Matching the shout, I slammed my body against the door. Thanks to the lock releasing limply, I was able to launch myself out without any hindrance. Because of the carriage's speed, it felt just like leaping into the wind.
“Selinia!”
Eon's voice echoed along with the sound of galloping hooves. Every time I heard my name from those lips, it felt as if my blood ran cold. But not as much as now. I even felt a sense of euphoria at that voice calling my name so desperately.
“Selinia!”
It was a voice tinged with regret and bewilderment at having let a prey slip away. It wasn't unpleasant to hear.
The enjoyment of the small victory was fleeting. As expected, it was a hill outside. Thanks to the combined speed of the carriage and the incline of the hill, it had to roll along the ground at a fairly fast pace.
“Ugh!”
A groan escaped my lips involuntarily. I was well aware that the ground was hard—since it wasn't a bed or a carpet—and that there were pebbles and rocks embedded here and there. However, knowing something and experiencing it firsthand were worlds apart.
‘What about Eon?'
The first thing I checked after barely managing to stop thanks to the bushes was Eon. Since I had rolled into a place where even the path used by carriages was invisible, there was no way Eon could be seen. If that were the case, I wouldn't be visible from their side either.
Just as I was about to let out a sigh of relief, I realized that whether Eon was visible or not was a big deal. I had no choice but to realize it
[It is truly a pity that you put that foolish idea into practice.]
Eon's voice came through my head. I clutched my head because of the vibrations that felt like the ringing of a bell.
'Is this the power of dependency contracts?'
[Please stop acting foolishly and stay where you are.]
It felt as if the red mark engraved on the inside of my wrist was calling out to Eon. I rubbed it several times, even though I knew it wouldn't disappear.
'Are you saying you can really know where I am?'
In that case, I couldn't afford to just sit around. I had even fallen off the carriage, so it felt too unfair to be taken away like this.
I definitely saw them going this way.
It was then. Suddenly, voices were heard from somewhere.
'Person!'
It was just as I had expected. A place where I could avoid Eon's eyes without being too isolated. This hunting ground was a place where I could receive help even if my movements were restricted by people passing by.
"Help!"
Perhaps because I had inhaled dust, my voice wouldn't come out properly. Even so, I couldn't just let them go like this.
'If I let those people get away, I’ll really die. '
I shook the small branch next to me with all my might. I shook it with my hands and kicked it with my feet. The parched, dry branches of midwinter made quite a loud noise.
"It looks like it's over there."
It seemed that one of the group had finally spotted me. It was just as I shook the branch once more in my joy that it happened.
Hwiik.
An unnatural sound of wind brushed past my ears. I had a bad feeling about it.
I cautiously turned my head to check something that had fallen beside me. Something resembling a bird's feather was attached to the end of a long branch, and a sharp piece of metal was embedded in the front part that was stuck in the ground.
'Arrow?'
Swish-
A second arrow struck my feet in quick succession. So, I was being hunted.
“People, people!”
I hadn't even considered that I might be mistaken for a beast the day I landed on the hunting grounds. I had to let them know I was a human before they shot their arrows again.
"Wait a moment. What do you hear?"
Fortunately, it seemed my shout had been properly heard.
"It sounds like a woman's voice."
"Does that mean there is someone beyond that bush?"
"Yes. Lord Pardien, it was definitely a human voice."
In the midst of that, the surname Pardien caught my ear.
'Surely not Rudis? Are you talking about Rudis Pardien?'
Rudis de Pardien was the male protagonist of this novel.
'You're saying Rudis is here right now?'
Suddenly, my heart started to race. It was a different kind of racing than when I saw Eon. My body was reacting to unexpected hope.
'Right, it said that he often hunted here on weekends.'
A scenario that had been dormant in my memory came to mind. Even so, I never imagined it would be today. It was as if a lifeline had suddenly dropped in front of me, perfectly timed.
Rudis, the curious and resourceful male lead. According to the original story, it was not yet the right time for him to intervene in this case. However, I was not in a position to be nitpicking about the original timing right now.
