Chapter 40
‘Found it.’
But in my hurry to find the shard, I ended up cutting my fingertip.
‘Ah.’
There was a sting, and then a sharp pain throbbed at the tip of my index finger. My hands were tied behind my back, so I couldn’t check the wound—but strangely enough, I smiled.
If it cut into my skin, that meant it was sharp enough to cut through the rope.
‘I can shave it down little by little and cut it.’
But bending my wrist all the way around and repeating the same movement over and over was exhausting. Every motion sent a jolt of pain through the tied area, and the hand holding the shard throbbed terribly.
I remember reading somewhere that in extreme situations like this, you panic so much you don’t even feel the pain.
Yeah, right. What a load of nonsense.
It hurts like hell!
Of all fingers, it had to be my index one. Every time I moved, it felt like being pricked by a needle. But I had no choice but to grit my teeth and endure.
How long had I been struggling like that?
At first, it seemed hopeless. But once I managed to cut through a bit, the groove deepened, and it began to slice more easily.
‘Yes, that’s it…!’
Just a little more, just a bit more!
I was finally gaining momentum and sawing through steadily—when I suddenly heard cautious footsteps stepping on grass outside the door.
‘What is that?’
Didn’t sound like the guard pacing around outside the storage.
On reflex, I hid the glass shard back inside the knot.
Moments later, someone jiggled the lock. The jingle of light metal clinking echoed, and the inside of the storage room was instantly bathed in light.
At the same time, a strong powdery fragrance wafted in.
“Oh my.”
The person who entered was a face I knew all too well.
“Lady Bernadette, what on earth happened here?”
Though half her face was hidden behind a fan, the person standing before me was unmistakably Failey.
With exaggerated pity, she furrowed her brows and put on a voice thick with mock sympathy.
“Heavens, what happened to your face?”
My face? What about it?
“What, did you scribble something on it?”
Only then did I remember—trying to disguise myself, I’d dotted freckles under my eyes and drawn my eyebrows with ink in Eclat’s room.
Failey wrinkled her nose and scanned me from head to toe.
“Honestly, what a shame this look is going to waste with no one else to see it.”
Then, she began walking slowly toward me.
“What on earth did you do?”
I couldn’t see myself, but I was sure my face was a mess—ink smeared with tears, all blotched and ugly.
How ridiculous I must look.
I didn’t want to believe it, but it really was Failey behind all this.
Of course—Failey and Liberata were two of the top villains.
I had let my guard down too much.
I wanted to bite back with something sharp, but I couldn’t say a word with the gag in my mouth, which was the most frustrating part.
“To think His Grace the Grand Duke gave his heart to such a pathetic, stupid girl. What did you do? Drug him? Or just prey on his sympathy?”
Failey sneered, and the men standing behind her chuckled softly.
“But you know, Bernadette, you really look like you’re waiting for someone right now. Am I right?”
Hey, if you’re going to ask questions, could you at least take the gag out first?
She folded and unfolded her fan, then continued.
“Too bad. Everyone thinks you’re too ill to attend the festival.”
“……”
“They probably won’t realize you’re missing until late tonight. First your maid, then your family, and lastly—His Grace the Grand Duke.”
Failey twirled around gleefully as she laughed.
“But by then, you won’t be here anymore.”
What? I won’t be here?
I didn’t hear a word of the rest. That one sentence hit me like a dagger.
“My father’s ship arrives late this afternoon. We’re going to pack you up nice and neat in one of these crates and load you aboard.”
Wow. I’m going to lose it.
Ship me off? Me? Where?
“Then, I plan to ‘accidentally’ lose a crate at sea. What do you think?”
What?!
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
“Splash!”
Don’t tell me—she means to toss the crate with me in it into the sea?
I didn’t want to show fear, but my pupils trembled on their own.
“Lady Bernadette, haven’t I warned you several times? Not to act out in front of His Grace… to just sit still and behave.”
“……”
“If you’d behaved, none of this tragedy would have happened today. It’s a pity—you’ll miss the honor of attending my wedding.”
With those final words, Failey snapped her fan shut and turned to leave.
Bang.
I didn’t move until the last trace of that powdery fragrance faded from the air.
Somehow, my whole body felt frozen—I couldn’t even flinch.
Everything felt hopeless, and for the first time, the thought crept in: I might not make it out alive.
But I tried.
I really did my best… yet I still couldn’t escape death.
So, this is how it ends—sinking into the sea, vanishing without a trace?
“To think His Grace gave his heart to such a stupid, pathetic girl…”
Ugh. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
Stupid and pathetic?
Yes, I was scared. But anger surged alongside it.
No. I’m not going to die the way you want me to.
I took out the shard of glass I’d hidden in the knot again.
This is taking too long. Wait… is there a better way?
I began scanning the storage with eyes that had adjusted to the dark. Then I saw the wooden crates stacked neatly in a corner.
That’s it.
Getting up wasn’t easy with both legs bound.
I crawled inch by inch toward the wall like a caterpillar. Then, bracing against it, I gathered strength in my arms and slowly stood up. Turning around, I pressed the ropes on my wrists against the edge of the crate.
‘Much better!’
Thanks to the bit of cutting I’d already done with the glass, a few rubs against the crate’s edge—and the knot snapped free.
‘Yes!’
I nearly cried out in relief when the rope came loose.
Carefully, I untied the ropes around my ankles, then finally pulled out the gag from my mouth. Even though I was still locked inside the storage, a wave of freedom washed over me.
Okay, now what?
I can’t rush out blindly like last time.
I need to be careful—very careful.
Now with my hands free, I searched the crates and barrels more thoroughly.
Unfortunately, everything in the storage was wine. And the oak barrels were far too heavy to budge.
How the heck am I getting out of here?
Come on, brain. Think.
Maybe a shot of alcohol would help me think—yeah, right.
Wait. That’s it.
A brilliant idea struck.
Use the lighter wooden crates instead of the heavy barrels.
The crates didn’t seem made of very sturdy wood. The only problem was the lids were nailed shut. Still, they weren’t impossibly heavy.
I carefully gathered a handful of dirt from the floor—just enough to fit in one hand. Then I picked up a crate.
I only have one shot at this.
One, two, three—
BANG!
I smashed the crate to the floor. The loud crash shattered all the wine bottles inside.
“What the—!”
I heard a man’s voice outside the door, followed by the frantic sound of someone unlocking it.
“What the hell happened—”
As soon as he opened the door, the man froze, stunned to see me standing upright.
To catch him off guard, I still kept my hands behind my back.
But just as he reached for his gun—I hurled the handful of dirt straight into his face.
“Agh! You little—!”
Then I bolted.
This time, with my arms free, I could run much faster.
“Hah… hah…!”
But soon I heard heavy footsteps chasing behind me.
Bang!
I didn’t stop running.
It was just a warning shot—probably!
“Help! Somebody help!”
If I screamed loud enough, surely someone would hear me.
Then—another gunshot rang out.
Bang!
Wait, that didn’t sound like a warning shot. Are they really aiming now?!
My lungs burned. I couldn’t run much farther. My limbs, bound for so long, had no strength left.
No. I can’t stop now—not here!
Then I saw it—the road ahead.
Just a bit farther. Almost there!
But I’d pushed myself too hard. I shouldn’t let my guard down, and yet my body began to sway.
Hang in there—just a little longer!
I focused all my senses on the blurry shape in the distance. Then I saw it—a carriage passing by on the road.
“Help me!!”
I saw the carriage begin to slow down—and then—
Bang!
A gunshot, closer than ever—
And I lost consciousness on the spot.
