Chapter 20
I looked around nervously. For now, no one was there, but worried that there might be eyes watching from afar, I quickly climbed up the ladder.
‘The finish line is right in front of me.’
I felt the soft ground beneath my feet as I hurried to close the entrance. To erase any trace that I had used the secret passage, I even tidied up the grass.
One more glance around confirmed it—no one was there. I stood alone in the middle of the dense forest.
Straightening my back, I looked toward the mansion. In the far distance, the grand building loomed.
‘I’ll never come back here again.’
There was no lingering attachment, no regret. The only thing that mattered was surviving. Subtle feelings stirred within me, but I ignored them.
“From now on, it’s a new beginning.”
Nothing could bind me anymore. As long as I walked this earth, I intended to live for as long as I could.
‘For true freedom, I just have to endure a little longer.’
I pulled up the hood of my robe to conceal my face. Unless I used magic, I couldn’t change my features.
I grabbed a handful of hair poking out from under the hood to check the color. The bleaching had worked better than expected—no trace of brown remained. Pouring beer over it had left it brittle and rough.
‘Even if the duke’s knights are searching for me, they won’t suspect easily now that I’ve changed my hair color.’
Just hair length alone could drastically change someone’s impression. If I cut it short and applied different makeup, I’d be even harder to recognize. No one would imagine the Duchess to be someone with shabby hair and a dull blond shade.
This was also my first time stepping outside the mansion, so there wouldn’t be anyone familiar with me here. While the search was still confined within the mansion walls, I hurried on.
‘Once I reach the village, I’ll cut my hair first thing.’
The forest was full of similar-looking trees, so I got a bit lost, but soon enough I found the path. The crisp, fresh scent of the forest was invigorating.
“Mmm, mmm~”
I was so elated that I began humming. As if matching my tune, faint rustling noises echoed around me. At first, I froze in fear and looked around, but then realized it was just squirrels. After that, I paid it no mind.
‘The trees are thinning.’
That meant I was nearing the edge of the forest. Footprints on the ground had grown noticeably more numerous too. More people must have been passing through.
Right then, I faintly heard voices. The lively buzz of a village was reaching me. My heart leapt, and excitement surged—my escape was about to succeed.
‘I just need to blend in with that crowd.’
As luck would have it, a large merchant caravan was passing by, an enormous procession trailing along. Seeing the bustling crowd, I almost cheered. With this many people around, no one would ever find me.
‘The gods must be helping me.’
No one paid attention to me with my hood pulled low. The festive crowd wore outfits far more colorful and eccentric than mine, reveling in the celebration. I slipped naturally among them.
“Don’t push!”
“Sorry!”
I wasn’t the only one squeezing through gaps; I heard similar complaints all around. Whatever I did in this situation, I wouldn’t stand out. I couldn’t have chosen a better time.
‘What festival is this, anyway?’
Not that it mattered. As long as it helped me escape safely, that was enough. The once-quiet forest now seemed worlds away; here, the noise of people was overwhelming.
—What festival is this? They didn’t have one last year.
Curiosity floated in the air. Someone not far away had spoken loudly enough for me to hear.
—I heard the Duke ordered it.
Unconsciously, I turned toward the voices. A group was chattering excitedly.
—The Duke? Why all of a sudden?
—Yeah, he never cared for things like this.
—Well, he got married recently, didn’t he? He’s just so happy as a newlywed.
The Duke’s marriage—that was directly connected to me. I tried to ignore it, but their conversation kept reaching my ears.
—They say from now on, the festival will be held every year around the Duke’s wedding date. This year it’s now, but starting next year it’ll be adjusted to the actual date.
—On their wedding day? He must be over the moon.
The group chuckled, teasing about how lovesick he must be. Before long, everyone was gossiping about the Duke’s marriage.
‘What on earth is he doing?’
My face grew hot with embarrassment. He would soon fall for Sophia anyway—why give such ridiculous orders?
Unable to bear it, I ducked into a side alley to escape the chatter. Finally, I could breathe again.
Conveniently, a suitable shop was right there.
I pulled a gold coin from my pouch, keeping it hidden in my palm. My plan was to buy a little from different shops rather than all at once, so no shopkeeper would remember me clearly.
