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Chapter 63
Fall
The carriage stopped to change the sheets. Beneath a large tree, the rain barely fell. As the procession halted, people moved about busily.
Diana gazed at the misty forest. The hazy weather seemed to foreshadow her own future.
“Changing the sheets, really…”
She heard the knights grumbling. Diana knew them well—Ghiscar’s knights, the Vargati Order. They were always rude to her, disloyal.
“They say the seat covers can’t be removed right now. They’ll just put a clean coverlet over it instead.”
A young knight whispered to Diana. She nodded.
“Do as you like.”
It wasn’t her wish anyway. She had spoken with a “whatever happens, happens” attitude, but somehow her tone angered the men of Rodbrok’s side. Their cold stares cut into her.
Yes, just like now.
Their looks felt like knives stabbing her. The hostility of the Vargati knights had spread to the royal knights as well. Forced to endure their irritated escort, Diana barely moved even in the palace. Always pretending to be composed, yet constantly gauging everyone’s mood.
‘It’s beginning now.’
Their attitudes marked the start. She had no intention of clarifying any misunderstandings. She was the enemy of their lord—hated, and rightfully so. No effort of hers would change that. Diana ignored their mutterings and looked up at the sky.
“No, sirs! It was my suggestion, since the mood felt so heavy.”
The knight who had caused the situation tried to cover for her. It was useless.
“Why waste time on useless things?”
“She doesn’t deserve that kind of consideration.”
That was about it. Once someone decides to hate you, nothing you do will matter.
Diana sat on the stone ground beneath the tree, breathing in the damp air. Surrounded by the bustle, she sat absentmindedly.
Was this where it all ended—rotting away, or dying here? Would the end of this life also be suicide?
As she stared blankly beyond the distant forest, someone offered her a blanket. Ghiscar. Diana shook her head at it. She was cold, but didn’t want to accept his kindness.
“Take it.”
“I’m fine.”
“Do you want to catch an illness and die?”
At Ghiscar’s cold tone, she didn’t answer. Truthfully, she wished for it. Instead, Diana gave a gloomy smile.
“Your Majesty… doesn’t want me to die, does he?”
“……”
“Then why did you spare me?”
Ghiscar’s brow furrowed. His violet eyes bore into her. The tension between them thickened, and Diana gave a dry laugh.
“No, asking questions when I already know the answer is foolish, isn’t it?”
His eyes examined her face closely. When he met her gaze, his expression twisted.
“If the young lady knew the answer so well, why did you try to run?”
His mocking tone carried scorn.
“Because I thought I could.”
“Foolish.”
He was right. It had been foolish. She hated the naive righteousness within her.
“You’d best not attempt it again.”
“……”
“I know you possess a strange power. Even so, it will be useless in this forest, overrun with monsters.”
Diana gave no reply. She already knew escape was impossible.
When she didn’t answer, a blanket was draped over her. Startled by the weight, she looked up to see Ghiscar meeting her eyes as he carefully wrapped her.
The way he checked her body so thoroughly almost felt gentle, reminiscent of when he had once served her back in her days as a slave.
Of course, Diana had the sense not to say such a thing aloud.
Suddenly, his large hand reached toward her. She flinched instinctively. His eyes narrowed at that reaction. His thick fingers brushed her cheek. His hand still carried the metallic tang of blood.
He didn’t place his palm, only a few fingers.
“Your body is still cold.”
See, even you don’t want me to be touched… Diana said nothing.
“I know the young lady won’t be satisfied.”
“……”
“If anything troubles you, speak of it.”
What is with this man? Why is he acting like a servant? Before she realized it, Diana nodded. For a brief moment, his expression softened.
***
The young knight’s name was Rogafl. He often sat at her side, chattering away. With many older sisters, he was used to talking—so much that Diana grew weary of him.
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to ignore him completely. The reason was simple: guilt. She knew his fate.
Back when she had tried to flee, he had encountered a monster on the way back. She hadn’t seen him again. Later, she heard he had been executed. In the end, she had driven him to death. Hearing the boy chatter about his five older sisters and little brother left her with a bitter feeling. He had been a living, breathing “person” whom her actions had doomed.
“Why are we in such a hurry?”
She asked Rogafl. His eyes widened—her first question to him.
“That’s…”
“It seems negotiations with Grand Duke Blake haven’t been made, have they?”
“That’s right.”
In other words, if they entered the Grand Duke’s territory, she might have a chance to escape. The thought flickered in her mind, but she shook her head.
She couldn’t pit the Duke against Ghiscar. In her past life, those two powers had never clashed openly.
The Duke had once sheltered her. She couldn’t bring more harm to him.
Diana had seen the Farnborough royals executed with her own eyes in her past life. The Farnborough she knew had been different. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
“I’d like to write a letter to a friend. Could you get me paper and a pen?”
“You mustn’t.”
Rogafl’s firm refusal surprised her. The usually easygoing boy now spoke with a hard edge.
“A pen nib is sharp.”
“……”
“His Majesty ordered it. And… I myself don’t want you stabbing your throat with it.”
“……”
I should have succeeded the first time I tried… A painful lesson. Though she hadn’t really meant to die.
“Still, if you tell me, I’ll write it for you and send it.”
Diana nodded. Guilt still lingered whenever she looked at him.
***
Diana sat in the prison-like carriage, blankly passing time. When sleep came, she curled up. When food was given, she ate reluctantly.
Ghiscar occasionally checked on her, asking if she was uncomfortable. All she could do was shake her head.
The wound on her neck had healed, and the bandages could be removed. In her past life, she had been constantly on edge, always fleeing, then bedridden after. This time felt strangely dull.
Even though they hurried out of the Grand Duke’s territory, perhaps wary of pursuit, the journey was still pressed and urgent. Diana remained in the carriage.
Meals were poor, and sleeping there was hardly restful.
She hated the knights’ glares, so she stayed inside, even during rests.
But even her small refuge—the carriage—was soon destroyed.
“Look! A wyvern!”
A piercing shriek rang out, shaking the ground. Diana flinched inside the carriage. Rogafl had gone out.
She had heard rumors of increased monster activity. But to attack despite so many people here?
Shouts and screams filled the air. Even if she sometimes longed for death, she had no desire to be ripped apart alive.
Yet the monsters clearly had some intelligence.
CRACK—CRASH—The carriage rocked violently. A wyvern smashed through the roof, glaring at her.
Its red eyes glistened greedily, pupils widening. Diana stumbled back in fear. Should she run out? But the cunning beast gripped the carriage with its claws and lifted it. Tilting the floor, it made the walls into the ground as the lid flew open.
She nearly rolled out immediately.
The wind roared madly. Seeing how high she was, Diana realized she had been taken by the wyvern.
“Ann!”
From below, Ghiscar shouted. She looked down. Some knights battled the wyverns. Ghiscar glared up at her with bloodshot eyes.
At this rate, she would be dragged to the wyvern’s nest and devoured alive. Diana looked at the beast clutching the carriage.
Focused on flying, it barely noticed her. She frowned. The farther from the ground, the more likely it was to snatch her directly.
Calling on Sylph, Diana jumped without hesitation.
A scream tore through the air.
She wasn’t worried. Sylph would slow her fall. As expected, a powerful wind rushed up, easing her descent. She tried to keep her balance, but soon found herself tumbling headfirst.
Just as she neared the ground, someone caught her and rolled with her.
