Krrrik…krrrrt!
A return procession to the Estel duchy. Lying down in a luxurious carriage in the middle of the procession, I woke up involuntarily as the carriage rattled violently.
“Mmm…”
I turned my eyes and glanced at the scenery outside the window.
Everywhere, there was only a thick darkness that made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.
When I pricked my ears, I could faintly hear insects chirping in the grass somewhere.
I raised my head slightly.
The sight of the full moon shining brightly through the clouds, as if shyly hiding its inner light, came into view in the ink-black night sky.
Around the full moon, countless stars were scattered, as though having an audience with the goddess of the night.
“…Umm, Young Lord Cain…”
Next to me was Aria, sound asleep with her head resting on my shoulder. It was truly endearing to see her sleeping soundly with her mouth slightly open, so I gently smoothed her disheveled hair.
“…Hehe, please do more…”
I watched Aria’s sleep-talking face for a while without saying anything. Suddenly, I realized that a different woman’s face seemed to be overlapping with Aria’s, and I let out a sigh without meaning to. It was starting to seem quite severe.
I remembered the last time I saw Bianca’s face before leaving the territory of Castana. Bianca, who seemed on the verge of tears, wore an expression I had never seen before, a stark contrast to her usual confident and dignified appearance.
“…What the heck was that?”
It was confusing. And, for some reason, I didn’t like it. The Bianca I knew, Bianca del Castana, was never like that, and I didn’t think she should act like that in front of me.
The Bianca I knew was the kind of woman who looked down on others, did whatever she wanted, and was a nuisance to those around her. That was the Bianca I had always known. Yet, the expression she had—the tattered look of someone deeply wounded, like a scolded puppy—felt utterly unsuitable for her.
No, perhaps that was the true nature of Bianca del Castana.
Because, at that time, she had been like that. Ten years ago, the small girl with a cold smile that never reached her tear-filled eyes had looked very much like the woman I had just seen.
[Hey, now that we’re talking about it. Will we meet again next time? No, can we meet, right?]
[…Yeah, I know. But still…]
[…Good. It’s the first time I’ve talked like this and played with someone. Everything was good.]
[…That’s stupid. There’s no use in having memories like that.]
Unknowingly, my heart felt disturbed, and I muttered the words as if they were an excuse. Something big was stirring in my chest. To shake off those feelings, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. A naive attempt to escape the thoughts that plagued me, hoping sleep would help me forget.
But that was when it happened.
Krrrrt!
The carriage came to a sudden stop without any prior warning. The inertia pulled the entire vehicle forward sharply.
“Kyaa!”
“Aria!”
Aria’s body, which had been resting against my shoulder, jolted forward from the impact. Fortunately, my reflexes were quick enough to catch her and hold her tightly in my arms.
“Are you okay, Aria?”
“Yes, yes… I’m okay. Really fine, Young Lord Cain…”
Perhaps still dazed from being suddenly shaken awake, Aria’s face turned bright red.
Realizing I was still holding her, I quickly released her from my embrace.
“…Ugh.”
Aria pouted slightly, seemingly displeased by my actions, but her expression soon turned serious. She whispered to me in a very small voice.
“…Young Lord Cain. Did you notice? Now, around…”
“…Yes, I know, Aria.”
I understood exactly what Aria meant. It was eerily quiet outside. The Duke of Estel’s procession had nearly overturned in an accident, yet no one had come to check on us.
Most disturbingly, there was complete silence outside. No neighing of horses, no chatter from people, not even the sound of insects chirping. It was as if we had been transported to a desolate world where sound itself no longer existed.
“…..”
“…..”
Aria and I exchanged a tense glance. Unconsciously, I gulped and swallowed hard. Then, gathering my resolve, I slowly opened the carriage door.
Kiik…
The moment I stepped outside, I realized something was terribly wrong.
“This…”
Everyone in the procession escorting me had collapsed on the ground. From the simple wagoners to the knights, even the horses that pulled the carriage—none had been spared. There were no signs of injury, no trauma, no visible wounds. It seemed as though they had simply fallen into a deep sleep.
And for me, it was unsettling news. Whoever did this had managed to do so without leaving any trace, without giving any warning, without even Aria or I noticing.
‘…Should we run away?’
It might have already been too late, but in that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if struggling was the only option left.
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