Chapter 10
At the front gate, Hutman was already waiting, tapping the ground impatiently with the tip of his boot, ready to depart.
When he finally spotted Isabel, his expression twisted into a scowl.
“Why are you so slow?”
“Sorry. I lost track of time.”
“You didn’t try anything weird with His Majesty again, did you?”
She was about to ask what he meant when she noticed Adolf standing right beside her.
“I’m warning you—if you try anything funny with His Majesty, I won’t let it slide.”
How ridiculous. Says the man with the dirtiest thoughts himself.
Isabel shot Hutman a glare. Catching it, he made an even more intimidating face.
“Hey. Eyes down.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Her gaze immediately dropped to the ground.
“Quit bickering and let’s get moving. Even if we leave now, we’ll arrive in the afternoon.”
“If you fall behind, I’ll leave you.”
What an obnoxious guy.
Worried he might actually do it, Isabel followed closely behind the twin brothers. Even so, her eyes kept flicking toward Adolf.
Does he remember what happened that day? She doubted it, since he hadn’t said anything.
Then their eyes met.
Flustered, Isabel awkwardly pointed at the sky and forced a smile.
“Oh, the weather’s great today, isn’t it?”
“Looks like it’s about to pour any minute. What nonsense is that?”
Adolf frowned up at the dark, cloud-covered sky.
“Haha. If it rains, that’ll be a problem…”
Mid-sentence, Isabel tilted her head in confusion.
Huh, what’s he looking at?
His gaze was fixed somewhere—and when she followed it, she realized he was staring at her wrist.
A few days ago, when he’d been possessed by Hubert’s spirit, he had gripped her wrist so tightly that a dark, reddish bruise had formed there.
“…Tch.”
Clicking his tongue, Adolf turned away with a grimace.
Can someone explain why he’s like this?
Unable to make sense of his behavior, Isabel shook her head and walked on.
At the stables, Hutman and Kezev were already mounted, waiting for them.
Beside them, a dappled horse blinked its big eyes at Isabel.
After exchanging a look with the horse, Isabel cautiously raised her hand.
“Sorry, but… is there no carriage?”
“What, you think we’re going on a picnic…?”
“Hutman.”
Kezev shot him a warning glance, then explained.
“My apologies, Lady. I didn’t expect the estate to have no carriage, so we had to borrow horses from a nearby stable.”
“Haha, I see.”
Now what…? I don’t even know how to ride a horse.
She clasped her hands in front of her and gave her best pitiful look. The first to react was Hutman.
“What’s with those creepy eyes?”
“Thing is… I can’t ride.”
Kezev made a regretful face and quickly excused himself.
“I’d help, but I’m not much of a rider myself. You’ll have to ride with Hutman.”
Both Isabel and Kezev looked at him. Hutman recoiled immediately.
“No way. I don’t let anyone on my horse.”
“Then the only option is to ride with His Majesty.”
Kezev turned to Adolf.
“…What a bother.”
Contrary to expectation, Adolf easily turned his horse toward her.
It seemed settled—until Hutman suddenly yelled.
“Absolutely not! Who knows what she’d do to His Majesty? She’s riding with me!”
“…Thank you!”
Isabel had been dreading riding with Adolf anyway. She rushed forward and scrambled into the seat in front of Hutman.
“…”
Her eagerness left Hutman glaring daggers at her. His stare was so intense she thought it might burn through the back of her head.
“If you get in my way, I’ll really leave you behind.”
Even throwing in a scary threat.
Better make sure that doesn’t happen.
Realizing it would be a long journey, Isabel let out a deep sigh.
By the time the sleek black horse, Sephil, appeared at the village entrance, the sky was red with the setting sun.
Though it was the next village over, the mountain trail had slowed them more than expected.
Isabel clumsily dismounted, wincing as she twisted her ankle slightly on landing—but even that was better than accepting help from Hutman. Not that he would’ve offered anyway.
“Quit dawdling and move.”
See?
The entire ride, his endless nagging had made her head ache and ears ring. On top of that, it had been non-stop bragging about Adolf, to a nauseating degree. Truly, a devoted admirer.
Drained, Isabel grumbled to herself that she’d find a carriage for the return trip as they headed toward the square.
Whoooosh—
The four of them stopped in front of a weathered notice board, wind whipping through the empty square.
“It’s awfully quiet,” Kezev remarked, glancing around.
Indeed, despite this being the central square, the place was eerily empty. The autumn air felt as cold as midwinter.
“It’s different from last time.”
“This isn’t your first visit?”
“About half a year ago, I came with His Majesty. There had been a string of disappearances in the area.”
“You came personally to investigate an incident in such a rural village?”
“That’s the kind of man he is.”
At Hutman’s proud tone, Isabel glanced toward Adolf, who was surveying the surroundings from a short distance away.
