Chapter 43
DASHING out of the clinic was all fine and dandy, but Yuki hadn’t a clue about what she should do next. She smiled dryly at her impulsiveness and squinted at the sun blaring down on her from the center of the blue sky.
“All right…where to go from here?”
Heaviness weighed down her body and her legs didn’t move as she willed them. The seasons had changed again, because the brush of a gentle breeze sent shivers through her even though the sun was still high in the sky.
Neither time nor information was on her side. Her deteriorating health didn’t help either. Still, for some unknown reason, her mind was in a tranquil state.
“I’ll start with the bars. Luca always said bars are the best place to obtain information.”
Yuki worried whether the bars would be open during the day, but if they were closed she would just get some food and wait until they opened.
I’ll ask about where to find a horse and the fastest way back to Fol. I’ll keep my promise with Vigo and return to Fol and seek out Rhad’s help. I don’t know if he’ll believe me or if he’s trustworthy. Yuki shook her head. No, I have to trust him first for him to believe me. With her newfound determination, she glowered at the capital’s streets brimming with people going about their daily lives.
✦ ✦ ✦
Since the day Luca saved her in the spring, Yuki had been blessed by the people she met. Dropped into a world she knew nothing about, she fell right in front of a powerful nation’s prince. Or rather, she drowned in front of him.
Had she been unlucky, she could have been picked up by a poor family and lived out the rest of her days in slavery and prostitution. The uniqueness of her eyes would have gotten her sold off. Some twisted sicko could have fallen in love with her eyes, removed them from their sockets, and left her to die on the side of the road never seeing the light of day again.
When she considered the alternatives of who could have found her she was convinced she had been blessed. Perhaps a better word than blessed would be fortunate. Yuki reflected on her amazing good luck inside Selena’s tight embrace.
“Aaah, sheesh, Yuki! You’re a bit slow when it comes to noticing things, but you’re a clever girl! As ashamed as I am to admit it, I lost sight of you. But I was certain you would come to the tavern! I’ve been waiting here for three days and my efforts have finally paid off!”
The second Yuki stepped inside the tavern she spotted Selena dressed not in her Knight armor, but wearing a navy dress. Selena leapt for her from the other side of the tavern and scooped her up in her arms.
“After you left for the capital, Vigo sent me after you because he thought it’d be dangerous for you alone. But you’re a speed demon, Yuki! I wasn’t able to catch up to you in time! It’s all Vigo’s fault for keeping me at Fol Castle for so long after you left!”
“S-Selena! I-I understand how you feel, but you’re hurting me! I’m suffocating!” Yuki coughed out.
Selena’s arms squeezed her with the strength of a Knight and her voluptuous chest cut off her airflow. Several pops and snaps came from Yuki’s back as her bones struggled under the pressure. She sucked in a deep breath when Selena loosened her grip.
“So, how did it go? Did you find your Knight?” Selena asked, patting Yuki on the head. Yuki shook her head.
“I was just puzzling through what to do because everyone has different information on what Luca is doing right now.”
Selena watched Yuki force a smile with compassion. “I see.”
“Yeah.”
Undoubtedly, Selena saw the spasm in her cheek as her smile faltered. She was grateful she didn’t press for more information.
“At any rate, your ten days will be up soon. Why don’t we head back to Fol for now?”
“…All right.”
Head back to Fol for now. Those words meant she could return to the capital again. Yuki clenched her right hand. The sooner she returned the better.
“Let’s go back soon,” she insisted. Selena smiled.
“I love your impatience. But that Adolunde Knight came here with me. Sounded like he has something to do here. Let’s depart as soon as he returns. More importantly,” Selena paused and pinched the tip of Yuki’s nose, “Have you been eating? You look whiter than a cloud.” She forced the tavern menu into Yuki’s hands.
✦ ✦ ✦
SELENA ordered more food than the two-seater table could hold and pestered Yuki to eat it. By the time they finished their meal—most of which Selena ate—Rhad entered the tavern, his copper ponytail swaying behind him. The long ponytail hung loosely at the middle of his back.
“Oh, you’re back pretty quick. I thought you said you wouldn’t be back until just before noon,” Selena said, waving in greeting.
“I had a hard time trying to get in touch with the person I came to meet. He was in a sour mood when I finally did get my hands on him, which made a mess of things.” Rhad deliberately shrugged and turned serious when he spotted Yuki. “By the way, I need to ask her something.”
“Who? M-Me?” Yuki asked, shrinking back in her chair. She hadn’t spoken to Rhad since their fight about Luca. Baffled by his absolute contempt for her, she kept her distance.
“Then ask?” Selena gestured to an empty chair at another table.
“The topic is something I prefer to keep between us, ma’am.”
“Did you forget Yuki is in our care and not yours?”