🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 24
Anna, exhausted from caring for Lucy, eventually began to nod off.
Once Lucy gathered her resolve, the dizziness in her head and the swollen heaviness of her eyes—once a burden—no longer stood in the way.
She focused solely on escaping, straining her ears to the sounds outside.
Lucy crouched at the door for what felt like a long time. Finally, faint voices drifted in from beyond the door.
“Hey, it’s shift change. How are the girls?”
“Quiet, must be asleep. I nearly died of boredom. Anyway, good luck.”
As Lucy had anticipated, the men exchanged a few short words and then fell silent, likely after switching shifts.
Just as I thought!
Judging by her instincts, it was now the deep hours of dawn. Lucy prayed that the new guard would succumb to his boredom and doze off.
Time dragged endlessly. Without a clock, she couldn’t tell how much had passed. She listened intently, waiting for the right moment.
After several hours, she shook Anna awake, covering her mouth at the same time to stifle any sound. Bringing a finger to her lips, Lucy signaled for silence. Anna nodded.
“Anna, I’m going to open the door now. I’ll go first—you follow. Got it?” Lucy whispered softly.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly pushed the door open.
Peeking out through the half-open door, she saw a burly man slumped in a chair, nodding off.
Holding her breath, Lucy crept out and gestured for Anna to follow. When Anna stepped into the corridor, Lucy signaled for her to head downstairs first.
If the man woke and noticed the open door, he would immediately realize they were gone. Lucy intended to close the door again.
But perhaps from her nerves—
Click!
Her trembling hand fumbled the door shut too roughly, producing a sharp noise.
Damn it…
She froze and slowly turned her body.
“Huh? You—you! Why are you out here?”
The man had woken and spotted her.
Forcing her expression calm, Lucy looked at him helplessly and replied in a steady voice.
“Ah… I just needed to ask a favor…”
A glance at the stairs showed that Anna was already gone.
“What? Didn’t you hear you can’t leave your room without permission?”
“I wasn’t trying to leave… I just needed something urgently.”
“Something?”
The man scowled irritably.
“…I need women’s supplies.”
At her words, his face went blank.
“Women’s… supplies? What do you mean?”
“You know… that thing, once a month… Could you maybe ask one of the female staff to lend me something? Please, it’s urgent!”
His face flushed crimson.
“Ahem! T-that’s something you should have prepared beforehand! Get back inside. I’ll find you some.”
He stammered, clearly flustered. Lucy nodded quickly, slipped back into the room, and shut the door.
She listened as his footsteps grew fainter. She prayed desperately he wouldn’t run into Anna.
Once all was silent, she counted to five and opened the door again.
The hallway was empty. Lucy bolted downstairs with all her strength. Thankfully, no one was guarding the entrance.
“Miss, over here!”
Anna waved from behind a pile of trash near the door.
“They’ll realize we’re gone any second! Let’s go!”
Grabbing Anna’s hand, Lucy ran.
But soon, spotting a patrolling man, they ducked behind the corner of the building.
He’ll notice our absence any moment now…
Her heart pounded as if the man might already be chasing them. Even a few seconds felt unbearably long.
As his footsteps drew near, they crouched low behind a stack of firewood, holding their breath.
When the sound receded, they ran again.
Lucy suddenly recalled the moment she’d fled the imperial palace, struck by déjà vu. This was already her second desperate sprint in just a few days.
If I make it out alive, I’ll have to train my stamina…
She was already reaching her limit, her speed faltering. They were reduced to alternating between staggering runs and gasping walks.
“A carriage! We need to get as far away as possible… This is a busy district, there should be carriages even at dawn,” Anna panted.
“Then let’s head for the main road!”
They ran toward the brighter lights. At last, a wide square stretched before them.
Lucy scanned frantically for a rental carriage.
“There! Grab them!”
A shout rang out. Lucy spun around to see several men charging toward them.
They ran again.
“Anna, remember our promise! Don’t look back—just run!”
Lucy resolved that if necessary, she would draw the men away to buy Anna time.
The pursuers were gaining fast. Capture was inevitable if this continued. Lucy had to decide—
“Miss! Run!”
Suddenly, Anna’s shout rang out behind her.
Lucy looked back—Anna had stopped, standing her ground, glaring at her with blazing eyes.
“No, Anna! Don’t do this, please!”
Lucy tried to rush toward her, but Anna shook her head violently.
“We promised! Run, quickly!”
“Go! Keep your promise!”
“Anna… please…”
Lucy sobbed, tears blurring her vision.
“Run! Keep the promise!”
At last, Lucy had no choice but to obey. If she escaped, she could return for Anna later.
“Anna, wait for me! I’ll come back for you!”
Biting her lip hard, Lucy turned and sprinted away.
Please, Anna, stay safe… I’ll be back soon…
Turning the corner onto the main road, she spotted rows of carriages ahead. She risked a glance behind—no pursuers in sight.
She wiped her tears with her sleeve and kept running.
The carriages were close now.
Just a little more—then I can get away!
As she mounted the curb, ready to board, someone suddenly yanked her by the hair from behind.
“Ugh!”
She was dragged backward, helpless.
“Got her! We’ve caught this one too!”
Despair swallowed her as she kicked and struggled.
“Let go! Let me go!”
“Hold still, damn it!”
The man shouted irritably, trying to drag her away.
Lucy clawed and tore at his hand. The feel of skin ripping beneath her nails was nauseating, but she had no time to recoil.
“You little—!”
As he turned his head back to her, Lucy seized a stone from the ground and hurled it at his face.
“Argh!”
With a sharp crack, the stone struck. He released her hair, clutching his nose.
Lucy tore free and dashed away, glancing back only once.
Anna… I need to get Anna…
But Anna was already captured, restrained by another man. Even at a distance, their eyes seemed to meet.
I’m sorry, Anna…
Swallowing her sobs, Lucy ran harder. Behind her, curses echoed from the men.
Even if she managed to board a carriage, she doubted she could truly escape. For now, hiding nearby seemed her only chance.
She veered sharply and ducked into an alley, running blindly, turning corners at random—
