Chapter 8
"It's not a widely known tale, so it might catch you by surprise. Shortly after, the triumphant 5th prince ascended the throne. Sir Serpente sheltered the Crown Princess and her royal descendants for a full three years, then escorted them to the imperial palace following the sudden demise of the Emperor."
"Then…"
"Yes, that 'Homicidal Emperor.' Apparently, the situation resolved relatively smoothly due to his lack of heirs and an undecided successor. It's a narrative where the newly crowned young prince chose the daughter of their savior as his empress, and the Serpente family thrived."
Expressing my feelings was a challenge. The very room that had been a harrowing prison for us was once a secure refuge for figures from the distant past...
"But why…"
"The reason for its obscurity parallels how your time in confinement transformed into a period of study abroad. No one would have believed a prince who spent three years secluded atop a bell tower could retain his sanity. The potential slanders and speculations from their critics are unpredictable."
Indeed, the royal family's secrets were mystifying. To think that such a shadowed history existed behind the wise Emperor Rodriguez...
I felt a mix of relief for their eventual happiness and a tinge of sadness, perhaps due to our unexpected connection.
"This is a narrative beyond my wildest imagination. I thank you, Your Highness, for sharing it with me."
The enigma of why our freedom occurred a few months earlier than the original timeline was also unveiled.
The pivotal instance was that night when I crossed paths with Assad. Hidden under a cart, I sought Jerome, and our eyes met. I wasn't sure if there were other contributing factors in the original story.
"And for rescuing us then. I can finally express my gratitude properly."
With just those few clues, the male lead indeed fulfilled his role, accurately capturing the eerie atmosphere surrounding the snake's den and driving the plot forward.
As for the gains he reaped... Was it simply luck, or did he possess remarkable political acumen?
Did he already unearth the truth behind his mother's demise? Then their parents' anniversary was also fast approaching...
The Crown Prince's smile graced his features once again. It was a tender smile, akin to that of a bashful young boy.
"I believe I've already received ample gratitude... However, it appears the dinner has commenced. What should we do?"
"What do you mean by dinner?"
"The fox you captured."
I turned my head, focusing on the spot where the unfortunate fox and her mournful pack had gathered. Then, the harsh reality hit me— the space was empty.
No, these rascals, these troublemakers! Why are they dragging away my catch by themselves?!
Assad offered a reassuring nod, comforting me in my vexing frustration.
"Fret not, I'll vouch for you."
"But still! It was my first hunt...!"
"Others will inevitably discover it and bring it along."
"Argh! Cut it out! Don’t do this!"
Naturally, that wasn't precisely what I intended to convey.
The scream that pierced the air at such an oddly timed moment was piercing, making it tough to discern, yet it seemed to belong to Alfonsina. What happened?
Assad's expression mirrored an intense severity beyond words.
"What in the world... I must go."
"Me too."
We hurriedly rushed in the direction of the intermittent screams. The cries persisted at regular intervals.
Upon reaching the source of the disturbance, hidden behind overgrown mounds, we stumbled upon a terrified young lady and a grinning Duke, brimming with an odd sense of accomplishment.
"Puhahaha…! Huh? Your Highness? Sasha?"
"Now please stop! Sasha? Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
Assad appeared utterly at a loss for words, which prompted me to step forward and inquire.
"Oppa, what are you up to?"
"Huh? Can't you tell? I'm just enjoying a horseback ride with my fiancée."
"That's all well and good, but I'm curious as to why your dear fiancée let out such a scream."
"Ah, I was just introducing her to the thrill of speed."
Right, but just how fast did you ride for her to shriek like that? Lethias sheepishly scratched his head and dismounted from the saddle.
Despite her initial fright and pale complexion, Alfonsina's eyes sparkled, suggesting she was enjoying the experience. It seemed our intervention wasn’t as needed as we thought. This...
"Where's Benya?"
"He's been searching for you as well. I assumed he'd be with you. What about Your Highness?"
"We, too, became separated a while ago."
"Is that so? Where in the world did that brat disappear to then? He shouldn't have ventured deep inside the forest alone like he did last year."
"What happened last year?"
I cut straight to the chase, feeling my heart pound with anxiety.
Lethias glanced at my expression, then exchanged a look with Assad, scratching his head in apparent dismay. Assad responded with an air of nonchalance.
