Evelyn, The Red Moon

-A Desperate Escape 2-

………………………………

Evelyn returned as Rasmania’s anxiety almost reached its peak from waiting.

“You’re late, what took you so long?”

Evelyn bowed to relieve the anxiety Rasmania is feeling.

“I apologize. I had to commence a thorough check.”

“Did they leave? Can I get out of here now?”

“It’s still dangerous. They’re still looking for you.”

“So I’m going to be stuck here? Until when?”

“I think, for a little while longer.”

Rasmania’s expression hardened.

“Find a way. I have to get back to Antimar as quickly as possible!”

“There are only two ways. One is getting out from the forest and the other is to go on a mountain path, but the vagrants are keeping watch of the forest.”

“Then I’ll have to take the mountain path.”

“That is a tough mountain. Why should a noble have to suffer like that…”

“Silence!”

Evelyn was a little taken aback by Rasmania’s words.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help…”

Rasmania’s breathing, which had risen steeply with anger, subsided a little.

“What if we take the mountain path?”

“What?”

“Where does it lead to?”

“At the end of the path, there’ll be a village.”

“Great! Let’s go.”

Evelyn looked hesitant.

“That’s…”

“Why? Do you think I can’t handle a tough path?”

Rasmania’s eyes turned red with anger and she clenched her teeth.

“If you give me an order, I can go to Antimar and get some help. It would be safer that way.”

“You want me to stay in this cave, alone? You want me to spend the night here?”

Rasmania shook her head stubbornly, implying that it’s not possible for her to do so.

Being left alone in a cave would be terrible, it will be hard to discern the cave, the moment the sun sets. Evelyn might change her mind and leave Rasmania behind.

“I can walk if there is a path to walk on. All you have to do is lead the way!”

Evelyn, stared at Rasmania for a while, until she spoke.

“Then I will obey the noble’s order.”

“Can we leave now?”

“As far as I could see, they were only concerned about the forest and weren’t paying much attention to the mountain.”

“I trust your words.”

Evelyn took off her shoes, shook off the dirt on them, and laid them neatly in front of Rasmania.

“Take off your shoes and wear these.”

“Me, wearing your dirty, smelly shoes?”

“It’s too hard and dangerous to walk on a mountain path wearing high-heeled shoes.”

In the end, Rasmania wore Evelyn’s shoes. She couldn’t even laugh at the fact that she’s wearing old and dirty shoes.

“I’ll carry your shoes, my lady.”

“You wear them.”

“How dare I wear the shoes of a noble?”

“Then you don’t have to take it, throw it away.”

“Throw these precious shoes away?”

The shoes’ jewelry would generate a considerable sum of money. Yet, Rasmania didn’t seem to be bothered by the waste.

“Just do as I say, will you?”

“I will do so. Now, follow me.”

Evelyn, who was at the front, peeked out of the cave and came back after checking that there were no suspicious movements on sight, Rasmania then followed her from behind.

***

The person who followed Emarson to the reception room, took a glance of Theodore.

“Did you take care of it?”

His voice was insistent as he asked.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I missed Princess Rasmania.”

“Missed?”

Theodore’s expression hardened at once.

“We’ve surrounded the Armand Forest, we’ll catch her in no time.” Ducray said.

“Well.”

Theodore sighed deeply, and got lost in his thoughts for a while. Not long after, he made up his mind and spoke, “I’ll go there myself.”

Emarson spoke cautiously.

“Your Highness will be going there in person? That’s…”

“It’s a long-awaited opportunity so we must get rid of her at all cost.”

“Can I dissuade, Your Highness?”

“I will disguise myself as a mercenary and wear a mask, so worry not Emarson. Stay here in my stead, that way no one will notice my absence.”

Emarson bowed his head reluctantly.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

After some time, Theodore left the palace without anyone noticing by disguising as a messenger.

The horses sprinted out of Antimar towards the Armand Forest. Running without taking a break, they were able to arrive before sunset.

The situation had to be quickly resolved before the news of Rasmania getting attacked would be reported to the Blackbird Knights.

Perhaps the Blackbirds have received the report and were already on their way. Theodore wielded the horse whip with nervousness to make his horse go faster.

***

Evelyn wrapped several large, thick leaves around her feet and tied them with a straw. She wouldn’t be able to walk barefoot on a protruded mountain path.

Shoes made by leaves wouldn’t last long. Yet, it was better than walking barefoot.

Rasmania’s breathing was unstable. The path was too tough for her.

“Ha, hah… Evelyn.”

Evelyn stopped walking and looked back.

“Let’s take a break.”

“The sun sets quickly on the mountains.”

“You talk too much, I said that we should take a break.”

