Can I Really Trust You?

Six

Kai had gone off to live in the capital under the care of Duke Rasten’s so he could one day command his own army. It was a right of passage for the males in the Rittenbaum family and since Kai is the only male out of four children, it was his duty to take his father’s place after he steps down.  

“You never know”, she sighed as she gave me a tight-lipped smile.  

We finally approached the stables and I shivered at the thought of walking out of there with no shoes on. “Hey, do you think it’s okay if we let one of the stable boys pick the horses up from the front? I don’t have my shoes on”, I begged her with a smile.  

“Oh my Tasnia, Rizpah! Don’t tell me you just rode out there barefooted?!”  

“Who rode barefooted?” A familiar voice came through. I turned and Kai’s red hair blended in with the sunset.  

“Rizpah”, Ingela sold me out. I rolled my eyes at her and steered Harvi towards the front of the house.  

It was weird to see Kai again after all these years. We were so close and now we weren’t. After he was announced the heir to the Rittenbaum family, Ingela and I barely saw him. Every day turned into once a week. Once a week turned to once a month and then it became once a year after that. And all of this started five years ago.  

Kai pulled up my skirt and laughed upon seeing my bare feet. “You really did ride with no shoes on”. I smacked his hand and he immediately let go of my skirt. “And I thought Ingela was the crazy one when it comes to horseback”.  

“Apparently she’s feeling inspired”, Ingela teased me.  

“Is it a boy?” Kai added and I groaned. 

“Ha. Ha. Cut it out, you two”. I trotted Harvi over towards the front steps and carefully mount off him. Firm hands gripped my waist, pulling me back against his chest. “Thanks”, I thanked, knowing who had helped me down.  

Kai had always given me so many mixed signals. One day he’ll be nice and the next day he’ll act cold and caring all in the same day. There was no in-between in his mood when it came to me but his behavior around Ingela was always very obedient. 

“No problem”, his voice cracks. His nose skimmed the back of my neck as he gently placed me down before letting go of my waist. I smoothed out my skirt before handing the reigns over to Scott, one of the boys that worked at the stables. Kai followed closely behind me, as if afraid I was going to trip and fall over my own feet. 

“What are you doing here?” Ingela asked as she approached us from behind. I stepped to the side, respecting the fact that they would soon be engaged to one another.  

“My parents had something they wanted to discuss with your parents, so I decided to tag along”, he smiled at her, and another dart had been thrown at my chest. I had a thing for Kai when I read the Manhwa too, but now I had lost my chance at letting him fall for me, because he’s going to marry my best friend. 

“Will the two of you be staying for dinner?” Irene asked from the door. Irene was sneaky, she was so quiet that you would never hear her coming. Like how does she even do it in heels?  

“Oh no”, I politely declined. “I have class tomorrow. In fact, I should be heading back now”. 

“Are you sure? You only just arrived”, Ingela protested. 

“I just came by to say hi. If anything I’ll stop by tomorrow and we could take the horses out and ride elsewhere”.  

“Deal”. Ingela agreed with no hesitation. I chuckled and waved Brand over to help me walk over towards the carriage.  

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked Ingela and she nodded.  

I grabbed Brand’s arm ready to leave when someone placed a hand onto my shoulder, stopping me. “It was ni-nice seeing you, Rizpah”, Kai stuttered.  

I smiled and nodded, not wanting to look back at him and feel as if I’ve lost again. None of it should matter because I’m no longer Rika, I’m Rizpah, daughter of a Count who’s trying to survive being killed by the duke! I leaned my weight onto Brand's arm as he helped me hobble all the way to the carriage.  

When I got home, I stayed seated inside the carriage, not wanting to leave it after the day I had. I was tired but I wanted to be able to process all the information I have received. Ingela had told me that her parents would be hosting a Christmas party this year and Rizpah had died during  one in the Manhwa. Christmas is only three months away which means I only have three months to gain my strength and train to survive an assassination attempt.  

I know I could just not show up at her engagement s***h Christmas Party but what friend would I be if I didn’t show her my support. No, I need to be there. I cannot be giving her and Kai the wrong idea about their engagement.   

I sat there as I thought about what Arsene looked like in the Manhwa but, for the life of me, I just can’t remember! Bits and pieces of the story were starting to wash away with each passing day, and I was starting to get worried. My life as Rika was starting to fade as well and that scared me. What if I had completely forgotten who I was and ended up dying because of Rizpah’s kind heart?  

Knocks sounded from the door, and I jumped up in my seat. I wasn’t expecting company and I remembered telling Brand that I could manage to get inside on my own. I scooted towards the door and pushed down onto the silver handle, opening it. “Eren?” I said surprised. “What are you doing here?” 

“I had to check up on you. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to sleep knowing that you were in pain and were not seen by a doctor”, he said as he reached his hand out for me to grab. His hair blew in the wind as his amethyst eyes waited for me to accept his help. I gave him a reluctant smile as I placed my hand into his. Rough and calloused fingers wrapped around my delicate ones as I got ready to take a step down from the carriage. But before I could even do that, Eren had lifted me, scooping me up into his arms.  

A small scream of surprise escaped me, and I went to cover my mouth. My eyes met his as they glimmered at me before looking away. “I can walk perfectly on my own, so please, put me down”.  

“No”, he replied as he walked up the front steps of my house.  

“My parents will start questioning me if they see a man, they don’t know, carrying me inside the house!” I argued as I furrowed my brows at him. “Also, a sprained ankle is not so serious. Even someone without medical knowledge can tell you that”, I scoffed at him.  

He placed a finger in between my brows and pressed down on it, rubbing it so that I’d release my frown. “I’ve already talked and explained to your mother why I’m here. Again, I’m doing this for myself. What can I say? I’m selfish”, he grinned as his shoulders moved up and down in a shrug.  

I grabbed his finger and pulled it off my face, holding it against my chest as my heart beats wildly against it. I was terrified of my mother’s reaction and her scoldings. I have caused her so much trouble over the years that when there was news about me, she had expected it to be bad. My father on the other hand is very lenient towards me but very strict with my brother. He sees me as his little girl that he needs to protect and that no man can have me unless it’s someone he had personally picked. Which is never going to happen because he'd rather have me at home until I’m an old croon.