Chapter 86 - Chapter 86
The days following passed in a gentle blur. Leonie-sama guided me through various locales, allowing us to stroll through the streets and visit the local Holy Church. I spent my time fulfilling tasks I could never experience in the royal capital, such as feeding cows and sheep. My days were truly content.
Then, the day finally arrived for our departure to the Bousquet Territory.
"Rachel-sama, the carriage is ready. This way, please," Roger said.
"Thank you, Roger."
I stood from the sofa in the manor's hall, cradling Kuro in my arms. Outside, Leonie-sama waited by the carriage, dressed in the military uniform of the knight order. After a brief exchange of greetings, she offered a hand to help me board while I held Kuro with the other. Once I was settled, Sarah joined me, and the carriage door clicked shut. Leonie-sama and Roger mounted their horses, taking their positions at the front and rear. The carriage began its slow roll forward.
"Ojou-sama, did you rest well last night? We have half a day of travel ahead of us, so please let me know if you feel unwell," Sarah said with a gentle, reassuring smile.
"I'm fine, Sarah."
I returned her smile, but my words were a half-truth. I hadn't slept well at all. My mind had been racing with the realization that we would pass through that forest at dawn. It was the forest where I, and the smiling Sarah before me, had been murdered in my previous life. Though I was the one who decided to come here, an inexplicable anxiety gnawed at me as the moment drew closer.
Even though it was in the past, and so much time had passed since my regression, I couldn't forget. The darkness of those woods, the rustling leaves, the metallic scent of blood, and the agonizing pain in my chest as the blade pierced it. The memories remained vivid. Just thinking about it made my heart race, the color drain from my face, and my vision blur. My body grew stiff, trembling uncontrollably. How many times had I considered turning back before this day arrived? I told myself it was too much, that I should stop.
Yet, I had to move forward. If I didn't, nothing would ever truly begin. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, touching the necklace hidden beneath my dress. I had His Highness to give me strength. I had my parents and friends waiting for me, and Sarah was here by my side. I wasn't alone. That was why I would be okay.
The trembling in my legs, which had persisted since morning, finally subsided. After another deep breath, I regained my composure and looked out the window. We had reached the entrance of the forest connecting the Milicier and Bousquet territories.
"The carriage has stopped. It looks like they're checking our transit permit," Sarah noted.
"Yes. Usually, there are soldiers stationed here."
"Usually? Are they not always here?"
"Oh, no, you're right. They are always here."
Sarah peered curiously out the window as the carriage halted. Leonie-sama was showing a document to the guards. Entry into the forest leading to the Bousquet Territory required a permit or identification. It was standard procedure, but in my previous life, we had arrived unprepared and ignorant. The coachman might have known, but we had rushed here without rest. It had been night, with only the magic stone lamps providing dim light. Perhaps the guard post had been invisible in the gloom.
After a few minutes, the carriage lurched forward again. Kuro, who had been nibbling on a cookie in my lap, suddenly became restless.
"Kuro, what's wrong?"
He didn't seem to hear me, his head darting back and forth as he scanned the surroundings. His ears pricked up, straining to catch the slightest sound.
"It's a beautiful forest," Sarah remarked. "The road is well-maintained for carriages, but I imagine the deeper parts are even more stunning."
I had been so preoccupied with Kuro's strange behavior that I hadn't even noticed we were already deep within the woods. Sarah's comment forced me to look around. Now that I had the composure to observe, I realized how strange this forest truly was. The Bousquet Territory was a cold, snowy land where winter was already taking hold. Even in the Milicier Territory, the trees had turned vibrant shades of autumn. Yet, here, while the trees lining the road were red and gold, the deeper thickets visible from the window remained a lush, vibrant green.
More surprisingly, the terror that had gripped me only moments ago had vanished. I had feared what would happen to me when I returned to this place, but now, those feelings were gone. I was simply captivated by the forest's silent beauty. It felt as though time had stopped, wrapping the world in a profound stillness.
Suddenly, Kuro let out a sharp cry. Meow! Meow!
"Kuro? What is it?"
Meow!
"You want to go outside? No, the carriage is moving."
Kuro cried with an intensity I had never heard before, scratching at the carriage door. When I tried to stop him, he ignored me and began pacing circles around my left leg. I had never seen him this agitated. His erratic movements in the cramped space filled me with a sense of urgency. Sarah looked at me with concern.
"Ojou-sama, is something wrong with the spirit?"
"Yes, he's restless. He's never been like this before."
"I see. Should we ask them to stop the carriage?"
"Yes, please."
Sarah called out to the driver, and the carriage slowed to a halt. A knock sounded on the door, followed by Leonie-sama's voice.
"Is something the matter? Would you like to step out for a moment?"
"Yes. I'm sorry for the sudden stop."
"Not at all. I'll open the door."
Leonie-sama's voice was as calm and considerate as ever. I stepped down onto the ground, cradling the still-searching Kuro. My legs tensed for a moment as my feet hit the earth, but strangely, the fear didn't return. Instead, the cool forest air brushed against my cheeks, feeling remarkably pleasant. How strange. I had dreamed of this place in terror, trembling at the mere thought of it. Now, I couldn't feel afraid. If anything, I felt a sense of relief.
"Are you feeling tired?" Leonie-sama asked.
"Leonie-sama, no, I apologize for stopping so abruptly."
"It's fine. We're making good time. We'll reach the inn in the Bousquet Territory well before sunset."
"Thank you."
Leonie-sama offered a gentle smile. The wind rustled through the trees, sending a shower of fallen leaves dancing through the air. As I watched the beautiful scene, I heard Leonie-sama step closer.
"This forest is mysterious, isn't it?"
"Yes, the trees in the distance look so green."
"The colors there never change, regardless of the season. What's even more peculiar is that if you try to go deeper, you never reach the heart of the woods. You simply wander in circles until you find yourself back on this road."
"My, how strange."
"Though they say this phenomenon only started a few decades ago."
Leonie-sama's insight was fascinating. Perhaps this land was special. This kingdom was full of legends about mysterious forests, often attributed to the spirits dwelling within them. It was likely that some spiritual power was at work here as well.
As I began to sink into thought, Kuro let out a small chirp and leaped from my arms to the ground.
"Kuro?"
He stared intently into the depths of the forest, his ears and tail twitching. He didn't even seem to hear my voice. Before I could react, he bolted into the trees.
"Wait! Kuro! Kuro!"
I instinctively tried to chase after him, but Leonie-sama caught my arm.
"Where do you think you're going? What if you get lost?"
"Ah, I'm sorry."
The stern look on her face brought me back to my senses. I had almost repeated the same mistake of causing trouble for my guards, just as I had with Roger in the past. If I had disappeared into the woods, the responsibility would have fallen on them. I should have known better.
"I understand. You wanted to follow the spirit. I apologize for raising my voice," Leonie-sama said softly.
"No, I was in the wrong. Thank you for stopping me, Leonie-sama."
"It's alright. Spirits are fickle and free. Even if he leaves you for a while, he will return to his contractor."
"I suppose you're right."
Leonie-sama looked apologetic, but I was the one who owed an apology. I had grown so used to Kuro always being by my side that I forgot spirits weren't bound to stay. They were free beings, connected only by the bond of a contract. Kuro must have found something that piqued his interest. He would come back once he was satisfied. He might look like a cat, but he was a powerful spirit. We were contracted, and I could still feel his power enveloping me. Even so, seeing his small form vanish into the woods left me feeling lonely and anxious. I told myself everything would be fine, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the spot where he had disappeared. Kuro, what did you find? Where did you go?
I called out in my heart, but there was no answer.
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