TYWML 06

Chapter 6. Midnight Escape (1)
2024.05.06

“This is complete chaos.”

Joanna, bringing Riena her dinner while she stayed in her room all day, began explaining the situation outside.

“Baron Rotman was furious, demanding that you be brought to him immediately. And while that was going on, Lord Beliar came down to the dining room for dinner—and the two of them ran into each other.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The atmosphere was so tense. Baron Rotman looked like he wanted to grab Lord Beliar by the collar, but he didn’t dare. What can you do, it’s Lord Beliar we’re talking about.”

Joanna shrugged.

“So, my lady… you’re going to accept Lord Beliar’s proposal, right?”

“Not sure.”

Riena absentmindedly picked up a spoon and stirred her soup.

“Not sure? You’re seriously considering it?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“He’s Lord Beliar! If someone like him proposes, of course you should accept!”

Riena just kept stirring her soup without eating, mumbling quietly.

“But I hardly know anything about him.”

“You can get to know him over time! He’s not just anyone—he’s Lord Beliar! Not marrying him just because you don’t know him well enough? That doesn’t make sense. Besides, noble marriages aren’t for love anyway.”

“That’s true. But still…”

“But still what?”

Even as Joanna pressed her, Riena bit her lip and couldn’t answer.

“My lady?”

“It’s nothing.”

Riena avoided the question by putting a piece of bread in her mouth. As she mechanically chewed, she fell deep into thought.

Something feels off.

She recalled her earlier conversation with Johannes.

“I gathered my courage to propose to the Count’s family, but I received no reply. Heartbroken by the rejection, I left the capital and traveled. That’s why I only heard of the Count’s passing much later.”

“…A proposal? When was that…?”

“It was early this year, so I suppose it’s been about half a year.”

“Half a year…”

Riena hadn’t heard a word about it from Count Dyke.

Not only that, but he didn’t even respond? That’s not like Father at all.

He would have at least asked her opinion. If she’d said she was open to it, he would have seriously considered it. And if she’d rejected it, he would have politely declined on her behalf.

But nothing had happened?

Strange.

Something was clearly off. That’s why she couldn’t accept Johannes’ proposal at face value.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him—just that it felt wrong to accept his offer without question.

Maybe there’s no choice but to do it this way.

After swallowing her bread, Riena walked to her dressing room. She pulled out a hidden travel bag from deep inside the closet.

Watching her meticulously pack only the bare essentials, Joanna hesitated and opened her mouth.

“My lady, are you… planning to run away?!”

“Shh.”

As Joanna’s voice rose in alarm, Riena quickly pressed a finger to her lips. Joanna widened her eyes and immediately covered her mouth with both hands, then looked nervously around the empty room.

“I can’t just sit still and marry Baron Rotman.”

Joanna whispered uncertainly, “Then shouldn’t you just accept Lord Beliar’s proposal?”

She studied Riena’s expression and continued.

“Even someone like me, a maid living on the edge of the southern Empire, knows how famous he is. He’s handsome, kind, and I hear many noble ladies adore him. The Beliar family is also wealthy and well-respected.”

“And?”

“And he came all this way to propose to you. Are you really going to run away? I don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

“Joanna.”

Riena cut her off as she placed the bag on the bed.

“Marriage is serious. Even setting aside the fact that I don’t know him well, I can’t use him just to avoid Baron Rotman.”

“But he proposed even after knowing everything about your situation.”

“I know. That’s why I can’t do it. I can’t take advantage of someone so kind. And…”

Riena started to say something, but quickly closed her mouth. Joanna tilted her head curiously.

“And what?”

“It’s nothing.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say that something about Johannes felt suspicious. He was beloved by everyone. If she voiced doubts about him, she’d be the one criticized.

But still…

“Anyway, don’t involve Lord Beliar in this.”

Joanna sighed heavily.

“Then where will you go? You don’t even have a place to stay.”

“Raul is in the Berna territory right now. I’ll go there and get help from him to reach my aunt in the capital.”

“But you haven’t sent any letters.”

Riena firmly closed the bag.

“That’s why I’m going there in person. I’ll find Raul and ask for his help. He’ll listen to me, I’m sure.”

She had never once doubted that Raul would help her. They’d always been close, like true siblings—always helping and supporting each other.

Still, Joanna looked unconvinced.

“But the Berna territory is a full day’s ride from here by carriage. How will you go alone…?”

Riena lowered her voice like she was sharing a secret.

“Uncle Ben will help me.”

Ben was the long-time stableman and coachman of House Dyke. He had always treated Riena kindly, saying she reminded him of his deceased niece. Even after the Count’s death, his attitude toward her never changed. That gave her confidence in him.

He would drive her to the nearby village. From there, she’d switch to another carriage. The villagers liked Riena and would surely help her hide.

Once she reached Berna and met Raul, everything else would fall into place.

But can I really do it?
Though she had spoken with confidence, unease began creeping in. What if Ben refused to help? Or worse—what if she got caught before she even made it out?

A sudden chill made her rub her arms and glance out the window. The sky had been dark since morning, and now it looked like it could pour any minute.

It was the same the day Father died.
Trying to suppress the anxiety growing within her, Riena focused on positive thoughts.

She thought of the open fields she’d ridden across in the spring, the peaceful meals with her father, and her mother’s portrait she secretly looked at when feeling down.

Focusing on those good memories made her feel a bit better. She forced herself to smile.

“Everything will be fine.”

She kept repeating those words to herself.

“Everything will be fine. Once the morning sun rises, all your worries will disappear, Ria.”

That was what her father used to say to her like a spell whenever it rained and she was afraid.

Fortunately, Coachman Ben sided with Riena.

At dawn, he quietly prepared the double-horse carriage and helped Riena sneak out of the mansion.

“My lady, I’ll escort you all the way to Baron Berna’s estate.”

Riena handed him her bag and shook her head.

“If you go that far, they’ll find out. It takes two days to make a round trip to Berna, and you can’t leave the estate unattended for that long.”

Ben frowned as he loaded the luggage.

“But I can’t just let you go alone.”

“Joanna will be with me. And the villagers will help, so don’t worry too much.”

“But still…”

“We don’t have time to argue. We have to leave. Understood?”

Ben still looked uneasy, but he helped her onto the carriage without protest. Joanna, wearing a hood, nervously looked around before climbing in after her.

Soon the carriage began to move. Riena looked wistfully at the growing distance between her and the Count’s manor.

When will I return?

She had always known she would leave one day. She was already an adult, and once she married, she’d have to leave the estate.

But she never imagined she’d leave like this—fleeing in the night. After her complete falling-out with her stepmother, it might be a long time—if ever—before she could come back.

She had left so much behind. Every memory made with her family was there.
If she had known it would end like this, she might’ve taken more time to remember it all.

But she quickly brushed off her lingering regrets and shut the window.
Now wasn’t the time for nostalgia.

She had to prepare for what came next.