Chapter 229 - Childish And Stupid
After Howard had announced that the first test for Yvonne would be horse riding, everyone present moved to the grazing field behind the mansion where the stables were located.
Raylene walked with her husband by her side and watched their children walking together as they headed towards the stables.
"Have you chosen the right horse for you?" Howard whispered to his sister once he had gotten close enough to her.
His eyes kept darting around as he tried to act natural while inquiring about the situation from his sister.
An amused smile sat on Yvonne's face as she watched the other child act indifferent and aloof yet his eyes betrayed him.
The tinge of worry that he had in those midnight blue eyes was clear to Yvonne.
If this was any other child then they might not have noticed this slight emotion that those eyes held, but she was not just a child.
She was once a grown woman who had gone through major events in her life and had experienced the hardships of life.
She had also met various kinds of people in her life in the other world which was her main source of understanding people and their emotions.
'He cares for his sister but something is stopping him from expressing that love and care he has for her.' She analyzed his expressions and caught what his true feelings were.
Howard felt strange that instead of scoffing at him and mocking him, she was staring at his face in silence.
It appeared as though she was searching for something on his face which brought a rather strong surge of warmth to his cheeks.
The young boy's cheeks were now bright red as he turned his face away from her.
"Stop looking at me if you do not wish to answer." He scoffed at her then continued keeping his eyes ahead and did not look her way until they reached the grazing fields.
Yvonne sighed at his haughty behavior which she was now sure was only a front to hide his real feelings.
The young boy's feet came to a halt when he saw something strange in the fields.
His eyes alternated from one side to the other and found that there was a new addition to their estate.
'Thing seemed to have changed in my absence.' He surmised and turned towards his father.
"Why are there two stables?" He inquired as his finger pointed towards the bigger stable at the far end of the field which had not been there when he had left for the Academy a month ago.
Yvonne concealed her mischievous smile and looked at her brother.
"That stable belongs to my horse, Big Brother." She truthfully answered him.
With this reply, Howard was made aware of the fact that his little sister had a horse which he had been his earlier question.
Not only did she have a horse of her own, but her horse was also being pampered just like her.
'A new stable made for her horse?' He shook his head in disappointment that she was the same stubborn girl he knew.
It was now confirmed in Howard's mind that his little sister must have demanded a new stable for her horse.
Which resulted in their father who could not reject her demands, complying with her every wish as always.
"Does a tiny pony need such a big stable?" He sneered and turned his scornful eyes back at the stable.
Hearing his words, every single one of them paused as they looked at the young boy with disbelief evident in their eyes.
The first one to whiplash in the boy's direction was the Marquess who had faced the 'tiny pony' a few weeks ago.
'That thing was neither tiny nor a pony!' He scowled and shuddered as memories of their first meeting flashed across his eyes.
Raylene had a similar reaction but it wasn't as strong as her personal maid's who was cowering at the very thought of the beast.
Paula had to clean Demon's stable every day but the fear of the etcher had fixated in her heart without any chances of ever being free from it.
Everyone else present was used to seeing the big horse roaming the grounds of the estate in leisure so they did not have to bother about it.
When the father realized that his son had misunderstood something here, he was more than willing to help the young boy out.
However, before Rutherford could correct his son's innocent misunderstanding, he noticed his lovely daughter shaking her head.
'Don't!' Her simple gesture did not take long for him to understand.
The impish smile on her face made it clear that she was up to no good.
"Does Big Brother want to see my new pet?" She hurried to ask her brother before the Earl could intervene.
Howard neither gave her a positive nor a negative answer as he would have to see the horse soon anyway.
'It must be a cute little horse that suits her preferences.' He was sure that he was right about this speculation.
He shrugged as there was no surprise that a little girl like her would enjoy the company of a cute little animal like a pony.
'That is a big misunderstanding you have there, big brother.' Yvonne smirked as she saw the look of understanding flash through his eyes as though he had figured everything out about her and her horse.
"What have you named your pet? Was it something like Peaches or Precious?" He sneered with ridicule evident in his voice.
"Something childish and stupid, I am sure." He added to mock her further.
Looking at her widened eyes, he guessed that he had gotten the right answer and the horse was either named Peaches or Precious.
What Howard did not know was that Yvonne had not been surprised that he had guessed the right name but was shocked that he had called the Captain's etcher childish and stupid.
She could feel her trainer's eyes darken after hearing the boy's words.
'He just called Precious stupid!' She felt the need to laugh but decided that it would be better for her and everyone present that they moved to the next topic.
"Those are very pretty names but no, Big Brother. That is not the name of my new pet." She rejected his answers while keeping an eye on her trainer's reactions.
The little girl sighed when she saw that the Captain of the Red Scorpion Knights no longer had a frown on his face but was nodding in approval of her answer.
Having placated his anger, she decided that it was time for some introductions.
"Demon!" She called out to her obedient pet who had remained inside his stable, following her previous orders.
Howard was waiting for her to call out a cute and adorable name but instead, he heard such a sinister-sounding name.
'What is she thinking? Naming a small pony as Demon.' He clicked his tongue while chastising her in his heart.
Every taunt in his mind faded when his eyes caught sight of a figure which emerged from the stable which he had pointed at earlier.
"Th-that is your horse?" He stammered his question as his eyes remained glued to the shadow which became a huge figure that was moving in their direction.
Not only was it moving in their direction, but it was also moving at a high speed which made his eyes open wide in surprise.