Episode 32
“Oh no… poor thing.”
My heart hurt as I watched the glowing fox cry, its tears falling like raindrops.
To treat its wound, I had to remove the trap first. The metal jaws had cut deep into the skin of its back leg.
But then I had a thought—was this really something I could do? Shouldn’t I have brought someone strong, or at least some tools?
I didn’t really have any good options, but I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. If I waited too long, the people who set the trap might come back.
I carefully approached the fox’s leg. Thankfully, it must have sensed I meant no harm, because it calmly watched me.
The metal trap looked very strong. When I touched it, it felt even sturdier.
I searched around to see if there was a release latch or something that would make it open easily. I grabbed what looked like a weak point and pulled with both hands. Maybe, just maybe, it would pop open with a click.
But instead—
Clatter clatter crack!
The trap broke into pieces and fell apart completely.
Huh? Why did it break so easily? Was it actually weak all along?
I doubted it. Then suddenly, I remembered a few past moments—like when a dish broke from just a light tap with a knife, or when the ground cracked after I stomped my foot.
There was only one conclusion I could come to:
Am I… super strong?
Eilene sure has a lot of powers.
While I was still stunned by this new realization, the glowing fox stopped crying. Even though it limped, it started bouncing around happily in place.
That snapped me back to reality.
Oh right, I need to heal it now!
“Glowing fox, I’ll heal your leg too.”
As soon as I said that, I cringed. “Glowing fox” sounded way too cold. If someone called me “human,” I’d be annoyed too.
Yeah, I should give it a name, like I did with Oki.
After thinking for a moment, I came up with Gwangho—”Gwang” for light and “Ho” for fox.
“Gwangho, come sit over here.”
Gwangho tilted its head like it understood me, then quietly sat down and stretched out its injured leg. That meant it really could understand me. And the calm way it acted showed that it knew I had saved it.
I quickly gathered saliva in my mouth and let it drip onto the wound. Then, just like time was moving backward, its leg healed completely.
Gwangho stood up right away and spun around a few times, then suddenly ran off into the deep forest.
“Goodbye, Gwangho.”
Only then did I finally relax and plop down on the ground. I even felt a little empty inside. I had been nervous, thinking it might be something serious involving the Grand Duke. But thank goodness it wasn’t.
“Oki, oki.”
Oki came closer and brushed my arm with her wing—probably to thank me and comfort me.
“Yeah. I’m okay. I’m just glad our friend is better.”
“Oki, oki-o.”
“I should get going. My friend is probably worried about me.”
As I stood up, Oki nodded.
She guided me back along the path we had taken. When we reached the edge of the forest, she let out a few cries like a goodbye, then flew off.
I felt proud. I had done something good today!
Even though I’d probably get scolded later, I walked out of the forest feeling like a saint.
But the moment I stepped into the city street—chaos.
Guards were rushing around looking for someone. And it was obvious who.
“Eilene!”
Adrien’s shout pierced my ears.
When I turned my head, I saw him storming toward me, clearly upset. His face was full of worry, anger, and relief all at once.
“Where in the world did you go?!”
“I’m sorry, Adrien.”
I got scolded way more than I expected.
Adrien was really mad. Since he had been acting as my escort in the city, he felt very responsible.
I knew that, so I didn’t try to make any excuses. I just admitted my mistake. Even if I could go back in time, I would’ve made the same choice. But I still felt sorry for making him worry.
“I was just in a rush and ran off before I could think.”
“Even if it was urgent, you should’ve at least told me. Or told someone! You could’ve left a note!”
“S-Sorry…”
He was completely right, so I just lowered my head.
The excuse I came up with was that I saw a strange animal come out of the bushes and followed it. Since people at the dessert shop might’ve seen me, I needed to stick to something believable.
Because of that, I got treated like a complete fool and got scolded nonstop.
From the moment we reunited, Adrien reported to the guards that he found me, then nagged me the entire horse ride back to the mansion.
Even I, a human being with feelings, started to lose all that warm fuzzy pride I had from helping the fox.
Ugh… I’m mad at you, Oki.
Next time you need healing, I won’t help you!
I started the day like a saint and ended it as a total troublemaker.
Still, I was lucky Adrien didn’t tell my parents. If he had, I’d be grounded for life and never allowed to leave the mansion again.
“There won’t be a second time, got it?”
“Of course. Thank you, Adrien.”
I grabbed his hand and shook it up and down. Maybe he thought I was being too cheeky because he just turned his head away with a huff.
Honestly, I hoped something like this wouldn’t happen again either. Getting scolded like that was way harder to handle than I thought. Even back when I was obsessed with fangirling, my mom’s nagging was the hardest part. The only reason I survived it was because of my favorite character.
Late that night…
Just like usual, Oki showed up.
Tap tap tap.
Her sharp beak pecked at the window.
But unlike before, I wasn’t so eager to jump up and run to the window.
Hmph. You think I’m just going to open the window again?
Do I look like a pushover who always gives in?
I lay flat on my bed without even covering myself with a blanket, pretending to be asleep. I couldn’t ignore her completely—that would hurt my conscience—so I faked sleep instead.
Clack!
But Oki wasn’t the kind of bird to give up easily. And she was strong. Remember when she beat up that wolf? Opening a window was nothing for her. She probably only knocked as a courtesy.
With a flutter, she landed on my bed. I was faking sleep with my eyes shut, but they trembled from the pressure on my chest.
I felt her tiny feet stomping closer, and then—boom!—a heavy weight pressed down on my chest.
Ughhh…
At first, I could handle it, but the pressure grew and I couldn’t breathe. It seemed like she was really trying to wake me up. I couldn’t take it anymore and suddenly opened my eyes and yelled,
“Y-You’re heavy!”
But then I saw tears in Oki’s eyes.
Startled, I sat up, and she held out her leg with a note tied to it. A strange sense of fear and anxiety made my hands shake as I untied it.
When I read the note, my eyes went wide.
[Eilene,
I’ve returned to Phermont. But on the way, I ran into a group of masked people and got into a fight. I got a little hurt, but it’s not a serious injury, so don’t worry. I’ll send word once I’m healed. Let’s meet in a few days.]
The words “a little” and “not serious” completely vanished from my mind. It was like fog blurred them out.
Raymond… is hurt?
That single thought squeezed my heart tighter than Oki ever could. I couldn’t breathe.
“Oki… Raymond is hurt?”
nod nod
Then I understood why she had tears in her eyes. And I felt terrible for ignoring her earlier like a brat.
I couldn’t sit still. I paced back and forth in my room.
The note said to wait a few days, but… could I really wait that long?
My heart felt like it would explode.
There’s only one thing I could do.
If I couldn’t wait, I’d go myself.
I changed out of my frilly nightgown into pants for easier movement and hid my hair under a cap. I tucked a small bottle into my pocket and stepped out onto the terrace. I looked at the tree Koa and Raymond always used to climb up and down.
From above, the tree looked like a mountain. I always had help before, but now I was on my own.
But I wasn’t worried. I knew now that I was actually super strong, no matter how slim my arms looked.
I flexed my arm muscles and grabbed the tree. It didn’t feel heavy at all—I could do this.
I clung to the trunk like a koala and slowly inched my way down. I wasn’t fast, but I figured slow and steady was safer for a beginner.
I made it!
I landed on the ground and took off running. I followed the shady trail Koa usually used. After being moved a few times, I’d learned how to follow it well enough.
Hehe, I can do this too!
I clenched my fists in excitement and celebrated…
But just then—
“Who’s there?!”
A man’s voice shouted from nearby.
