episode_0048

“So, do you like Ellie too?”

Proving the fact that it had been standing for a long time through its appearance. In front of a broken-down and shabby stable.

After a challenging journey, the two sat side by side in front of the tired horses, sharing a conversation.

She was the most noble woman in the empire, bearing titles such as the Empire’s Blade or the Guardian of the North, which did not suit her at all.

“Haah. Dominique. Why are you like this too!”

Dmitri replied wearily. He looked at Dominique with a tired voice, his golden eyes shining brightly, his head slightly tilted, radiating annoyance.

However, Dominique continued the conversation without paying attention to Dmitri’s disrespectful attitude towards the princess.

“Why are you acting like this! It’s my precious friend’s love problem, isn’t it!”

“Since when did you and Eleonore become such precious friends.”

“After I invited her to tea time after her debutante ball! Now we call each other by nicknames! Unlike others, Ellie calls me Domi!”

Her dark hair swayed gently. The cool scent of citrus mixed with the smell of sweat tickled Dmitri’s nose. Dominique turned her head sharply, puffed up her cheeks with a grumble.

At the sight of such distant relatives, Dmitri let out a deep sigh.

“Haah. Dominique. If I start calling you ‘Dom,’ what would people think.”

“That’s why I don’t show my feelings in front of others.”

Although they diverged from the same bloodline, it had been a long time since the distinctive features of the Galatea family appeared among the members of the Verbriz family.

Even the rich ebony hair symbolizing wealth. The golden eyes on transparent white skin. All of these were now only found in dusty portraits of the royal family.

Hence, the gazes directed at Dmitri and Dominique were closer to those of a man and a woman rather than relatives.

If one were to trace back, there were cases of princesses defeated in royal battles fleeing to the Verbriz family to get married.

Turning his head with a sulky expression, Dominique lightly slapped the thick arm of the black man next to her with her palm.

“Ouch, seriously! Dmitri, stop beating around the bush! We can’t escape today for real.”

A sigh mixed with regretful tone flowed out.

“Haah. Should have just ignored everything and sent Daphne away…”

But now, thinking about it wouldn’t change anything.

“So, Dmitri, what do you think of Ellie? Are you planning to marry her? Is that why you’re mingling with those western villagers lately?”

“Dominique. You call Eleonore your friend. What are you saying about those western villagers!”

“What should I call those country folks then! Besides, Ellie lives in the capital, so she’s not a western village girl!”

Chuckling, Dominique let out a mischievous laugh. Her face had no trace of makeup, unlike usual.

Before she made a new friend named Eleonore.

The only person she could confide in within the cold and sharp palace walls was the Verbriz siblings.

Especially in Dmitri’s case, although their statuses were similar, he was a man who couldn’t aim for her position.

Moreover, unlike the princess, he was not much different in age from her.

Only Dmitri in this world could see Dominique’s bare face like this. It was a face she hadn’t shown even to her close friend Eleonore.

“Haah. It’s true that we received help from the west, but I’m not particularly interested in Eleonore.”

In the intense gaze shot from his golden eyes, Dominique once again drew Dimitri’s black eyes that were avoiding his gaze towards himself.

“Really? Your gaze seemed quite unusual earlier.”

“What can I possibly do with a worthless child like Hilda?”

“Seriously. Someone might think Ellie is your daughter. I am two years younger than you, and Ellie is two years younger than me. It’s just a six-year age gap.”

Dominique continued speaking, poking Dimitri’s solid side with his elbow.

“You’re just making excuses. Are you embarrassed?”

“W-what’s there to be emba-”

The voice of a man in a white robe interrupted Dimitri’s escalating voice.

“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but there is something urgent that needs to be conveyed.”

Approaching the two abruptly, a knight of the Beorn family bowed deeply, catching Dimitri’s attention.

“What is it?”

“The scouting party that entered the mine has reportedly found a vein of majectite inside.”

Instantly, the expressions of the two froze.

“Majectite. That means there are mana crystals inside the mine, right?”

“It’s been reported that the samples of majectite brought back have traces of Shelob’s mucus on them.”

Behind Dominique’s astonished voice, Dimitri pulled out his longsword from its sheath, holding it in his hand.

