My Bratty Wife Novel Chapter 25 - Twenty Five

Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty Five

Day passed, the echo of Ryan and Suzy’s explosive argunt clinging to the castle walls like a bad sll. The tension was a physical thing, a suffocating weight that pressed down on everyone, from the steward to the lowliest scullery maid. Whispers and hushed conversations filled the corridors, fueled by stolen glances and half-heard argunts.

Suzy found solace in the gardens, her haven of blooming flowers and twittering birds. The fresh air provided a welco escape from the suffocating atmosphere within the castle walls. As she strolled along a familiar path, her eyes fell upon a solitary figure in the distance – Byron.

Byron was mounted on a handso chestnut mare, his tall figure silhouetted against the clear blue sky. He was practicing dressage movents, his movents graceful and controlled.

Suddenly, an impulsive idea struck her. With a sense of defiance bubbling up inside her, she decided to break free from the confines of her gilded cage for a while.

Taking a deep breath, she called out, her voice echoing through the vast garden. "Byron!"

Byron, startled by the unexpected voice, reined in his horse and turned towards her. A smile spread across his face as he recognized her.

"Duchess!" he exclaid, dismounting with surprising agility. "What a surprise! What brings you out here?"

Suzy hesitated for a mont, then blurted out, "I’m... I’m suffocating in there." She gestured vaguely towards the imposing castle behind her.

Byron chuckled softly, his smile understanding. "I can imagine," he said, his voice gentle. "The castle can feel rather... oppressive at tis. That’s why I disappear most tis."

Suzy nodded, a wave of relief washing over her. For the first ti in weeks, she felt seen, understood. "Do you think..." she began hesitantly, "...do you think I could join you? For a ride, I an?"

Byron’s smile widened. "Join ? But Cassandra, you don’t..." he trailed off, gesturing towards her elegant dress, wholly unsuitable for riding.

Suzy’s defiance flared again. "Don’t tell

what I can’t do, Byron. Your brother does that everyday." she countered, a playful glint in her eyes. "There’s got to be sothing I can wear. Sothing that doesn’t restrict ."

Byron chuckled again, the sound warm and genuine. "Alright, alright," he conceded, raising his hands in surrender. "Doris must have sothing suitable. Let

help you."

He turned and whistled, and a stablehand appeared leading a beautiful black mare. Suzy’s eyes lit up at the sight of the sleek animal, its coat gleaming in the sunlight.

"Doris!" Byron called out, his voice carrying through the air. "Duchess Cassandra requires... a change of wardrobe. Sothing for riding, and quickly!"

A mont later, a breathless Doris appeared, her eyes wide with surprise. "Milady," she gasped, "are you sure? His Grace..."

Suzy cut her off with a determined smile. "Don’t worry about His Grace, Doris," she said. "Just get

sothing comfortable, sothing... free."

Doris, sensing Suzy’s need for escape, nodded her understanding. "Of course, milady," she said. "I’ll have sothing ready imdiately."

Suzy erged from the castle, a vision of practicality and grace. Her auburn hair, cascading down her back earlier in a waterfall of curls, was now twisted into a ssy but stylish bun. She wore breeches that hugged her curves comfortably and a forest green riding jacket that accentuated her already vibrant features.

Doris, who had been fretting over the unorthodox request, couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration. "Milady," she breathed, "you look... stunning."

Suzy spun around, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Do I?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with a newfound confidence. "Perhaps this is a look I should adopt more often."

Doris chuckled, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Perhaps, Your Grace," she conceded. "But for riding, it’s perfect."

Suzy nodded, a wave of gratitude washing over her. Doris, unlike Ryan, understand her need for a change, for a break from the suffocating expectations of her title.

With a spring in her step, Suzy joined Byron by the stables. He stood beside the black mare, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in her transformation.

"Milady," he breathed, his voice a low whistle. "You look... incredible."

Suzy blushed, a warmth blooming in her chest. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "And this..." she gestured towards the mare, "...is she for ?"

Byron grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. "Indeed," he confird. "Her na is Luna. She’s a bit spirited, but I think you two will get along just fine."

Suzy approached the mare cautiously, her hand outstretched. Luna nickered softly, lowering her head to sniff Suzy’s palm. A mont later, a sense of calm settled over the animal, as if acknowledging Suzy’s gentle spirit.

With Byron’s help, Suzy mounted Luna, settling comfortably into the saddle. The feel of the leather beneath her thighs, the warmth of the sun on her skin, and the gentle breeze in her hair brought a sense of peace that she hadn’t felt in weeks.