'Couldn't Rudis help me? He can, right? Yes, he definitely will.'
The sound of fallen leaves rustling was heard nearby. Soon, a man with black hair and red eyes appeared.
"This..."
Rudis's face was etched with both bewilderment and worry. That ignited my hope.
"Are you alone, young lady?"
Rudis's party looked around as if something was amiss.
"I have a reason."
“But still..."
No matter the circumstances, this was not a suitable place for a woman to be left all alone. It was only natural for the man to harbor such feelings.
"She said she has her reasons. It is not the way of a gentleman to pry into a lady's private life."
It was a remark typical of Rudis, the romantic. Rudis turned his gaze back to me, holding a handkerchief in his hand.
“Excuse me?”
He gently placed a handkerchief against my forehead. The eyes that crinkled slightly when smiling, the delicately extended nose, and the plump lips—that face that had captivated Karina's heart came closer.
"I can't leave the lady's face covered in dirt."
"Ah. That's fine..."
"Oh dear, there is blood over here."
I wondered if I was being too carefree to worry about a mere scratch in a situation like this, but I realized that since they didn't know my circumstances, they had no choice.
I opened my mouth when his simple first aid was finished.
"You are Lord Rudis, aren't you?"
His red eyes widened for a moment, then soon formed a smile.
"It is an honor that you recognize me, Lady."
He was a famous writer. Although his hometown was a kingdom in the east of the empire, his name was known as far as Vainan. Everyone knew the rumors that his new books went out of print as soon as they were released and that his study was piled high with fan letters.
Thanks to that, he seemed to think that being recognized was due to his fame. And he liked his fans.
'Come to think of it, there was an article a few days ago about a new book being released.'
In this situation, to get his help, I had to do something that would win his favor, even if only a little.
My body was too exhausted to do anything, so the only thing I could trust was my tongue.
I barely managed to remember the title of the new book.
"'A Thousand Years of Waiting' will surely become a bestseller as well. Even in Vainan, the bookstore is bustling with young people eager to buy Sir Rudis's book."
"Haha, you are too kind. Just knowing that people are reading my writing brings me nothing but joy."
"It is just a shame that I don't have a pen and paper. I never dreamed I would meet Sir Rudis in a place like this."
I said in an exaggerated voice, as if I were sorry.
"I am the one who wonders how such a dignified lady could have suffered such an accident."
"I am so touched that Sir Rudis is taking an interest in me."
"A writer, by virtue of their word, must pay attention to all matters of this world. I certainly cannot simply ignore the affairs of the lady who enjoys my writing."
He was very curious. He initially started helping Karina because he was intrigued by the incidents in which only women with brown hair and green eyes were disappearing.
"Then, would you listen to my story?"
I carefully shook the fishing hook.
"Before that, it seems like the proper thing to do as a gentleman is to escort the lady to a safe place."
I quietly nodded. I shouldn't act too hastily. For now, grasping at a lifeline, I took the hand he extended.
"Can you walk?"
"Of course. No problem."
I answered confidently, but it was only in my heart. The moment my foot hit the ground, a sharp pain shot up from deep within. It seemed I had sprained my leg.
"You look like you are having a hard time.'
"Ah. No, that's not it. It's because I woke up suddenly."
I put all my strength into standing on both legs. Then, I gritted my teeth and moved. I could feel the anxious stares of the people, but what mattered right now wasn't this measly wound.
"Sir Rudis, are you in charge of the recent incident in Vainan?"
However, Rudis's interest was in the bridge, not in my words.
"This won't do. I know it is rude, but may I touch the Lady's body?"
Because he spoke in a roundabout way, I had to think for a moment to figure out what he meant. It wasn't until I saw him raise both hands that I realized he meant to hug me.
"It won't take long. I can call a horse once I get up that hill."
I didn't know what the etiquette of the nobility was like, but it wasn't a problem at all. It might be easier to bring up the topic of Eon while being held in his arms.
I answered with an apologetic smile.
"Yes, I am grateful."
"No, that won't work."
At that moment, my voice was drowned out by a low, cool voice.
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