Chapter 175. Hunting Event Preparation
As the wheels of her noble carriage rattled along the dirt path, Rin leaned against the plush cushions, her violet hair glistening in the sunlight that streamed through the forest trees.
Five days had gone by since her acerbic argument with Erin Dranemount, but the silver-haired girl’s derisive chuckle was still echoing in Rin’s mind, causing her to frown inwardly as a mixture of irritation and concern.
"Dear, what’s bothering you?" Rin was drawn out of her reverie by her mother Johana’s soft voice. Elgar and Johana, her parents, who were sitting across from her in their elegant travel attire, looked up into her worried eyes.
Rin forced a smile, waving a hand to dismiss it. "Nothing, Mother. Just thinking about the hunt."
Her parents’ knowing looks showed they weren’t convinced, and her words sounded hollow. Elgar’s voice was cautious as his brow furrowed. "Rin, is everything at the Academy all right?"
As she nodded, a hint of genuine emotion crept into her smile. "Father, of course. I’ve become stronger than I ever imagined. Professor Isolde even praised my development. It’s all because Leo—" She paused, her gaze falling to her lap as a sour laugh escaped her lips.
"Obviously, Leonhardt is one who made it possible."
Johana and Elgar looked at one another, observing their daughter’s change in attitude.
Johana leaned forward and spoke in a low, concerned voice. "Dear, something happened with Leonhardt?"
Rin’s shoulders drooped and her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress as she nodded slowly.
Johana’s eyes narrowed a little because she had heard in a recent meeting from Elgar about Leonhardt’s silent worry for Rin, and she felt a maternal instinct.