A Glance in the Moonlight
That bastard must have been on edge. If Kanne so much as opened his mouth, you’d…
I get it, so the rest of you just shut your damn mouths.
No. The most urgent problem is on their side. Shouldn’t we start by making sure that woman keeps quiet?
It seemed that even speaking behind someone’s back was a luxury a Tilamin woman could not afford. They freely spewed whatever they wanted right in front of Tichite. She felt, with painful clarity, just how little respect she commanded in this place.
It was the man she had met at the Captain’s Anchor. He strode toward her with the same heavy steps as before. Naturally, she held no pleasant memories of him.
“Hey. You remember me?”
The man’s voice was threatening. The terror she had felt in that moment came rushing back, and she wanted to run anywhere, anywhere at all. But in this cramped campsite, where could she possibly flee?
He spoke to Tichite, who stood frozen, as if to frighten her even more.
“I’m warning you. If you spout any nonsense in front of the commander, I’ll spread the rumor that you’re a whore until the day I die. Once you’re branded with that label, I wonder what kind of treatment you’ll receive?”
That’s a truly ridiculous threat. Weren’t you the one bragging about it yourself just moments ago?
Tichite thought with a crooked smile. Still, she wanted to avoid unnecessary friction. She swallowed the urge to sneer and meekly lowered her eyes. Wearing a timid expression, she simply waited for the moment to pass.
What must the others think of me?
She and the pimp had caused quite a commotion today, so all sorts of gossip would surely trail after her.
However, not every knight had been present at the scene from beginning to end. Only a handful of people fully understood the detailed circumstances.
The most widely accepted story was that the duke had taken pity on one poor Tilamin woman. Only his closest aides seemed to understand exactly what purpose she would serve.
Desidero, especially, had wanted to conceal the fact that Duke Paeroa sought healing through the Tilamin woman, but it looked as though rumors on that subject would spread sooner or later.
“If you don’t want to make your life miserable, behave yourself.”
The man shoved Tichite’s forehead with one finger as he walked past. His face said he believed his intimidation had worked perfectly.
Tichite clenched her fists, gathering her resentment. She hated the blackmailer, but she hated the man who had just brushed past her even more. His gaze had been vulgar. Not all knights possessed similar dispositions. Knight and gentleman were not synonyms, and a man’s status did not guarantee his dignity or refinement.
Will I have to keep receiving looks like that from now on?
It seemed that once a woman had worn the signboard of whore even once, she was doomed to carry it like a permanent tag.
If that’s the case, it’s all thanks to you, Nirgi.
The fact that she was called a whore, and the fact that she could remain calm hearing such words—strictly speaking, both were thanks to Nirgi. The moment she realized that, Tichite felt even the faintest wisp of longing for him vanish completely.
But Nirgi is no longer here. Is there any other man in my life as harmful as him? No matter what those pathetic creatures think of me, I’m not afraid. Let them do as they please. Because I’m going straight to the man they all fear and telling him everything.
Tichite thought with cool detachment. In a way, she realized she was growing tougher.
A chilly night wind began to blow. By now stars were scattered across the deepening twilight sky. There had not been a single cloud during the day, and the moon shone clearly at night as well.
Tichite made her way toward the spot where people had been coming and going to draw water. The surroundings were filled with the cries of insects, and beyond that there was only darkness. Only the white reflection of moonlight suggested there was water there.
Having slept the entire day, replenishing calories was optional. But water was desperately needed. Her head throbbed from dehydration. First she would go to the water’s edge and quench her thirst. After that, even if it meant lying on the dirt, she wanted to stretch out properly and sleep.
With a troubled heart, Tichite walked along the path. Sleeping outdoors did not bother her, but deciding where to lay her body in an environment swarming with uncomfortable men was definitely a concern.
Before long she reached the water’s edge—whether river or pond, it was hard to tell. The soil grew coarser until pebbles began to crunch beneath her feet.
Uncertain of the depth, she moved cautiously so she would not slip and fall in.
And finally, the moment she knelt on the pile of pebbles and bent forward, a sharp, irritated voice flew at her like a dagger.
“Who the hell is it? Sneaking around like a damn thief…”
Tichite flinched, stopping mid-drink and lifting her head.
Someone was bathing in the river. The man stood with the full moon at his back, visible only as a pitch-black silhouette. The only features she could make out were the bridge of his nose and the line of his jaw.
In contrast, Tichite’s face was clearly illuminated by the reflected moonlight.
“Fuck. What is this?”
Tichite froze. The man, flustered, spat out a curse. It was understandable—he was completely naked. The intimate curves visible across his body told the full story.
The man slapped the water with one hand. The river surged and sprayed like a carp’s tail. At the same time, his voice exploded in a roar tangled with shame and rage.
“Turn your head.”
Before she could even process the words, the savage shout forced her head around. That imperious tone belonged on a battlefield, issuing commands. Indeed, Tichite’s heart hammered as though she had heard a war trumpet.
Though she had not seen his face, she knew who the man was. His voice was the only piece of information Tichite possessed about him.
…Nyx Farrow.
This was not the first time she had seen the man angry, but because she had not been the target of that fury before, it had not felt this terrifying.
Even with her back to him, Tichite could sense the depth of his rage.
Splash, splash. The sound of water pouring like a waterfall reached her. It seemed he was cutting through the current and walking toward shore.
She could have fled right then, but it would not have been wise.
Tichite could not afford to earn his dislike. It was acceptable if every member of the Iron Horse Knights hated her, but she wanted to avoid the duke’s contempt at all costs. Overcome by fear, she spoke quickly, hoping to escape his wrath.
“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to spy. I didn’t know you were here, my lord. I only came to drink some water…”
The man gave no answer. Only the quiet rustle of cloth could be heard. He was probably dressing again.
“It seems I interrupted you and you couldn’t finish washing. If you’ll permit it, I’ll withdraw now and…”
With no reply forthcoming, her unnecessary excuses only grew longer. In her awkwardness she babbled whatever came to mind.
Then the man suddenly broke the silence and asked an abrupt question.
“Did you see?”
“…Pardon?”
“I asked if you saw.”
The question was short and blunt. Yet his tone was so menacing that answering yes seemed likely to result in him chasing her down and gouging out her eyes.
Was he asking whether she had seen his face? Or the thing between his legs?
“I’m terribly sorry, but what exactly are you referring to…”
To be honest, she had seen one and not the other. There were many reasons for the man to be angry; she wanted to know which offense would be the most fatal.
When Tichite asked in return, another heavy silence followed.
Since the duke offered no clues, Tichite could only guess at his thoughts and reach her own conclusion.
She had heard he harbored a deep inferiority complex and obsession regarding his skin disease. The organ between his legs had seemed of impeccable size, so the reason he was reacting so sensitively must be the skin condition after all.
“If you’re asking whether I saw your face, to be completely honest, I didn’t see it at all.”