Chapter 132 - 2-14
With Louis-sama supporting my waist from behind, we rode the white horse at a leisurely pace. We were moving away from the main hunting grounds, so there were few people around. It was a peaceful time, allowing me to purely enjoy nature.
Louis-sama mentioned that guard knights were in the vicinity, but as far as I could see, there was no sign of anyone. They were likely keeping their distance.
"Let's get down here and walk a bit."
I nodded, and Louis-sama gently lifted me down. As I stepped onto the lush grass, a soft breeze brushed against my cheeks. Taking a deep breath of the clean air, the lingering gloom from earlier vanished completely.
I watched Louis-sama tie the horse to a tree. When I stroked the horse's neck, she narrowed her eyes contentedly.
"She really is calm and gentle."
"Yes, and very intelligent. I borrowed her from Prince Isaac, but she's so fine I'd like to take her back to Dutoit with me."
"My, I wonder if she understands you. She looks as if she'd be troubled by being taken away."
"Haha, don't worry. I'm joking. You really love Prince Isaac, don't you?"
Louis-sama laughed, his shoulders shaking. "Truly clever," he mused. He held out his hand, and as I took it, he squinted as if dazzled.
It's been a while since we've spent time alone like this. I'm so happy.
The warmth from his hand seeped into me, filling my chest with a gentle heat. As if sensing my feelings, Louis-sama's eyes softened.
"I heard this castle was originally built in a place surrounded by forest. The forest is smaller now, but enough remains for hunting like this."
"I didn't realize there was such a beautiful place just a short distance from the palace. ...Come to think of it, Prince Ricardo mentioned that the Dark Spirits used to live near the royalty of Orta. As the capital developed and the forest shrank, they must have moved because it became harder to live here."
"In our country, those who can form contracts with spirits are gradually decreasing. The more we seek development, the further the spirits drift away. ...It's difficult."
Louis-sama let out a small sigh, his brow furrowing. I reached out and touched a nearby tree, checking the strange sensation I'd been feeling. From within, I felt a faint but certain glow of Dark Spirit power.
"Yes, but... the presence of Dark Spirits still seems strong here."
"Is that so? Since my light mana is strong, I find it difficult to sense the opposite power of darkness."
"I see. Perhaps because I've been learning from Prince Ricardo, my reaction to dark power has become stronger than before."
"Perhaps the Spirit King's blessing remains on this land... or maybe the Dark Spirits who love this country stay here even if it's difficult to live."
Just then, the white horse, which had been calm until now, began looking around restlessly. "What's wrong?" I asked, rushing to her side and stroking her neck. Then, I heard the sound of a horse galloping toward us from the distance.
"Is that... Prince Isaac?"
As the figure drew closer, I could see him clearly. Noticing us, Prince Isaac slowed his pace and adjusted his posture while gripping the reins firmly.
"So you were here."
Prince Isaac reached us, hopped lightly off his horse, and offered a friendly smile.
"Are you participating in the hunt as well, Prince?"
"Yes. Brother Ricardo finished early and went back, but I enjoy the exercise and the hunt. I look forward to it every year in secret. Are you enjoying yourself, Saint? Many ladies find the forest disagreeable."
"Thank you for your concern. Seeing such beautiful scenery puts my mind at ease."
As Prince Isaac said, noblewomen did tend to avoid the forest. In my past life, though I could ride, I was a city girl at heart and never sought out the woods, let alone a hunt. I would have preferred chatting at a tea party like the other ladies today. But since returning to the past, I had traveled and experienced much, learning the comfort of nature. Now, being surrounded by trees felt liberating and cleansing.
"I see. That's good. But be careful; some areas have poor footing or cliffs."
Prince Isaac gave a bright laugh at my words.
"Oh, right. Crown Prince, may I have a moment?"
"Of course. ...Rachel, wait a moment."
At Prince Isaac's request, Louis-sama walked over to him. The two whispered for quite a while. Seeing Louis-sama's eyes turn sharp occasionally, I gathered it wasn't a pleasant conversation.
I waited while playing with the white horse until Prince Isaac said, "Sorry to keep you waiting." Louis-sama's expression had returned to its usual calm.
But something feels off.
"Rachel, let's head back. It seems the sun will start to set soon. So, before that..."
"Eh, yes..."
The sun is setting? I looked up to see a vast blue sky. It felt too early for sunset, but perhaps something had happened. I let Louis-sama lift me onto the horse just as he had before.
Louis-sama's expression remained unchanged, offering a gentle smile. However, Prince Isaac seemed to be scanning the surroundings warily.
Furthermore, Louis-sama didn't get on the horse; he remained on the ground.
"...Did something happen?"
At my question, His Highness shrugged and sighed.
"It seems some rats are scurrying about."
"Rats... you mean the First Prince?"
"No, the Queen. Prince Isaac says the Queen's people are likely to cause trouble. They probably intend to threaten us into silence. ...How truly foolish."
His voice was cold and filled with exasperation as he spat out the final words.
"Rachel, you can ride on your own. Go back to the palace with Prince Isaac first."
"What? What about you, Louis-sama?"
"I'll let the rats run a bit to flush them out before I return. I'll be with Leonie and the others who are guarding nearby. ...It's alright, don't look so worried. Right now, being with Prince Isaac is the safest place. Once you're back at the palace, don't leave Theodore's side."
Louis-sama gave me only the bare minimum of information as I stood there confused. Despite his soft smile, he radiated a sharp aura that discouraged further questions. I closed my mouth.
"Prince Isaac, please look after Rachel."
"Yes, of course."
With Prince Isaac's reply, Louis-sama let go of my hand. The warmth slowly faded away, leaving a sense of lingering regret.
"Come, let us go."
Urged by Prince Isaac, we began to move, but I kept looking back at Louis-sama. He waved, his usual soft smile in place. When I waved back, he nodded once, his face brightening with joy.
'Rachel, see you later.'
The warmth of his hand on my head, his gentle whisper, and his smile wouldn't leave me. Usually, those things would calm my heart, but now, anxiety swirled within me. I returned to the palace with a persistent, gnawing dread.
Even back in my room, the agitation wouldn't subside. Seeing this, Theodore-sama brewed some herb tea. "Here, calm down a bit. This will help." But I never got to drink the fragrant tea. Just as I raised the cup to my lips, a knight rushed in, sweat beading on his forehead. The moment I heard his report, my cup hit the floor with a sharp crash, shattering into pieces.
My dark premonition had been correct.
Prince Isaac, suspicious when Louis-sama didn't return by sunset, had taken several Orta knights into the forest. Finally, as darkness enveloped the area, they found Louis-sama. He was unconscious, leaning against his horse with blood streaming from his head, supported by a guard knight.