┆ equestrian arena

@✾ ryu jaewon ᵈᵘᵏᵉ Nabi couldn’t help but be quietly amused by it all—the calculated kindness in his posture, as though he were hiding the fact that he could truly be kind. It was as if she were catching a glimpse of the care he might show to his sister, and the thought both amused and unsettled her. A pang of longing surfaced, wishing she could have experienced such care from a brother. Shaking her head to dispel the notion, she studied him again, curiosity dancing in her gaze.

She wondered how high his walls must be, how much he had to guard himself to become so deliberate in his every move. It felt like every part of him—the carefully measured words, the poised demeanor—was a shield, a version of himself crafted to show the world what he wanted it to see. Yet, she knew it was only a hunch. She didn’t know him, not really. Still, the mystery intrigued her.

A smile crept across her lips, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked at him. "I’m Ahn Nabi, daughter of Viscount Ahn," she introduced herself with a polite nod, the flush of amusement still lingering in her expression. "I’ll keep that in mind, Your Grace."

Her gaze drifted skyward, and she sighed softly, as though reluctant to break the moment. "I suppose I should get going, unless I want my maid to wait any longer than necessary," she said, her tone light but genuine. "Thank you for your time, Duke Ryu"

With a graceful bow, she turned and hurried off, though not without a stumble that sent her giggling. She broke into a run, as she raced to find her waiting maid, the thrill of the encounter still warming her cheeks.

@ꕥ ahn nabi ˡᵃᵈʸ "it will be difficult and you'll get caught on, that's for sure, but if you dare to face the consequences later on, perhaps you can give it a try." there's a hint of sarcastic in his tone — more likely to warn her about what's going to happen if she really do what she feels like to do. jaewon furrowed his eyebrows at her remarks. ah did he just loosened his cold barriers when he speaks earlier? it wasn't his intention anyway.

"perhaps, it's more to authenticity. the society may deem it improper, but those who truly matter — the one who understands the weight of a woman's thoughts— wouldn't dare to dismiss them simply bc they don't fit a mold, you know. i have a younger sister, so i know. i do understand her views on such lessons, and she always wants to do anything that she loves. so i can totally empathize with you, my lady."

jaewon chuckled at her words. "what i consider as graceful is you speaking your mind with conviction, regardless of how others may judge it. though i admit, i finds it's amusing bc it's not everyday i meet a lady who dare to disguise themselves in men's clothing. i am — of course not an usual man. i always view things differently from other, so you might not compare me with others. by the way, what's your name and who's your father?"

@✾ ryu jaewon ᵈᵘᵏᵉ Her cheeks flushed deeper under his gaze, her thoughts momentarily scattering under the weight of his words. She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she spoke, voice tinged with a mix of defiance and bewilderment.

"I suppose the most logical step would be finding a tailor willing to swear to absolute confidentiality," she said slowly, as if testing the idea aloud. Her frown deepened, her brows knitting together. "Though… finding someone trustworthy enough for such a task might prove difficult." She trailed off, chewing on the thought, her mind racing ahead to the challenges such an arrangement would bring.

Her gaze flickered back to the duke, studying him cautiously. "But I have to say, Your Grace," she began, her tone shifting into something wry, "it’s odd that you’d find my… outburst anything resembling grace. Society would never call a woman speaking her mind graceful. Most would call it improper—or worse." Her voice carried a bitter edge, as though the reality of such expectations gnawed at her more than she’d admit.

She tilted her head, eyeing him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "And yet, you, of all people, see it differently. You think my rebellion has some kind of charm to it. That’s… unexpected." Her lips quirked slightly, unsure whether she was amused by his perspective or wary of what it might mean. "You must be an unusual man to think that, Your Grace. Most wouldn’t even listen, let alone call it graceful."

@ꕥ ahn nabi ˡᵃᵈʸ the duke furrowed his eyebrows at her antics. his lips quirked into a faint smile, though his posture remained composed. he studied her — mostly because it's like his habits each time he met someone's new, to study their face expressions and body language for his own advantage later on — her flushed cheeks and the oversize garments that cover her body, a woman wearing her father's clothes rambling about the injustice of the side-saddle riding, it's pretty amusing.

"my lady, if you believe i would tarnish your name by exposing this, unconventional rebellion, then you must think very poorly of me, i am genuinely not interested in another family's matters." he took a measured step closer, "plain? though you may wish to believe otherwise, i doubt anyone who looks at you would find you plain. it isn't confined to gowns and courtly manners you know. even now, your speak of freedom — a kind grace few dare to do."

he tilted his head with a small rare chuckle escape his lips. "as for that, i imagine the person who came up with that rule was not someone who'd ever mounted a horse themselves. you're right. it's pretty absurd." jaewon purposely agreed with her remarks for his own amusement.

his gaze locked with hers. "you have my words, my lady. your secret is safe with me. but i was curious, what will you do if you crave more days like this? are you going to keep using your father's clothes on this freedom occasions?"