“When the night falls, starving wolves will come out. So if you don’t want me to leave you behind, hurry.”

Evelyn said it without hesitation, ignoring Rasmania’s fierce eyes staring at her.

Rasmania was shocked by the words she spoke.

“Wait, what? What did you just say?”

Evelyn looked at Rasmania, who was trembling with a pale face.

When Rasmenia’s lips twitched, Evelyn bowed her head.

“Please forgive my rudeness but I couldn’t tell you before, my lady.”

“Ha, hah… Say- Say it again!”

“Blanch Mountain is the home of starving wolves. When darkness falls, the wolves will go out scavenging for food.”

“Not that one, but the next one!”

Rasmania blared.

“I told you that I will leave you behind.”

“Oh, you… you wicked woman!”

“If you don’t want to get eaten by a wolf, walk. I will help you.”

How could she say such a thing without blinking an eye?

When I get back to Antimar, I won’t let go of you for a long time. 

Gritting her teeth, Rasmania continued to walk with difficulty.

“The important thing is for my lady to get out of here and return safely.”

“What are you saying?”

All of a sudden, Rasmania realized. Evelyn’s remark of leaving her behind was just to make her understand the situation.

She’s a bold yet clever girl! It’s a waste that she’s a lowborn. 

If I tame her well, I can act as if she’s my own.

Every time Rasmania slipped out of the hillside, Evelyn helped her get back on the path, knowing that it’s dangerous for herself to do so.

Rasmania’s beautiful and colorful dress was torn because of the branches.

Evelyn’s shoes, which were made out of leaves, weren’t much of a help now which caused her feet to get scratched on multiple areas. Yet, she didn’t stop walking while helping Rasmania.

You fool! You took off your shoes and gave them to me, now you’re walking the mountain path with bloody feet!

Rasmania exclaimed inwardly, moving as fast as she could holding onto Evelyn.

“Are we still far from the mountain’s exit?”

“It’s just a little further.”

“You said the same thing when I asked earlier.”

“No matter how many times you ask, my answer will remain the same.”

“Are you sure you’re not going in the wrong direction?”

“That’s impossible! I believe in my instincts.”

The only way for Rasmania to return alive was to trust Evelyn.

“I’m so thirsty!”

“Hold on for a little longer, I’ll let you drink water soon.”

“Ouch!”

“Be careful. You have to look at the sides too.”

Rasmania, who was about to get stabbed in the face by a branch, desperately hoped for the nightmare to end.

***

“Go to a nearby village and get someone who is familiar with this area.”

With Theodore’s orders, Ducray sent a knight to the village.

“How many of our men are left?”

“There are seven people, including those who were slightly injured.”

“What about the Knights of the Blackbird who was escorting her?”

“There were less than ten people. I’ve already taken care of them.”

Theodore’s eyes deepened with Ducray’s report.

“Is there any movement of the Blackbirds in Antimar yet?”

“I don’t think the situation has been reported to the palace yet.”

“It will be soon.”

Theodore’s anxiety was visible on his face. Ducray bowed, accepting his mistake of missing Rasmania.

“My mistake made it harder.”

“It is already in the past. You’ve searched every corner of the forest, haven’t you?”

“We’ve searched everywhere, but couldn’t find a trace.”

“Did she hide in that mountain?”

“Blanch Mountain is famous for its ruggedness and it’s also known as the habitat of savage predators.”

A few minutes later, the knight who went to the village brought an old man with him. The man trembled at the sight of Theodore’s masked people.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m just asking for directions.”

Ducray, who was instructed by Theodore, held out a silver coin to the man.

“I’ll give you your reward first. So tell me what you know.”

The man, who politely accepted the silver coin with his hands.

“Ask anything.”

“Is there a way out of the forest other than this road?”

The man flinched when he saw Theodore’s flashing eyes that’s been showing through his mask.

“I-if you go down to the mid-middle of Mountain Bland, yo-you will see a p-path.” The man said stammering.

“How’s the mountain path? Is it safe for a woman to go alone?”

“It’s hard even for men. There’s no way a woman can take that path.”

“Well… where’s that path?”

The man raised his arm and pointed it in the direction.

“Go that way for Mount Blanch.”

“Now, go back, and keep your mouth shut. Unless you want your family to be in danger.”

“Of- of course! Absolutely, n-now that you’ve given me such a generous reward. I’ll seal my lips.”

After sending the man back, Theodore called for two knights.

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“I’m going to stop her.”

Ducray tried dissuading him.

“I will go. His Highness shall stay here.”

“No, I’ll go, you should keep an eye on this place.”

Ducray, who can no longer prevent the crown prince, got a concerned look on his face.