[…What’s the point, anyway? No matter how much I struggle, in the end…]
Daphne glanced around absentmindedly. The oak forest was deep. If she ventured further in and simply died, maybe she could finally find some peace, she thought fleetingly.
[…]
If she had been alone, she would have done so long ago. If Sione hadn’t entrusted Tisbene to her, she would have…
She had certainly been broken a long time ago. Her sister’s death only made her realize her limits.
Suddenly, Daphne noticed that her surroundings had grown brighter. She couldn’t afford to stand idly by. She reluctantly started moving again.
The forest she hadn’t visited in a long time hadn’t changed much. Some areas were pitch dark, while others were filled with light.
The stars in the sky, and if lucky, the Milky Way flowing above her, were visible. The unique moss that emitted a soft, white glow blanketed the ground, shimmering like a reflective surface, and mushrooms with rounded caps provided illumination like small lanterns.
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the allied forces stationed outside the castle had hunted the wild beasts, making the forest safer from predators. It was so quiet that not even the smallest animal seemed to stir; only the sound of her footsteps pressing against the grass reached her ears.
As she carefully navigated through the dense trees, a large lake emerged. The lake, bathed in moonlight, glowed a bright silver, surrounded by a variety of herbs.
Daphne surveyed her surroundings once more, then crouched low to the ground near the lake. She carefully sifted through the leaves to find the herbs she needed. They were adequately grown.
With this, I won’t need to leave the castle for a while.
Kneeling, she pulled a small dagger from her bosom and began digging into the soil. She was so focused that sweat dotted her forehead. But then, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
[…]
Daphne’s hands, which had been diligently digging, froze. It felt as if someone was watching her.
Could it be the Inacos forces?
Clutching the dagger tightly, Daphne cautiously rose to her feet. There was no sound, no movement. Nevertheless, she slipped behind a nearby tree for cover.
Time seemed to crawl. The eerie sensation, as if someone were there, seemed to be a figment of her imagination. Not even a small animal crossed her path.
Was it my imagination?
Still, she couldn’t let her guard down. As she cautiously peeked around the tree trunk—
A large hand suddenly grabbed her from behind. A rough, calloused hand muffled her mouth, and a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Daphne dropped her dagger in surprise. The attack was so sudden, she couldn’t help but panic.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
She thrashed her limbs to escape the grip, but it was no use. The strength holding her was overwhelming. After struggling for a moment, Daphne quickly decided to feign unconsciousness, letting her body go limp. Her assailant, momentarily deceived, loosened his grip.
It was the chance Daphne had been waiting for.
She bit down hard on the hand covering her mouth.
“Argh!”
The arm gripping her waist released her. Without hesitation, Daphne turned around and aimed for her assailant’s eyes with her fingers.
“Ugh!”
Unfortunately, she only managed to jab the eyelid, but the attacker clearly felt pain.
“You crazy wench!”
The words were in the common language of Inacos. As she had suspected, the assailant was an enemy.
But his voice was younger than she had anticipated. Upon closer inspection, she noticed his chubby cheeks. He was a boy, tall but undeniably a youth.
Is he not an enemy?
Though briefly confused, Daphne noticed the long sword hanging from his waist. He wasn’t wearing armor, but he was clearly armed and standing outside the castle walls. He appeared to be part of the Inacos allied forces, despite his age.
Her hesitation lasted only a moment. Daphne swiftly retrieved the fallen dagger.
If I miss this chance, it’s over.
She had to kill him. Her heart pounded, her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Kill or be killed… Kill or…
And then, Daphne realized something.
Oh, God. I want to live.
Dying deep in the forest? She didn’t want that. She wanted to live.
A desperate laugh, almost a sob, escaped her lips. Gripping the dagger tightly, she lunged at the boy, who was still clutching his face in pain.
The boy, noticing her charge too late, widened his eyes. But Daphne didn’t stop. Clenching her teeth, she aimed the dagger at his abdomen. Just as she was about to stab him, someone grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back.
“Ahhh!”
Daphne’s vision went white. The pain was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The world spun, and she felt her body slam against the ground. She blinked, disoriented.
What… What just happened?
When she regained some clarity, she realized she was lying face down. She could feel the cold earth and damp grass pressing against her cheek. A large hand pinned the back of her neck, and her arm, twisted painfully behind her, felt as though it might break.
Sweating profusely, Daphne groaned in pain. A deep voice spoke above her.
“Leoford.”
The baritone reverberated through her ears, sending shivers down her spine. This time, it was clearly an adult man’s voice. Daphne held her breath. The boy, Leoford, who had been startled by her attack, responded belatedly.
“…Brother?”
The man asked calmly, “Pull yourself together. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. I-I think I’m fine.”
“You let your guard down because she’s a woman. You’re clearly not ready for the battlefield.”
Though his tone remained steady, the man sounded angry. Leoford seemed to sense it, murmuring nervously.
“…You wouldn’t say that if you’d seen what she did…”
But the boy grew increasingly indignant, his voice rising.
“She’s insane! She pretended to faint, then bit me, and stabbed at my eyes!”
The man let out a short, amused exclamation.
“I saw.”
There was a hint of laughter in his voice.
“She was impressive.”
Daphne felt the man’s gaze on her, chilling her to the bone. His strength and the overwhelming pressure he exuded were nothing like the boy’s. Escape seemed impossible. Trembling with despair, Daphne remained still.
[…]
Her hood slipped off, revealing Daphne’s silvery hair.
Ragged attire, but luminous silver hair piercing the darkness.
The man narrowed his eyes. He could think of only a few individuals with such hair. To be certain, he scanned the surroundings for other presences. There were none. It was clear the woman had left the castle alone. Something felt off. He abruptly flipped Daphne onto her back.
“Ah…”
The rough movement made Daphne wince in pain, a soft moan escaping her lips. Ignoring her, the man straddled her and grabbed her chin firmly. Daphne instinctively opened her eyes, revealing vivid purple irises.
In the dim light, their gazes met. The man let out a breathless laugh.
“Ha.”
Brilliant silver hair, striking purple eyes.
The man was certain. She was Bathion’s daughter. A sacred incarnation of the goddess herself. How she had wandered here alone was a mystery, but there was no doubt.
[…]
And Daphne, unable to look away from the man holding her down, felt the same.
Jet-black hair, piercing blue eyes.
And an overwhelming, monumental physique.
The man was starkly vivid, unlike anything she had ever seen. It felt as though her vision had cleared. His features were entirely different from her siblings’ and the noble suitors who came to Velarez for marriage alliances. Meeting him felt like encountering a completely new kind of being. Daphne, as if overwhelmed by his presence, couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“What will you do with her, brother?”
Leoford asked, leaning in curiously from behind.
