Chapter 69…
What… what’s going on?
Cynthia, her face drained of color, looked down.
The ground was slowly being dyed red with blood. It seemed the coachman had been shot in the arm by the gun that had just gone off.
“Uaaagh! Aaaghhhh!!!”
The fallen coachman screamed in agony.
Wait—if he keeps screaming like that, they’ll find out I’m here…!
Cynthia glanced around, her mind a tangled mess of shock, confusion, relief, and a tinge of pity for the bleeding coachman. She could hear faint rustling footsteps approaching, growing louder.
Oh no… they really are coming this way…!
“…It wasn’t a bird after all.”
At last, Lycaon emerged from between the trees, speaking in a casual, unconcerned tone.
He looked down blankly at the coachman writhing on the ground, then quickly turned his gaze away.
“Ugh…! P-please, spare me…”
“What are you doing? Call someone, now!”
Tession shoved Lycaon aside as he took in the blood-soaked scene.
Rushing forward, he lifted the coachman to a sitting position.
“I said it wasn’t a bird.”
Lycaon muttered again from behind him, as though the suffering man before him was invisible.
“Stop spouting nonsense and get help. You’re the one who shot this man.”
Tession tore the coachman’s sleeve and tried to staunch the bleeding.
Lycaon, watching silently, clicked his tongue. Sliding a hand into his hunting jacket, he pulled out a small whistle and turned it over idly in his fingers.
“What are you waiting for? Blow it.”
But even with the whistle in his hand, Lycaon didn’t move.
Scowling, Tession turned to glare at him. Lycaon shrugged again.
“He’s not my prey. I can’t say I care whether the bastard lives or dies.”
“Is that really what you want to say right now?”
Tession rose to his feet and took a step toward him.
“If you’re not going to use it, then hand it over. I’ll—”
He stopped mid-sentence, his head turning almost reflexively. His gaze lifted slowly, catching sight of something that froze him in place.
And their eyes met.
Cynthia, who had been holding her breath, crouched inside the capture net.
Oh no… this is so embarrassing…
Tession’s violet eyes widened, disbelief filling his face.
“What… what are you looking at?”
Lycaon turned his head to follow Tession’s gaze—and his crimson eyes widened just the same when he saw Cynthia, hanging miserably from the tree.
After staring at her for a moment, his lips curved upward.
“…Ah, yes. I suppose now we really should call someone. I suddenly find myself interested after all.”
He raised the whistle to his mouth.
A sharp note rang out, echoing through the entire forest.
✦ ✦ ✦
“What on earth happened here?”
With the help of attendants carrying ladders and tools, Cynthia was safely rescued from the capture net.
Tession rushed to her, unable to hide his concern.
When she didn’t know what to say and stayed silent, he looked utterly lost.
“These wounds… what happened?”
He gently brushed his fingers along a scratch on her cheek. Cynthia flinched at the sting, and he quickly withdrew his hand, startled.
“Please explain. Why were you here, and why were you trapped in that net? And the man who was just carried off to the infirmary—what’s your relationship with him?”
He asked a flood of questions.
Ah… those are all things I can’t easily answer…
When Cynthia remained silent, Tession sighed softly and pulled her into a comforting embrace.
“At least you’re safe. Let’s get you somewhere secure. Even the small wounds must be treated properly.”
She shouldn’t get involved with him any further, but her body and heart were exhausted.
And after nearly dying beneath the coachman’s weight only minutes ago, just seeing Tession again weakened her resolve. All she wanted was to follow him somewhere—anywhere—safe.
I’m just… so tired…
She nodded faintly and let him lead her. But before they could take more than a few steps, someone blocked their path.
“Stop.”
Lycaon grinned.
“‘Somewhere safe’? And where exactly would that be, Duke?”
“I’m taking her to the Grand Duke’s estate.”
Tession answered for Cynthia.
At least she wasn’t being sent to the Bailey mansion—that much was a relief. Going there would only complicate things further.
“The Grand Duke’s estate?”
“Yes. If we go by my carriage, we’ll arrive faster than at the Baileys’. A physician is always on standby there—”
“No, no, that won’t do.”
Lycaon cut him off mid-sentence and stepped closer to Cynthia.
“This forest is imperial property. Strictly speaking, that means the Empire bears responsibility for the young lady’s injuries. Therefore, I believe it’s proper that she be treated under the Imperial Palace’s care.”
“N-no, I’m fine—”
The palace? No way—absolutely not!
Cynthia tried to protest, but Lycaon continued smoothly.
“It seems management has been neglected here, perhaps because it’s rarely visited outside of hunting season. According to the man who was shot—before he was taken to the infirmary—he said you were merely walking in the woods for some fresh air. Is that right?”
Fresh air? A walk in the woods?
Cynthia silently gnashed her teeth at the coachman’s lie, realizing he was trying to pin everything on her.
It wasn’t true—but she couldn’t very well say that the Bailey family had sent men to kill her, now that she’d outlived her usefulness.
“Though the forest belongs to the Empire, it’s meant for all citizens to enjoy. I wouldn’t dream of blaming you for strolling here. But it is my fault as a royal that it was so poorly maintained—so I insist, the Imperial Palace is the right place for your treatment.”
At his signal, attendants stepped forward to escort her.
“Ah, no, wait, that’s not what I—”
No, I’m not going to the palace…!
Just before the attendants could touch her, Tession stepped forward and pulled her to his side.
“I appreciate your concern, Your Highness, but the young lady will be taken to the Grand Duke’s estate.”
Lycaon’s straight brows arched.
“The Imperial physicians serve only the royal family. Besides, the palace is much farther. For the sake of her quicker recovery, the Grand Duke’s estate is the wiser choice.”
“Did I not say I was fine with it?”
“We’ll gladly accept your kindness, Your Highness. Thank you.”
Cynthia hurriedly cut in, eager to end the exchange.
Lycaon’s red eyes flicked between her and Tession.
“I didn’t know my dear friend could be so stubborn. I suppose I’ve been seeing a new side of you since you regained your sight—or perhaps since you got engaged?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
Tession coolly brushed past him and led Cynthia toward his carriage. Rufus, who had been waiting nearby, came running up.
Cynthia exchanged a weary look with him before climbing inside.
“Let’s move to the Grand Duke’s estate!”
Rufus shouted, and the coachman snapped his whip, setting the horses into motion.
As the carriage began to roll, Cynthia leaned back into her seat with a sigh.
“Ah…”
Now that the adrenaline had faded, her body began to ache from where the net had pressed into her skin. Her arms, back, and thighs all throbbed.
“Are you all right?”
Tession asked, worry etched on his face.
She opened her mouth to reply—but before she could, the carriage door suddenly burst open.
“What the—! Stop the carriage!”
Rufus’s shout came from behind, and the coachman yanked the reins. The horses whinnied sharply and reared.
Standing in the open doorway was Lycaon.
That lunatic… He just opened the door of a moving carriage?!
Cynthia stared at him wide-eyed, as though she’d just seen a demon return from hell.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Tession’s voice dropped dangerously low, his jaw tight with anger.
Lycaon brushed his hair back casually and smirked.
“I’m coming with you.”
“…What?”
“I said I’m coming too. I can’t help but worry, you see. So, I’ll tag along to the Grand Duke’s estate. You don’t mind, do you?”
