Evelyn, The Red Moon

Chapter 4

-A Desperate Escape-

“Huh? The horseman must be dead. He’s got several arrows in his body.”

Something was definitely off. Evelyn hurried to the roadside, keeping her eyes on the horses as they sprinted forward.

Neigh!

A horse’s loud cry could be heard. One of its feet had been caught by a protruding stone as it was sprinting by, causing the horse to fall sideways.

The carriage was overturned by the horse’s weight, throwing the dead horseman onto the road.

“Oh, no! What should I do?”

The dust obscured Evelyn’s view. She heard a scream, indicating that someone was inside the carriage.

Evelyn approached the carriage with caution and heard a woman’s voice.

“Come on, Javel!”

Javel was probably the horseman. The woman in the carriage seemed unaware that the horseman had been killed by several arrows.

Evelyn gulped and approached the carriage.

The carriage door opened with a soft creak. A woman’s hand, covered in several thick, bejeweled rings, stuck out of the door.

“Get me out of here”

Evelyn tugged on the carriage door with both hands, forcing it open. An angry, yet dazzlingly beautiful woman in a luxurious dress was lying in the fallen carriage. She was definitely a noble.

“Who are you? Where’s Javel?”

“Your horseman is dead. I’m Evelyn.”

“Help me! I’ve been attacked. They’re trying to kill me!”

“Here, grab my hand and climb out.”

Farther down the forest road, Evelyn saw some suspicious people riding horses, kicking up dust along the way. The only way to them was through the forest.

With the help of Evelyn, Rasmania climbed out of the carriage.

“Run into the woods!”

At Evelyn’s cue, Rasmania ran towards the forest, clutching the hem of her dress with both hands.

Evelyn picked up a stone as big as her fist and threw it. Ever since she was young, she had been throwing stones to catch animals or pick fruits from high trees.

The stone flew at an amazing speed and hit the head of the fastest horse.

Neigh…!

The horse cried out, startling the other horses galloping behind it.

The approaching group was confused by the sudden behavior of the horses. Without wasting any time, Evelyn ran into the woods.

“Follow me.”

“They’ll be chasing us soon, won’t they?”

“That’s why we need a safe place to hide.”

It was hard running through the thick grass and dense trees. It was even harder for Rasmania, who was wearing high-heeled shoes.

“Hah. Ha…”

Rasmania tripped over something while struggling for breath. Evelyn grabbed her hand without hesitation.

“Please forgive me for holding the hand of a noble.”

“It’s all right. You’re helping me. Hah….”

“They came into the woods. I can hear them.”

Evelyn knew this without even looking back.

“If you help me, I’ll pay you well.”

“I’m just doing what’s right.”

This was an opportunity that must have been sent from heaven.

Evelyn clenched her teeth. She somehow had to save Rasmania. Judging by her colorful dress and accessories, it was obvious that Rasmania belonged to either a noble or royal family.

This woman could be an opportunity for me. I might have hit the jackpot.

As they went deeper into the forest, the sounds of the people chasing them drew closer.

Evelyn stopped in front of a tall rock.

“This is a place that only I know of,” Evelyn said calmly as she parted the branches covering the cave.

“I’m glad this place is here.”

Every summer, gypsies would gather in the Armand Forest. On the day of the full moon, they hold their own festival in a big area in the middle of the forest.

Evelyn, who came here every year with the gypsies, knew every inch of the forest.

“Isn’t it too narrow?”

“It should be wide enough.”

“I think we’ll get stuck between the rocks.”

“It looks different on the outside than it does when you go in. Hurry and get inside. They’ll catch up to us soon.”

There was no time to wait. Rasmania frantically squeezed herself into the cave.

There was no way a sturdily-built man would be able to fit, since a slim woman could barely get inside.

The cave widened after one made it through the narrow entrance. It wasn’t that dark at the entrance due to the light that came in.

Evelyn smiled at Rasmania in an attempt to make her relax.

“Forgive my rudeness, a noble shouldn’t sit on the bare ground.”

