clara. “Please get down.”

The courtyard was quiet for a moment.

Clara gripped the saddle, her smile fading.

"I'm just borrowing it for a moment. If you mind, I can—"

"She didn't know you needed it today."

Luo Wen took over the conversation for her and reached out to shake my wrist.

"I'll ride with you when we get back."

I pulled my hand out.

"I need it today."

He looked at my legs.

"You can't ride for long periods of time yet."

"The therapist allows me to ride horses for short distances. I will start from an outer village and stop when I get tired."

"Nora..."

There are other horses in the stable.

I looked at him without raising my voice.

"This one is mine."

Rowan's brows furrowed slowly.

In the past, I would back down whenever he mentioned my injury. Even if I was unwilling, I would think that he was just too worried about me.

But I no longer need to provide him with these reasons.

Finally, he turned to give instructions to the groom.

"Get Clara a new horse."

As Clara dismounted, the hem of her skirt brushed against the back of my hand.

She managed a weak smile.

"It seems I shouldn't have touched it."

I didn't reply, but simply took the reins back from Rowan's hand.

The gray horse obediently followed me to my side.

Rowan looked at me, his tone softening again.

"Don't go too far. Wait for me to come back, and we'll go to the lake together."

"I'm not going today."

I led the horse inside.

"I already have plans."

***

After the delegation left, I asked the groom to check the horse's hooves again and to change out of the ornate saddle.

"Replace it with the ones we used for patrolling the forest before," I said, "the ones with bags hanging on both sides."

The coachman was somewhat surprised, but he did as instructed.

I stepped into the stirrups and slowly settled myself in. I felt a slight pull on my left leg, but I didn't push myself. I just let the gray horse walk around the yard a couple of times.

The pain in the wound has stopped.

Once I reach the outer village, I can try the route leading to the caravan camp.

I bent down and stroked its mane.

When my sister handed me the reins, she patted its neck and told me that it knew the way back.

I smiled and said, "Don't worry, Rowan will come back with me."

Now, I gripped the reins tightly and rode out of the stable alone.

Five days left.

This time, I'll bring it home with me.