Chapter 17

Calyx had lowered his head, so Rayna couldn’t read his expression.

However, she felt like she knew what his face said even without looking at it.

Rayna shifted her gaze to the book and began to slowly read one page at a time.

She felt a bit awkward because she had never had anyone read a story to her while she was sleeping, nor had she read to anyone.

Fortunately, her hard, low-pitched voice helped him fall asleep.

Before long, Calyx was sleeping and breathing softly.

As she listened to the gentle breathing, her eyelids also became heavier.

She hadn’t been able to sleep well these past few days due to her nervousness.

‘I don’t want Calyx getting sick while I’m away.’

Rayna had trouble keeping her eyes open and slowly closed them.

However, when she was about to fall asleep…

‘Save me!’

Rayna’s eyes widened. It was Calyx’ voice.

‘Calyx?’

Surprised, Rayna hurriedly stood.

Looking around her, she became bewildered.

Just a moment before, she had been in Calyx’ room, but she found herself in an unfamiliar place she had never seen before.

Growing anxious, Rayna jumped to her feet and started moving.

Calyx—!

She tried calling out his name, but her mouth only twitched soundlessly.

‘What the hell is…?’

Rayna was horrified.

On a closer inspection, she realized she was in a cemetery.

The letters on the gravestones were blurred and unreadable.

‘Where is Calyx?’

Turning her head, Rayna spotted Calyx far away.

Rayna’s eyes popped.

Calyx wasn’t alone.

A black four-legged beast the size of a house was chasing him.

‘That’s no ordinary beast.’

It was close to a monster.

Calyx—!

Rayna ran and called out to him.

However, Calyx didn’t register Rayna’s voice.

As he was running away, he stumbled over his feet and fell.

The monster pinned Calyx’ body with its front paws.

No—!

Rayna looked around her.

She found a rock bigger than her fist and threw it at the monster.

Although it wouldn’t cause much damage, it should prevent Calyx from being devoured right away.

—Puck!

Rayna’s stone hit the monster’s lower jaw.

The monster slowly turned its head.

Rayna flinched; her body trembled.

The monster’s bright red eyes focused on Rayna.

Soon, the monster kicked the ground and lunged at her.

‘We have to escape!’

Rayna forced her shaking legs to move and run.

However, the monster’s paw quickly snatched her by the scruff of her neck.

Rayna reached out to free herself from the monster’s clutches.

But for some reason, its claws transformed at her touch.

Black toenails cracked and sloughed off.

At the same time, Rayna’s floating body fell to the ground
.
The monster stared at the pieces of its own claws.

Soon, the monster shifted its gaze and looked at Rayna.

[Found it.]

Its harsh voice mixed with a metallic sound was heard as the monster opened its jaw wide toward Rayna.

The moment she thought she was going to be eaten just like that—

“—Huh!?”

Rayna gasped and opened her eyes.

‘What?’

Bewildered, Rayna looked around her.

The world had returned to before she fell asleep.

“Was it a dream?”

Rayna looked at Calyx.

She had a dream about a monster chasing Calyx.

‘Is it because I’m uneasy about leaving Calyx behind?’

Rayna stood, feeling her heart still pounding.

Then, something fell at her feet.

It was the Bomar statuette that she fell asleep holding.

Rayna held up the Bomar figurine.

Soon, she narrowed her eyes.

‘Was this posture like this originally?’

Rayna felt that the angle of the wooden sword held by the Bomar figure was different from its usual position.

‘Or is my mind playing tricks on me?’

Tilting her head, Rayna tucked the statuette back in her arms.

* * *

The day after she contacted the orphanages, Rayna received a reply.

In the morning, two carriages stopped in front of the orphanage.

One carriage held Count Krollot and his wife, whereas the other was a carriage prepared by the count and his wife for Lucius, who had to leave urgently.

They hadn’t the slightest remorse about selling her off to Lucius.

“Rayna, take care and contact me when you arrive.”

“Be polite to the Grand Duke. Understand?”

The countess tightly gripped Rayna’s hand and loudly cleared her throat.

“I prepared the best carriage to ensure a comfortable journey.”

Rayna furrowed her brows slightly at the sight of the carriage.

Contrary to the countess’ words, it was, in fact, not the best carriage.

There was definitely a bigger, flashier carriage than this one.

Staring curiously at the countess, Rayna hissed.

“That isn’t the best carriage? It’s a bit narrow inside, so if we sit across from each other, our legs will inadvertently brush.”

