Mystic - EN version

Chapter 34 : Horse ride

– Cath, I've got good news for you.

The red-haired assistant turned to Griselda, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She approached her host without saying anything, waiting for her announcement. The young woman with the red eyes smiled gently. She really did think the former maid was cute.

– Thomas is safe!

Catherine sighed deeply, relieved. Her little brother was out of danger!

– Thanks to the help of the Blueraven, we were able to hide your family from Arthur. He'll never find them. Which means he no longer has any pressure on you, continued the ambassador.

The ginger's shoulders relaxed a little more with each word from Griselda.

– You'll be able to join them, concluded the young woman.

– What...? murmured Catherine, speechless.

She began to fidget with her pine-green tunic.

– Can't I stay with you a little longer? she whispered, almost pleadingly.

Suddenly, Griselda seemed to hesitate.

– Oh, I... In fact, I was going to join the others in the capital. I sent them a carrier pigeon as soon as I knew everything was settled here.

– Can't I come with you?

The ambassador began to think. On the one hand, Catherine would be safer with her family than with her, but on the other - and she knew this was a selfish thought - she didn't want to let her go. They had become close quickly enough, and the mistress of the mansion could sense something special between them.

– I just don't want to put you in danger, Cath, Griselda justified herself. But the choice is yours.

Deep down, the silver-haired young woman hoped they could spend more time together. Since they had become closer, Arthur's sister had been thinking a lot less about Noah's mother than she used to. When she thought about it, Griselda saw Catherine as a new Cerise, both the same and different. Did she feel the same way about the ginger as she had once felt about her best friend?

– I'll come, replied the assistant. If you don't mind, of course...

Catherine glanced at her host's desk, which was a mess of papers.

– And then, she added, I think you might still need my help with all that.

The smile that appeared on Griselda's crimson lips echoed that of the former maid.

– Do you have everything you need? asked Griselda one last time.

Catherine nodded.

– Tell me... The other maids won't be in any danger if we leave, will they?

– Are you worried about them? That's lovely, smiled the ambassador.

The ginger blushed and, embarrassed, began to dance from one foot to the other.

– I made them take their leave. They must be on their way home to their families by now.

Catherine said nothing, but she felt relieved.

– Have you ever been on horseback? she asked her assistant.

– I think so, once, but it was a long time ago, with my mother-in-law. I must have been four or five, I don't remember very well.

– This time will be your second, then.

The young girl fell silent, then gave an exclamation of joy and excitement.

– Are we going to join the others on horseback?

Her host confirmed. The ginger girl's eyes began to sparkle. Griselda caught herself admiring them with a small, tender smile.

– It's time to go. Follow me.

Catherine followed in the ambassador's footsteps. They walked to a small building attached to the mansion that the assistant had never entered. It was a stable containing two stalls, and therefore two horses: one as grey as the moon, the other as cream.

– Meet Vif-argent and Achille, said Griselda, stroking their backs.

– They're magnificent, breathed Catherine, impressed.

– They're ready now, so all we have to do is get in the saddle. Do you want me to help you get on?

The pink-cheeked ginger nodded. Griselda held out her hand and helped her onto Achilles' back. Then Arthur's sister, after leading the horse out of its stall and stable, climbed on with disconcerting agility.

– Let's go, said the young woman.

She grabbed the reins and launched her mount into a trot. They set off down the lane leading away from the mansion.

– You'd better hang on, Cath.

Catherine slung her large leather bag over her back and shyly slipped her arms around Griselda's waist, then snuggled up against her back. She couldn't wait to get back to Clave to apologise for what she'd done, but above all, she was happy to stay with Griselda a little longer.