Episode 42. Dog Training
It was dawn. The sun had not yet risen. The sky was a deep navy blue. A few stars remained. The wind was chilly. Even though it was the tail end of a July night, the morning air was cold.
The carriage stopped by the roadside just outside the Count Strauss estate. Martha, Prince Leon, and the Duke of Ashford disembarked one after another. All three were wearing cloaks. Their hoods were pulled down low, concealing their faces. They decided to leave the carriage there. From this point on, they had to walk.
The sound of the carriage would alert the inspectors over there. They had to enter the estate, making only the sound of their footsteps. The three began to walk. A dirt path stretched out in the darkness. There was the scent of grass. Somewhere, the sound of insects could be heard.
As they walked, the Duke of Ashford muttered in a low voice.
"I should have ridden a horse."
Martha nudged the Duke of Ashford's back and said.
"You should be grateful that your two legs are still intact, Duke. Later, if even one of you breaks down, you won't be able to walk even if you want to."
Duke Ashford said.
"I am still fine."
Martha said.
"That is why you should be grateful right now."
Duke Ashford looked at Martha, then looked ahead, then looked at Martha again. Prince Leon walked beside him in silence. The three of them walked side by side in the darkness. After walking a little, Prince Leon spoke quietly beside Martha.
"Isn't it hard?"
Martha said.
"You wouldn't know how happy it is to walk like this."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. Martha walked, looking straight ahead. In the darkness, the earth crunched under her feet. The cool dawn air entered her lungs. There was the scent of grass. The faint outlines of trees were visible in the distance. As she walked, Martha thought. How happy it was to walk like this.
It was before the regression. It was just before closing her eyes. Martha walked, leaning on a cane, limping on one leg. Even climbing stairs was difficult. There were days when she would stop halfway down a long corridor to catch her breath. How envious she used to be back then, watching the other ladies-in-waiting run around laughing through the window. She wondered if they knew how happy those children were just to be able to run around on two feet like that. But now she was walking on two feet. Perfectly. Breathing in the dawn air. Stepping on the earth.
Martha snapped out of her thoughts and spoke.
"But there isn't much time."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. Martha lightly patted Prince Leon's back and said.
"Shall we go jogging and running?"
Prince Leon froze. Martha patted Duke Ashford's back as well and said.
"You too, Duke."
Duke Ashford said.
"You want to run?"
Martha had already started running. Lightly. Not fast. But without stopping. Prince Leon looked at Martha and started running. Duke Ashford looked at the two of them with a bewildered expression and started running on impulse. The three of them ran side by side in the darkness. As he ran, Duke Ashford said in a low voice.
"It feels just like when I first enlisted in the Imperial Army."
"It's a good memory."
Martha said as she ran.
"It feels strangely like I'm being trained."
Said the Duke of Ashford. Prince Leon ran forward, his lips curving slightly upward. As she ran, Martha felt the dirt crunching under her feet. A cool breeze brushed against her face. Her legs were moving perfectly fine. Good.
This is enough.
In front of the warehouse of the Count Strauss estate. Ten carriages were lined up. Farmhouse carriages, supplier carriages, servant carriages, and carriages borrowed from villagers. They varied in size and appearance. Since the Count's estate didn't really need carriages other than the one the Count used, these were the ones he had scraped together from every last bit he could find while touring the estate.
Count Strauss stood waiting in front of the warehouse. He blinked as he saw the three of them running toward him.
"Did you run here?"
Martha said, catching her breath.
"Yes. We didn't have time."
Count Strauss looked at the Duke of Ashford. The Duke of Ashford spoke.
"Do not ask."
Count Strauss said, pointing to the carriages.
"I have gathered them all. I borrowed the villagers' and used the servants' as well."
Martha scanned the carriages and asked.
"How many are there?"
Count Strauss said.
"Twelve."
Martha said.
"Twelve is enough."
Duke Ashford looked at the carriages and said.
"Does each carriage start in a different direction?"
"Yes, they are all scattering in different directions so that the other side won't know which carriage to chase."
Prince Leon said.
"What did you tell the coachmen?"
Count Strauss said.
"I just told them to drive around for an hour and come back. I told them not to ask why."
Martha nodded and said.
"That's enough. Let them go."
