Vecna's POV:
I sat with Dorian in the lead car of the convoy. Inside, everything had been prepared with meticulous care, in the unmistakable style of the Anderson nobility. Dorian personally poured tea and handed me a cup, chatting as she did so.
"Vecna, these past few days at the Anderson estate, are you getting used to it?"
I accepted the teacup and replied with a faint smile. "It's been quite all right."
Dorian studied me for a moment longer, clearly still uneasy. "Truly all right? My mother said Joseph has been busy with work and often doesn't have time to come home."
I didn't answer. It was true, he hadn't come back last night either. But that didn't trouble me; I simply didn't want others to think I felt wronged.
Perhaps because of my silence, Dorian softened her tone and asked again,
"Vecna, let me ask you honestly… is there someone else in your heart?"
The question came too suddenly. I was momentarily startled, then answered decisively, "No."
Only then did Dorian let out a breath, as if a burden had been lifted. "That's good. Matters of the heart should take time… Joseph may seem cold on the outside, but he's warm within. Once he lets you into his heart, you'll be the happiest woman alive."
I flicked the lid of my teacup lightly, letting a drop of tea fall against the porcelain with a soft sound. "That would be wonderful," I replied blandly.
The car traveled on for a long while before stopping at the polo grounds south of the capital. The place was livelier than I'd expected; noble young masters often came here for recreation, fine horses everywhere, the polo field blazing like a grand open-air hall.
The moment we appeared, Dominic led people out to greet us. He was impeccably dressed today, and with features somewhat resembling Joseph, he looked all the more handsome. Once inside the polo grounds, Dorian began arranging riders and horses. As for me, I was surrounded by a group of young ladies preparing me for the match.
Lizza stood up first, brimming with confidence. "Sister-in-law Vecna, I've chosen a good horse for you. Would you like to try riding it first?"
I shook my head. "No need. If you chose it, it must be a fine horse."
In truth, I could ride any horse, it was just that overly docile ones made me… a little unaccustomed.
After one person after another stuffed things into my hands wrist guards, knee pads, even a thick saddle pad to ease soreness, I finally escaped the encirclement. One of Dorian's maids came to invite me.
"Mrs. Vecna, our team is complete. Please come over to the strategy table."
I changed into riding boots, took a polo mallet, and walked toward the shade of the trees where everyone was waiting. Karen followed behind, anxious.
"Miss, your health hasn't fully recovered. Why not let this servant go onto the field in your place?"
I swept my gaze around. Both sides of the polo field were already packed with spectators, the nobility had truly turned out in force today.
"Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?" I said with a wry smile. "If you go on the field, wouldn't that be outright bullying?"
Karen was unconvinced. "And if you go on, isn't that bullying too?"
"I'm being forced up the mountain to become a bandit," I replied, then signaled her to stop. "You stay here and rest. I'll go for a bit and be right back."
I had taken only a few steps when a languid male voice drifted from ahead, a voice more familiar than I cared to admit.
Kai.
Even in disguise, even though my face was no longer what it once was, he was the only person in the capital who could recognize me.
I immediately turned back. Karen understood at once and hurried after me. "Miss, what is it?"
I shoved the polo mallet straight into her hands. "You go in my place. Kai is here. I can't afford a slip."
Karen was about to say something more when Iris's shrill laughter rang out from ahead. "Well, well... scared already? I knew you were just bragging yesterday! If you don't know how to play, kneel down and admit defeat, then pack up and crawl back to the countryside. Don't disgrace your Joseph!"
I drew in a breath. I could endure many things but humiliation was not one of them.
I turned back and accepted the horse being led over. With a light push on the stirrup, I vaulted into the saddle, my movements clean and decisive.
Iris immediately mocked me. "Even a docile mare makes you uneasy?"
I ignored her, keeping silent because Kai was there. But silence didn't mean weakness. I urged the horse forward to the edge of the field and waited for the signal to assemble.
Each team had five players. On the Anderson side were myself, Lizza, the ninth young master of the Royal Marquis household, Miss Katty of Governor Purser's family, and Miss Elena of the Bonnet family. Dorian truly had a talent for turning provocation into a proper noble match.
On Iris's side were Iris herself and Kai, both born to military families, fine horses beneath them, their presence overwhelming.
Katty stepped forward and asked plainly, "What's the wager?"
Iris immediately raised her whip and pointed straight at me. "If you lose, let that country girl beg to leave the Anderson estate on her own!"
I curled my lips slightly. The purpose was all too clear.
"Change it," I said calmly. "That's not something I can wager."
Iris laughed coldly, then sneered. "Then if you lose, have Joseph paint a picture for me. How about that?"