"That guy, during last year's hunting festival, decided to chase after someone who bore a striking resemblance to his older brother, claiming it was bothersome..."
"... A bear?"
He nodded. Should I laugh?
Benya wasn't one to engage in impulsive and reckless actions. Seeing the skepticism in my eyes, the two men hastened to clarify.
"It was quite out of character for him. He seemed off that day for some reason..."
"Damn it, comparing his Hyungnim, who's like a saint, to that lumbering beast was a low blow anyway. We all spent half the day searching for him. That brat turned out to be a bit of a nuisance."
"So how did it turn out?"
As Lethias grumbled and clenched his teeth, Assad responded again.
"The bear's pelt still hangs in the hallway of the Imperial palace."
"…"
"Oh, naturally, their team claimed the trophy. I don't strike anyone but foxes."
In the meantime, Alfonsina, having dismounted, approached her betrothed and cautiously voiced her thoughts.
"Perhaps we should search for him? If he's gone off on another escapade, it's cause for concern. About that bear..."
"Dangerous, indeed. Even if he had luck on his side last year, nothing in the autumn forest is as perilous as a bear."
"Why would bears be dangerous? Bears are so lovely; they won't harm you if you leave them be!"
"Duke, you have identified with yourself as... Seriously, the most dangerous thing in the autumn forest isn't bears, it's the poisonous snakes."
"I don't mean to contest Your Highness, but I believe that comparison doesn't quite hold. The sheer menace a bear poses..."
"It does. You can spot a bear approaching, yet you might not even notice when a venomous snake does."
Valid point. I clamped my lips shut and tugged on the reins. I don't want to believe that he'll do the same thing this time, but...
"Where are you heading alone?"
"I'm off to locate Oppa’s foolish little brother. Besides, the hunt won't end well if he's recklessly ransacking a bear."
"Ah, let me accompany you. My concerns are growing."
"Are we to amass bear pelts as trophies once more this year?"
Thus, each of us mounted our horses and commenced our quest through the woods for that surprisingly enigmatic individual.
We encountered a few other participants on our way, who joined the search (?), yet that rascal showed no sign of his whereabouts.
Anxiety was gradually gripping me. The forest's depths harbored perils beyond bears. If he had ventured deep in pursuit of a fox and stumbled upon a pack of ravenous wolves...
Damn it, I thought I'd only be fretting over Lethias, but now even Benya is causing me distress.
"I wonder where he's vanished off to."
"I'll head back to the venue just in case. He might be there."
If he was truly there, even when his Hyung attempts to throw him into the lake, I wouldn't even hinder him.
So, I initially turned my gaze toward the venue, but soon reconsidered and veered onto the opposite path alone. I wasn't quite sure what drew me in that direction.
"Benya! Benya?"
The road, lined with maple trees, exuded a rather poetic and romantic ambiance.
As I guided my horse at a leisurely pace along the path and emerged from the wooded trail, the sound of rushing water reached my ears, originating from a mound that led to a ravine. Were there waterfalls?
I halted my horse and traversed the uneven mound. Pushing through the thick undergrowth and branches, I detected a peculiar noise from one side—reminiscent of a dog munching on the grass...
"Why are you here?"
Of course, no words were exchanged. The dark horse, with its sleek, muscular physique, shot me a reproachful look before resuming its task of picking and munching raspberries at its feet.
Moving past it, I ventured a few steps through the head-tickling Tillandsia, and before me lay a forest of rocks. To be precise, a valley strewn with rugged rocks.
...It almost felt like I couldn't trust my eyes at this moment. I couldn't be hallucinating out of sheer desperation, could I?
Glistening strands of damp, silver-gray hair caught the sunlight, resembling a spider's web.
Right there, Benya was present—or perhaps it was more accurate to say, only half visible. He was propped against a rock, eyes closed, submerged in the frigid waters of the valley up to his shoulders.
Was he sleeping?
I settled onto a broad rock, clothes, watches, and firearms neatly arranged on one side.
I gazed at him for an extended period, pondering where in the world he had disappeared to. Yet, here he was, alone, arms crossed...
I had to admit, I never could have conjured up this scenario. This guy, like this...
Who would have thought that I'd come upon him enjoying what appeared to be a leisurely summer vacation in such a relaxed, vulnerable state?
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