Dawn began to break. A faint light began to rise from the edge of the horizon. The darkness lifted little by little. Martha raised her hand. Go. The twelve carriages began to move simultaneously.
Creak, creak. The sound of wheels. The sound of hooves. Then they began to scatter in different directions. Two to the north, three to the south, two to the east, two to the west, and three toward the outskirts.
Watching this, Martha took out a telescope. Prince Leon looked at Martha.
"Where did you get that?"
Martha asked.
"I brought it. It's exciting, isn't it?"
Prince Leon remained silent. Martha looked toward the boundary of the territory through the telescope. She saw unfamiliar inspectors following the carriages at a safe distance. At first, they appeared to be in a state of confusion, unsure which carriage to chase. One of them ran in one direction and then returned. They went in a different direction and then returned.
Martha lowered her telescope and said.
"They're running well."
The Duke of Ashford remarked.
"This is truly dog training."
Prince Leon stood silent beside him. Count Strauss looked at Martha and said.
"My Lady, coming up with this is truly ..."
Martha folded her telescope and said.
"You'll understand as you live."
Count Strauss remained silent.
Day one. Twelve carriages set out and all returned within an hour. The inspectors over there had come up empty-handed. They chased a carriage, only to find it empty. They chased another, only to find it empty again.
Day two. Another twelve carriages set out. This time, the route was changed. The carriage that had gone north yesterday went south today, to confuse the other side. They came up empty-handed again.
Day three. This time, only six carriages were sent out. The inspectors over there noticed the reduced numbers and held their hopes. Perhaps thinking it might be real this time, they chased even more diligently. As expected, the carriage was empty.
Prince Leon reported to Martha.
"They have now been reduced from six to three. It seems they dropped out of exhaustion."
Martha said.
"It is going well."
On the fourth day, only two carriages were dispatched. The inspectors from the other side barely followed anymore. Two men forced themselves to chase after them, only to come up empty-handed again.
Prince Leon came to Martha.
"They have started to let their guard down. Their vigilance has noticeably decreased since this afternoon."
Martha said.
"That's enough. It is tonight."
That night. It was complete darkness. The moon was obscured by clouds. No stars were visible. It was perfect darkness. There was no wind. Not a single leaf moved. That silence felt even heavier.
The prison of the Count Strauss estate. Prince Leon arrived with four military personnel. It was not a carriage. It was a horse. Cloth was wrapped around the horses' hooves. It was to silence the sound. With hoods pulled down low. They did not go along the road, but along a forest path. Fumbling their way through the moonless darkness.
The prison door opened. Count Strauss opened the door himself. The captain of the guard stood beside him. The lamp was turned down as low as possible to prevent light from leaking out. The witness stepped forward. He was a man who had been imprisoned for three months. He must have been in his mid-thirties. His face was pale. His cheeks were sunken. His legs had weakened, so he staggered at first. Yet, his eyes were alive. They were not eyes of fear. They were the eyes of determination.
Prince Leon looked at him and said.
"Can you move?"
The witness nodded.
"Yes."
"Then that is fine."
Prince Leon gestured to one of the military personnel. That person moved close to the witness, ready to support him if necessary. Count Strauss said to Prince Leon.
"I ask you to do this."
Prince Leon nodded.
"Do not worry."
The movement began. It was through a forest path. On horseback. Minimizing noise. Military personnel were positioned at the front and rear. Two in front, two behind. Prince Leon stood right beside the witness.
The first thirty minutes were quiet. The forest was deep. Tree branches stretched overhead. The darkness was thick. It was barely possible to see the outline of the person in front.
Prince Leon looked ahead while pricking up his ears. The sound of the wind. The rustling of leaves. The sound of horses' hooves treading on the earth. That was all. It was still fine, thought Prince Leon to himself. But it was somewhere in the middle of the forest. A sound came from behind. It was the sound of a branch breaking. It was an unnatural sound.
Because there was no wind. Because there was no reason for a branch to break on its own. Prince Leon raised his hand. The party stopped. Silence. Prince Leon looked behind him. It was darkness. Nothing could be seen. But then a sound was heard again. It was footsteps. Careful footsteps. It was one person.
Prince Leon gestured to a member of the military. That person quietly disappeared into the darkness. Prince Leon said to the witness.
