Chapter 26

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Runaway Horse
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My decision to run into the forest, rather than toward the path, was almost entirely impulsive. It was born from the foolish thought that if I ran out of the woods, I could go home. All the while, I harbored the vain hope that Sir Halberd would follow me.

And as if my desperate wish had been answered, it was Rustein Halberd who came after me. He hadn’t lost sight of me as I ran along the forest path and quickly closed the distance between us. You could never imagine the relief and happiness I felt seeing Sir Halberd slowly approaching through the undergrowth.

But that feeling was fleeting, soon replaced by a wave of misery. For even as he handed a handkerchief to me, my face a mess from sobbing, his gaze remained fixed on the tent where Roena was.

In other words, his actions were driven by a sense of duty; he wasn't truly worried about me. His heart was entirely with Roena.

Anyone who hasn't experienced it could never know how dreadful that was. They would never understand the devastating feeling of one's world collapsing.

It was a feeling close to rage, a mixture of emptiness, futility, and a sense of injustice about everything. My pride vanished, replaced by a frantic, rising desperation.

So I had no choice but to cling to him, screaming like a madwoman. Begging, revealing my misery. Pathetically, desperately.

‘Were you even worried about me? Then why aren't you looking at me? If this is how you're going to be, why did you even follow me?!’

If I were to walk into the woods right now, would you follow me?

A foolish thought. I sighed and started walking. In the distance, the faint laughter of young lords out falconing echoed through the air.

As I’ve mentioned before, when I announced I would participate in the hunt, La Vallière did not hide her displeasure. She was quite unhappy with my decision and tried to stop me. But unfortunately for her, she couldn't perfectly control this beast that is me.

This was because my stepfather was thrilled at my declaration that I would attend with Roena.

Madame de La Vallière still lacked faith in me. She seemed worried I would make a mistake at an external event she wasn't attending.

She genuinely hoped I would not tarnish the Vischwartz family name. La Vallière was someone who cherished and loved her younger brother and her family more than anyone.

‘They can be crueler than the seasoned veterans of high society. They will gladly risk mocking and ridiculing you. Do you still wish to go?’

La Vallière was wrong. The young ladies were as rough and fierce as starving hounds, but that was all. Because their fangs were not aimed at me. To them, there was no more appealing prey than Roena.

Until my value as a tool to unsettle Roena is sufficiently proven, their probing—especially from Princess Irene—will likely be persistent and prolonged. And that was a most welcome development.

As I walked quietly along the forest path, I happened to look up at the sky and saw the shadow of a bird, likely a falcon, soaring in long arcs. It seemed the hunt was still in full swing.

After this, there would be time to feed the falcons, and many young ladies used that opportunity to admire the birds or spend some intimate time chatting with a favored companion.

I, too, planned to see the falcons then, and my heart fluttered with pleasant excitement as I recalled the gallant appearance of the hunting falcon I had seen at the Vischwartz estate. Perhaps I might even get the chance to pet a handsome, sleek hound?

Falconry may be a popular pastime among the young ladies these days, but few are brave enough to handle the birds themselves.

Most were more interested in the picnic aspect of the hunt. After all, there was nothing quite as enjoyable as sitting leisurely in the shade of a quiet tree and sharing refreshments.

Today’s falconry event seemed likely to end up the same way. Servants were already preparing a small banquet, carrying cloths and dishes from the tents to a clearing where a large tree stood. Judging by the sheer quantity of items being moved, the scale of it was quite lavish.

“There are many dangers in this area. If you intend to take a walk, it would be best to do so elsewhere.”

When had he started following me? A familiar voice tickled my ear.

Rustein Halberd. It was him, the Knight of the Clear Sound. He should have been by Roena’s side. Why was he standing behind me? Unlike that time in the past, I was merely taking a stroll through the surroundings…

Extremely surprised by this unexpected turn of events, I tried to hide the tremor in my voice and managed to ask in a small voice.

“Isn't someone else my escort? Why are you here, Sir?”

“Lady Roena is resting with her friends. Sir Berne is escorting her, so you need not worry.”

He must have thought that me, wandering around the area, was in more danger than Roena, who was resting.

So he must have asked Sir Berne, who had accompanied me to the hunting grounds as my escort, to look after Roena for a while.

It was a perfectly logical action and the proper conduct for a knight of House Vischwartz, but the thought that his brilliant blue eyes were focused solely on me made me feel strangely shy.

This was even more so, perhaps because I was comparing it to that day in the past when his gaze was directed toward Roena, even while he was with me.