The countess responded with a wink.

‘What?’

Why did the countess wink at the notion of their legs rubbing?

Rayna shuddered and tried to pry her hand from the countess’ grasp.

However, the countess only exerted more strength.

“Don’t worry about other business for the time being. We’ll manage the orphanage.”

Rayna was alarmed.

If the orphanage were entrusted to the count and his wife, they would discover that she forged the ledger.

“—You have bigger business to attend to in the future.”

“Bigger business?”

The countess covered her mouth with her hand and whispered.

“Marriage business.”

Rayna’s eyes widened.

“Don’t let this opportunity go to waste. Isn’t this a golden opportunity to become in-laws of the Grand Duchess of Ingerson?”

“Rest assured. We have a plan, so just stick close to the Grand Duke. We’ll handle the rest.”

“No.”

Rayna said firmly.

When they said they would take care of something, it only terrified her more than anything.

“I have worked hard to ensure that the orphanage is run the way it was originally run, so please leave it alone. And whatever your plan is, don’t do it.”

“…Why?”

The countess’ grip tightened even more.

“Rayna, you’re a smart kid. I thought you would fully understand the situation?”

The countess’ gaze sharpened.

“You aren’t foolish enough to waste this opportunity, right? This is so unlike you.”

This is so unlike you.

In an instant, Rayna felt a chill travel down her spine.

The countess had said something similar when she attempted to commit Rayna to a psych ward.

“Mother.”

Rayna spoke calmly.

“Precisely because it’s a huge opportunity we need to approach it carefully.”

“…”

“If you act hastily against Grand Duke Lucius, you’ll only end up in trouble.”

Since Rayna’s words made sense, the countess’ mood softened.

“I will look into the situation and ask for help when I feel the time is right. Please wait until then.”

The count and countess exchanged glances.

“I see, Rayna probably has a much better move in mind.”

“We were impatient, but it doesn’t mean we don’t trust you.”

The count and his wife quickly shifted their attitude and spoke generously.

“You should.”

Rayna spoke coldly and pulled her hand away from the countess.

“I’ll be back.”

‘I hope the count and his wife don’t have an accident.’

Rayna sighed to herself and headed to her carriage.

Lucius was waiting in front of the carriage and extended his hand.

While holding that hand, Rayna got into the carriage. Then, she turned around.

He still hadn’t released her hand.

However, before their eyes could meet, Lucius finally released it.

Rayna turned her head away and sat in her seat.

Lucius also got into the carriage and sat down.

Rayna checked to make sure that her legs weren’t touching Lucius.

Soon, the carriage carrying the two people departed.

“…”

There was only suffocating silence inside the carriage.

According to aristocratic etiquette, it was the gentleman’s responsibility to resolve such an awkward atmosphere.

‘Maybe the conversation will flow smoothly if we discuss small topics.’

Regardless, Lucius’ mouth was tightly sealed, as if it was zipped.

‘I don’t even want to start a conversation.’

It was obvious that if she said something meaningless, Lucius would give a short reply, making things even more awkward.

‘Then I will just have to get used to the silence.’

Rayna glanced at the window of her carriage and gently rolled the ring on her index finger with her thumb.

Maya had given her that ring this morning.

“—Milady, please always wear this ring. It’s filled with a tracking scent.”

“Yes, it carries a scent that can only be recognized by a specific carrier pigeon.”

She was no stranger to correspondence methods using carrier pigeons. In fact, that was how she contacted the orphanages.

However, Rayna had never used a ring scented for tracking before.

“Usually, there’s no need to use such a thing. The carrier pigeons originally belonged to my late father, but they were more specialized in finding people.”

Maya wanted to prepare in case something went wrong with Rayna.

‘Once again, how fortunate I am to have Maya.’

Rayna smiled quietly but soon lowered the corners of her mouth.

She could feel a stinging gaze on her cheek.

Rayna glanced, turning her face to Lucius, and then paused.

She made direct eye contact with Lucius, who stared at her.

Since when has he been watching?

Rayna hid her ringed hand in the width of her skirt and spoke.

“Do you need something?”

“…”

“Grand Duke?”

Lucius averted his gaze as if nothing had happened.

Rayna felt that she was nervous for no reason.

She tried to look outside the window again, only to freeze once more.

The toes of their shoes were touching.

Rayna quietly withdrew her feet and pressed them together.

‘…Like this, before…’

Rayna tilted her head slightly.

__