Chapter 278

278/280: Taken By Surprise

Beatrice did her best to keep her calm and composed as she guided her horse along the road. The three of them rode at a slow pace, mostly because both men seemed determined to match her speed.

“You two can go ahead and ride faster,” she suggested with a polite smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve ridden a horse and been outside, so I’m enjoying the scenery.”

“It’s quite alright,” Lord Evan replied warmly, his smile wide and earnest. “I said I would accompany you, and I happen to have the entire day free.”

Uriel didn’t comment at all, making her raised her eyebrow. Quickly, she turned to Lord Evan and smiled back graciously. “That’s very sweet of you.”

She continued chatting politely with Lord Evan, responding to his questions and occasionally laughing softly at his comments.

But in truth, her attention was elsewhere.

Her senses were secretly focused on Uriel.

From the corner of her eyes, she kept observing him, waiting-hoping-for some kind of reaction. Yet every time she stole a glance, he looked exactly the same… Calm and detached.

As if he were simply riding alone without the slightest interest in what was happening around him. His expression remained completely unreadable. And that disappointed her.

Meanwhile, Uriel found himself in an extremely uncomfortable position.

The two beside him were clearly enjoying their conversation. Every time Beatrice laughed or smiled sweetly at Evan, something inside him twisted unpleasantly.

He kept his expression neutral, but inwardly he was simmering with irritation.

He wanted nothing more than to kick the man off his horse.

If only I still had my magic, he thought bitterly.

Because if he did, he would not hesitate to cast a small spell on Lord Evan-something harmless but effective enough to send the man running back to the palace with a terrible stomach ache.

Uriel felt like an unwanted third wheel between them.

Still, despite the irritation gnawing at him, he refused to ride ahead and leave them behind.

Instead, he kept his horse moving at the same slow pace, silently enduring every cheerful laugh Beatrice

shared with Evan.

The road was calm and quiet.

Then suddenly…

1/4

278/280. Taken By Surprise

+25 Bonus

Beatrice’s horse jerked violently.

The animal let out a sharp neigh before breaking into a panicked gallop. It tossed its head wildly, hooves striking the ground hard as it began to buck.

“Lady Beatrice!” Lord Evan shouted.

Everything happened in a split second. Beatrice nearly lost her balance as the horse reared and jolted, her body pitching forward dangerously as if she might be thrown off.

But before she could fall-

Uriel moved.

With swift precision, he spurred his horse forward and reached out. In one powerful motion, he grabbed Beatrice around the waist and pulled her off the saddle.

She barely had time to gasp before she was lifted cleanly from her horse and landed against him.

Uriel settled her securely in front of him on his own horse, his arm wrapped firmly around her to keep her steady.

Her frightened breath brushed against his chest as the horse beneath them slowed.

“You should hold on tighter,” Uriel said sternly, though his voice carried a hint of tension.

His grip around her waist remained firm, almost protective, as he made sure she was safely balanced in

front of him.

“Lady Beatrice, are you alright?” Lord Evan asked anxiously as he guided his horse closer to Uriel’s. ” Would you like to transfer to my horse instead?”

Beatrice gulped.

But before she could answer, Uriel suddenly tugged the reins and urged his horse forward.

The horse surged ahead at a fast pace, leaving Lord Evan behind, mouth agape.

A wide smile slowly spread across Beatrice’s lips. Just as she expected… She would end up in Uriel’s

arms.

She leaned comfortably back against Uriel’s chest, allowing herself to relax in his hold.

Although a small pang of guilt flickered inside her, after all, she had secretly given the horse a conflicting signal with her feet to make it act up. But everything had gone according to her plan…

Uriel was a seasoned warrior. His reflexes were sharp, and she knew he would react far faster than Lord Evan, who spent most of his time in the palace as a scholar and advisor.

Still, being this close to Uriel made her heart flutter. She bit her lip slightly as she breathed in his warmth and the faint, natural scent that clung to him. Being surrounded by it made her strangely aware of how

2/4

278/280. Taken By Surprise

602

+25 Bonus

safe she felt in his arms.

After riding a good distance away, Uriel slowed the horse again with a firm pull of the reins.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Beatrice turned slightly to look at him-

And almost lost her breath.

Their faces were so close that she could clearly see every detail of his expression. Her heart skipped a beat.

She gave him a sweet smile and stuttered softly, “I… I’m fine. I was just… taken by surprise.”

She swallowed nervously under the intensity of his gaze.

Uriel’s expression suddenly darkened. The softness that had briefly appeared in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something deeper… something troubled.

In a low, hoarse voice, he asked, “Don’t you remember what happened last night?”

His breath brushed against her lips.

Beatrice blinked. “Last night?” she repeated faintly. Her brows slowly creased as she tried to think back.

At first, everything was blank. Then suddenly fragments of memory began crashing into her mind.

Her eyes widened.

Images flashed one after another.

Her clinging to Uriel. Straddling him. Her arms wrapped around his neck while she showered his face

with kisses.

Her drunken voice complaining and cursing at him for ignoring her. And the way she had shamelessly teased him while sitting on his lap.

Beatrice’s entire body froze.

Color rapidly flooded her face.

‘Oh my no…’ She immediately covered her mouth with her hand as the memories became clearer. Her heart began pounding violently inside her chest.

She remembered how she had pressed herself against him. How she refused to let him go. How she kept kissing him.

His gaze at her was heavy and dangerous. The air between them suddenly felt far too warm. “Looks like you already remember,” he taunted. 1

3/4

+25 Bonus

278/280: Taken By Surprise

Beatrice felt the heat crawl all the way up to her ears. She could not even bring herself to meet his eyes

properly.