Chapter 18 - Searching For You

Hazel looked out of the carriage again. She did not know why but she was feeling restless. After hiring Elie, everything was too peaceful. No other maid came from her mother's side and even Amelia or Rene did not visit her again or send anyone else. Even her father made no effort to talk to her. A strange feeling filled her chest and she started to feel heavy. She was not yearning for them to come and meet her, but she knew that Amelia was not successful in posting a spy among her staff. So how could they let her go out of the palace so easily!

"Is there some problem elder miss?" asked the young girl sitting opposite to Hazel. She did not know why but her elder miss had always been lost in her thoughts. And there was a gloomy aura around her that never left her even when she tried to sound cheary. She knew that she did not interfere and was nosy but she felt sad after looking at Hazel's painful face.

She had felt that pain, that hurt in Hazel's eyes yet she felt that things did not affect her or she hid the effect very well.

Hazel turned her head away from the window and glanced at the young girl sitting in front of her.

"No! I am excited that we are going out. It had been days since I came out of my chamber.`` Hazel replied with a smile and the girl nodded.

Though Elie wanted to ask, is that the face we make when we are excited? It felt like someone had stolen all her wealth and she was going to find the culprit rather than going out leisurely but she kept her mouth shut.

"Miss, we have arrived in the meadows. Do you want me to stop the carriage at any specific place?" came the voice of the coachman through the window of the carriage.

"No, it would be fine here. I will take a small walk." she wanted to come on foot in the first place. But she was still not allowed to walk that much because of the weakness she was faking. Who would have thought that her acts will affect her too!

The carriage came to a halt and Elie opened the door as there was no other guard or knight with them. Hazel once again lost in thoughts as to why her family had not forced her to take even one knight with her when the accident happened only a few days ago.

As much as she was relieved that she did not worry about the eyes following her. She was worried that if they were hidden or if they had found another way to keep an eye on her. Her senses had been alert all this time as she kept looking out of the window, yet nothing happened!

"If you are feeling unwell we can return back to the palace and come again later. Do not strain much on your body, elder miss." Hazel came back to her senses and realized that she was still sitting on her seat without moving an inch when it had already been a few minutes when Eli walked out of the carriage and held the door for her.

Hazel shook her head, she would not let this opportunity go. It had already been days and she did not know if the wolf would still be there. But she was feeling restless since the time she had left the woods. She was unconscious after getting hit by the arrows. Though she was told that they were scared and brought her back to the carriage the moment blood started to pour out of her wounds.

Therefore, they were not able to kill or capture the wolf. She was still not sure if they were telling the truth. But then, she knew that even if the wolf had survived the calamity, he would not be there anymore. But she wanted him to be there. He was her first friend. "I apologize, I was lost in my thoughts." she replied as she shook her head. The same thought had passed her mind so many times yet she could not help but think about the wolf. Had she gone crazy after taking rebirth?!

Eli was not sure about the statement. She could see how her skin had turned pale but she was not in the position to argue against her mistress. Though Hazel was kinder to her and never complained or pointed out her mistake and even asked her to behave freely around her. Elie knew that she was a maid in the end. She should not indulge herself.

They both walked out in silence. While hazel was moving freely while looking around, Elie followed her closely from behind while holding a basket for their picnic.

It was a shiny day and the warmth was just enough to feel you the sun but now strong enough to make you sweaty. The light breeze was caressing their faces and the fragrance of flowers was filling their senses. It was a picturesque scene. The yellow leaves of autumn had fallen on the ground making it fully yellow and green.

"If you are tired you can take a rest here for a while. I will meet you here after some time." Hazel turned and asked Eli as she pointed at the spot near the Wisteria tree. It was the same place where she had met a wolf for the first time. The lake was not far away and Hazel wanted to roam all the area and try to find the wolf. But with Elie, it would be a bit difficult. Even if she found the wolf, she wouldn't be able to go closer to him as Elie would be scared.

And if she told anyone about this in the palace, then the whole palace would know that the knights were telling the truth and she was lying to all of them.. This would break the trust, the staff was forming on her and her condition will go worse than before.