IHRM 77

Chapter 77 

 Uncontrollable Rage

‘The horse is dead.’

At that gruesome sight, only one thought filled Ellua’s mind.

If the horse’s rampage had been intentional—if someone had targeted her or Heris’s life—

The image of Heris trembling in fear flashed in her mind, and Ellua couldn’t contain her fury. Not even pain registered anymore.

She moved toward the nobles who were relieved as if nothing had happened.

“Whose doing was this?”

Her voice was low and cold, but the nobles, too busy chatting amongst themselves, didn’t seem to hear.

Clenching her fists, Ellua raised her voice so that all of them could.

“I asked—who did this?!”

Her shout drew every gaze at once. Those who met her eyes flinched and shivered.

That was how heavy the atmosphere around her was.

Pushing back her hair, disheveled from her fall, she spoke again.

“Who tampered with Lady Heris’s horse?”

“What do you mean by that?”

The one to answer was Shennil, standing with Terban’s support.

When she wobbled slightly, Terban’s expression filled with concern.

“Shennil, are you all right?”

“Yes. I was just startled, that’s all.”

Reassuring him, Shennil lifted her eyes to face Ellua.

Ellua did not look away. If she were honest, Shennil was the first person she suspected.

Who else here would aim for her life—or Heris’s?

“That’s an awfully rude thing to say, Your Highness. Are you suggesting the nobles of Lubain deliberately orchestrated this?”

“It’s not impossible. A horse perfectly fine moments ago suddenly goes into a frenzy and dies. If no one tampered with it, then explain how this happened?”

“Lady Heris is a beginner. She could have easily made a mistake. Or perhaps something in the forest unsettled the horse without us noticing.”

The two clashed sharply, while the others stayed silent, wary of taking sides.

“I never pointed to Lubain’s nobles in particular… but it seems Lady Shennil feels guilty about something.”

“You—! Anyway, no great harm was done.”

“This is not something to brush aside so lightly!”

At Ellua’s outcry, Shennil instinctively stepped back, unable to withstand her gaze.

But Ellua’s anger came from another reason.

“Do you think I’m angry because I alone was endangered? This was a deadly situation. Lady Heris, His Majesty, everyone here… even an innocent horse lost its life. And still you think my words are what’s rude?”

No one dared open their mouth.

Seeing that, Shennil decided she had no choice but to play her final card. Pretending dizziness from the earlier shock, she leaned heavily against Terban.

Startled, he held her shoulders and steadied her. Seeing her pale face, he spoke to Ellua.

“Many have been shaken by this. Let’s dismiss the gathering for now. Shennil has clearly been distressed. The investigation can come later.”

His focus was only on Shennil’s near accident, not noticing that Ellua herself was barely standing.

Nor that blood was slowly soaking her clothes from wounds sustained in the fall.

Ellua let out a bitter laugh, then declared firmly:

“I will find the culprit in the name of Princess Jevenica. His Majesty knows well that there must be consequences for endangering lives. For now, I’ll check on Lady Heris. Your Majesty, please remain with Lady Shennil—she seems terribly shaken.”

Before Terban could respond, Ellua strode past him.

As she passed Shennil, she whispered so only she could hear:

“I too am curious… whether my words prove true, or yours.”

Seeing Shennil flinch, Ellua walked on, her steps steady so as not to show weakness.

The nobles silently cleared a path, but none dared speak. Still, with each step, drops of blood fell to the ground.

“Wait—”

Only then did Terban notice the crimson trail. He realized she was forcing herself to walk despite her injury. His gaze wavered.

“Terban, could you help me? My legs feel weak from the fright…”

Shennil’s voice barely reached him. His eyes were fixed on Ellua’s fading figure, her blood staining the ground.

When he didn’t respond, she called again.

“Terban?”

As though he couldn’t hear, Terban released her hand and gave an order instead.

“Vandel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Escort Lady Shennil back to the palace.”

Then, turning away, he started after Ellua.

“Where are you going, Terban?” Shennil clutched him desperately.

But without a word, he freed himself from her grasp.

“Go back with Vandel.”

And with that, he left without once looking back.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

Borens, who had seen everything, rushed to Ellua’s side, worried.