"Do not make a sound."
The witness nodded. Silence followed. Thirty seconds. One minute, and then. A short sound was heard. It was a dull thud. And then it became quiet. The military personnel returned. He nodded. Prince Leon said.
"Continue."
The movement resumed. The witness looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon looked straight ahead and said.
"It is alright."
The witness remained silent. It took two hours. It was a military facility located within the Ashford ducal estate. It was a building surrounded by thick stone walls. The lights were on only inside. It was invisible from the outside.
The door opened. He stepped inside. The door closed. As Prince Leon handed the witness over to the officer in charge inside the facility, he said.
"No one can touch you here."
The officer nodded. The witness looked at Prince Leon.
"Thank you."
Prince Leon said.
"Tell me if you need anything inside. As I mentioned earlier, I will keep your family safe elsewhere."
The witness nodded and went inside. The door closed. Prince Leon looked at the door and let out a sigh. A military member standing beside him said.
"Thank you for your hard work, Young Master."
Prince Leon nodded and spoke.
"Thank you all for your hard work."
The moment Prince Leon took custody of the witness, Martha was waiting nearby in a carriage. Leon boarded the carriage heading toward the Duke of Valois to take Martha there. Martha was waiting inside the carriage. She had been waiting near the military facility. They had agreed to return together once the transfer was complete.
As Prince Leon boarded the carriage, he looked at Martha. Martha looked at Prince Leon. Dark circles under his eyes were visible. It was evident on his face that he hadn't slept properly for several days. Yet, his eyes were alive. Martha spoke.
"Was the transfer successful?"
Prince Leon asked.
"It was successful."
Martha nodded.
"Thank you for your hard work."
The carriage set off. The carriage sped along. It was a pitch-black night. Dark streets passed by outside the window. Unlit shops were visible. Occasionally, a night watchman's lantern passed by. Martha looked out the window and said.
"Aren't you feeling hungry?"
Prince Leon looked at Martha.
"I am."
Martha said, looking out the window.
"You said you had breakfast."
"Yes."
"Then it's been almost a day."
Martha stopped the carriage while looking out the window. There was a small tavern by the roadside. The lights were on. It was open even at this late hour. Warm light was spilling out from beyond the window. Martha said to the coachman.
"Stop for a moment."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. Martha said.
"Let's have something to eat before we go. Fortunately, there is a place open at this hour."
Prince Leon remained silent. Martha spoke.
"Young Master, you haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning. You must have a meal."
The carriage stopped. The tavern was small. There were four tables. Two of them were occupied by customers. They looked like night watchmen. They were people who worked late. Martha and Prince Leon sat in a corner seat. When the owner arrived, Martha said.
"Give me everything you have. Something warm."
The owner nodded and went inside. Prince Leon looked at Martha.
"Everything you have?"
Martha asked.
"I'm hungry."
Prince Leon remained silent. A moment later, the food arrived. Bread, soup, roast meat, and a bottle of liquor. Martha looked at the bottle.
"I didn't order any alcohol?"
The owner said.
"It's on the house. We offer it to guests who come at this time."
Martha said.
"Thank you."
The owner went back inside. Martha picked up a glass and poured the liquor. She poured into Prince Leon's glass first, and then into her own. Prince Leon watched this and spoke.
"Princess, are you drinking again? That day too..."
Martha said.
"Oh, this much is no problem for me."
Prince Leon raised his glass. Martha raised hers as well. They clinked their glasses. Their conversation continued as they ate. The story of the witness transfer. The story of the inspectors following along.
Prince Leon spoke calmly. Martha ate her bread while listening.
"Weren't you scared?"
Prince Leon asked.
"I don't really know what it means to be scared. Maybe it's because I've been trained since childhood. In dangerous situations, the thought of what I need to do next comes before the sensation of fear."
Martha thought as she listened. I see. That is how he has lived his life. Martha said.
"Isn't that actually harder?"
Prince Leon looked at Martha.
"What do you mean?"
Martha said.
"It is natural to feel scared when you are scared. If you can't do that, it feels like you are missing something. That you know what situation you are in."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze was different.
"Do you feel scared when you are scared, Princess?"
Martha asked.
