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
Silas and Wendy immediately hurried over in excitement when they heard they were going to split the winnings.Wendy, who wasn't the best in maths, counted gleefully, "We bet one thousand gold coins. As the odds are at one to 246, we'll get … ten thousand, 200 thousand … 244600 gold coins. Am I right?"She surprised herself when she said that out loud. She and Silas exchanged glances and started hopping about in delight.That was a lot of gold coins! They were rich!"Ten percent of 244600 gold coins would amount to roughly 24 thousand gold coins, so 20 percent would make it about 50 thousand. Victoria—"Silas and Wendy were already dizzy. Turning to them, Victoria instructed, "Give us a moment, and take Onyx with you.""You …" Silas looked at her suspiciously. Was she planning to keep all the money to herself?She gave him a warning glare, and he and Wendy obediently led Onyx away.They shouldn't offend their moneybag right now.Victoria looked at Asher. "That's over 240 thousa
Asher felt his heart shatter. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've already gifted it to someone else!"The person in charge felt his heart ache, too. "I wanted to inform you when you arrived, but you told me to talk to you after the race."You've always said that horse has a character and that you like it, no? I never expected you to give it away."Who did you give it to? Could you, perhaps, buy it back from him?"Asher was dispirited. "I can't."He waved it off and continued, "Forget about it. It belongs to someone else now."I'd been obliging to its every wish for all the time it had been here. Still, it never obeyed me."It's intelligent and chooses its own master. I can't tame it. It's no better than an average horse to me."Tell those who witnessed that incident that they shouldn't talk about it to anyone. You may leave."The person in charge glanced at him. Bowing, he acknowledged the instruction he received and left.Asher looked toward Sebastian and sighed dejectedly
Yves looked up with teary eyes and could vaguely make out Benjamin's sour face.He rubbed his eyes with all his might. Benjamin's face slowly became clear to him as his vision cleared."It's really you, Ben! Oh, Ben!"He was pleasantly surprised, as though he finally had someone to rely on. He teared up in excitement.The next moment, he became aggrieved again. He was just like a three-year-old who was bullied by a stray cat.He cried, "You're here, Ben. Why didn't you ask someone to look for me? You've no idea what I've experienced."I've been locked away in that shabby cabin and almost lost it. I miss you so freaking much!"Benjamin looked less sour now. He took out his handkerchief that he brought along wherever he went.He passed it to Yves, who had tears and snot all over his face. "Clean up. You're a grownup man, you know. Look at you."With one hand taking the handkerchief, Yves clung onto Victoria with the other.Benjamin stared at his hand that was holding onto her.