The human heart is a strange thing. I thought I had put my feelings in order by throwing away the handkerchief he gave me, yet I still feel as small as a child before him.

The venomous snake has vanished, leaving only a small cat stretching in the languid sunlight.

In truth, I should have learned indifference from Madame de La Vallière, not etiquette. If not that, I should have learned how to coldly sever a piece of my heart. Or if not even that, I, I…

“You need not worry.”

I spoke calmly, hiding my trembling fingertips behind my back. All the while, I worried if my voice was shaking strangely, or if the wisp of a smile on my lips looked ugly.

He probably had no interest in my state, but for me, who was feigning composure, it was a miracle I hadn't collapsed on the spot.

Yes, I'll admit it. A part of me hadn't stopped hoping you would follow. A foolish, lingering attachment still has its hold on me.

But I cannot be swayed by him any longer. So I decided to resist this foolish attachment once more.

“If this walk were to cause fear in others, I would not do it. In other words, what you are concerned about will not happen, Sir. So you don't have to be here. Aren't you worried about her, who must be crying sadly? You are, after all…”

I struggled to suppress my ragged breaths, as if I had been running for a long time, and calmly continued speaking. It was an act that required every ounce of courage I could muster.

“Roena's knight.”

It was then. A sudden, piercing scream rang out, along with someone's shout.

I instinctively turned my head toward the sound and saw, in a single glance, a horse charging fiercely toward me and servants running to catch it. They were shouting something at me.

Get out of the way?

The world turned upside down in an instant. In the blink of an eye, pain flared in my head, back, and waist, and specks of dust and grass tickled my face and neck.

I took a sharp breath under the firm weight pressing down on me and struggled to think clearly. My ears were ringing, and I felt nauseous.

Only after blinking a couple of times and moistening my trembling lips with my tongue could I grasp my situation.

The rough breath of another tickling the nape of my neck, the strong forearm wrapped around my waist, and our tangled legs—it was an unmistakable situation.

“S-Sir Halberd?”

Blue eyes were inches from mine. He, the Knight of the Clear Sound, frowned and spoke to me in a near whisper.

“This is the danger I was referring to. Are you all right?”

Even in this situation, his eyes were dizzyingly beautiful. Enough to remind me of the blue sky visible over his shoulder.

The fantastical feeling that Sir Halberd had saved me did not last long. Being held in his arms was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime, ecstatic experience, but the moment was bound by the propriety expected of a knight.

“Oh my goodness! Are you all right, Young Miss?”

With Marie’s help, I pulled myself out of his arms. Having tumbled onto the rough grass, various spots on my arms stung and throbbed.

Not only that, but a faint pain lingered in my head and back. I was so nauseous I wanted to empty my stomach of everything inside. Be it the turbid liquid mixed with saliva or the dregs of my feelings for him.

The commotion must have been considerable, as it drew the attention of all the young ladies resting inside the tent.

They immediately approached me with curious expressions. Seeming to find the disturbance amusing, they all chattered in light voices.

“Sir Halberd is so brave.”

“Goodness, how could such a thing happen?”

I looked at Roena, who was among the group. She looked extremely anxious, wearing an expression that made it clear she would have rushed to her knight to check on him if there weren't so many eyes watching.

I assumed it was because she was worried Sir Halberd might have been injured.

The praises for his bravery and dazzling chivalry, which the other ladies were competing to offer, seemed far too meager a compensation for any potential injuries.

I was suddenly terrified that he—despite wearing armor—might be hurt. But knowing this was all because of my own foolishness in being trapped by the past, I couldn't bring myself to approach him. Not even to offer a word of thanks. I just wanted to back away and run.

All I could do was stand there like a statue, staring blankly at them, but even that was ruined by a servant who came crying to me.

“I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Please, have mercy.”

He was dragged over by a servant belonging to the Vischwartz household. He looked terrified, as if he had already foreseen his future.

His tear-streaked face was a mask of despair, like that of a condemned man who had just received his sentence.

This pitiful man seemed as helpless as a child, his eyes as sunken and lifeless as a dying old man's. Cold sweat poured like rain down his dark, sunburnt face, and his pale, chapped lips trembled with fear.

“The horse was startled by an insect or something and became so agitated I couldn't pull the reins properly. If not for that, the accident of the horse charging at you, Young Miss, would not have happened. Please spare my life. Please forgive me.”

It was an unforeseen accident, but the problem was that he had failed to control the horse, and that it had charged specifically at me.

Therefore, the fact that he was a servant from another family was no obstacle. On the contrary, his own mistress would have to hang her head in shame and embarrassment.