INSDL| Chapter 13

Episode 13

Lana gave the frail butler a little tap on the shoulder without saying anything comforting.

“Send him to the estate,” she said. “There are plenty of rabbits on that back hill — he can catch those.”

“But….”

The butler hesitated, so Lana moved close and whispered her plan into his ear — something that would definitely work in the Burndale household.

“Go to Sister Sophia and tell her you’re overworked and about to drop dead. Cry a little while you say it. Add that you’re worried these big, rough dogs might affect the baby — that always gets them.”

The butler stared with his mouth open — he hadn’t thought of that. Lana shrugged.

“If they can’t refuse a favor, they won’t be able to send you off to the estate, but at least you won’t have to take care of the dogs. I bet the dogs are a symbol of goodwill between the houses — something like that. They were handed to you because they’re important.”

The butler’s wrinkled face softened. He’d always been strict with Lana, but he’d also carried her when she was little; he cared. Lane felt a sting and stepped back, trying not to show it.

“I talked too much. I trust you’ll handle it. I’m going in.”

She started walking away, and the butler’s voice — hesitant but grateful — followed.

“…Please take care, my lady.”

Lana scratched her cheek in silence; something in her chest felt funny. She was about to leave anyway — maybe she’d said too much — but oh well.

Better safe than sorry.

She frowned and asked Diana, “Is it normal to give hunting dogs to a family that doesn’t even have a hunting ground?”

“Well, the viscount likes hunting…?” Diana answered, unsure.

Lana muttered, not convinced. “I’ve never seen my brother go hunting.”

“That’s because he’s been busy lately. Last year he went more than ten times, I think.”

Hmph. Lana thought that was probably because they were short on money and had to borrow the dogs or something.

She stared down and swung her legs, thinking.

Jake used to hate killing things when they were kids. He loved little animals and doted on his little sister.

“People change, I guess.”

She lay back on the bed and forced herself to push down the complicated feelings.

I have to change too. I’ll forget the promise I made to that unknown first love.

She tried to act indifferent, but it stung. That short time with her first love had changed her life. She could barely picture his face now, but he’d left a mark on her.

He probably forgot me already anyway.

Lana stuck out her lip. He’d clearly cut her out of his life — no contact even though he knew she was in Buren.

She’d cried herself through nights waiting for him, then slowly gave up and returned to normal life. Years later, she couldn’t even dream of him. Now she was married to someone else…

Staring at the ceiling, Lana closed her eyes. Somehow, she felt like that boy might visit her dreams tonight.

The boy clamped his hands over his ears but still couldn’t block the screams. He curled up, hearing people around him being slaughtered. Behind the iron bars, trapped like an animal, he could do nothing.

Mother, no…

His jaw trembled. Just thinking about it made his heart sink. He begged silently, “Please, don’t let it be her. Please…”

He bit his arm to stop himself sobbing. If the knights outside heard him, he’d be killed too.

“Keep quiet. Act like you’re nothing. That’s the master’s wish.”

That was what the knights told him when they dragged him from the inn right before the massacre started.

“Shut up, and the merciful master will spare your life.”

He couldn’t trust them. He’d run away from his family because that master had tried to kill him.

When all the witnesses are dead, it’ll be my turn.

How could a kid barely into his teens outrun knights who’d lived by the sword for decades? He wasn’t going to go quietly. He clenched his teeth, desperate for a way out.

Someone slowly lifted the filthy cloth that covered the cage. The boy squinted against the red sunset and panicked, thinking someone had come to kill him.

“Oh my.”

A silhouette stood in front of him, and the person sighed, looking upset.

“Why is such a young child here?” she asked.

He relaxed a little when he realized the person wasn’t a knight. Grabbing the iron bars hard, he whispered, “Run. Before they come.”

“You’re worrying about me?” she asked, surprised and moved. She looked around and gently got up.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Her voice was kind. The boy almost cried.

Then, with a crack, her hand smashed the big, rusty lock.

“Gah!”

Cullen jerked up in bed. He’d been dreaming. The room around him faded in, and he realized he was in his private chambers under the Lorvant dukedom. He must’ve dozed off.

Phew. He rubbed his face — sweat on his brow.

That dream again.

He gulped water from the cup by the bed and wiped his chin. It’s just a silhouette — never the face. And the weird part is I’ve never been in that situation.

So it’s someone else’s story, or just a stupid nightmare. Still, when he woke up he always felt drained, like someone who can’t swim finally made it out of the water. It felt real, as if he’d relived somebody else’s suffering.

Cullen pushed his wet hair back and muttered, “If only I could see her face, at least I could try to find her.”

Then he forced himself up. Going back to sleep felt impossible. Better to deal with work.

He wrapped a robe around his bare chest, tightened the sash, and left for his office.

“You’re up again?”

Harry walked into the office and looked shocked. Cullen sat up from the sofa he’d been lounging on.

“Harry, get me those papers about the neighboring estate trying to block the waterways.”

He tossed the file on the table and stretched his stiff neck. Harry hurried to the bookcase, unlocked it, and handed over a dossier.

“Here.”

Cullen flipped through it and said in a gruff voice, “Their youngest caused a huge scene at our festival?”

“Yes. We already gathered witness statements and got signatures.”

Cullen, a bit grumpy from lack of sleep, looked surprised for a second and then smiled. “That’s why I can’t fire you.”

Harry stuck out his lower lip. “You could just fire me, you know.”