Chapter 26
The Meaning of Night Hunting
“Where on earth did you go at this late hour?”
Mellie tilted her head and returned to her quarters.
Oz happened to be there. She found Mellie while tidying up the bed and asked,
“Where have you been?”
“Yeah, I went to see Edric for a moment.”
“Oh my.”
Oz looked apologetic, as though regretting not telling Mellie earlier.
“He’s not here right now. He went out night hunting. He took Wilson with him.”
Wilson was Mellie’s younger brother by two years. Quick-witted and physically fit, Wilson was often used by Edric as an errand boy.
“Night hunting…?” Mellie repeated.
“Yes,” Oz said. “He must have some complicated business.”
Edric usually went night hunting when he had a lot on his mind. When he returned, his face would often be brighter, and he’d smile, saying, “It’s resolved, Mellie. I’m fine now.”
At the thought, Mellie’s face suddenly darkened. The idea of Edric going hunting to clear his thoughts stirred her own worries.
“Uh…” Oz interrupted Mellie’s thoughts cautiously.
“I heard Lena talking about something she overheard in Madame’s room during the day.”
“…?”
“His Majesty… she heard that he broke off the engagement.”
“Ah…” Mellie smiled bitterly.
Oz nodded, unsurprised by Mellie’s lack of reaction.
“You already knew, didn’t you? Did His Majesty tell you?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, since you two are best friends, it’s only natural that you have no secrets,” Oz said matter-of-factly.
Best friends….
Mellie sighed quietly.
There’s no such thing as that anymore. Like many friendships that grow awkward after crossing certain boundaries, we’re bound to end up the same way.
“Then you know why Her Majesty left home?”
“Left home…?” Mellie’s eyes widened.
“You didn’t know?” Oz looked surprised.
“…No.”
“The Duchess was furious about the engagement being called off without her permission. Her Majesty packed her things and left for her brother’s house in Lorraine.”
Mellie had been so focused on Edric that she’d completely forgotten about Mrs. Felton.
He hadn’t persuaded his mother; he’d just given up. And the Duchess must be livid. Even if she once loved me as her own daughter, this situation would have been too much for her to accept.
Mellie felt her courage faltering again. Ada Felton had always been a challenge for Mellie, not just because of her cold demeanor but also because of the unspoken barriers she’d erected. The thought of facing her again felt like confronting an unscalable glacier.
“Is something wrong? Can I get you a glass of wine?” Oz asked, noticing Mellie’s darkening expression.
“Please,” Mellie said. She was usually better at waiting than anyone, but tonight she felt she needed the warmth of alcohol to bear the uncertainty.
—
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the room as bright as day. The thunder that followed was deafening, as if the world itself was being torn apart. It felt like nature was angry.
Mellie had been afraid of thunderstorms since childhood. Her father, a scoundrel, would often come home drunk, and her mother would command her with dignity, “Stay in your room.”
Mellie would obediently stay in her room, listening to the escalating arguments and the sound of objects breaking. Even after her father passed and the fighting stopped, thunderstorms still terrified her. The trauma clung to her, as relentless as the storms themselves.
But tonight, worry eclipsed her fear.
Why hasn’t he come back yet?
Edric had gone night hunting and hadn’t returned. Mellie stood by the window, staring into the dark forest swaying violently in the wind and rain. Not a trace of Edric was visible.
Did something happen?
No, she told herself. That can’t be.
Edric was a hunting genius, winning the royal hunting competition year after year. Surely, he was just waiting out because of the storm in a tavern somewhere.
Yet, the ominous thoughts creeping into her mind refused to be silenced. She chewed her fingernails nervously, her stomach twisting in knots.
Finally, she decided she couldn’t wait idly anymore. Heading downstairs, she paced between the living room and the hallway.
Oz, rubbing her eyes groggily, as she noticed her.
“Miss, why are you still awake? What are you doing here?”
“Edric hasn’t come back yet,” Mellie replied.
“You worry for your friend so much,” Oz said with a soft laugh.
“If you have something to say to him, just tell me. I’ll pass it along.”
Mellie shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll tell him later…”
Suddenly, the sound of limping footsteps echoed through the hallway. Both Mellie and Oz turned toward the sound. In the dim light, they could make out a silhouette.
It wasn’t Edric. The figure was smaller and thinner.
“Wilson?” Oz called out.
Mellie recognized him immediately. It was Edric’s boy. As he approached, Mellie noticed he was soaking wet.
“Wilson, you’re drenched! Didn’t you bring an umbrella?” Oz scolded, hurrying to fetch a towel.
But Mellie wasn’t concerned about that.
“Are you here alone? Where’s Edric?”
“Um…”
Lightning lit the room again, and Mellie noticed the red stains on Wilson’s sleeve.
“Are you hurt?”
Wilson hesitated. “A little…”
But Mellie knew something was off. She rolled up his sleeve. There was no wound.
“What happened? Where is Edric? Tell me, Wilson!” Mellie demanded, her voice trembling.
Wilson flinched at her intensity. “His Majesty… he’s in the hospital.”
“The hospital?”
“He’s hurt. Not badly, but…”
Mellie’s head spun. She felt dizzy, staggering for a moment before steadying herself.
“Which hospital?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, but—Miss, it’s raining so hard. Can’t you wait until morning?”
“Which hospital?” Mellie repeated firmly, her eyes blazing.
Realizing there was no stopping her, Wilson reluctantly answered.
Despite the storm, Mellie knew she couldn’t wait. No carriage would be available at this hour, but she had another option.
Grabbing Wilson’s horse, she saddled it herself and climbed on. The rain plastered her hair to her forehead, her blouse clinging to her skin. Her skirt tangled around her legs, and the cold autumn rain seeped into her bones.
Yet, the rain felt strangely warm. Perhaps because it wasn’t just rainwater running down her cheeks.
—