Evelyn spread out her skirt on the cave floor.

“Sit down and get some rest.”

“You… are very clever.”

“It’s a sign of respect and courtesy for the noble.”

Rasmania sat on the skirt that had been laid out.

“Haah!”

She sighed deeply.

“Wouldn’t they find this place?”

“The branches cover the entrance.”

“How long will we wait here?”

“Until they give up and leave- Shit!”

They held their breath almost simultaneously.

They could hear lots of noises and footsteps. Rasmania’s eyes flitted between Evelyn and the entrance to the cave.

“It’s alright, don’t worry. Unless they know there’s a cave here, they won’t be able to find it,” Evelyn whispered. She was also anxious about the situation. However, their fears were for nothing.

Though the moment felt long, the noises and footsteps slowly disappeared.

“Oh, look! They’re leaving.”

“They wouldn’t have completely left the forest yet.”

“We’ll wait a little more then…”

Rasmania was curious about this girl who had saved her from the crash and helped her hide.

“What’s your name again?”

“It’s Evelyn.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“I don’t know you, you’re a stranger to me.”

Even though Rasmania’s eyes were small in size, they were sharp, as if to see through her opponent’s motives.

“And you think that I’m a noble? Just from looking at my outfit?”

“There’s always someone who shines wherever they go.”

“Oh, I see.”

Rasmania smiled softly, the corners of her lips curling upward. Evelyn’s answers were satisfactory, she made Rasmania feel like the brightest and noblest person.

But Rasmania’s happiness slowly faded.

She could have died at the hands of those vagrants or gotten kidnapped. It was a mistake to not be cautious. She needed to increase the number of Blackbird Knights and keep her guard up.

Yesterday, Rasmania had received an invitation to the Lord’s castle, which was half a day’s journey away from Antimar. She had accepted at the Lord’s insistence.

The Lord was ecstatic and had treated Rasmania with courtesy. Being close with her meant gaining a significant amount of power.

Thus, many aristocrats would give her rare gifts and important information as a way to get close to her.

The welcome party lasted until late in the night. Rasmania was on her way to Antimar after staying the night in the Lord’s castle.

She wasn’t satisfied with what she had. She wanted power, money and handsome young men.

That’s why she slowly poisoned her old husband, who couldn’t even fulfill the role of a husband in bed.

Rasmania, the daughter of a fallen baron, had always been unusually greedy. The only thing she was tired of was her own beauty.

She used her beauty to seduce the Grand Duke Travit. The Grand Duke held a grand wedding in Antimar.

Soon after, the Grand Duke’s two sons died one by one from illness. At least, that’s what everyone thought. But Rasmania was the true cause.

Evelyn, peeking outside, said politely, “Stay here for a moment. I’ll go outside and come back.”

“I’m going to stay here alone?”

“For your safety.”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll come back as soon as possible. I’m sorry, but I have to wear my skirt.”

Evelyn put on her skirt and exited the cave.

What’s going on? Who would dare do such a thing to me, the most powerful person in this kingdom?

The more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed to Rasmania. Then, another question came to mind.

Who are they? Thieves that come from the forest? Or vagrants?

She shook her head.

Something didn’t seem right. They were prepared and had ambushed her at the entrance of the forest. They knew that she was going to pass through the forest road and that her Knights were few.

Then, they might be the servants of a hostile royal family or aristocrat.

“Unforgivable!”

Rasmania stopped grinding her teeth and bit her lower lip. Suddenly, Theodore came to mind.

The Crown Prince made a deal with me, but I can never know. I can’t trust anyone.

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After a while, Evelyn still hadn’t returned. Rasmania paced back and forth across the cave anxiously.

“Did she leave me here and go on her way, thinking it would be dangerous to stay with me?”

Rasmania realized that all her properties and estates, even the Blackbird Knights that were her aides, were all meaningless.

“Come back. Please! If you help me get back to Antimar, I’ll grant you a new life. Evelyn!”

Rasmania waited for Evelyn, her mouth dry from the anxiety, her hands sweating.