The competition had already ended. Only a black horse was left running on the field.On the horse's back was a woman in white.The woman had a pair of bright eyes and some light makeup. She was beautiful.She rode on the horse's back. Her slender body was surprisingly strong.Victoria held onto Onyx's reins. Her body leaned forward as the horse jumped past hurdle after hurdle.The wind ruffled her hair. Her dress was also raised slightly. She raised one hand to feel the wind.She looked wild and free.Just like that black horse, she did not have a care in the world. She was beautiful and strong, demanding people's respect.Victoria sat on Onyx's back. She felt like she was flying.She had nearly died. She managed to survive and came to the Hughes clan. She found Benjamin and won the competition.All of these things made Victoria feel lucky and happy.Although it had been a harsh ride, she had managed to overcome it.It had been a long time since Victoria felt so happy. It w
Rebecca looked up and saw Sebastian. Her eyes lit up.She lowered her head unnaturally and bowed in Sebastian and Asher's direction.Everyone except Roxy also bowed down.Roxy had grouped Asher and Sebastian as part of Victoria's entourage.She had taken a long time to force a smile on her face. However, her smile immediately dropped when she saw them.Asher looked at Roxy's dark expression. He intentionally asked, "Ms. Bennett, what's wrong with your face? Why do you look like you've just been poisoned?"Roxy glared at Asher.Asher's gleeful smile made Roxy want to rip his face to shreds."Mr. Chadler is lucky today. Not only did you gain twin horses, you've managed to win all our gold."With the gold from all the different families here, the gold you've earned today must be larger than your family vault!"Asher had a poisonous smile. Roxy did not see the need to play nice.She twisted her words to make the situation seem like a ploy Asher had carried out. It would direct e
Roxy looked toward where Asher was pointing. The moment she laid eyes on Victoria, she jolted.That extraordinary horse belonged to Victoria?Roxy stood rooted to the spot as her hopes to regain her dignity with that black horse fell through. Her expression was taut, and she went blue in the face.It wasn't until several moments later that she slowly recovered from the shock. She had to use all her strength and willpower to maintain her composure.Victoria turned and saw them. Giving Benjamin a warning stare, she tried to wrestle her hand free.However, Benjamin's attention was all on Sebastian, standing behind Roxy. His already cold expression became colder. Still, he released Victoria's hand.Victoria noticed Asher's finger pointing at her and shifted her gaze to Roxy. She quickly caught the drift.Roxy wanted Onyx, too, huh? How interesting!Victoria wiped off the blood on her palm and hid her hand in her sleeve. She approached Roxy, and a tight smile appeared on Roxy's tens
Murmurs erupted among the onlookers. Feeling crossed about her suggestion, someone shouted, "500 thousand gold coins? That's daylight robbery!""The horse belongs to Mr. Chadler, and you paid nothing for it. You've won hundreds of times more than your initial wager—around 200 thousand gold coins, and still you aren't satisfied."Now you're blatantly asking for 500 thousand? You should just call yourself a robber!""Yeah! That's too greedy of you!""The horse is worth that price, though. I'd be willing to spend a million gold coins on it if I could afford it. But I can't. Asher must be an idiot for giving away a horse like this!"Victoria ignored them and looked at Roxy, whose pupils constricted. She was glowering as her face twisted.She could still explain to her family if she spent 500 thousand silver coins on a whim without informing them.But 500 thousand gold coins? The Bennett family might not even own that huge a sum. Even if they did, her parents would never agree for he
Roxy fell facing upward. As she landed heavily on her bottom, she was dumbfounded. The searing pain quickly spread throughout her entire body and brought tears to her eyes.However, she couldn't feel it under the intense humiliation and dismay that her expectations fell through.She was so embarrassed she hoped she could turn invisible and vanish from everyone else's sight.She wasn't the only one who was dumbstruck. The onlookers couldn't react in time, too.The horse was only eating out of her hands moments ago. It was still munching on the food she gave it, yet … it actually threw her off?That was … really ungrateful of it, huh? Nevertheless, it had quite the personality.Besides, it was amusing to see Roxy in that state. Someone from the crowd started laughing.When she heard the laughter, Roxy couldn't hold in her temper and keep her cool anymore. Her eyes blazed with fury while she glared viciously at the crowd.They were shocked to see her expression. Those who took p
"Were you trying to kill Onyx just now? Someone who intends to kill just because something trivial went wrong isn't befitting of the Holy Maiden. And I'm talking about you, Roxy Bennett!"Roxy trembled with anger and was even more terrified. She bit her lips.Then, she retorted, "You don't have a say in that. Are you challenging the decision the four elders and the three noble families made?"Victoria laughed, unfazed. "That makes me wonder how you were chosen in the first place.""It's because I've got what it takes, of course. Besides, it's not like I want to kill that horse."That brute held ill will toward me. It almost trampled me to death."I'm the Holy Maiden. Is its life more precious than mine?"She continued, "Did you command it to do that to me? After all, no one can stand in your way if I'm dead. Naturally, you'll have the highest authority in the Hughes clan then!"Victoria smiled with satisfaction as she looked at Roxy, who spoke without thinking. "You think too h
Once Roxy left, several women with ill intentions who criticized Victoria earlier became uneasy. They came up with excuses and left one after another.As the drama ended, everyone calmed down. Some were listless, while some were feeling down.There were also a few who approached Victoria, among whom were mainly men. They earnestly introduced themselves.Benjamin scanned the men who surrounded Victoria and somehow felt betrayed. Glowering, he seemed about to fly off the handle.His glare was too harsh, and many retreated after a short exchange with Victoria. She studied those who resolutely remained beside her.Compared to people from the outside world, the clan members had less desire for material possessions.Those who stood their ground didn't feel displeased at losing a hefty sum in the bet. They also withstood the pressure Benjamin's glare exuded.It was fair to say they were the best among the best.They were from decent families and had been receiving proper education sin
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. It was a teenager who was around 15 years old. Not bothering to keep up his image, he sat on the floor and clung to Sebastian's leg.Besides him, many others were standing around Sebastian. They all looked at Sebastian pitifully.Asher loudly asked the one kneeling, "Just look at you, Troy Lancaster! What happened to your enthusiasm?"It's only a meager sum. Do you really have to react this way?"Troy Lancaster? He was the Lancaster family's youngest son, Sebastian's younger maternal cousin.Victoria had a photographic memory. She saw his name when she skimmed through the log book earlier.He had bet 500 silver coins, which wasn't the least of all. It wasn't a hefty sum either, considering who he was.The Lancasters had very conflicting approaches in his upbringing. His mother pampered him, while his father was very strict toward him because he thought he was spoiled.Judging from his reaction, he must've been greedy and impulsivel