GTMDWH I Chapter 116

~Chapter 116~

Leah’s arrow hit the bear right in the chest—but before she could react, its massive paw came swinging toward her face.
It all happened in a split second, but to Leah, it felt painfully slow.

She squeezed her eyes shut.
‘Well, at least it’ll be quicker than dying slowly…!’

But no matter how long she waited, the claws never struck her.
Instead, she felt something solid—someone’s chest—blocking her.

She slowly opened her eyes.
Oh my god.
It was Johan.

“Leah, are you okay?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
“…Johann? How did you—how did you get here?”
Surprise and relief flashed across her face.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “But what about you?”

The bear was lying motionless on the ground in front of them.
That could only mean one thing—Johann had taken the blow meant for her.

“I’m okay,” he said calmly, then used his strength and mana to shove the huge beast aside.

“There’s no way you’re okay!” Leah snapped, pulling him upright.

The bear’s claws had been sharp—she knew he must’ve been injured, even if the beast had been on its last legs.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay first,” he said, his hand trembling slightly on her shoulder.

“Fine, I’ll let you check me first. But then I’m checking your back, no excuses,” she said firmly.
She could feel how worried he was for her, and it hurt her heart.

“Alright.”

Johann carefully looked her over.
Aside from some scratches on her face and hands and a bit of dirt on her clothes, Leah was fine—surprisingly fine for someone who’d fought a bear under dark magic.

Of course, to Johann, even those tiny cuts looked unbearable.

“I’m fine. Now let me see your back.”
“It’s barely a scratch—honestly, it’s embarrassing to show you,” he said, stepping back a little.

He’s totally hiding it so I won’t worry, Leah thought, grabbing his wrist.
“…Johann!”

Just then, Mathias arrived with the imperial knights on horseback.
“Haah, everyone’s safe,” he said with visible relief as he dismounted.
But when he got closer and saw Johann’s back, his face darkened.

“Johann, your back…”
Leah gasped and hurried behind Johan.

“This is what you call a scratch?!”

The claw marks had torn through his clothes and flesh. The bear must’ve used the last of its strength to land that blow.

“When I fight monsters, this is nothing—”
“How can you say that?!” Leah cut him off sharply, furious.

Even Matthias, who was about to scold Johann himself, stayed quiet at her tone.

“Your Majesty, we need to get him to a healing mage immediately,” Mathias ordered.
“Yes, go now.”

Mathias nodded gravely.
“Get on behind me. Try not to move too much or the wound might reopen,” Leah said, helping Johan onto her horse.

As she grabbed the reins, Mathias called out, “By the way, that bear—did you kill it, Lady Leah?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she replied.

Even though she’d slain the beast, Leah didn’t look proud at all—she looked miserable, because Johann had been hurt protecting her.

“…Incredible,” Mathias murmured.
The knights around him stared in disbelief at the dead bear and the woman who’d taken it down.

“Your Majesty, we’ll head back first,” Lia said.
“Alright. I’ll take care of the bear’s body.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Leah bowed, then spurred her horse toward the hunting camp.

“Leah, are you mad?” Johann asked softly, holding her waist carefully.
“…No, I’m not mad,” she said quietly.

Her chest ached—it wasn’t anger she felt.
“It just hurts inside. You got hurt because of me. Does it hurt a lot?”

“You’re just worried about me, huh?” Johan said, his voice lighter.
“It doesn’t hurt much. Like I said, it just tickles.”

Tickles? Who does he think he’s fooling? she thought.
“Don’t lie just to make me feel better.”

“…Alright, it hurts a little.”
“I’ll see for myself later if it’s just ‘a little.’”
“…Fine. Then it hurts a little more than a little.”

Leah couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Even though she was upset, he was just… adorable.
Alma used to say if you think someone’s cute when they’re hurt, you’re done for—and Lia thought she was right.

“Johann, thank you for coming to save me.”
She realized she hadn’t even said that yet.

“I couldn’t lose you again,” he whispered, resting his head gently on her back.
There was so much longing and relief in his voice.

I didn’t want to lose you again either, she thought, urging the horse faster.

As soon as they reached the camp, Lia ran to the imperial healer.
People gasped when they saw Johan’s torn back.

“The Duke’s wounds are terrible!”
“How did that happen?”

Everyone crowded around.

Samuel hurried in and pulled the curtain around the tent.
“Please remove your shirt, my lord,” the healer said.
He frowned as he examined the injuries, while Samuel helped Johan out of his shredded clothes.

His back was covered in deep claw marks and blood.
It had to be excruciating—but Johan kept smiling faintly, only for Lia’s sake.

“…”

Leah’s eyes filled with tears.
“Leah, it really doesn’t hurt much,” Johann said, turning his head to look at her.

“I’m not crying because I’m sad… I’m just angry,” she said, voice trembling.

“You said you weren’t mad.”
“Not at you. I’m angry at the one who did this to you—”
She stopped herself.
“At the bear. I’m angry at the bear.”

“Hey, it’s fine. You defeated it, remember?” Johann said, gently patting her hand.
“…Right. I did beat it,” she replied.
If only I could do the same to the Empress, she thought bitterly.

That woman had taken too much from her already. Leah didn’t want to lose anything more to her.

“Luckily, we treated it early, so there shouldn’t be any scars,” the healer said after finishing.
“Though you’ll need a few more sessions to make sure.”

“Thank goodness. Thank you so much,” Leah said, bowing deeply.
“I was just doing my duty, my lady. Just avoid any strenuous activity for now, Duke,” the healer advised.

“Yes,” Johann nodded.
He changed into clean clothes and left the tent with Leah.

By then, most hunters had returned and were chatting over drinks and snacks, but many of them couldn’t help glancing curiously at the couple.

“Johan, are you okay?” Mathias asked as he walked over with Josefina.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Don’t apologize.”

When Matthias lightly patted Johan’s shoulder, Johann winced.
“Oh—sorry! Force of habit,” Matthias said awkwardly.
“It’s alright,” Johan replied with a faint smile.

“Lady Leah, thank goodness you’re safe,” Josefina said, her eyes still puffy from crying.
“You’re our savior. Everyone’s so grateful to you.”

Other nobles nearby nodded in agreement.

“Even Lady Tatiana’s parents were in tears when they heard what you did,” Josefina added.
“I only did what anyone would have done, Your Majesty,” Lia said humbly.

The Empress cursed that bear with dark magic just to kill me, she thought grimly.
If innocent people had gotten hurt because of her, she would’ve never forgiven herself.

“Alright, everyone,” Count Pearson called from the stage. “It’s time to announce the winners of this year’s royal hunt!”

People gathered around as he shuffled some papers.
“This is… quite tricky,” he said, scratching his head.
“Normally, we’d choose separate winners for men and women, but… well, this year’s results are unusual.”

He whispered with the senior judges and the Emperor before returning to the podium.

“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but it sounds interesting.”

Finally, Count Pearson cleared his throat.
“Ahem! This year’s overall winner—regardless of gender—is one person only!”

“What? How’s that possible?”
“One person? That’s not fair!”

“Please, everyone, calm down,” the count said, raising his voice.
“You’ll understand once you hear the name.”

“The winner is—Lady Leah von Blumhardt!”

Every single person turned to stare at Leah in shock.