@✾ ryu jaewon ᵈᵘᵏᵉ Nabi stared at him, her cheeks flushed a deep red. He had called her movements "with grace." For the first time, someone had used that word to describe her, and it hit her like a bolt from the sky. fell open, words failing her as she stood there, frozen, like a fish pulled from the ocean and left gasping for air.

Her eyes dropped to her outfit—her father’s stolen clothes, baggy and awkward on her smaller frame. She’d thought this would be a one-time escapade, an impulsive rebellion, but the freedom these ill-fitting garments offered her was intoxicating. It stirred something new, something she wasn’t ready to confront, but the thought lingered at the back of her mind, a quiet wish for more days like this.

Before she could think better of it, the words tumbled out. "Your Grace!" she called, her voice cracking slightly. "Please—I beg you," she said, desperation creeping into her tone. "Don’t tell anyone, please."

She hardly registered her own frantic gestures as her thoughts spilled out in an unfiltered rush. "I don’t think you’re blind or easily deceived, but surely I’m plain enough that no one would care." Her words tumbled over each other, her nerves driving her into a rambling monologue. "You see, this… this is a bit of both. It’s more freeing to be a man, don’t you think?" She barely paused for breath, her voice rising with misplaced confidence. "And horse riding—oh, it’s fun! Except for the ridiculous rule that ladies are supposed to ride sideways. Sideways!" She threw up her hands. "How is anyone supposed to enjoy that?" She didn’t even process his warning.

@ꕥ ahn nabi ˡᵃᵈʸ jaewon tilted his head, the faintest trace of a knowing smile playing on his lips as his piercing gaze lingered on the supposed 'young man' before him. "you must think me blind or easily deceived, my lady. but i assure you, neither is the case." he took a measured step closer.

"its rather unusual, is it not, for a young 'gentleman' to wear his breeches quite so ill-fitted? or to carry himself with such ... grace?" he gestured lightly with a gloved hand. "is your disguise born of rebellion or desperation towards your family? i admit myself, that i am curious as to what kind of thing happened that driven you to such measures."

his sharp eyes caught the slight tremor in her hands as she nervously patted her horse. "you've risked yourself so much by donning those clothes, my lady, but if you're determined to carry on, might i suggest better tailoring next time?" straightening, he gave a slight nod. "be careful, people are not much around this time, but later they'll be here, perhaps you should get back before they come, unless you want to get caught."

@✾ ryu jaewon ᵈᵘᵏᵉ Nabi’s hands gripped Ares’s reins tightly, her palms slick with sweat as her mother’s cruel words echoed in her mind. The sting of humiliation from falling off the horse, followed by her mother’s harsh scolding, still burned in her chest. She couldn’t bear it any longer. In a burst of defiance, she’d stolen her father’s breeches and coat, slipping away to prove that she wasn’t as incapable as her mother thought.

But then, the duke’s voice shattered her momentary confidence, slicing through the air like a cold breeze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt the sweat bead on the back of her neck as he spoke. Slowly, she turned to face him, keeping her composure, but her stomach churned as his gaze swept over her. It felt as if he could see right through the borrowed disguise, exposing her.

"What—" Her voice came out higher than she intended, startled, and she quickly coughed, attempting to deepen it. "Your Grace," she said, forcing a grin that felt tight and unnatural. "Whatever do you mean?"

Her attempt at a man’s voice faltered, but she straightened her posture, fighting to maintain a semblance of control. She fears her secret might be revealed. She wiped her damp palms against the coat, hoping he hadn’t noticed the beads of sweat forming along her brow.

"I’m simply here to practice my riding," she added quickly, gesturing toward Ares with exaggerated ease, though the motion was stiff. Her voice wavered only slightly, but she could feel the warmth creeping into her skin, the nervous heat that was beginning to betray her calm exterior.

@ꕥ ahn nabi ˡᵃᵈʸ the chill of the morning air brushed against the duke's face as he guided his own horse, leo through the equestrian arena. he do preferred this moment, away from the endless parade of courtiers and obligations. his gaze swept the area, drawn instinctly to it's far side. a figure stood there is fumbling with their horse. at first glance, jaewon took the figure for a slim young man — yet something doesn't sit right with him, a detail his sharp eyes couldn't ignore.

he slowed Leo to a halt, tilting his head slightly as he observed. the way the figure moved was all wrong, and hesitant. too careful makes his brow furrowed. the coat was oversized, the breeches ill-fitted, and then it's struck him — the posture, the delicacy of the hands gripping the reins and the unnatural ways the figure held themselves.

definitely not a man.

the realisation was immediate, though he made no outward display of it. his expression remained composed as he nudge leo forward. dismounting with practiced ease, he landed softly. he stopped a few paces away, as his eyes narrowing as he took in the figure's posture. he spoke quietly with his steady and low tone.

"what is a young lady like you doing here in men's attire?"