"Of course, I am terrified. The Golden Lion Merchant Guild is scary, and Her Majesty the Empress is scary too."
"And yet you didn't even change your expression."
Martha said.
"Even if I'm scared, I have to do what needs to be done. If I don't do it because I'm scared, something even scarier will happen."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. There was silence for a moment. He picked up his wine glass and put it down. Then he spoke.
"Princess."
Martha looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon said.
"I mean the day we broke off the engagement."
Martha paused. Prince Leon said.
"I regret that moment."
The tavern fell silent. The sound of night watchmen talking could be heard in the distance. The flames crackled. Other than that, there was no sound.
Martha looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze was serious. Although he was tired and exhausted, something was rising within him. It seemed as if something he had been suppressing for a long time was rising to the surface. Prince Leon spoke.
"You keep lingering in my mind."
Martha froze. Prince Leon continued.
"It was strange from the moment we first met. Even after the broken engagement, listening to you talk about arthritis, listening to you talk about the laundry. I kept wondering what kind of person you were. And the more I got to know you..."
Prince Leon paused for a moment before speaking.
"I became even more curious. From the moment Serena I knew appeared as a completely different person after the broken engagement, all the way until now. Can you tell me what I have been missing?"
Martha looked at Prince Leon. And without realizing it, she placed her hand on her chest. What is wrong with me? Her heart was beating. Fast. Uncontrollably. Martha thought to herself. Did the young lady have a heart condition? Is something wrong with my body? Why is this happening all of a sudden?
Martha picked up her glass. She took a sip. Then she looked at Prince Leon again. Prince Leon was looking at Martha. Martha said.
"Leon."
Prince Leon said.
"Yes."
Martha thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Let's get back to work first. Let's eat."
Prince Leon froze. Martha pushed a piece of bread toward him and said.
"Please eat. You worked hard today."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. There was a look of bewilderment in her eyes. And there was also something else. Prince Leon picked up the bread. Martha looked out the window while eating her soup. This little brat. What is he suddenly talking about? Does he regret the day we broke off the engagement? That I keep appearing in his mind? Oh dear.
Martha lightly placed her hand on her chest and then took it down. Why is my heart behaving like this? I've lived for eighty years. I've heard the nobles' love songs in the Imperial Palace until I'm sick of them. I never knew my heart would be like this.
Martha took another sip of her drink. Prince Leon looked at Martha while eating his bread. Martha looked out the window. Neither of them spoke.
The flames inside the tavern crackled. It was warm. Bathing in that warmth, Martha thought. Back when I lived as a lady-in-waiting. I was the best in the Empire at serving the nobles. But when it comes to things like this. I'm a total novice. Oh dear.
The carriage stopped in front of the Valois estate. As Martha stepped out, she said.
"Would you like to come in? It's still early dawn."
Prince Leon replied.
"It's alright. I must go."
Martha nodded.
"Thank you for your hard work, truly."
Prince Leon looked at Martha. His gaze was different from before. It wasn't the look of regret for what he had said at the tavern. It was simply the look of someone looking at Martha. Prince Leon said.
"My Lady."
Martha looked at Prince Leon. Prince Leon said.
"Make sure you eat well."
Martha froze. That's my line. Prince Leon boarded the carriage. The carriage started moving. Martha watched the carriage recede into the distance. Further away. Further away. Until it was out of sight.
As she opened the mansion door, Martha thought, 'Make sure you eat well. This brat.' Martha placed her hand on her chest. Her heart was still beating fast.
Lucy was waiting at the entrance. Looking at Martha, she said.
"My Lady, what is wrong with your face?"
Martha said.
"I drank."
Lucy asked.
"A lot?"
Martha said.
"No."
Lucy looked at Martha.
"Then why is your face red?"
Martha said.
"...Because it's cold."
Lucy looked at Martha. It was July. Lucy took out a notebook. As Martha went into the room, she said.
"Don't write it."
Lucy held the notebook and hesitated. Then she wrote.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 42]
Many things happened today. I was about to write it down when the Princess said, "Don't write it." I wrote it secretly.
Young Master Leon confessed today. The Princess's face turned red. I don't know if a face can turn red just because it's cold in July. Will I find out as I live on?
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment