Escape (4)
Escape (4)
Every time I went to or from the village, I left my shoes behind.
I didn't want them on my feet.
Every night, the soles burned anyway.
Rineta was horrified the first few days and tried to bring them to me, but I told her there was no need.
After that, she followed behind me without a word.
The only times she paused were to pull a small thorn from the sole of my foot, or to hand me a towel when I washed them in the stream.
"Anyway, does the food at my house suit your palate, Young Master? For the record, my mother adds two extra portions of meat whenever you come over."
Rineta asked as we crossed the river.
There was a fair bit of mischief in her voice now.
She no longer seemed to treat me like some unfamiliar noble Young Master.
"It's too salty."
Rineta bristled at my reply.
"Liar! You ate it all up just fine! You practically licked the bowl clean!"
"Noisy."
I laughed and splashed water at her.
The cold droplets scattered across Rineta's face and her white maid uniform.
"Ah, seriously! What are you doing! Do you have any idea that I'm the one who washes all your clothes, Young Master?"
Rineta grumbled and splashed water back at me.
She gave up soon enough and huffed.
"It's unfair. You get to splash the water, but I have to do the laundry. How is that fair?"
"Simple. You're the servant."
Rineta pouted but didn't argue further.
She flicked the water from her wet clothes and chattered away beside me.
"Anyway, what's the capital like? It's totally different from here, right? They say there's a huge plaza with a fountain in the middle, buildings over ten stories high, it's bright as day even at night, and the streets are packed with shops selling delicious food. Is it true?"
Rineta's eyes sparkled with longing.
I didn't answer her questions, just gave a faint smile.
I had no good memories there.
Seeing my expression, Rineta didn't ask anything more.
About two weeks had passed since I began staying at the annex.
Rineta didn't mind that I broke out in cold sweats at night, had seizures, or sometimes went rigid.
She would just silently bring a dry shirt, help me change, and wipe my back with a towel.
She never asked anything.
That day, too, I was returning from the village with Rineta.
We crossed the river and walked the forest path with wet feet.
The dirt felt pleasant as it pushed up between my toes.
When the rusted iron gate of the annex came into view, I stopped walking.
A carriage stood in front of the gate—not an unfamiliar one.
A black carriage, engraved with the familiar crest of the Edelgard family.
The carriage door opened slowly, and a figure stepped down.
It was Levina, her face looking more animated than usual.
She wore a dark navy outfit, different from her usual attire, impeccably pressed without a single wrinkle.
Her gaze swept over my bare feet and dirt-stained trousers for a moment before shifting away, as if she had seen nothing at all.
"Where have you been wandering off to? I told the servants you were to stay at the annex."
Levina's voice was calm, the same as always.
"Nowhere. Just out."
I shrugged. I didn't feel like explaining about the village.
"Forget it. I came because of the engagement annulment date."
Levina cut me off, seeming to have no further interest in my answer.
She turned her attention to Rineta, who stood beside me looking unsure.
"You. What was your name?"
"Ri-Rineta, Heir Apparent."
Rineta's voice came out thin and trembling.
"Right. Rineta. Prepare something to drink in the drawing room. Warm tea, if possible."
Rineta bowed her head deeply like a frightened rabbit and hurriedly disappeared into the annex.
Levina began to walk across the garden in silence.
I followed behind her.
Untamed weeds that had grown wild brushed against my ankles.
"I've summoned Serepina and Count Belluz. They'll arrive here next week."
Levina spoke up.
"All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and sign. I'll handle the rest."
She paused for a moment and turned to look at me.
"Are you still clinging to some attachment?"
"...I don't know."
She seemed to have something more to say, but soon turned her head forward and resumed walking.
"At any rate, the Church was looking for you. Did you cause another incident?"
"No."
"The Saintess mentioned your name directly. Really."
My body flinched for a moment at those words.
The more I died, the more things changed.
A feeling that invisible threads were tangling, and paths that didn't exist before were being carved out.
But right now, I just wanted to rest here.
"Well, whatever. It's not important. It might just be a prank."
Levina continued, her fingers twitching slightly.
"Mother has learned you're here."
She spoke in a low voice.
Her tone had dropped, just a little.
"Nothing will happen. I'll block everything."
Even as she said it, she didn't look like she believed her own words.
Her gaze wandered through the empty air for a moment.
Levina stopped walking and pulled a small ring from her bosom, handing it to me.
It was a ring set with a small blue gem that gave off a faint light.
"If—just if—anything does happen, break this."
Her cold fingers brushed against my palm.
"No matter the situation, I will come immediately."
I accepted the ring without a word.
The chill of the gemstone against my hand felt unfamiliar.
The drawing room smelled of dust and old wood.
The tea set Rineta had prepared was laid out on the table.
Levina dismissed the other servants, telling only Rineta to remain.
The room held just the two of us, and Rineta standing quietly by the door.
Levina sat on the sofa and lifted a teacup with an elegant gesture.
"So. How is life here."
She asked.
"Not bad."
"Really? That's a relief. Is the bed all right? I ordered one from a high-end furniture shop, but it's taking quite a while."
"It's manageable."
"And the meals."
"Fine enough."
Meaningless conversation continued.
We made small talk about daily things, just like an ordinary pair of siblings.
But I felt no warmth in the exchange.
Then Levina's gaze shifted to Rineta, who was standing beside me.
"That one."
Levina set her teacup down.
"You must like her quite a bit, seeing as you keep her by your side."
"..."
"Wasn't tormenting the servants your hobby before? You've changed a great deal."
At her words, Rineta's face flushed red.
She kept her head bowed deeply, staring down at her fidgeting fingers.
"So. Is she useful? I assigned her to you because she's from here."
Levina's eyes moved to Rineta by the door.
"Yeah. She's all right."
"Good. I'm glad she seems obedient. If she ever acts insolently because you've been expelled from the family, or does anything useless, tell me immediately."
Rineta's face went pale at that.
Levina seemed to smile faintly as she looked at her.
"Still... it seems you really are fond of her."
At Levina's remark, Rineta's face blazed crimson this time.
Flustered, she tried to wave her hands in denial but froze under Levina's stare.
"Ah, no, Heir Apparent! I'm not—!"
Levina wasn't listening to Rineta.
She was merely observing that flushed face as if it were something interesting.
Her eyes narrowed.
Levina didn't miss a thing.
It was only a split second, but I saw a cold light flicker in her eyes.
"It must be because her appearance is decent. People keep circling around you, I see."
Levina murmured the words quietly, as if to herself.
She pulled a small wooden wand from her bosom.
That was the moment I threw myself from my seat to block her.
An unintelligible word fell from her lips.
The spell was too fast.
And then.
A wet, tearing sound. Flesh being pierced through.
I looked down at my body.
Several sharp wooden thorns had burst through my shirt from my chest.
At the same time, Rineta's body lurched violently.
Her eyes widened.
There was no scream.
She just looked back and forth in disbelief—at the wooden thorn sprouting from her own shoulder, at Levina's face, and at me.
Red blood slowly spread through the pure white shirt I wore and through Rineta's maid uniform.
"Ah... agh... ngh..."
A breath mixed with blood leaked from Rineta's mouth.
She tried to reach a hand toward me, but it only clawed weakly at the air before dropping.
"...Ravin?"
Blood pooled on the floor, slowly soaking into the carpet until it was damp.
I heard Levina's voice.
For the first time, I heard her voice waver.
She stood there blankly, staring at the thorn protruding from my body.
The hand holding the wand trembled minutely.
Thinking back, it had always been like this.
Whenever 'Ravin' seemed to get close to someone, Levina always came and made a mess like this.
And by the next day, it had become something I had done.
I thought coming to the Academy might change things, but it seems it wasn't much different.
At least 'Ravin' never had the nerve to throw his own body in the way to stop it. That definitely makes me the better person.
I am—I am a more decent human being.
Because I am not the Edelgard family's disgrace.
I'm just an unlucky person who happened to open his eyes here.
The memories of where I lived before are starting to fade now, but that's how it should be.
Every breath I took, I felt something catching deep inside my chest.
It hurt.
Though it was far better than burning, at least.
"...Levina."
My voice didn't come out right.
A cough mixed with blood burst out.
With trembling hands, I grabbed the corner of the table and barely lifted my head.
I could see Levina's face.
Hazy.
"Sister, it hurts..."
The moment those words left my mouth, she staggered toward me.
And knelt down.
Her hand reached out, trembling, toward the thorn lodged in my chest.
"I only meant to frighten her a little, you fool—I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Ravin."
The instant Levina's hand touched them, the thorns scattered and vanished like dust.
She stared down blankly at her own hand, stained with my blood.
"...I'll go out and call for someone. Just hold on. It's only a flesh wound. You won't die."
Levina lifted me and laid me down on the drawing room sofa, then looked down briefly at Rineta, collapsed on the floor with the thorn still piercing her shoulder.
Then she walked out of the room without looking back.