Wednesday afternoon.
It was the day of the schedule that was both the most nerve-racking and the most important to me: drinking tea in private with the emperor once a week.
“Are you ready, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Are we going to the garden again today?”
As usual, I straightened my clothes and greeted the imperial attendant directly under the emperor, who had come to my quarters.
But the destination that came from the attendant’s mouth was not the quiet imperial garden where we always drank tea.
“Today, His Majesty has ordered that you be escorted not to the garden, but to the imperial stables, Your Highness.”
“The stables?”
When I tilted my head, the attendant merely bowed respectfully and led the way without further explanation.
I nodded to show I understood and followed behind him.
As we walked down the long corridor leading toward the outskirts of the imperial palace, my mind began turning quickly.
‘Why would the emperor suddenly call me there? It’s not as if he’d drink tea in a smelly place.’
By instinct, one vivid memory from the first day of the social gathering flashed through my mind.
‘Does it have something to do with Count Gross?’
That madman who had recklessly challenged me to a drinking contest and then collapsed.
Wasn’t his current position the master of the imperial stables?
He was one of the emperor’s oldest confidants and one of the real powers in the military.
If the emperor had personally summoned me to the domain managed by such a man…
‘Is he going to give me a reward for winning the drinking contest?’
My guess was exactly right.
When we arrived at the entrance of the enormous imperial stables, the emperor was standing there leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back, and beside him was Count Gross, laughing heartily as he welcomed me.
“I greet Your Majesty. It has been some time, Count.”
When I paid my respects properly, the emperor smiled in satisfaction and lightly patted my shoulder.
“Yes, welcome. From what I hear, this fellow suffered quite badly in his drinking contest with you the other day, admitted defeat, and promised to bestow a gift upon you.”
“Haha, it is embarrassing, but it is true, Your Majesty. I underestimated the bravado of this young southern tiger and paid dearly for it.”
Count Gross chimed in with a booming laugh.
The emperor clasped his hands behind his back and continued.
“And so, in a place where I may personally witness it, I intend to grant you one of the empire’s fine steeds today as a special gift. Choose whichever one you like.”
At the grand gift bestowed by the greatest authority in the empire and a powerful figure in the military, I bowed deeply and expressed my sincere gratitude.
But at the same time, I had no choice but to honestly confess that I was truly terrible at riding horses.
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace. I also offer my deepest thanks to you, Count. However… to speak frankly, I have no talent whatsoever for horseback riding.”
“No talent? There was something you could not do?”
“Yes. I have ridden horses before in my homeland, the Kingdom of Sterling, but only enough to sit quietly in the saddle and walk at a gentle pace. I have never once urged a horse on and ridden swiftly like a proper rider. I am concerned whether I can properly handle such a precious steed.”
At my honest confession, the emperor laughed it off as though it were nothing.
“Hahaha, do not worry. The horses of the empire are clever and can immediately discern the skill of their rider, but that does not mean they are all savage beasts. There are many that have been handled often by people and are gentle and easygoing by nature, so you need only choose one of those. Now, let us go inside.”
Following the emperor into the stables, I looked around and could not help but be genuinely amazed.
This place completely shattered the concept of an ordinary stable as I knew it.
Normally, if hundreds of horses were gathered in a stable, it would be natural for the stench of excrement to sting the nose.
But here, only the pleasant scent of hay and a faint animal smell lingered in the air, and the floor was so immaculately maintained that not even a speck of dust could be seen.
And that was not all. Even the mere attendants who cared for the horses wore luxurious uniforms, and the oats and carrots fed to the horses were fresher and glossier than ingredients meant for human consumption.
The horses were receiving meticulous care in the finest environment.
“…This is truly astonishing. Even in Sterling, the royal stables were not this comfortable and splendid. I have never seen animals treated so well.”
As I murmured in admiration, the emperor walking ahead slowed his steps and answered in a serious voice.
“It is only natural. Horses are the finest and most diligent companions that made our empire the hegemon of the continent. Without these intelligent creatures, our empire would never have become what it is today.”
Count Gross, walking beside him, also nodded.
“His Majesty is absolutely correct. Do you know the final words left by the first emperor, the great Emperor Uzarat, Your Highness?”
