Laila stiffened and turned to the side, facing Sion, but her gaze extended past his shoulder, focusing beyond.
Her lips trembled.
“……wolf.”
A wolf. It’s quite a large one, too.
It had been a long time ago, but Laila had already gone on a hunt with the Marquis.
The wolf that appeared now was even larger than the mature wolf she had seen at the hunting grounds back then.
Laila felt dizzy. It was as if her mind was turning white.
Why?
Why on earth was there a wolf here?
She had never heard stories of wolves appearing at this lakeside. That was certainly not the case until a year ago.
Has the situation changed in the past year since she hadn’t visited the lake and hadn’t bothered to look for news?
But if that were the case, someone would have told her.
Maybe the butler or the knight…
“Sir Keshik.
Suddenly, Laila realized the absence of the knight. Ah. Regret washed over her in a belated way.
She shouldn’t have sent him. She should have just told him not to bring the picnic supplies. Or, better yet, she should have gone to get them together.
If she had known about the wolves, she would never have stayed here alone with Sion.
-Grrrr.
“……!”
The wolf took a step closer. The howl grew louder.
The wolf’s demeanor was somewhat aggressive. It was impossible not to notice when facing it head-on.
Though her whole body began to tremble, Laila managed to reach out and grab Sion’s clothing, pulling him behind her.
Sion came along without resistance, but his eyes widened slightly at the unexpected behavior.
“What’s going on?”
“D-d-don’t worry. J-just calm down.”
“…….”
Sion furrowed his brow. Laila realized in that moment who needed to calm down.
After taking a deep breath, Laila spoke again.
“W-w-we’re in big trouble right now.”
“…….”
“But it’s okay. The carriage isn’t far away; we just have to run fast enough to get there…….”
Laila halted mid-sentence.
The carriage wasn’t far.
As soon as she uttered those words, a chill ran down her spine.
……Yes.
The carriage is not far away.
It’s on the other side of the lake, but it’s only a short distance from the other side to here.
But then why…
The knight who went to that not-so-distant carriage hasn’t come back yet.
Laila turned her head very slowly.
She did this partly to avoid provoking the wolf but also because she didn’t want to confirm a reality she didn’t want to face.
She forced strength into her knees, which were about to give out.
He’s not there.
On the other side of the lake, as far as she could see, there was no sign of the carriage.
When did it disappear? Why did it disappear? No, actually, she knew the answer.
Laila, with a pale face, turned her gaze back to the wolf.
Today, before the carriage departed from the estate, whom did the coachman and the knight meet?
One person came to mind quite naturally.
There was only one person Laila had recently clashed with at the estate.
Her mouth opened slightly, but not even a sigh escaped.
Only deep regret stained her heart.
Why?
Why did she do that?
Knowing his temperament, why did she do something so stupid and provoke him?
Was it because she was tired? Because she was tired and sensitive, she couldn’t resist striking back when the other person initiated a fight.
It was a stupid excuse.
She snapped. She seethed. She couldn’t hold back.
Laila shouldn’t have snapped. She shouldn’t have seethed. She shouldn’t have lashed out.
For someone without power, enduring was never a choice from the beginning.
There had never been a time when it was a matter of choice.
She knew that well.
But despite knowing all that,
Laila bit her lip until it hurt.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but it felt like the wolf had drawn closer.
…Could they escape?
But where to?
The carriage was gone. Should they venture into the forest, where they could at least hide?
But what if there were other wolves in the forest? Or even ferocious beasts other than wolves?
No.
From the outset,
Could they survive the moment they turned their backs here?
The wolf’s massive fangs and sharp claws seemed to glare at her.
If the wolf bit her, tore her apart, or slashed her with its claws, her fragile body wouldn’t last a moment.
As she acknowledged the despair, tears threatened to burst forth.
She had thought she’d grown accustomed to death, but had she not?
Laila thought to herself as if she were brainwashing herself. It’s okay. It’s not the end. She can return. It’s not death; it’s just going back.
Just starting over from the beginning. She had done this numerous times before. So it’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay…….
…….
It’s not okay.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. The wolf drew closer.
That’s when it happened.
“Hey.”
As Laila barely managed to turn around, Sion grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.
Caught off guard by his unexpected strength, Laila staggered and fell backward behind Sion. Without even looking at her, Sion spoke.
“Stay still.”
Then, in the next moment, Sion charged at the wolf.
Laila’s eyes widened. And at that instant, Sion’s right fist landed a precise blow on the wolf’s forehead.
Thunk!
A strange sound echoed. Laila’s mouth hung halfway open.
-Grrrr!
“You stay still, too.”
Sion, who had taken a few steps backward to avoid the angry wolf’s mouth, leaped forward again.
Bam!
Sion’s fist struck the wolf’s forehead once more.
Laila’s mouth, halfway open, widened a bit more.
-Grrrrr!
The wolf became even more ferocious after receiving two hits. An adult wolf moved incredibly fast.
But Sion was faster.
He rolled on the ground, dodging the wolf’s blows, and then leapt to his feet and dove into its arms.
His clenched fist aimed unerringly for the same spot.
Thunk!
-Grrr……!
Thunk!
-Grrr……!
Thunk!
-G….!
Thunk!
Perched where she had fallen, Laila watched Sion and the wolf, blinking slowly.
…Did she hear it wrong?
Just now, it sounded like a “crack.”
– Crack!
Ah, I didn’t mishear. I definitely heard it this time.
Sion’s fist repeatedly struck the wolf on the forehead, causing it to retreat backwards with its tail between its legs.
The wolf.
Backed off.
Even after being punched…
Laila, who had been staring blankly at the unbelievable sight, flinched for a moment.
The wolf’s gaze, which had been scanning the surroundings, landed on her.
Laila tensed and held her breath.
“I didn’t hit hard enough.”
Sion, clenching his left hand, approached the wolf.
The startled wolf, showing signs of fear, quickly turned and fled.
In an instant, its large form vanished into the dense forest.
Laila finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
She tilted her head slightly and stared at her hand. They were trembling.
Just as Laila tried to steady her trembling hands, someone called her from above.
“Laila Hildegarde.”
Of course, there was only one person who would call her.
Laila looked up. Sion, who had come close without her noticing, was looking down at her, scrutinizing her every move.
“Any injuries?”
“Huh?”
Laila’s mouth fell open again, words spilling out on their own.
“Me, you’re asking me? If I’m injured?”
Was it because of her foolish response? Sion’s expression hardened, but he said no more.
Laila couldn’t bear the silence any longer and suddenly felt the urge to stand up.
Her neck ached from looking up at him, and she realized she was still sitting there.
Her mind raced, but her body, perhaps due to the sudden relief of tension, didn’t cooperate as she tried to get up.
She staggered several times, like a newborn fawn, before finally managing to stand properly.