Noticing the blood-soaked hand she tried to hide, he gasped.

“Your Highness, your wound—”

“It’s fine. I can bear it.”

Compared to her time as “El,” this was nothing. She had once been cut by blades far deeper than this.

“At least let me wipe the blood, then.”

He quickly cleaned it with a handkerchief, but the scratches on her face pained him to see.

“Thank you.”

“Please, let’s get you to a physician immediately.”

But Ellua was more concerned about Heris’s well-being. She couldn’t rest until she saw her safe.

“Take me to Heris first. Where is she?”

“But—”

“Afterward, I’ll see to my wounds. That won’t be too late.”

Unable to resist her insistence, Borens guided her to where Heris had been taken.

By then, Heris had regained consciousness and was sitting up in bed.

Spotting Ellua, she cried out in surprise:

“Ellua?”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. Just a few scratches, nothing serious. I only fainted from fright.”

Relieved, Ellua’s legs gave way, and she sat down on the bed beside her.

But Heris looked more worried for Ellua, who had thrown herself in harm’s way.

“What about you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Falls are always a risk when learning to ride. You must have been terrified.”

Taking Heris’s still-trembling hand in her uninjured one, Ellua soothed her.

Heris’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Yes… I thought I was going to die. Thank you, Ellua, truly.”

Ellua embraced her gently.

“No, it’s me who should thank you—for staying calm. Had you panicked and spurred the horse further, the outcome might have been unthinkable.”

“So why did that even happen?”

The sudden question drew Ellua’s eyes to Cheilen, who had been silently standing nearby.

She had forgotten his presence.

“I don’t know yet. But I’ll find out.”

“Surely, you were the target.”

“Most likely. That’s why I gave a warning. If caught, the culprit won’t escape. I’m sorry, Heris, for dragging you into this.”

Her guilt deepened. She knew the danger was meant for her, not Heris.

If Heris had truly been harmed, everyone would have blamed Ellua.

Thankfully, she had managed to save her.

“No. You saved me. Don’t ever apologize for that.”

“I wish you’d remember I’m here, too,” Cheilen muttered.

“My, Duke, are you jealous?”

“Jealous? Hardly.”

Heris giggled at his flustered denial, the tension finally easing. Ellua felt relieved to see her smiling again.

Since her parents would be worried, Heris decided to return to the marquisate for now.

When she rose to leave, Ellua glanced at Cheilen, silently urging him.

Understanding, he followed without protest.

“I’ll escort you to your carriage.”

“There’s no need—”

“There is. I can’t let you go alone.”

“Thank you, Ellua. Please get treated by the physician, all right? And I’ll help too—we can’t let the one who did this go unpunished.”

After they left, Ellua slumped onto the bed, exhausted.

The hand she’d hidden was once more drenched in blood.

Now that she was alone, the pain hit her fully, her hand trembling.

‘The wound inside must be much worse than I thought.’

She rose unsteadily, every step aching.

‘It really does hurt…’

She was about to find Borens when footsteps approached.

Lifting her head, she froze at the sight of the man before her.

He stopped directly in front of her.

“Your Majesty… what brings you here—”

“Are you all right?”

Ellua was bewildered. Hadn’t Terban stayed with Shennil?

Hiding her bloodied hand behind her back, she forced a calm reply. She had no energy left to deal with him.

“I’m fine. Please, go back to Lady Shennil. She seemed terribly shaken.”

Trying to walk past him, she was blocked again.

Terban caught the arm she was hiding.

“Ah!”

She gasped in pain. He let go at once—but the sight of blood dripping down her hand ignited his anger.

“This is what you call fine?”

“It’s none of Your Majesty’s concern.”

At that, Terban burst out, unable to hold back:

“You’re hurt!”

Ellua froze at his outcry. Why did he look more pained than she felt?

“No…”

Terban, realizing what he had said, looked startled.

‘What did I just say?’

Pushing aside his confusion, he focused on her wound.

“First, you must see the physician.”

“I was going to anyway.”

She tried to walk again, but her staggered steps betrayed her weakness.

‘Stubborn, even in pain…’

Unable to watch any longer, Terban stepped forward and, without giving her a chance to resist, swept her into his arms.