Outside the palace, Ace's butler, Marshell, had prepared two horses for them. One was black, and the other was white. "You're going to participate in horse riding, right?" Ace asked Marianne. She nodded in response. "Then ride that horse," Ace said, pointing to the white one. "We'll see what you've got." Marianne eagerly approached the white horse, ready to showcase her skills. As Marianne mounted the horse, it suddenly took off without any warning. The horse ran wildly, causing Marianne to shout in fear and struggle to maintain control. Ace watched her with a gentle shake of his head. "Go get her," Ace instructed Marshell, recognizing that Marianne needed assistance. Marshell swiftly moved to chase after Marianne and bring her back to safety. Marshell successfully reached Marianne and used his power to manipulate the wind, lifting the horse and bringing it to a halt. With a gentle release, Marshell let go of the horse, allowing it to continue running. He knew that the horse would eventually tire out, especially since the castle was surrounded by walls, preventing it from escaping easily. Marianne, now safe, took a moment to catch her breath and thank Marshell for his quick actions. Marshell brought Marianne back to Ace, who wasted no time in sharing his assessment. "From what I've seen, you need a lot of improvement," Ace commented, his tone straightforward. Marshell gently placed Marianne on the ground, and she responded by crossing her arms and rolling her eyes in a dismissive manner. "Whatever," she retorted, clearly unimpressed by Ace's comment. "Watch this," Ace confidently declared as he approached the black horse. He mounted the horse and to Marianne's surprise, it remained still until Ace commanded it to move. The horse responded to Ace's every cue, running smoothly when he wanted it to and slowing down when he desired. It was as if Ace had complete control over the horse, showcasing his exceptional horsemanship skills. Marianne watched in awe as Ace effortlessly guided the horse with finesse and precision.
Ace, still mounted on the horse, approached Marianne with a cold expression. "Whatever, hmm?" he said, his tone laced with teasing. Though his intentions were not immediately obvious due to his cold demeanor. Marianne, unimpressed by his attempt to provoke her, rolled her eyes in response. "I don't care!" she shouted, determined not to let Ace's teasing affect her. Ace responded coldly, not backing down. "Well, you cared enough to respond," he retorted, his tone unchanged as he turned the horse to face the other direction. "Go, get your horse," he commanded, pointing towards the white horse that was lying on the ground. Marianne looked at Ace with an annoyed expression but complied, walking towards the white horse. Despite her annoyance, she remained determined to prove herself. With Marshell's assistance, Marianne managed to stand the white horse back up, and she climbed onto its back once again. However, the horse continued to run uncontrollably, causing Marianne to struggle in her attempts to regain control. Witnessing this, Ace let out a gentle sigh and decided to intervene. Utilizing his power, Ace halted the horse, ensuring Marianne's safety. It was clear that Marianne still had much to learn when it came to riding, and Ace's intervention served as a reminder of the importance of experience and skill. "Come here," Ace beckoned, and Marshell lifted Marianne, placing her in front of Ace on the saddle. Together, they both mounted the black horse. Ace extended a handhold to Marianne, allowing her to have control over the horse. However, Ace also held her hands to guide and support her as they rode. This gesture demonstrated Ace's willingness to help Marianne improve her riding skills while ensuring her safety. With Ace's guidance, Marianne felt a newfound sense of confidence as they embarked on their ride together.
As they rode along at a leisurely pace, Ace took the opportunity to share his wealth of advice and teachings with Marianne. He imparted his knowledge on various aspects of riding and mounting a horse, offering tips and guidance to help her improve her skills. Marianne listened attentively, soaking in every word as she relished the experience of riding alongside Ace. Without warning, Ace commanded the horse to pick up speed, causing Marianne to be taken aback and feel a sense of panic. Sensing her unease, Ace leaned in closer and whispered reassuringly, "Just relax and feel the air." Marianne took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and chose to trust Ace's guidance. As the horse galloped swiftly, Marianne gradually let go of her fear, allowing herself to embrace the exhilaration of the wind rushing past her. With Ace by her side, Marianne found the courage to surrender to the moment and enjoy the thrilling ride. As Marianne continued to enjoy the ride, Ace recognized her growing confidence and decided to test her abilities further. He released his hold on her hand, allowing her full control of the running horse. Initially startled by the sudden change, Marianne felt a surge of panic course through her when she noticed a large tree directly ahead. Sensing her distress, Ace calmly whispered, "Relax." In a split-second decision, Marianne mustered her courage and swiftly turned the horse to the opposite side, skillfully avoiding the looming tree. The successful maneuver not only showcased Marianne's quick thinking but also reinforced the trust she had placed in Ace's guidance. As Marianne realized her accomplishment in successfully controlling the horse, a wide smile spread across her face, accompanied by a gentle laughter of joy. "I made it!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride as she turned to look at Ace. In response, Ace nodded calmly, acknowledging her achievement. He then grasped the handhold, signaling the horse to come to a halt. "Go to your horse," Ace said in a cold tone. Marianne nodded, sensing the shift in Ace's demeanor, and obediently jumped off the horse she had been riding.