March 7th, morning.
"I made plans with a few young ladies to do something together today. Are you two coming?" After finishing breakfast, Soven drained his hot milk, wiped the corner of his mouth, and asked.
"Have fun. The two of us won't be joining you." Ron had guessed what sort of bizarre activity Soven was planning next, so he decisively declined the invitation.
Soven had more or less figured out Ron's temperament in such matters and did not mind. He got up, grinning as he patted his backside, then bid farewell and left to find his "playmates."
Half an hour later, Ron led two horses and brought Nora to the town gate.
Mounting one of the horses, Ron held out a hand to Nora, hauled her up onto the saddle in one swift pull, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Nora braced herself nervously on the horse's back. As the horse shifted forward and back beneath her, her body swayed uneasily despite herself.
"Don't be afraid," Ron said with a smile. "With me here, you won't fall."
Hearing Ron's voice behind her, Nora calmed down a little. Following his instructions, she slowly straightened her back and pressed her legs tightly against the horse's belly.
"That's right. Don't keep your body tense—relax, or you'll be shaken to pieces before long."
Ron led the other horse beside them, letting both horses begin moving at an unhurried pace.
Amid Nora's nervousness was a hint of curiosity and excitement. Like a child receiving a toy for the first time, she found the experience wonderfully new.
"Slower, slow down a little, Shopkeeper..." Feeling the horse gradually pick up speed, Nora began to panic again. "It's too fast, I can't handle it..."
"Is this speed alright, then?" Ron controlled the horse's pace, keeping them