‘I should cut my hair and buy a small knife for protection.’
Inside, the shopkeeper hurried over, bowing deeply. The festival had left the place empty, so a rare customer like me was a delight to him.
“Are you looking for something in particular?”
“Do you have daggers?”
His face lit up as he eagerly showed me several. I chose one without bargaining, paid quickly, and listened to him beam.
“Please come again!”
No, I would never be back here again. But I swallowed the words. There was no need to leave an impression on anyone.
I slipped into a deserted alley. Even though I had decided, I hesitated at cutting my own hair. Only after a moment did I finally draw the knife.
It was harder than expected. The strands didn’t cut well, leaving a mess. After struggling, I managed to shorten it roughly to an even length.
‘Done.’
I buried the clump of hair under dirt, hiding it from sight. Then I set off toward my next goal.
There were more supplies I needed for the long journey ahead.
“Phew, I think that should do it.”
Gathering everything took longer than I thought; the sun was already setting. I needed to leave before it grew too late.
Replaying what I had bought, making sure nothing essential was missing, I hurriedly chewed on a sandwich. I had been tense and busy all day—without eating, I wouldn’t have lasted.
‘I’ve got the basics. Anything missing I can buy later—time to go.’
I swallowed the last bite, washing it down with gulps of water. My throat cleared.
‘Soon the city gates will close.’
Once closed, no one could leave until morning. While entering was heavily scrutinized, leaving was only a formality.
I left the eatery and made my way toward the gates. The festival still had everyone distracted, so I drew little notice. Pushing through the crowd was tiring, though.
“What business takes you out of the city?”
“I was working here for a while. Now that I’ve earned enough, I’m heading back home.”
Because of the festival, many wanted to leave, and the line was long. The guards, clearly tired, barely looked at me.
“Go on. Next!”
The soldier skimmed me with a careless glance before moving on. Perhaps the mansion still hadn’t realized I was missing.
‘If a noble suddenly disappears, the first suspicion would be kidnapping. They’ll probably lock down the gates once they realize.’
If the Duke and Sophia were happily preoccupied, they might not have noticed yet. The thought of them together boiled my stomach, but if it bought me time, I’d accept it.
‘May they at least enjoy a short happiness.’
As someone who once cheered for the Duke’s love, I offered a fleeting prayer. May he forget me entirely and be happy with Sophia. I couldn’t change the original story’s course, but I hoped he could have that happiness, however brief.
The walls of fiar, famed for their strength, loomed tall. The massive gates took time to pass through.
‘Finally, I’m escaping Piar.’
Step by step, the wide plains stretched into view. Beyond them lay other territories. I had already studied a map earlier to plan my route.
‘Head opposite of Aloha.’
If they searched, they’d surely focus on my homeland of Aloha. Escaping a joint hunt between the Duke’s and Aloha’s men would be impossible. Though, I doubted my family—who hadn’t even attended my wedding—would bother helping.
‘That’s why I’ll head the other way.’
To make tracking me harder.
Opposite fiar and Aloha lay Vincher, a harbor city. I planned to rest there briefly before catching a ship.
‘Far, far away. Somewhere no one knows me.’
Even if the Duke tried, he couldn’t chase me across the sea. Perhaps he wouldn’t bother looking at all. Either way, it didn’t matter.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.”
At last, I stepped through the gates. Ahead, the plains glowed under the soft light of the setting sun. It was the perfect moment. Others were already traveling the road, so I wouldn’t get lost. Everything was going smoothly.
‘Just a little more. I’ve made it this far.’
Stretching to wake my tired body, I pushed myself onward. This was only the beginning. I couldn’t falter now if I hoped to survive the long journey ahead.
I was about to walk forward when—
“What is it that doesn’t matter anymore?”
That voice. One I knew too well, one I thought I would never hear again.
‘No… it can’t be.’
I froze. My body stiffened, my head creaking as I forced it to turn.
‘How could he be here?’
Questions swarmed, but none had answers. How could he, of all people, be ahead of me?
Leaning against the city wall stood a striking man, more radiant in the sunset’s glow. Noticing my gaze, he straightened slowly.
“Did you enjoy your little outing, Luen?”
Duke fiar looked at me and smiled warmly.
