Chapter 8：The Haunting Competition: Part 2

My father and I sat down afterwards. I saw Father looking at someone who stands near one of the tents and he was looking at him thoughtlessly. He then faced towards me and murmured "I need to tell you something after the competition, son." from his tone, I can say that he recalled something once he saw that person.

I saw him carefully and said "O .... Okay."

Father seemed very serious and somewhat there is a tense feeling coming out from him.

Father then looked away at the participants. The participants, which are the nobles, were riding their horses. They were carrying rifles that were located on their sides; the riffles were fixed around their waist by a leather belt. Behind the participants, they were the examiners who are responsible for counting how many numbers the participant haunted; this is to ensure that there is no cheating among them.

Once Father showed the signal to start the competition, one of the knights aimed the rifle up high and shot the bullet to start.

The competition finally started. I hear the neigh of the horses as they started to run far away. In an instant, almost all the participants gone far away. The place seemed to be quiet now and I felt finally relaxed. However, I was still curious at who that person might be. I meant the one who Father saw.

"Ummm Father? Can I ask you something?" I asked.

He saw me and said "What do you want to say?"

I pointed out toward the person who Father saw just earlier "Umm .. Who is that person?"

He instantaneously grab my shoulder and put it down. He murmured in an anger tone "You can just ask without pointing at that person."

I flinched. "I am sorry, Father."

He sighed deeply and said "He is Duke William."

"Duke William?! I never heard of that name before."

"I did not tell you about him before, but he will be your brother's father in law."

"Huh?!" I paused for a moment to understand what he just said "So you mean he is Sara's father?"

"Yes." He answered. "Since we are in this topic, I will tell you something."

"Okay."

He sighed and said "We need to look for your brother as soon as possible."

"I know we should look for him as soon as possible, but for now .... Edw ..... I mean I did not find any leads to help me finding my brother." I said in a tense voice.

I almost ended up telling him that Edward was helping me to find my brother. If Father knows that someone knew about my identity, that person will be in danger.

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A sudden flashback came into my memory. I was in an empty room alone. I was sitting on a chair in front of the window with chains attached from the floor to my legs. There was someone who suddenly opened the door violently. I flinched and saw who might be that person. I looked at him; he was wearing a casual cloths; his face has wrinkles and he has a long silver hair.

"Today, you will come with me." He said it while looking at me firmly. I was looking at his features; he seemed to be disgusted at me.

"O ... Ok .... Okay!" I said it nervously. My whole body was shacking because I did not know who might that person be.

He looked toward the maid that was behind him and said in a clear voice "Open the chains now."

The chains were suddenly released. He grabbed my hands and said "From today, you will live as a boy."

I looked at him questionably and nervously. I thought to myself "why he wanted me to live as a boy? Is there any reason behind it?"

My thoughts were cut off suddenly when I saw him walking fast while grabbing my hand. I was walking as fast as I could to reach him, but I couldn't and I, unfortunately, stumbled on my knees.

That person looked behind and saw me on the ground. My knees were not as much in pain as my legs were, so I tried to stand up; however, that person grab me forcefully.

I finally reached outside and saw a carriage in front of me. I was forcefully taken inside that carriage by that person with the maid as well. The carriage moved afterwards.

Along the rode, I kept staring at the floor without saying any word. I was nervous. It was night during that time and it was too cold. My cloths were very light, so my body was shaking from the cold as well as from what just had happened today. I was very terrified and still try to understand what had just happened today. It'd been a long time since someone came to my room; however, it was the first time someone who made a fuss and forced me to go outside.

The maid rested her hand into my shoulder to comfort me. However, that person saw what she was doing and moved her hand away from me and said "You spoiled her too much." Then he looked at me sharply and said "There is a lot of work you need to do once you live as a boy. I am telling you this now, if someone knows that you are a girl, that person will suffer."

I panicked. Is he serious?! Is he going to torture that person until he dies?!

"Y .. Yes, I ... I understand." I replied to him while closing my eyes in fear.

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I was surprised to know that this person was actually my father! Until today, I have never forgot that day. I looked at my father's features closely. To be honest, I despised him. Yes. I despised him to the point where I could shout in front of him and say to his face "Where were you during that time?! I was alone in that cold room. I was scared, terrified, and tortured in that room. Was this your doings? Did you despise me also? If so, then what did I do to you?"

"I can't wait to see who will be the winner today. Are you curious?"

My thoughts were cut off once I heard what Edward said. I looked at him and said "Yes. I am curious of course."

Come to think of it, I need to tell Edward that he should never mention to Father that he knew about my identity; otherwise, he will suffer.

I saw where he was pointing at and looked at that direction. The noises became louder and louder and I can hear the rustle of the leaves nearer and nearer. Suddenly, I saw someone coming out from the grass and shouted "BE CAREFUL YOUR MAJESTY!"

My father was shocked and he stood up suddenly. I stood up and looked at where my father was looking at. I panicked once I saw that the one who shouted has suddenly fainted in front of us and he was covered in blood!

I opened my mouth in surprise. My eyes became instantly wider and my heart beat started to rise. My whole body was shaking. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I was scared, really scared. I suddenly felt chills coming out from my body. I saw someone who has just died now!

I tried to be conscious of what was happening right now. I looked closely and saw some of the knight rushing inside the forest and some of them were protecting us.

I suddenly heard a bullet sound. I was terrified at the thought of someone being shot. HOWEVER, I did not notice that the one being shot was ME! "What? Did someone really SHOT ME just now?! Am I going to die?!"

I felt something sticky coming out between my neck and shoulder, and instantaneously that area became numb. I fell down suddenly and began to writhe.

I screamed and cried painfully while touching my shoulder "AHHHHH ..... HELP ME .... IT HURTS ... REALLY HURTS .....".

"STOP THE BLEEDING, NOW!"

"BE AWAKE. DO NOT FAINT!"

"SOMEONE, CARRY HIM AND CALL FOR A ... !"

I faintly heard their voices. I tried to be conscious, but I couldn't because my vision went blank afterwards ....