CH 3.18

The princess’s blue eyes gleamed cruelly. The criminals looked at each other as if they didn’t understand what the princess was saying.

They may have thought death was the only thing that awaited them when they were transported here, but they were given a second chance. The chances are slim, but they still have a chance to reclaim their freedom. I could see the criminals calculating and thinking hard.

But there’s no way the princess isn’t aware of their thoughts. I was keeping a close eye on the situation.

“Come forward, those who repent, and bang your head on the ground.”

The ropes that bound the heinous criminals’ wrists were untied as the princess gestured.

The audience was deafeningly silent. Nobody dared to breathe loudly. I, too, bit my lower lip and waited.

Will one of them take a moment to reflect? Even if it was an absurd expectation and fantasy, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would come true.

“…… .”

I’ve been holding my breath for about a minute.

Someone finally took a step forward. Would he truly beg forgiveness? But the moment I blinked my eyes open while hoping. In a split second.

“Ahhhhhh!”

He pretended to bow down, but then screamed and ran away. The others followed and fled.

“I’ll make you regret letting me go!”

“Forgiveness? Do you think I’d ask for something like that?”

thud!

The men as big as the knights pushed the victims with their shoulders and fled. Others, who were wary, hurriedly disappeared into the forest.

‘They’re not going to repent at all.’

It isn’t what I expected, but it makes me laugh. Criminals as heinous as beasts are fleeing for their lives. I wouldn’t have been so upset if they had simply put their heads down and asked to be killed.

“Your Highness, may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Can they really escape?”

The princess I know is not such a reckless person, but I asked just in case.

Of course, the princess did not disappoint me.

“How is that possible?”

“As expected.”

“You must give them hope in order for them to taste greater despair. They will hide in rock crevices and tremble before being placed on a skewer.”

They should be. That’s great news.

“You’ll have a great time pulling the bowstring.”

Her voice was very sweet, and it sounded as if she was recommending a sweet and delicious cherry pie instead.

“So, shall we?”

“It’s easy to learn, so pay attention. I’ll give you a light bow to practice.”

At that moment, the servant extended a bow to the princess. However, it was a large bow that appeared to be quite heavy. I couldn’t help but admire the princess as she casually held it.

I was soon given a bow as well. Mine was extremely flexible and light.

“Depart.”

One of the attendants blew the horn loudly when the princess raised her hand.

Booooo-

It’s a low-pitched noise that travels far and wide. I climbed onto Cat and moved forward. Dame Ziontin, who was riding a black horse, was riding next to me.

“I had no idea Dame Ziontin would be here.”

“I didn’t think Lady Oberon would be here either.”

I spoke to her with a big smile, but her response was cold. Even rice cakes hardened for three days will be softer than Dame Ziontin.

I grumbled inwardly as I looked up at Dame Ziontin, who didn’t even look at me.

The group was divided into four by the princess after some time of traveling in silence.

Ziontin spoke to me out of nowhere on the way forward with fewer people.

“Didn’t you just say your life was in danger the other day?”

“Yes, I did.”

“So, why are you coming to such a bright place? I don’t think you’re doing this on purpose to irritate the mastermind behind the attack.”

Wait. She said it was a bright place, which could also mean a graveyard. To put it simply, she wanted to ask, ‘Do you want to die?’

“The Princess is kind. If you’d said your life was in danger, apologized, and then refused, she’d have understood…!”

I stared at Dame Ziontin’s angry side profile without saying anything. She wasn’t looking at me anymore, but I could see her jaw tightening.

‘Uh, is she concerned right now?’

Is complaining like tike this, is Ziontin’s worrying style?

“The death threat has recently decreased significantly. And I’m not so frail as to be a burden wherever I go.”

“… I know that.”

“And you saw the talisman I bought. The bird that protected me.”

And it wasn’t just any ordinary bird.

I lifted my head and hummed quietly. Tall trees rustle in the breeze. There has to be another assassin somewhere out there. Still, I wasn’t too worried. I got so many insurances, all I have to do is to stay vigilant.

Dame Ziontine let out a deep sigh of frustration. But I swear, I’m not the type of person who easily frustrates others.

“However, I don’t know how to shoot a bow.”

“…..But you dare to come to such a dangerous place? There should be a limit for how reckless a person can be—!”

“Dame can just teach me how to shoot a bow.”

No, perhaps, for Ziontin, I might be a giant piece of sweet potato among sweet potatoes?

*(Sweet potato= something or someone that is frustrating.)

Dame Ziontin and I were polar opposites. I usually tease excessively, whereas Dame Ziontin is easily frustrated.

‘Isn’t this considered chemistry?’

Dame Ziontin grumbled on our way while I talked and laughed alone. The road through the forest was not boring at all…