Episode 39

* * *

‘The rule is simple, Chase. Just stand near the big rock.’

As Amy said, the rule was absurdly simple. Just stand idly by the boulder and hand the handkerchief to any passing man.

‘If no one comes within 30 minutes, we’ll move on to the next order.’

I lingered around the boulder, waiting for someone to come, but I felt no sign of anyone approaching.

What if I couldn’t hand the handkerchief to anyone? I began to feel anxious.

A chilly wind brushed against my skin. I brushed my arms, covered in goosebumps, with my hand.

‘…Someone will come.’

They would come. They had to.

Moreover, there was a path near the boulder. It didn’t seem like a proper road due to its messy condition, but upon closer inspection, it was indeed a path.

There were clear traces of people passing by.

My mouth felt dry with anxiety. After inhaling so much dry wind, my throat felt parched.

Without a clock, I couldn’t tell how much time had passed.

At that moment, gunshots rang out in the distance. Startled, I involuntarily took a step back.

‘Surely, firearms are prohibited during the competition…?’

Only arrows and knives were allowed for hunting prey. It was to prevent indiscriminate animal trapping.

I wandered around in anxiety for a while before plopping down on the boulder.

‘I didn’t want to try on a dress like this…’

I envied the ladies passing by. I also wanted to wear the dress I desired without worrying about others’ opinions.

I even wished Abel would tie up my hair nicely for me.

‘But I didn’t want this…’

I clenched my fist.

Then, I heard the clattering sound of hooves approaching. I instinctively lifted my lowered head.

But as soon as I confirmed the face of the person I locked eyes with, I couldn’t help but be stunned.

* * *

“…”

“…”

Theodore’s gaze from atop the horse wavered. But not only his, mine did too.

Unknowingly, I gripped the hem of my dress tightly. It was because fear suddenly overwhelmed me.

“…This is it.”

His trembling pupils were filled with disdain and anger.

“What the hell are you doing right now, X?”

Theodore, who was sitting on the saddle, dismounted from the horse. His massive shadow engulfed me in an instant, and I unknowingly took a step back.

There were countless nobles participating in the hunting competition, so why did I have to meet this man among them? I felt like crying a little.

But I had no way to retreat. I hurriedly handed him the handkerchief. My hand was trembling slightly.

“Huh, Lady Howarth… She asked me to deliver it.”

I deliberately handed him the handkerchief with the initials of the Howarth family clearly visible. But to my dismay, his gaze did not even touch the handkerchief.

He simply glared at me as if he wanted to kill the person disguised as a woman. As always, with those eyes full of disdain.

“If you’re confirming that you’re a woman with your own feet, I’m fine with that.”

“But seeing it up close, it’s really repulsive.”

With each of his words, the trembling of my body intensified. I tried hard not to show it.

If I seemed weak, he would torment me even more. I took a deep breath inwardly and opened my mouth.

“I… I hope you accept the handkerchief. It’s not from me, but from the Countess.”

As I struggled to speak, Theodore finally looked down at the handkerchief I offered. Perhaps he noticed that my hand had turned blue, he smirked.

Then he took a step closer to me. As much as I had stepped back.

As a result, my hand, which I had extended to him, hit his chest. I quickly withdrew my hand and hurriedly moved away from him. But he kept approaching me.

It felt like being a herbivore chased by a predator. My frightened heart beat rapidly.

But if this man didn’t accept the handkerchief…

“If I have done something wrong, sir—”

At my words, Theodore’s steps abruptly halted.

“…I’m sorry. But at least this handkerchief—”

“Do you wish for me to take that handkerchief?”

Perhaps my plea was somewhat effective.

“…Yes.”

I was more desperate than anyone else right now. Having heard my words, he seemed to hesitate a bit.

Was he considering showing me mercy?

But he chuckled cynically and nodded towards the ground.

“Then kneel. Admit that you were wrong to me.”

“Sure?”

Thinking that he would relent, it was my perfect mistake.

“Beg and grovel.”

“…?”

“Admit that you’re a woman. Then I’ll accept it.”

It felt like all the strength drained from my body.

Should I just beg him? Please, just accept this handkerchief?

…But what did I do wrong to this man to kneel before him?

Kneeling wasn’t a problem. For Abel, for Isis, I could kneel a hundred times over.

But… What did I do wrong to this man? Because I’m a woman? Is it because I, like him, work as a servant in the duke’s manor?

I managed to suppress the urge to burst into tears. My clenched fist tightened.

“…”

I bit my lip hard. It seemed unlikely that I could kneel before Theodore, who looked at me with keen interest.

‘He has his pride in appearances…’

The tension in my clenched fist loosened. I stared at him silently and eventually left.

But not long after, I was caught by Theodore.

“What are you doing right now?”

Theodore’s shoulder, which had grabbed me in one breath, was rising and falling.

I looked up at him quietly after hitting my back against the tree trunk. Theodore’s eyes, holding my shoulders, were filled with uncontrollable anger.

“Speak.”

“…”

“Admit that you’re a woman.”

I didn’t even flinch. Theodore seemed to realize this.

“You won’t even kneel to the end, will you?”

“…I’m not a woman.”

Theodore’s face turned red and blue in an instant upon hearing my words. But it was only for a moment; then he smirked and opened his mouth.

“If you’re a woman, you have to announce it to the whole world to make me feel better.”

“No, that won’t happen.”

He snorted. But soon, unable to contain his anger, he drew his dagger.

He held the dagger against my throat.

“…”

As soon as I exhaled, it felt like the blade would pierce deeper into my neck. I looked at him silently, unable to breathe properly.

“Are you afraid of dying?”

It was a mocking voice. But even that was short-lived, as a familiar voice came from behind Theodore.

“I thought only I did this kind of thing…”

I swallowed a gasp.

“Now that you’ve met your comrade, shouldn’t we raise a toast?”

Raiden exuded a cold aura. And holding a revolver similar to his, he aimed it at Theodore’s head.

“What are you doing now?”

“Well, if you don’t want to die, you should kindly put down what you’re holding.”

At his words, Theodore paused for a moment, his face contorted. Then he scowled and dropped the dagger that had been pressed against my throat.

As I got away from Theodore, my legs weakened, and I sank to the ground.

And then, Raiden’s gaze turned to me in an instant. Meeting his eyes, my completely stiff body began to loosen little by little.

Thinking that he was by my side, strangely, I felt relieved.

But Raiden’s eyes looking at me widened. For a moment, I forgot my confusion and realized how ridiculous I must look right now.

‘Oh, I must look ridiculous right now.’

This appearance didn’t suit me at all.

And I could feel Theodore’s gaze from the side as well. It felt like he was staring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

“That guy—”

But even that was short-lived, as Theodore’s voice echoed in my ears.

The expression on Theodore’s face reflected in my eyes was blank. It seemed like he couldn’t feel any emotions.

His voice, tinged with mockery, filled my mind.

I couldn’t know exactly what he was trying to say right now, but just his following words made me feel like I had to stop whatever he was planning.

I hastily got up from my seat. But at that moment, my legs wobbled.

Then, Theodore, who was standing beside me, grabbed my wrist tightly. He gripped it so tightly that it felt like my wrist would snap.

The pain shooting up my wrist made me frown involuntarily. I thought it might hurt less if I just fell over.

At that moment, Raiden, who had been silent, reached out towards me.

“Causing a scene on someone else’s land…”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him in one swift motion. His scent mixed with the smell of blood. And the sharp smell of ammunition too.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to stop?”

At Raiden’s words, Theodore’s hand, which had been gripping my wrist, easily let go.