Chapter 2.
A Better Choice
“Run away?”
“Yes! Come with me to my homeland, the Kingdom of Norte!”
“To the Kingdom of Norte?”
“Think about it, Elnore. You said your grandmother passed away. So what reason do you have to stay here?”
Elnore shook her head at Una’s question.
Looking back, the only reason she hadn’t run away from this terrible country sooner
was because of her grandmother—the only person she ever loved.
But now, her grandmother was gone.
“Then why stay here at all? Elnore, this place is no longer where you belong.”
“But…”
“What is it?”
“Can we really escape from Marquis Greed? If I run away, he won’t just let it go…”
“Elnore, don’t worry about that.”
Una gently placed her paw on Elnore’s shoulder.
“That man, Greed, will never be able to find you.”
“Really?”
“And even if he does, I won’t let him touch you. So come with me.”
“But, Una…”
Even with those words, Elnore couldn’t make a quick decision.
Seeing this, Una let out a big sigh.
“I know it might be a sudden suggestion. So… would a week be enough time to think it over?”
“A week?”
“Yeah. If you haven’t made up your mind by then, I’ll take it as a no.”
“You mean…”
“Elnore, life is made of many choices. And some of those choices are better than others. You understand, right?”
Una left those words behind and stepped back on all fours, turning toward the forest.
“One week!”
She looked back at Elnore to remind her once more.
That night, lying in bed, Elnore thought deeply about what Una had said. Just as Una said, life was full of choices—and some of them were better. But no matter how many options she considered, staying here was clearly the worst one.
If she didn’t accept Una’s offer, what would she gain?
Only more of her grandfather’s violence and insults, a disgusting marriage to Marquis Greed, and increasing bullying from Dorn.
Still, she had hesitated. Maybe it was because those horrible days had become her “normal.” A bad habit she had gotten used to.
But she shouldn’t stay stuck in the wrong choice.
If she did, her life could be completely ruined.
Yes… I’ll leave. I’ll leave this place behind. And I’ll never look back.
With her mind made up, Elnore fell asleep and had a sweet dream for the first time in a long while.
In the dream, she met a white stag with golden antlers. The magical deer slowly approached her, gently touching its forehead to hers. At that moment, everything around her began to change.
The chirping birds turned into beautiful music, the growling beasts became warnings of intruders, and the voices of horses, pigs, and cows turned into everyday conversations.
Yes, that’s how it was…
She was dreaming of the strange event from her childhood.
Then, slowly, Elnore opened her eyes.
Morning had come.
She sat up in bed and carefully opened the window. Just like always, the sparrows were singing outside.
They chirped as if saying their breakfast—maybe a fat worm—had been delicious.
Elnore smiled at their cheerful singing.
She could actually understand animals.
Ever since she met that white stag with golden antlers one snowy winter day.
It was a secret that no one really believed.
Even her grandmother, who always supported her, hadn’t believed it when she said she could understand animals.
But that was okay.
All the animals, big and small, had been her friends when she had no one else.
And thanks to that gift, she had become friends with Una too.
After today, only six days left.
Elnore counted on her fingers. In six days, she would leave this terrible country.
Without leaving behind a single regret.
She felt so free already that she began to hum and prepare for her journey.
The week passed slowly and painfully.
Probably because she couldn’t wait for the day she would leave.
On the morning of the day she promised to meet Una, Elnore made one last trip into town.
She went to the bakery she used to visit with her grandmother.
The large bakery had everything—from plain bread to fancy desserts for parties and tea time.
She picked out a honey cake to give to Una.
She’ll be so happy when she sees this.
Elnore smiled, imagining Una’s face.
Just then—
“Oh my, isn’t that Elnore Dolcevita?”
An annoying voice called out. When she turned, she saw Dorn Seres. Dorn was walking toward her with a group of noble girls.
There were no guards in sight, so they must have come from a nearby coffeehouse for a tea party.
“Surely, she’s not planning to eat that whole cake herself, is she?”
“If she eats all that, she’ll get even fatter…”
“She already looks awful. If she gains more weight, Marquis Greed will love that.”
“She might get dumped before the wedding even happens. Then her grandfather will beat her again.”
The noble girls took turns saying the nastiest things they could think of.
As if trying to impress Dorn.
But Elnore didn’t hold back this time.
She glared at the girls and spoke clearly and firmly.
“I’m not marrying that disgusting old man. If you want, go tell him I said so.”
“Oh my! Elnore Dolcevita has finally lost her mind!”
“What did she eat this morning?!”
“Oh, dear…”
The noble girls were stunned and speechless.
“You’ve gone completely crazy. I’ll knock some sense into you!”
Dorn pushed past the others and raised her right hand to slap Elnore.
But before she could bring it down halfway—
Elnore grabbed Dorn’s arm.
Then, raising her own hand, she slapped Dorn hard across the face.
SMACK!
Dorn’s head snapped to the side.
The slap was so strong she stumbled backward and fell right on her butt.
“Did you think I didn’t know how to hit back?”
Elnore looked down at Dorn, feeling more satisfied than she had in years. Then she calmly walked to the counter.
“I’d like to pay, please.”
The shopkeeper stared in shock, mouth wide open, as he rang up the purchase.
Elnore didn’t care.
She walked out of the bakery with the cake in its paper bag as if nothing had happened.
On the way home, she thought,
If I had been braver, I could’ve stood up to Dorn a long time ago.
But she hadn’t, because she was afraid.
Afraid of what would happen if she fought back and had nowhere to run.
If she had done this before she planned to escape, Dorn might’ve sent someone to kidnap or kill her in secret.
In the Grossman Kingdom, the law only protected people with power—like the king or the duke.
Elnore arrived home with a strange mix of joy and sadness.
Luckily, the house was empty.
Her grandfather had gone out to drink, like always.
Since her marriage to the Marquis had been announced, more people had started showing interest in him.
Good…
She sighed with relief, packed her things, and left the house.
Then she returned to the tree stump where she first met Una a week ago.
After a short while, she heard rustling in the forest.
“Elnore!”
Una appeared, smiling brightly when she saw her.
“Here, take this.”
Elnore smiled too and handed over the paper bag with the honey cake.
“Wow, what is it?”
“It’s a gift.”
“Thank you!”
Una happily danced around and shoved the whole cake into her mouth.
“Is it good?”
Una nodded her big head several times and quickly swallowed the cake.
“Hop on my back, Elnore! Let’s leave this place now!”
“Okay!”
“If we take the shortcut, we’ll get to the Kingdom of Norte faster than people on horseback.”
“Really? That fast?”
“Of course! Just trust me. Did you pack everything?”
“I don’t have much. Just my grandmother’s keepsakes, some money, and a few clothes.”
“That’s enough. Don’t worry about food. The forest is full of tasty things.”
“Even though it’s not spring yet?”
“Sure! Just trust me.”
Una confidently bent down so Elnore could climb on her back.
“Elnore, congratulations on choosing the better path.”
“It’s all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the courage to leave Grossman.”
“No, you made the choice yourself. I just hope today’s decision brings you the greatest joy of your life.”
“I already feel happier than ever.”
Elnore breathed in the fresh night air as she spoke.
“Then I’m glad.”
Una nodded, and in her heart, she quietly wished for her small friend to never feel sadness again—and to find happiness from now on.
