Chapter 49
I gasped and sat up abruptly. Without thinking, I clutched my stomach and breathed in sharply. The pain was vivid.
“What…?”
It’s just a dream. But how can a dream feel so real?
I lowered my head and looked at my stomach, still gripping it tightly. Not a drop of blood, not even a stain. It really was just a dream. I let out a hollow laugh.
My entire body went limp, and I raised a hand to brush back my hair, but cold sweat made strands stick to my face.
How long has it even been since I got back here, and I’m already having dreams like this?
I usually hardly ever dream at all. Maybe I’d exerted too much force in the dream—my whole body tingled. My pajamas were damp.
To be so rattled by a single dream… I laughed again, bitterly.
“This is gross.”
Once my mind fully cleared, the damp feeling of my pajamas became unbearably irritating.
I checked the towel and glass of water on the tray by the bedside, then lifted my limp body off the bed and removed my pajamas.
I poured all the water from the glass onto the towel to soak it, roughly wiped myself off, and went to the dressing room to change into fresh pajamas.
Even then, the dream’s lingering, sticky details left me feeling uneasy again.
“What kind of dream was that?”
I asked myself. Just a dream, yet it left me trembling. What was I so worried or scared about? Even if I faced it, all I’d have to do is apologize. After everything I’ve been through, could a single girl really frighten me?
I stared at the bed I had just gotten up from.
I didn’t want to lie back on the damp sheets. I gave up on sleep and pulled back the heavy curtains. It was still early, the darkness lingering in the pre-dawn.
I leaned roughly against the window frame and sat on the sill, letting the cold air seep in. The clear-headedness felt refreshing, and I briefly considered opening the window fully, but immediately thought better of it. I hate being colder than necessary.
I stayed there, sitting in the pre-dawn chill, until the day slowly began to brighten.
As soon as morning came, I received an order from Mother to come to Bay.
Whether she came herself or sent someone at night, now she was summoning me in the morning. I felt a flutter of unease—had something happened?
“Schwartz hasn’t spoken to you separately about anything lately, has he?”
I asked while waiting for Nina to tie the ribbon on my dress’s waist.
If there was anything important, Ian would’ve naturally told me. Still, I asked. The dream from last night had left my mind unsettled.
“No, he hasn’t.”
“Even if it’s just a passing remark, tell me immediately. He seems to be planning things much more carefully than last time.”
It didn’t seem like he would stage a blatant rebellion, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
I followed Mother’s messenger and climbed into the carriage with Ian.
“While I have breakfast with Mother, check the schedule for the Second Prince’s external engagements this week.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We didn’t speak another word until the carriage reached Bay.
“Bella, come in.”
Schwartz greeted me the moment we arrived. I had expected Mother alone, busy with work, but apparently they were together.
“Mother said she wanted to have breakfast together.”
“That’s right. She’ll be down soon. I’ve prepared plenty of things you like.”
“Since it’s morning, you didn’t have to go to such trouble.”
“It’s good if you eat even a little.”
Schwartz affectionately patted my shoulder and guided me inside.
I sat at a table set more lavishly than a typical breakfast, waiting for Mother. In less than five minutes, she appeared.
“Good morning, Mother.”
“Good morning.”
Mother greeted me in her usual gentle voice.
“It’s really been a long time since the three of us ate together.”
Schwartz’s eyes lit up, acting as if a family long apart had finally reunited.
“Don’t say unnecessary things,” Mother warned. Of course—she wouldn’t just let Schwartz bounce around like an excited child.
The warm tea was poured into our cups, and the meal began. I smiled softly as I cut tomatoes and shredded lettuce, but my attention was on Mother and Schwartz.
It was a quiet breakfast, the only sound being knives striking plates. Did Mother really just call us for a simple meal? As I wrapped a sweet mushroom stew in lettuce and ate it, Mother set down her wine glass.
“How long has it been since your powers manifested?”
I put down my fork and knife and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“About a year and a half. It’ll be two years soon.”
“Use them for the First Prince.”
I nearly blurted out a remark in response.
“When?”
“The fox hunt. After the upcoming banquet, the next grand banquet won’t be until next season, so there’s no other chance.”
Ah, it was nearly the time when most nobles would head to their estates for management work. A few months at most, but Mother couldn’t wait.
“I’ve been so busy adapting that I almost forgot. You mean I should use them that day?”
“Yes.”
In this land, when the social season ends, a noble pastime called the fox hunt starts from morning until sunset.
They used to hunt real foxes, but in recent years, the population dwindled. Now, they place fox-shaped markers throughout the forest, and the person who collects the most wins.
I had never participated, but I’d heard many were eager to move their bodies more than at any other banquet.
Afterward, a grand feast was held, lasting all night. Banquets occurred often, but that day was somehow more enjoyable.
“What about the next one?”
Even though I already knew the answer, I asked. Forcing the First Prince onto me meant eliminating the remaining option. I had to confirm it at least once.
“What do you mean? You have to remove it.”
“The Second Prince won’t attend,” Schwartz interjected, and I naturally turned my head to him.
“What? The Emperor usually attends the fox hunt too.”
“Apparently, the Emperor issued a separate order.”
“Why?”
“It’s the final step, I suppose.”
The last step before crowning the Crown Prince.
It didn’t matter exactly what order was given; I knew it would be dangerous.
So soon.
Even knowing the timing was already off, every sudden strike left my body heavy, as if weighed down by stone.
“Will you attend that day, Schwartz?”
“Of course.”
This is complicated.
“Then I should meet the First Prince soon.”
“You’ll meet him that day anyway.”
Schwartz looked slightly tense, as if worried I’d mess something up.
“I never properly thanked him for the gift before. If he remembers even a little, I should let him know I was ill. That would make it natural, right?”
“Do as you like. You can handle it without mistakes.”
Mother asked, almost testing me. Perhaps because I had been insisting on Valery against her advice.
“Of course. Have you ever seen me ignore your advice?”
I finished the meal completely, even removing the napkin from my lap.
“Then I should go home and prepare myself, and get my outfit ready as well.”
“Very well.”
Mother had finished long ago. I emptied my cup and stood.
“Let’s go to Madame.”
As I boarded the carriage with Schwartz seeing me off, I said to Ian.
From departure until we reached Madame’s shop, my mind was fixed on one thing: how to save Valery. How could I stop this?
Could I not stop Mother by peaceful means?
By the time I finished thinking, the carriage had arrived in front of Madame’s shop.
“Welcome, Ariandel.”
Seeing Madame again after so long, she looked exactly as I remembered. Having occasionally exchanged news through Iscar, she showed no surprise.
“You’re here for the fox hunt season, right?”
“Yes. I’ll leave things to you, Madame. I’ve been tired since morning.”
“Very well. I’ll have tea brought in.”
I nodded and followed Madame’s guidance.
Once she brought the tea and closed the door under the pretense of taking measurements, I exhaled in relief.
“It really feels like something is going on today.”
“Just… fed up.”
I smiled faintly.
“Why aren’t you taking the child? You said they’d stay with Iscar.”
