TPOP 64

Chapter 64

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Another scream erupted.

"Ah...!"

Although her senses were sharp, she couldn't hear everything. She was vulnerable to sudden physical contact or changes in location. Especially when she was suddenly lifted up or, conversely, knocked over, it was difficult to resist the dizziness and maintain her balance.

Felix, who had boarded the carriage behind her, stared intently at Diana as she fumbled for her seat.

“Why are you so startled?”

“You suddenly… picked me up.”

“Is that so surprising?”

It must be surprising to her. He tried his best not to startle her but it couldn’t be helped. He wanted to snap at her to just close her eyes for a day, but he held back.  

Like a doll, a beautiful, obedient doll. It was a hard-won outing. The forest was right in front of her.

But Felix spoke again.  

"Tell me, then."

“Huh?”  

“I can’t just stand by and do nothing, but if you don’t want to act like you’ve seen a ghost, what can I do to help?”  

Though his tone was displeased, the content of his words exceeded Diana’s expectations. She stammered in surprise.  

“Well, just… calling my name would be enough.”

When someone’s name was called, one could roughly gauge their location and distance. Through the pitch and tone of their voice, she could even estimate their mood.

“It would be better if you could explain what you’re trying to do. But you don’t have to worry about it, Master. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing so far…”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“…I’m sorry.”

What was there to apologize for? Diana wondered to herself, but it was just a habit of speaking.

After that, there was no further conversation. The carriage moved at a speed that was neither fast nor slow.

The windows were closed, so Diana couldn't smell the outside air, but she had a feeling that the forest was getting closer. Her chest tightened and her heart pounded.

Finally, the carriage came to a gentle stop. Felix didn't wait for the coachman and opened the door himself. At that moment, the fresh scent of greenery rushed in as if to welcome Diana.

Diana took a deep breath. As she filled her lungs with air, a fresh energy spread through her brain and heart. She felt as if her whole body had become transparent.

Diana's body moved on its own. She leaned her upper body out of the carriage door. She didn't notice the man's gaze on her, nor did she worry that she might fall out of the carriage at any moment.

Water. The smell of water was strong. It was different from the water drawn from a well and heated. It was a stream flowing endlessly, filled with the scent of green grass and soft moss. She could hear the dynamic sound of water rushing toward somewhere without stopping.

She desperately wanted to throw herself into that river just once. Diana flailed her feet in the air, trying to find the carriage steps. Her old shoes clattered against the carriage wall and then hit the thigh of the man who had approached her.

Instead of scolding her, a soft voice came down.

"Come here."

A large hand touched her waist. Diana quickly embraced her master's neck as he drew near.

Felix effortlessly lifted her, who was clinging to him like a child, and set her down from the carriage. Diana shook her legs, eager to touch the ground.

"I've never seen you this excited before."

Felix's muttered words were inaudible. Diana couldn't even breathe as she asked.

"How long will you allow me? Last time it was two hours, but this time..."

"One hour for now."

"For now?"

"We'll see after that."

Felix scanned the inside of the carriage with his eyes. He had just realized that he hadn't brought the rope to tie Diana's ankles.

It didn't matter since he was going to watch from nearby. As soon as he put Diana down on the ground, she walked past him without hesitation.

She took a few steps, then suddenly bent down and took off her shoes. She then took off her socks and stepped onto the grass with her bare feet.

Felix's eyes narrowed with disapproval.

She wasn't afraid. Although it was a grassy field, it wasn't as well-maintained as the imperial palace's garden. There were sharp twigs, pinecones, and pebbles scattered on the ground, and there might even be tree roots sticking out somewhere.

However, before anyone could stop her, Diana began to walk lightly.

When she was in the carriage, she was so easily startled by even the slightest sound, but now she seemed like a different person. As she ran through the forest, it was hard to believe that she was someone who couldn't see.

She paused occasionally, but she didn't bump into anything or trip over anything. Wearing pants instead of a skirt that would get in the way, her movements were light and fast.

Just as he thought she was like a squirrel running freely through the forest, she disappeared between the trees.

"...!"

Felix, who had been following Diana at a leisurely pace, widened his eyes.

A particularly thick old tree trunk had completely hidden her. Without realizing it, he had widened his stride and passed the tree, and suddenly he saw Diana’s back, already ten steps ahead.

Her hat had come off, revealing her long, golden hair, which fluttered in the breeze.

Diana, who had been stepping carefully in the sunlight filtering through the trees, spun around in place. The corners of her mouth, which he had glimpsed, were turned up in a cheerful smile. He tried to call out to her, but no sound came out.

"..."

Diana, who had been spinning around in place, suddenly ran forward again. It was at that moment that he sensed something was wrong.

If she was just excited and couldn't contain herself, it would be fine to watch her happily, but there was something suspicious about it that couldn't be taken lightly. Diana's steps were too fast. They were the fastest and most lively Felix had ever seen. It was as if something invisible was pulling her along.

Diana was chasing something.

His heart was pounding for no reason. Felix quickened his pace to catch up with her.

A round clearing with a fallen tree trunk lying there like a chair for passersby to rest on. If they turn west from there, they will come to a hunting lodge, and if they go straight north, they will meet a river.

If they go upstream along the river, they will come to a small waterfall. After walking up the slope for a while, a cliff appeared, overlooking the foot of the mountain.

A blind person could not climb up there alone. Once she reached the cliff, there was no path. This forest was a natural shield surrounding and protecting the north side of the imperial palace instead of walls and moats, so escape was impossible from the start.

Even though he knew that, he felt impatient.

"Diana."

Diana, who had been playing with the dirt in the clearing, looked up. But her gaze was not directed at him. Diana stared intently into the forest and took a step as if spellbound.

Water. The sound of water could be heard nearby. The man's voice calling her from behind faded away, and another presence beckoned to her.

Come quickly.

Diana's eyes filled with joy.

The beings that flew in on the wind gently wrapped their arms around her and led her to a certain place. Even though she couldn't see them, she could feel their warm welcome, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Thanks to them, Diana made her way through the forest without any trouble. The refreshing smell of water was now just a stone's throw away.

As Diana ran, Felix's pace quickened.

The woman who had been growing distant gradually drew closer again. Now he too could hear the sound of the river flowing.

He knew this well, having walked nearby every day until a few months ago. The river was quite deep and fast-flowing.

Diana knelt down on the riverbank and leaned over the water. A strange premonition made his heart sink.

She bent over deeply, as if she were about to dip her face into the water. It was as if she had discovered something in the water.

A vague intuition shouted at Felix.

He had to pull her out immediately.

Just as Diana's nose was about to touch the water, Felix grabbed her shoulder. Like a hawk swooping down with its sharp talons to catch a small animal. Diana, caught in his large hands, was pulled back abruptly.

"Ah...!"

Something rippled in the water Diana had been staring at. A freshwater fish, or perhaps aquatic plants growing between rocks. Or maybe...

Felix scanned the surface of the water with a sharp gaze. The strange rippling that had caught his eye for a moment vanished in an instant. But it had definitely been there. There was an unknown presence on his land.

A spirit?

Felix tightly embraced Diana and kicked a stone fragment at his feet. The stone, larger than a fist, hit the water's surface, creating a splash.