The tale of how Damascus had been tamed by an ordinary girl spread like wildfire throughout the castle. The Duke heard it from Old Moyas and the guards who had witnessed it all firsthand.

Before Elle could leave that day, the men had asked her to come meet the Duke at the castle. They were certain she'd be rewarded generously for such a remarkable feat-but Elle politely declined, stating she had many duties left to tend to.

She lingered briefly near the castle's eastern wing to visit Aunt Moran, who was busy cooking. Unless it was something urgent, Elle had no reason to be in the castle.

"I'll thank her in person after the Spring Tourney," said Duke Cassian, gripping Damascus's reins. Ever since the stallion had been tamed, the Duke had visited the stables daily, taking Damascus out for long rides-an effort to bond.

After all, he had to prove to everyone that the rare heirloom stallion could be controlled by him too. He refused to dishonor his late father's legacy.

"My apologies, Duke," said Romeo, the trusted butler of House Emberthorn. He had served since Duke Gilleo's time and remained loyal to his successor. "But wouldn't it be more fitting if the girl came to see you instead? Being invited to the castle is a great honor."

Cassian gently stroked Damascus's fiery red mane whenever the opportunity arose.

"Your words are fair, but the girl already refused to step foot in the castle. Don't press her again. I'll go to her, if needed."

"But, Duke... It's just a little-"

"Romeo," Cassian cut in, voice cool, "I don't understand why you continue to question my decision."

The butler swallowed hard. He had spoken too much. And while his concern wasn't unreasonable-considering Cassian Draken was not only a Duke but also the Alpha of Emberthorn-it still wasn't his place to challenge the judgment of their highest-ranking noble.

"I-I apologize, Duke."

"I know what you're thinking," Cassian sighed. "But don't dwell on it. Everything will be fine."

He gave Damascus a reassuring pat, then checked the saddle and reins. Once everything was in place, he slipped his boot into the stirrup and mounted the stallion in one swift motion.

"Return to the castle. I'll be out riding for a while."

"As you wish, Duke."

Cassian straightened his back, took the reins firmly, and nudged Damascus forward. The stallion moved with graceful obedience, without hesitation.

Normally, Cassian would ride Vermel, one of the finest horses in his stables. But for the next few days, Damascus would take precedence-especially during the Spring Tourney, the first Cassian would preside over since becoming Duke.

While the platinum-blond man enjoyed the breeze and the rhythmic sound of Damascus's hooves on his land, someone approached the back of the stables through a hidden shortcut-the same one she'd used the day before.

The girl carried a basket full of peaches.

Elle hadn't forgotten her promise to Damascus. She'd picked the fruit herself from the tree behind her cottage.

"Isn't this Damascus's stall? Where did he go?" Elle murmured as she noticed the empty space where the black stallion had been. The stall was vacant.

"Hey!"

Elle jumped, nearly dropping the basket. She had expected to run into someone-but it didn't stop her from feeling awkward.

Owen had just stepped out of another stall, carrying a bucket of grooming tools. He wiped the sweat off his brow with a small towel slung over his shoulder.

"You're the girl from yesterday, right? The one who tamed Damascus."

"Ah... yes." Elle replied shyly, like a thief caught in the act.

"Are you here to see the Duke? He was just here, but now he's out riding with Damascus."

She shook her head, clutching her basket tighter. "No, I only came to see the black stallion." She offered the basket. "These are for Damascus. I promised him peaches yesterday."

Her bashfulness made Owen smile. He noticed the faint blush on her cheeks, though he couldn't tell whether it was from the sun or her nerves.

"I see. Well, you could wait until the Duke returns and give them to Damascus yourself."

Elle hesitated. She only wanted to see the stallion-not the Duke.

"I'm sorry, but... could I leave them with you instead? I have other tasks to finish."

"I can do that," Owen said. "But wouldn't Damascus be happier to receive them from you directly?"

"It's alright. I'll visit him again another time."

So the basket changed hands. Elle left in a hurry-before the Duke could return.

She thought she had slipped away unseen. She was wrong.

From a distance, Cassian had seen her-just a fleeting glimpse of a golden-haired girl with a French braid disappearing into the trees behind the stables. He hadn't seen her face.

When Cassian returned to the stables with Damascus, he spotted Owen standing by the stall, holding the basket of peaches.

The Duke's brow furrowed slightly. He dismounted and handed the reins to Owen.

"What's that? Having a picnic in the stables?"

Owen chuckled. "No, Duke. These peaches are for Damascus. The girl brought them."

"The girl? French braid?"

"Yes, the one who tamed him. She said she made a promise to give him peaches."

"We should've met."

"I told her you were out with Damascus and suggested she wait, but she had other things to do."

"Perhaps," Cassian muttered. He didn't believe it. There was something else behind her constant avoidance.

"Give it to me."

He took a peach and held it to Damascus's mouth. The stallion eagerly bit into it.

"You like your tamer's gift, don't you?" Cassian murmured, gently stroking his neck. "Eat more. She'll be pleased to know you appreciated it."

He glanced toward the woods where Elle had vanished.

"Owen."

"Yes, Duke?"

"Did she say she'd return?"

"She did."

"When?"

Owen tried to recall the conversation. "She didn't say exactly."

"She lives in the cottage near the castle?"

"Yes, Duke. She's Lady Moran's niece, the castle cook."

"Alright. I'll return to the castle. Make sure Damascus is in peak condition for the tourney."

Cassian turned the peach in his hand, the image of Elle running from the stables still fresh in his mind. It irritated him.

Why was someone so reluctant to meet him?

Anyone else who'd done something so extraordinary for a noble house would have welcomed a reward-eager to receive praise or honor. But this girl? She didn't seem to care.

Even when they were in the same place at the same time, she made sure to leave before he arrived. She intentionally shortened any chance of an encounter.

And if he hadn't been there, Elle likely would've stayed longer-just to spend time with Damascus.

"Of course," Owen muttered. "I'll make sure Damascus shines during the tourney and showing best performs."

"Thank you." Cassian fed the stallion one final peach and turned to leave the stables.

Running his fingers roughly through his platinum hair as he walked away, Cassian let out a low, bitter laugh.

"So much for the allure of a Duke or an Alpha. Even a common girl runs from me."

***