"Ready?" Byron asked, his voice filled with a quiet excitent.

Suzy straightened her posture, a determined glint in her eyes. "Ready as I’ll ever be," she declared.

They set off at a leisurely pace, leaving the imposing castle behind. Byron led the way, guiding Suzy through winding paths and hidden adows. He pointed out hidden waterfalls, ancient ruins nestled amongst the trees, and breathtaking vistas that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"This place is incredible," Suzy exclaid, her voice filled with awe as she took in the breathtaking scenery. "I had no idea these places even existed."

Byron chuckled. "These are the hidden treasures of the estate," he explained. "Places I used to explore as a child."

Suzy smiled, a sense of friendship blooming between them. As they rode, they talked about their passions and dream. For the first ti in a long ti, Suzy felt truly heard, truly understood.

They stopped by a crystal-clear stream, dismounting to let their horses graze in the lush adow. Suzy dipped her cupped hands into the cool water, taking a long, refreshing drink.

She leaned back against the rough bark of the tree, a contemplative expression etched on her face. Byron, seated beside her, watched her with a kind smile.

"So," he began cautiously, breaking the comfortable silence, "do you... hate him?"

Suzy’s brow furrowed, the question catching her off guard. Hate Ryan? The answer, she thought, was rather obvious. His coldness, his suffocating expectations, his constant disapproval – all of it fueled a simring resentnt within her. But before she could voice her answer, Byron continued, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.

"Well, I..." she stamred, searching for the right words.

But before she could answer, Byron continued, his voice laced with a deep sadness that tugged at Suzy’s heartstrings. "Don’t," he said gently, his gaze still distant. "Don’t hate him, Cassandra. He’s just... lost."

Suzy frowned, her initial anger giving way to a flicker of curiosity. "Lost?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. "What are you getting at, Byron?"

Byron hesitated for a mont, then reached out and plucked a blade of grass, twisting it between his fingers. "Ryan can be... difficult, that much is true," he began, his voice low and gentle. "But have you ever stopped to consider why?"

Suzy shook her head, a knot of confusion tightening in her stomach. "Why? Because he’s a pompous, self-absorbed..."

"No," Byron interrupted softly, his voice tinged with sadness. "It’s not that simple, Cassandra. You see, Ryan and I... we lost our mother when we were very young."

Suzy’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never known. "He must have been devastated," she whispered, her voice filled with empathy.

Byron nodded, his jaw clenching for a mont before he continued. "He was," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "We both were. But Ryan... he was closer to her. She doted on him, you see. And her death... it hit him the hardest."

He paused, taking a deep breath as if gathering his composure. "Our father... he wasn’t very... emotional," Byron continued, his voice strained. "He focused on his duties, on tradition, on law. He never really taught him how to... care for soone. He instilled in Ryan the importance of being perfect, of duty, of tradition, of upholding the family legacy, on making Ryan the perfect Duke but not the importance of... love."

"So, you’re saying..." Suzy began cautiously, her voice soft.

"I’m saying he’s just... new to all of this," Byron finished for her, his voice regaining a hint of its forr strength. "He doesn’t know how to express his feelings, how to be a husband. But don’t hate him, Cassandra. Try to understand him."

Suzy pondered his words, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over her.

I... I’ll try," she finally said, her voice barely a whisper. "But it won’t be easy. If I can’t take it I’ll lash back at him. I don’t want soone putting their trauma on "

Byron smiled sadly, a flicker of hope flickering in his eyes. "I know," he said gently. " I understand."

Suzy and Byron sat under the oak tree for a while longer, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the adow.

Suzy pushed herself off the ground. "Well," she said, brushing off a stray bit of grass from her breeches, "I suppose we should head back."

Byron stood up, a hint of disappointnt flickering across his features. "Yes," he agreed, "the sun is starting to dip below the horizon." As they mounted the horses and rode ho.

They walked in comfortable silence towards the stables. Luna and the chestnut mare whinnied in greeting, nudging their hands for treats.

Suzy reached out and stroked Luna’s velvety nose, a grateful smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Byron," she said sincerely, her voice laced with a warmth that extended beyond just gratitude. "Today... today has been exactly what I needed."

Byron offered her a warm smile in return. "You’re welco," he replied, his voice genuine. "I’m glad I could provide so escape."

"Until next ti, then?" Suzy asked, her voice a hopeful whisper.

Byron grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusent. "Until next ti, Duchess," he replied, using her title with a hint of playfulness.

With a final wave goodbye, Suzy nudged Luna into a gentle trot, the image of Byron’s warm smile imprinted on her mind.