Chapter 39

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“AREN’T YOU ALL tired of chasing me?” I shouted, facing her as I struggled to catch my breath. My wrists were bound in heavy chains, weighing down my every movement, but I raised my head defiantly. She simply smiled, unsheathing her sword with a slow, deliberate motion, her eyes darkening with sharp, malicious intent.

“Oh, I think you owe me more than a slap, Lady Arthemice,” she taunted, her voice smooth and cold. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. She was holding a grudge over those two slaps? All I’d done was return the blow she’d landed first.

“She’s here!” The other pursuer’s voice cut through the trees, sending a chill down my spine. I turned to see him drawing closer, his smirk twisted, his gaze fixed on me with cruel satisfaction. Trapped between them, with my wrists chained, I knew I had to fight, but my body was exhausted.

Clenching my fists, I managed to lift my arms despite the weight of the chains, every move labored and agonizing. As she lunged, her sword aimed for my side, I barely managed to dodge, stumbling to the right and swinging my shackled hands to parry her next strike. The clash rattled through my bones, and my arms trembled from the impact.

“Pathetic,” she sneered, swinging her blade with relentless precision. I gritted my teeth, each dodge taking everything I had. The chains weighed me down, slowing my movements as I fought to stay on my feet.

The second pursuer moved in, circling me, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His sword flashed in my peripheral vision, and I turned just in time, raising my chained hands to block his attack. The metal of his blade ground against the chains, sending sparks flying, the sound ringing in my ears.

Pain shot through my arms, but I refused to back down, using every ounce of strength to push him back. They circled, taunting, each strike testing my failing stamina. My breaths came in ragged gasps, and I knew my endurance was nearly gone, yet I forced myself to stand firm.

She closed in, her gaze cutting through me like a blade, a twisted smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

As I stumbled back, every muscle screaming in protest, my vision began to blur. I could barely keep up with their attacks, let alone defend myself in this weakened state. Lady Athena’s blade slashed at me, grazing my arm and drawing a thin line of blood. I flinched, but forced myself to stand tall, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.

But the exhaustion was winning. Another strike forced me to my knees, the weight of my chained wrists dragging me down. Lady Athena stood over me, her eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction. The other noble sneered, circling me like a vulture ready to feast.

“You’re finished, Lady Arthemice,” she whispered, savoring every word.

But just as she raised her sword for the final blow, an arrow sliced through the air, whistling with deadly precision. It embedded itself into the tree beside Lady Athena’s head, making her flinch back in surprise. A second arrow struck the ground near the other noble’s feet, sending him stumbling backward in alarm.

“What—who dares interfere?” Lady Athena snarled, her gaze darting through the trees, seeking the source of the arrows.

I didn’t wait for an answer. Heart pounding, I pushed myself up, my body screaming with each movement. With my last reserve of strength, I turned and ran, stumbling through the dense forest, the chains on my wrists rattling with every step. I could hear them shouting behind me, but the arrows had bought me a precious few seconds.

Whoever my unknown savior was, they had given me a chance—a chance I didn’t intend to waste.

“This should do,” I whispered, struggling to catch my breath as I pressed myself against the massive rock. I needed time—just a few precious seconds to regain my strength. Being hunted like an animal was exhausting, especially with the Emperor exploiting my weakened state. That bastard…

“My lady!”

The voice jolted me, and I turned sharply, only to see Lady Cecelia standing at the edge of a cave, waving for me to come closer. My heart clenched, and my eyes widened. It felt like a lifetime since I’d last seen her. But as I scanned her face, something was wrong. A bow and arrows were slung across her back. Wait... Cecelia doesn’t carry weapons. She absorbs them after using them to regain her strength...

“Why… Why did they do this to you?” she murmured, her voice wavering as tears welled in her eyes. She stepped toward me, slowly kneeling, and reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “What happened to you?”

I held her gaze, feeling the hair on the back of my neck rise. Her eyes held a strange glint, something unsettling.

I clicked my tongue, letting suspicion crawl over me. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice cold.

Her expression twisted, a wicked smile spreading across her face as her voice shifted into something dark and mocking. “Ah, such sharp instincts, Lady Arthemice…” he sneered, a cruel glint in his eyes. Of course. Another wolf in disguise. How many monsters am I supposed to face in this cursed forest?

He seized my chin roughly, pressing the tip of an arrow against my neck, and I felt a prick as blood trickled down. My hands trembled, the last of my strength drained after fighting Lady Athena and that other bastard. Is this it? Is this where it ends?

The impostor’s voice dropped, dripping with malice. “I heard how Lady Cecelia saved you from her dear friend. How ironic, considering you’re the one who tormented her so.” He smirked, leaning closer as if savoring my vulnerability. “But none of that matters now. Once I have your head, the Grand Duke’s title will be mine.”

I scoffed, feeling a surge of disgust at his words. All this—just for a title? How shallow. I gathered my remaining strength, determined not to let him win.

I forced a smirk, my voice laced with venom as I stared him down. “You really must lack any talent of your own, mustn’t you?” I taunted, leaning closer so he could see the challenge in my eyes. “If you had any worth, you’d already have the title. Poor thing… to resort to scraps.”

His face contorted with rage, his brow furrowing as his grip tightened on the arrow, pressing it harder against my skin.

My heart hammered in my chest, and I seized the moment. I threw my head forward, slamming it into his with all the strength I had left. He cried out, clutching his head, and in one swift move, I stomped down hard on his foot, following with a vicious knee to his stomach. He doubled over, his voice a strangled curse.

“You little—!” he spat, his face twisted in pain, but I didn’t linger to savor it.

I staggered to my feet, spinning on my heel and sprinting away as fast as my legs would carry me. “Get back here, damn you!” His voice echoed after me, but I ignored him, focused only on escape.

Breathless, I whispered to myself, “I nearly died back there…” This ordeal was a cruel reminder—trust no one, especially nobles. Greed poisoned them all.

Suddenly, through the thick trees, I spotted it—the sprawling walls of the Capital City glistening in the distance. My heart surged with hope. Yes! For the first time, an escape seemed possible. I stumbled, catching myself just in time as I ran faster than ever.

Just a little further. Just a little longer… and I’ll finally be out of this hell.

Just as I was about to step into the safety of the Capital’s borders, a hand shot out from the shadows, clamping around my waist like an iron shackle. I barely had time to react before I was yanked backward, my escape slipping away before my very eyes.

“Where do you think you’re going, Lady Intruder?” A dark, amused voice whispered into my ear, sending a chill down my spine.

I struggled, but his grip was relentless, pressing me firmly against him. I twisted my head, catching a glimpse of a face hidden partially in shadow, his eyes gleaming with a predator’s thrill.

“Let me go!” I hissed, the venom in my voice matched only by the desperate beat of my heart. But his grip only tightened, his smirk growing as he took in my defiance.

“Oh, I don’t think so. You’ve caused quite a mess, and there’s a price on your head that I intend to collect,” he purred, his words dripping with greed. “But first, I think I’ll enjoy watching you try to wriggle out of this one.”

fin.