<CHAPTER 03>
He Was Heading Toward Death
How dare you say such a thing.
The words slipped out without passing through thought.
Her voice was excessively sharp and cold, but she had no intention of taking it back to smooth over the mood.
Evelyn glared at the hunter as if she were looking at an enemy from her previous life.
What grudge could he possibly have against Rexfail to fabricate such nonsense?
She had once faced a sworn enemy she wanted to strangle to death, yet she had not been able to lift a single finger.
Not once had harsh words ever come from him.
The only thing he had ever given her was a refusal that felt like a blade cutting into her heart.
And now this slander about him.
The one who stopped Evelyn, who looked ready to leap forward and grab the hunter by the collar, was Simila.
She gently pulled Evelyn back by the shoulders and spoke.
It seems His Highness’s madness has worsened.
The look she gave clearly meant to change the topic.
But the hunter failed to catch her signal.
Worsened?
It is far beyond that.
People in the palace are quitting in droves, and the streets are empty.
That is how serious it is.
The tactless hunter poured out several more rumors about the Crown Prince before finally closing his mouth.
Evelyn’s heart felt complicated after hearing it all.
The quality of the rumors aside, what troubled her more was Simila’s reaction.
She is neither flustered nor shocked.
It was the indifferent response of someone hearing something they already knew.
This rumor did not spread overnight.
Since when and why had such stories begun to circulate?
As her anger cooled, concern deepened.
Does Rexfail know about this?
Once a rumor spreads, correcting it is difficult.
Especially one as vile as this.
He is the man who will become Emperor.
Rumors that he was mad or killing people would surely harm him when he took the throne.
They would place restraints on his rightful authority and make it harder for him to protect himself.
Just as impatience rose within her at the thought that she must inform Rexfail, Simila cleared away the empty soup bowls and returned with a pot of herbal tea.
Do not concern yourself with the affairs of those above.
There is nothing good that comes from taking interest.
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Evelyn felt the hunter’s sideways glance at her.
What is that look?
It was something she had continued to sense ever since awakening in Raven’s body.
Simila was hiding something from her.
Perhaps something about my identity or status.
For a mere maid, she was receiving considerable favor.
Since falling from the tree, Raven’s body would stiffen at random.
At times she would faint without warning.
Other times pain would leave her unable to move.
Yet the marquis family had not dismissed her.
On the contrary, through Alfredo they continued to send medicine and nourishing food for her frail body.
Coldly speaking, she was a useless stone who could not even work.
And Simila.
Her bearing did not match that of a low ranking maid.
Her speech was refined and her movements elegant.
She was suited to serve someone of high standing at close quarters.
To station such a woman in a forest cabin and have her manage both the cabin and the villa was foolish.
Should you not be heading back soon?
Though the summer sun still shone brightly, the forest grew dark quickly, so Simila urged them to leave.
The hunter nodded after glancing outside.
He rolled the wooden cup of warm tea in his hands before draining it in one gulp.
Simila.
He handed her the empty cup and lowered his voice while looking at his now sleeping daughter.
Could you come down for a few days?
Simila also lowered her voice so as not to wake the child.
Why?
Is someone ill?
Bruce?
Simila, who knew folk remedies and had some medical knowledge, was often called to the nearby villages.
There were three villages near the forest, but only one doctor.
When the doctor was away in another village and a patient appeared, people sought Simila’s help.
Flora is about to give birth.
The baby seems large, and she is struggling.
Maggie is very worried.
She asked if you could come.
Oh dear…
A sigh slipped from Simila’s lips.
After nodding heavily, she looked at Evelyn.
Will you be all right alone?
Though she had improved, Evelyn still suffered from pain.
Simila’s gaze was filled with concern.
Please go, Simila.
Evelyn smiled gently to reassure her and helped her pack.
***
Sunlight glimmering through the leaves and the sound of mountain birds woke her from sleep.
Evelyn rose in a good mood.
Did you sleep well, Coco?
As she sat up, a gray bundle of fur darted out from beneath the bed.
Coco avoided her instinctively reaching hand and looked up at her reproachfully.
Mm.
I am sorry.
Giving up on petting him, Evelyn left the room and went downstairs.
She filled Coco’s bowl first, then stepped outside.
After washing lightly with cold well water, she checked the garden and picked a few herbs to her liking for breakfast with bread.
She was gathering them, half into her skirt and half into her mouth, when Coco suddenly burst from the house and rushed at her.
What is it?
What is wrong?
Coco bit the hem of her skirt and pushed with his paws as if urging her inside.
But before she could move, a massive horse blocked her path.
The chestnut horse with a white star on its forehead reared slightly and snorted.
Good heavens…
Prying the fiercely barking Coco away, Evelyn approached the horse.
As she took the reins and stroked its neck, the agitated animal gradually calmed.
Are you hurt?
Does it hurt?
She led the blood soaked horse to the well and carefully searched through its coat.
Fortunately, she found no wound.
When she tried to wipe away the dried blood, the horse avoided her touch and let out a long, desperate cry.
You want me to come with you.
When she placed a hand on the saddle, the restless horse went still.
It was clearly urging her to mount.
All right.
Evelyn moved quickly.
She grabbed a handful of calendula in haste and climbed onto the horse.
Coco paced anxiously, barking.
The horse endured even when the dog snapped at its legs, waiting patiently until Evelyn was fully seated.
The moment she settled, it bolted like mad.
Is he already dead?
There was a great deal of blood on the horse.
It had dried, suggesting time had passed.
Whoever the horse wished to save might already be dead.
Even thinking it futile, Evelyn clung tightly to the horse’s back.
She wondered if she could at least tend properly to a corpse, if she had the strength to dig a grave.
The horse ran where there was no path.
Branches tore at her body, yet it did not slow.
By the time they reached a clearing hidden among the trees, both horse and rider were soaked in sweat.
Coco, do not run ahead!
As she dismounted, Coco darted forward first.
Evelyn hurried after him.
Coco!
Coco!
Her heart felt heavy, as if storm clouds had gathered.
The sweet scent of cherries hanging thick on the trees around her made her head spin.
Beneath that sweetness lingered the thick smell of blood.
She could not tell whether the darkened ground was stained by crushed fruit or spilled blood.
And then she saw him.
A man collapsed beneath a cherry tree heavy with fruit.
His large body was curled slightly, his face unnaturally peaceful.
Rexfail…
Everything felt like a dream.
The cherry tree that symbolized her childhood.
And Rexfail, larger than in her memories, lying beneath it.
But the scent of blood was real.
And before her eyes, he was steadily heading toward death.
Rex!
With a scream that tore from her throat, Evelyn ran to the dying man.