“Gather everyone in one place. Where is Eleanor right now?”

“She… Eleanor is not to be found.”

#.

They say the sun sets quickly in the mountains.

Of course, it’s not like the sun sets particularly faster in the mountains on the same land. Perhaps it’s because of the trees or the peaks. There must be more things covering overhead.

Having grown up in the city.

Even though Eleanor was considered a knowledgeable modern person, she didn’t exactly understand the principle behind it.

She could, however, appreciate the efforts of the noble family members who tried to finish their work as the sun was setting.

There was no electricity either.

Although they had brought back majectite, it wasn’t enough to brightly illuminate the surroundings.

Even as she pondered these thoughts, a sense of resentment inevitably crept into her heart.

Yet, being the young lady of the Beorn family and their mistress…

Isn’t it a bit too much to not even glance this way?

Dominique, who had been annoyingly persistent, had somehow shifted his attention to Dimitri.

Left alone, Eleanor wandered near the entrance of the mine, contemplating her feelings of resentment.

Being alone made her pensive.

The conversation with Dominique just now pushed aside her feelings of resentment and began to dominate Eleanor’s thoughts.

Sigh. How long can I avoid relationships with men?

Especially as a woman. As a lady of nobility.

Eleanor kicked a stone lying in front of her, trying to dispel her frustration.

Just last week, she experienced her second menstruation in her life.

After the humiliating and challenging first experience, she had been anxious during the quiet period.

Would her unfamiliar female body cause trouble again like before?

Thankfully, the second experience lacked the intense desire and the pain in her lower abdomen wasn’t as severe as the first time.

Ah… Was that strong reaction upon seeing Julian’s face at the ball a premenstrual response?

Once again, Eleanor let out a deep sigh.

Despite her attempts to deny it, her body was indeed that of a woman. A body capable of bearing and giving birth to a child.

So, shouldn’t she stop running away now and face it head-on?

Elleonor tilted her head in disbelief at Domi’s words earlier, but Dmitry isn’t that bad after all.

Moreover, from what she gathered from Domi’s words, it seemed like he had a liking for her too.

Lost in her solitary thoughts, Elleonor wandered near the entrance of the mine, unaware of the eerie multiple glowing red dots trailing behind her.

#.

Scholars had varying opinions on the origins of Majungseok. However, a common factor among the diverse views was that Majungseok emerged due to some form of transformation in a creature’s body.

If Elleonor had heard this, she might have remarked, “Isn’t it just petroleum?” But people in this world wouldn’t know what petroleum is.

Unlike animals and beasts, Majungseok were inherently hostile towards all living beings. They showed no mercy, especially when their territory was encroached upon.

And of all places, it had to be Shilobrani.

With a horrifying insect-like appearance, resembling spiders, and possessing potent venom, if not for the venom, Dmitry and eight knights could have easily handled them.

“You don’t know where Yeongae is? Is that what the knight of the family says?”

A voice full of anger, hidden beneath black locks, engulfed the knight.

Though a well-trained knight, the aura emanating from the northern sword was overwhelming, causing his legs to tremble.

“Dmitry, now is not the time to hold onto grudges. We need to find Ellie first.”

Dominique calmed Dmitry down, looking sympathetically at the shaken knight.

“Gather the people immediately to find Ellie. Shilobrani. The antidote? Did you bring the antidote?”

“I only brought a few neutralizers.”

The knight, visibly shaken, managed to speak. They were already aware of their mistake, but there was still room for some excuses.

Shilobrani. A Majungseok found in the sticky marshes of the south. Even if they encountered Majungseok near the capital, such a name would never be mentioned; it was that kind of Majungseok.

Furthermore, even if they encountered the venom of the Majungseok appearing near the capital, neutralizers would suffice.

“Dominique, make sure you’re with the knights too.”

The dark-haired man left those words and ran into the forest, brandishing his longsword.

“Where is everyone gathered?”

“The knights and the foreign lady are assembled in front of the office building that was supposed to serve as our lodging.”

“Let’s head there. Leave all the baggage behind and only take the neutralizers.”

As the conversation ended abruptly,

“Aaaah!”

The scream of a slender woman echoed through the quiet afternoon forest, suffocating the tranquility.