…This isn’t the man I thought I knew.
The tyrant feared by all, personally coming to a remote village over a few missing-person reports? It was hard to believe.
“Lady, what’s our next move?”
Startled, Isabel pulled her gaze away.
“Oh, um… Hutman and I will search the village for a woman who might be Mr. Hubert’s wife. You two should find an inn and wait—it’ll be dark soon.”
“Understood. Please be careful.”
Kezev and Adolf left to find lodgings.
Isabel’s lips parted, eyes lingering on Adolf’s back.
“Um, Your Maj—”
But she never finished calling out; her voice faded into the air.
Surprised at herself, she covered her mouth.
Why was I calling him? I didn’t even have anything to say.
Sure, Hutman’s words had given her a lot to think about, but…
Shaking her head, she lightly slapped her cheeks.
Focus. Finding Amanda comes first.
Here it is.
After asking around, Isabel and Hutman arrived at Amanda’s house. Peeking through the gate, Isabel saw a perfectly ordinary home.
How should I start this conversation?
Since she wasn’t sure Amanda was actually Hubert’s wife, she planned to approach carefully—
“What are you doing? Think the door will open if you just stand there?”
“W-wait! What are you doing?”
BANG BANG! Hutman pounded the door like he meant to break it, then looked down at her with a “What?” expression.
…Plan change. Let’s just ask outright.
As she glared at him, footsteps approached from inside, and the door opened.
“Who’s there?”
It was an ordinary woman with short brown hair and freckles.
“Are you… Amanda?”
“Yes. Do I know you?”
But something about her was odd—her eyes weren’t focused on them. It was as if she couldn’t see.
“We’re not suspicious, I promise. I just have a quick question—do you have a moment?”
“…You’re asking me?”
Speaking as gently as she could, Isabel asked, “Amanda, I heard you’re married. Is that true?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but… is your husband deceased, or—”
“Amanda, who’s at the door?”
A rough male voice came from inside, and soon a menacing-looking man appeared.
Isabel stared blankly at them.
“Who is this?”
“I don’t know. She just asked if I’m married.”
“What? Get lost!”
The man raised a broom and swung it at her.
Startled, Isabel shut her eyes, but the blow never landed. Peeking, she saw Hutman holding the broom easily, then snapping it in half.
“Hey. We’re just asking a few questions. Is it really that hard to answer?”
“W-what is this about…?”
“That’s better.”
Smiling in satisfaction, Hutman gestured for Isabel to continue.
Good thing he’s on my side—he’s basically a thug.
Isabel forced a smile and asked, “So, you two are married?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
So she’d been wrong from the start.
“Then do you know someone named Hubert?”
“Hubert?”
“Yes. Do you?”
The man thought, then snapped his fingers.
“Oh, that guy! The one who flirted with every woman in town.”
“Yes! That’s him!”
“But he hasn’t been around in ages.”
“How long exactly?”
She pulled out her notebook.
“Hmm… more than half a year, I’d say.”
“Do you know anything else about him?”
“Nope. He was an outsider—no one knew where he came from. …But if you’re looking for him, there’s a man he was close with. You could try asking him. I’ll draw you a map.”
He handed her a piece of paper.
“Thank you!”
Isabel beamed, tucking the map into her notebook.
The man studied her warily before clearing his throat.
“Well, we should be going. We need to see Dr. Morus, and he hates waiting.”
“Of course. Sorry for the intrusion.”
She watched them go, still cautious.
“Hutman, do you know a Dr. Morus?”
Yawning, Hutman rolled his neck.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of him. Pretty famous. They say he can cure incurable diseases and even congenital disabilities.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“Well, desperate people will cling to anything.”
Isabel thought of the man holding his blind wife and nodded. Then she felt it—a suspicious gaze from somewhere.
What the…?
Her head whipped around.
Hutman must have sensed it too, because his hand went to his sword.
From behind a building, a woman peeked out—then bolted in the opposite direction.
“Ugh!”
Isabel started to chase her but collapsed, her ankle flaring in pain.
“Hutman! We have to catch her!”
“I know. I’ll go—head to that address the man gave you!”
He sprinted away.
“Ugh… Come on, leg. Don’t act up now.”
Clutching the map, Isabel forced herself up.
As she limped forward, a dark shadow trailed behind her.
After wandering for a while, she turned into a narrow alley. By now, the sun had set, and darkness blanketed everything. Her pace slowed.
Weird. I followed the map exactly, so why does this place feel wrong?
Her unease grew—and then she heard it: footsteps echoing through the quiet alley.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap-tap-tap—
The sudden quickening made her tense. She started to turn—
Thud!
A heavy blow struck the back of her head. Her vision swam, and her body crumpled.
“Fi-finally… finally…!”
The attacker grabbed her and disappeared into the darkness.