“I have read them in the empire’s history books. ‘The moment the stables become filthy, the spirit of the empire will be broken, and its downfall will begin’—that is what I heard he said.”
“Precisely. Treating horses well has been the strictest iron rule upheld by the imperial family since the founding of the empire. Those who neglect horses are punished severely, for they are considered no different from those who shake the very foundation of the empire.”
The unique philosophy of a nomadic people toward animals still remained, even now that they had become a great empire.
And so, as I listened to the emperor and the count’s explanations, admiring the many beautiful, muscular fine horses, we walked all the way to the innermost depths of the stable.
“…!”
My gaze became utterly fixed on one horse.
“Wow…!”
The horse was unbelievably magnificent.
A golden mane with an unrivaled luster, a firm body that was sleek yet concealed explosive muscle, and eyes as intelligent and arrogant as a human’s.
It stood alone at ease in the largest and most splendid individual stall in the entire stable.
As if it were the ruler of this stable.
When I, as if enchanted, tried to approach the golden steed, the emperor and Count Gross simultaneously turned pale and waved both hands in alarm.
“No! Ian! Absolutely not that one!”
“Your Highness, stop!”
Startled, I hurriedly stopped and took a step back.
“Ah, my apologies. I was not so presumptuous as to covet such an incredible steed for myself. Its coat was simply so beautiful that I lost myself for a moment.”
When I quickly apologized, Count Gross wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly explained.
“No, Your Highness. It is absolutely not because the horse is too precious for me to give you. That mare, Marengo… may look beautiful on the outside, but her nature is as ferocious as a starving wild beast. She is cunning and violent.”
“A wild beast? But she is a horse.”
“Originally, every warhorse can become a beast, but that one is severe even among them. Even I, who have broken in thousands of fine horses in my lifetime, can only shake my head at her. Unless one is a perfect rider, she will not even allow them near her, much less let them on her back. If Your Highness, as a beginner in riding, were to approach without knowing better, she would undoubtedly rear up and attack you mercilessly, breaking your bones or biting you and inflicting terrible wounds.”
Count Gross added with eyes full of genuine concern.
“Prince Ian is an extremely precious talent to our empire. We cannot allow you to be harmed because of a single horse.”
“That is right. That one is dangerous enough to trample a man to death. It is a pity, but give up on that one and take a look at that docile-looking white horse over there.”
The emperor also agreed with the count and pointed elsewhere.
Since I had not the slightest intention of risking my life over a mere horse, I nodded without lingering attachment and was about to turn away.
It was at that very moment.
Creeeak—clank!
“…?”
Suddenly, a dull sound of metal striking metal rang out behind me.
The moment I turned my head in surprise, a sight unfolded before my eyes that I could scarcely believe.
The golden horse had deftly used its muzzle and teeth to open the complicated double latch on its stall door all by itself, then walked out with steady steps.
“W-what?! That mad beast opened the latch again?!”
“Ian! It’s dangerous! Step back at once!!”
The emperor and Count Gross shouted in horror, their voices nearly tearing.
The attendants nearby went ashen-faced and rushed over in a swarm carrying ropes.
The massive golden beast snorted fiercely and strode toward me.
Under the overwhelming pressure, my legs felt frozen to the floor and would not move.
‘…It’s over.’
I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut.
I thought I had lived fairly hard in my own way, but to think the thing that killed me would be a horse, not the empire or anything else.
‘Fuck, if I die like this and reincarnate, I’m not going to fall into a BL world, am I—’
Sluuurp—lick.
“…Huh?”
But the pain I had expected did not come.
Instead, something rough and damp gently brushed across my cheek.
“Neigh.”
When I cautiously opened my closed eyes, what filled my vision was Marengo’s enormous head.
Instead of trampling me, the golden horse swished her tail gently and rubbed her large muzzle against my shoulder.
Then she looked up at me with affectionate eyes and began carefully licking my cheek with her huge tongue.
Like an enormous golden retriever meeting its owner after a long time.
“Prrrrr~”
“……”
“……”
Before that unbelievable sight, the breathing of everyone in the stable stopped.
Count Gross, who had been screaming in terror just moments ago, could not close his gaping mouth, his eyes looking as if they might pop out.
“…Did you charm Marengo?”