BVDL 08

Chapter 08

“I don’t really have much to do these days either.”
“Huh?”
“I’m actually pretty good at evaluating horses.”

Evan felt a surge of self-disgust. He had no idea why he had told that lie back then.
The truth was, he wasn’t actually good at assessing horses. Sure, he knew how to ride, but the subordinates always brought him the best horse without his input.
He had a rough idea of which horses suited him, but that was very different from judging racehorses.
Besides, horse racing was a field he had never paid attention to.

“I just can’t stand lies.”

And yet, he had said something like that the very first time he met her. If they went to a horse racing event and Laria started asking him questions about horses…
He would likely end up in one of two situations: a hypocrite who cannot stand other people’s lies yet lies all the time himself, or a braggart showing off without knowing a thing.
Even though he was the academy’s top graduate, no one had apparently informed Laria of that fact.
He couldn’t understand why such an important detail had not been told to her.
Ultimately, the solution was simple: if he had told a lie that couldn’t be corrected, he would just make it true within two days.

So he spent his time at the library studying. Basics of horse racing, history of racing, horse breeds, understanding horses, introduction to racehorses…
Even if he wasn’t particularly skilled in practice, he felt that at least pretending to know something would prevent his lie from being exposed.
While barely eating and holed up in the library, he found himself sighing from time to time, wondering why he was putting himself through such trouble.
Why go to such lengths…

In truth, the moment he saw the girl standing with her father in front of the academy after so long, he thought she was quite pretty.
Her fluffy pink hair, round purple eyes, rosy cheeks, and charming expression. Her small frame and gentle demeanor reminded him of a puppy.
Of course, there were many cute girls at the academy. But most of them treated him with half curiosity—“Why is Duke Icard here?”—and half prejudice—“So eerie and gloomy.”
Yet this girl, who would be his wife, greeted him kindly with “Congratulations on graduating.”
At that moment, he realized he had been quietly waiting to hear those words. The words everyone else heard but he had not.
“Usually girls who look so delicate would just shy away from me based on appearance.”
And when she even mentioned something about “a sweet, happy couple,” he felt a little flutter in his chest. “Sweet and happy” was a word he had never imagined before.
“Maybe with her around, that gloomy duke’s mansion will look a little different.”
Her hand brushing his hair was soft and pleasant. He just didn’t want to appear unpleasant to her.

So he spent two full days studying everything about horses. By the time they headed to the carriage, he had already analyzed which horse to recommend.
But on the way there, he dozed off. By the time he opened his eyes, they had already arrived at the horse racing venue.

“Evan, Evan! Wake up, we’re here.”
Laria gently grabbed his hand to wake him, then suddenly remembered something.
“Since we didn’t sleep together last night, holding my hand won’t make a baby. Don’t worry.”
Her purple eyes, soft and dog-like, smiled.
“I know.”
He replied curtly, taking her hand and stepping out of the carriage.

The atmosphere at the horse racing event was lively, like a festival.
I was too busy looking around to focus on anything else. The sky was blue, the weather was nice, and there was so much to see.
“There, the horse called ‘Arobos’ is pretty good.”
Every time horses appeared, Evan commented on them.
Which horses were good, which were famous, the odds for each horse, how the jockey and horse paired up… It seemed he really could judge horses, as he had claimed before.
Even Duke Icard commented.
“Did you only study horses at the academy?”
That Evan liked horses was something I didn’t even know from the original story.
‘No wonder he’d be eager to come to a horse racing event.’

As we walked through the event, many people greeted us.
It was a reminder of the Icard family’s prestige. People complimented me on being pretty and cute, saying I matched Evan perfectly.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen the little couple. You two really suit each other.”
Of course, it was likely flattery, but it didn’t sound bad.
“Are you here with your family? What a lovely sight.”
Hearing so many compliments, I reinforced my belief that flattery would be essential to survive. Being praised inevitably makes one more generous toward others.

Looking around, I noticed there were no children coming alone. Even if it was a noble pastime, gambling was involved, so everyone seemed to be accompanied by guardians.
‘Somehow… it feels nice to all be here together.’
I realized this was my first “family outing.” Even if my reasons were not entirely pure, it really felt like a harmonious family picnic, and I felt a little excited.
Although our relationship was still distant, it was nice to appear happy together in public.

“Duke Icard!”
Meanwhile, another person approached, acknowledging us.
“I heard you were coming with your family. As informed, I’ll show you to specially reserved seats.”
It was a middle-aged man with a stylish mustache.
He smiled brightly as he greeted us.
“Greetings. I heard the news of your marriage. I’m Ordi Sadabar, the representative of this event.”

Wow, the class of Duke Icard… Even if he wasn’t at the very center of power yet, a high-ranking noble was still a high-ranking noble.
‘So influential that the event representative personally greets you.’
Money and power were impressive. No wonder they married his son to a limited-time daughter-in-law to pursue even more power.

“Thank you for your consideration. I am Evan Linear Icard, and this is…”
Evan shook Ordi’s hand, cleared his throat once, and introduced me.
“My wife, Laria Rose Icard.”

I greeted him properly, and Ordi clasped my hands with a warm smile.
“I heard you married early due to the passing of the Lostri Count couple. I also married at fourteen…”
He adjusted his mustache and chuckled.
“Anyway, are you two familiar with horse racing? Even if you just came to watch, betting makes it more fun.”

“Well…”
Duke Icard said casually,
“I’m not interested in horse racing.”

My goodness, saying that so bluntly in front of the event representative… how ruthless.

“This time, my new daughter-in-law insisted so much that I was forced to follow along.”

Ah, so that’s why he had instructed the representative to reserve us good seats… It was a reply full of justification, dignity, and pretension, though clearly lacking in truth or conscience.

“Then, Lord Evan, are you also not interested in horse racing?”

“It’s probably better to bet on Bertor, Arobos, and Khalid individually. Using the ‘3-number format.’”

“Goodness, the 3-number format?”
Ordi looked at Evan in admiration.
“You really know your stuff. Only someone who analyzes well would bet in the 3-number format.”

The two of them began discussing horses and betting methods in detail.
It was then I realized there were many ways to bet: picking the first-place horse, choosing three horses to place in the top ten, predicting combinations for the top five… Evan seemed completely proficient, but I knew nothing.

“Does our little lady also know a lot about horse racing?”
Ordi asked me with a gentle smile, and I shook my head.
“No, not really…”

But one thing was certain:
“I’m just going to bet on the first-place horse. The one with the highest odds and the simplest format.”

I would definitely earn more than Evan.