Chapter 240: A family horse

Marianne pov

'Is he still thinking about the matter we discussed last night? How could he not realize that his hands were bleeding?' I stood at the side as I looked at the physician bandaging him. He was still looking lost.

"If you are still not feeling well, you should rest more" I said as I looked at his pale face that was darkening too. 

"I am fine" he announced and i did not know why he was so adamant in joining us, it was not like he liked any of us.

"I still think you should take a rest, your highness" I added and he looked at me with a hardened face.

"I said i will JOIN YOU" his voice came through gritted teeth and i could only nod.

After his dressing we walked towards the hall where everyone else was sitting.

"Are you okay, son?" asked mother and he nodded.

"I apologise for making all of you worried. I really am." he said with a bow, making us surprised, even my eyes widened. As a proud higher noble, he did not even bow in front of Charles and we all were still lower in status than him.

"Oh, dear. Don't bow to us. You are not feeling well, that is it. What is there to apologise. Come sit with Killian. You both shall rest and see us playing" said mother as she paired with aunt Baringstone.

He looked reluctant yet nodded.

"So at last you became my partner again." said Damien with a chuckle. 

As we started playing there was a certain pressure in the air, which I could not understand. Cassius was sitting there as if he was in a mood to kill someone.

"You are not playing well Mari, we lost twice in a row." said Damien as he put the cards down and I pursued my lips.

'Why was he looking so worried?' I moved my eyes back to the table, but my mind was just not there.

"Go, if you don't want to play, leave. Don't make me lose every time." said Damien as he looked at Cassius and then me, and shook his head, as if he was disappointed in me.

"Come, Killian, let me show you the stable. We have some great horses there, you would rather enjoy it.`` I said as I stood up. Since i was not in the mood to play, better leave the game.

"Hey, I am coming too. I am losing anyway. Thanks to this impatient girl." said Jamie looking at Roselia who puffed up her cheeks.

"Then i am coming too, it's been days since i rode a horse." said Damien standing up.

"Hey, hey are you all running because you are losing. Tsk.. these kids could not see their mother winning." said Aunt Baringstone and my mother laughing.

"Let them go, i will show you the recent dress collection of the store. It is better than the last time." mother added, and aunt completely forgot about our existence.

"Shall I come too?" asked Cassius and I nodded reluctantly. 

I was leaving the place because his presence was affecting me in the first place. 

We all walked towards the stable. The ground was a bit muddy due to the rain last night. But the breeze was cold and soothing to the body.

"Mother, would you show your horse riding skills?" asked Killian looking at me, but before i could nod, Damien chuckled

"She did not have skills, she is worse among all of us." said Damien and if that was not enough he added, "Do you remember how i used to help you in horse riding when you got scolded by Jamie. You have mostly share the horse with me" said Damien, looking at us.

"I can easily beat you now, you just wait.'' I claimed and he laughed.

"Why don't we have a race then?" asked Jamie and we all nodded.

"Your highness, I think you should not participate. You hand is injured.'' I said as I saw him nodding and walking too.

"Then what would I do here alone?" he asked, tilting his head and I pursued my lips.

'Could he not go in, and take rest for a while'

"Then I shall stay with you to accompany you." I replied since he was my responsibility here.

"Tch.. what an excuse to save your respect." said Jamie, challenging me.

"Why don't we share a horse, you can help me with my hand." said Cassius as he came closer to me.

"We won't be able to win if we share the horse. There is no way the horse could run that fast with the weight of two people '' I reasoned and he looked at me as if I was intentionally stopping me.

"Haven't you shared the horse with Lord Baringstone in the past." he said through gritted teeth and I blinked. It took me two seconds to understand that he was talking about Damien.

"We were young, 14 or 15 that time and that was learning mot a race.'' I reasoned but the man just continued to look at me.

'Could he be any more childish! Only lord knew what had gotten into him from the time he had come here'

"I think.."

"Come on, Mari. everyone is waiting for your decision." said Roselia looking at us and I sighed.

"Fine, share a horse with me. Go ahead. But if I lose then I will make sure you will be the one taunted instead of me." my words came out through gritted teeth.

"Mother, I also wanted to share a horse with you," said Killian with a hesitating face.

"Mari, I guess you should take part by carriage. A horse would not be enough for you." said Roselia again and everyone chuckled.

"Killian you are an adult, how could you ask for assistance from your mother for a race." said the man who was clutching onto me when he was triple the age of Killian!!

Killian pursed his lips and nodded and walked with everyone.

"Why did you not tell me that you knew horse riding well?"