In fact, their journey was only a little longer. Tonight they camped in the woods, then the following day, they would cross the savanna that stretched through the Whitley land, and they came to Paiton. This short journey away should have pleased Hadrian rather than anxious.
I wonder why? thought Hadrian as he dismounted from his horse to inspect the area around where his party was camped.
Was it because he felt someone was following his group? But according to reports, no one followed them, except perhaps the wild animals.
"There could be a bear in here," Hadrian muttered.
After touring, Hadrian assesses if this area is safe. If lucky, everyone can rest comfortably and soundly tonight. Maybe Hadrian and the knights were just being too paranoid after being attacked by Pyrs.
Unfortunately, the sight that Hadrian encountered then made him couldn't help but be very wary.
His horse, which he had only left for a moment, was now lying on the ground with his stomach torn apart. Worse, Hadrian had heard nothing but rustling leaves.
Hadrian immediately put on a standby position and watched his surroundings more closely. Don't know what killed the horse just now. He hoped it hadn't gone far. But the thing is, the horse is smart, a horse that won't stand still if it feels threatened. Who or what actually did it?
"Hadrian."
Hadrian almost slashed his wife's head who suddenly appeared. "Why are you here?" he asked angrily.
Rheannon shrugged. "Following you," she replied casually. Her eyes drifted to Hadrian's pitiful pile. "Too bad…"
It's a shame, Hadrian agreed. "There's no need to think about that. There are other things we need to worry about," he said. "We'd better hurry–"
It appeared so suddenly. Hadrian was forced to pull Rheannon roughly so the wild bear wouldn't harm her.
This was the first time Hadrian met a bear who had just attacked humans. Bears are curious about humans but usually won't attack if there is no sudden movement or sound.
"He's being controlled," Rheannon told him. "There is… a contract binder."
"What?!" Hadrian warded off the bear's attack. No wonder this bear is very eager to kill him. This bear's original habitat is definitely not this forest either. This bear must have been controlled and carried by the contract binder out of nowhere.
What should I do? thought Hadrian. He was alone with Rheannon who only carried a small knife, while the contract binder was not far from them, who, unfortunately, brought a bear.
Hadrian slashed at the bear's body in mounting annoyance. Yesterday Pyrs, now contract binders–damn it, just get them all out!
The bear Hadrian was fighting fell to the ground. Hadrian was almost relieved until he noticed the appearance of another bear just two meters away from Rheannon.
"Rhea--!"
In the blink of an eye, the bear was torn apart by something invisible. His body was torn apart, causing it to rain blood.
Meanwhile Rheannon in front of him looked severe. Her wrist was bleeding from wounding herself with the small knife she was carrying.
The next second, not far from them, something shouted. That something was also torn apart miserably and fell to the ground in wide blood splatter.
Hadrian froze in place, staring at the bloody ground around him.
A bear that was torn apart until its entrails popped out and its muscles torn apart. The leaves and grassy ground were showered with blood. Hadrian's clothes were also splashed with blood. Something–someone–behind a tree not far from them whose head was rolling slowly on the ground. And, his wife, Rheannon, who was as bloody as Hadrian himself.
There is no scene more gruesome than this.
***
"You know him?"
"I'm not."
Hadrian's feet turned the head of the contract binder to the other side. There are no special characteristics or other identifying marks of this man. His face was unfamiliar to Hadrian.
"His body is already torn apart like this." Ichabod knelt near the broken body of the contract binder. "It will be difficult to clean up."
Hadrian glanced at the pathetic body before leaving. "Just burn it with the bear and the horse. There's nothing of value to point to anymore."
"Very well, Your Grace."
Hadrian turned to Rheannon, approaching her who was sitting on a rock with her chin on her hand as if she was holding back sleep and boredom. Her appearance was quite disheveled with blood splattered everywhere.
"There is a river near here. We can clean ourselves there while the knights take care of the carcasses here," said Hadrian. "Can you walk?"
Rheannon nodded, then followed Hadrian to the river.
Even though it was summer, because it had been raining for the past few days, the river they went to was flowing quickly and wide. The water was cold and fresh, with slippery rocks around it. Hadrian held Rheannon carefully so he could sit by the river to clean himself up.
"I'm fine," Rheannon said before Hadrian could say anything else.
"Yeah, great," said Hadrian. He cleans his face with water. "Did you know from the start?" he asked then.
"Not really," Rheannon replied. His feet are playing in the water. "I just found out… while following… you earlier."
"Why are you following me?"
"I am curious. Those beasts… don't behave normally."
"And you think you'll find something if you follow me?"
"Yes."
"It was a hazardous act."
Rheannon snorted in amusement. "But I'm… fine, right?"
"You really are…" Hadrian washed his face one last time, then walked over to Rheannon. "Please don't do it again," he said. He took Rheannon's hand and looked at her wrist which had been torn off with the small knife earlier. Terrible wounds were also visible there, it looked like flesh that was split open with a dark red color. Luckily the wound wasn't that deep so the bleeding had stopped now.
"It'll be fine," Rheannon said calmly.
"All wounds received by sentient beings will indeed heal. But we don't know for sure when it will recover." Hadrian let out a long breath. "I don't know why you have to go this far."
For a second Rheannon looked doubtful. "Blood is… the price I pay… to control demons," she told him. Her free hand rubbed the back of Hadrian's hand. "Isn't that… a comparable price, my husband?" he added.
Comparable prices, she said. Really?
The blood was taken from a frail woman who couldn't even walk far. The wound made to bleed was taken from a hand that couldn't even lift a sword. Was it really worth the price to save Hadrian's life?
"Promise me." Hadrian stared fixedly into Rheannon's golden eyes. "Don't do it again."
Rheannon smiled. "Yes, I am promise."
***
[So touching. To think that there is a man more melancholic than the outcast prince.]
Rheannon agrees with that. His title alone was Marquess, but it turned out that his heart was even weaker and weaker than Axelle's.
Not that Rheannon was complaining about it. Everyone's heart is different; a man may have melancholy feelings. It is just…
[His attitude like that could lead to trouble. Look what happened to the outcast prince.]
That's what Rheannon meant. But what can she do? It seemed Hadrian had been like that from the start. A man who was so kind that everyone around him worried about him, took advantage of and hurt him.
[That must be why your husband likes the outcast prince. They're similar. Ha ha ha!]
Rheannon never thought of getting there. But on second thought maybe it's true.
Well, no problem. Rheannon had no intention of getting Hadrian to like her the way he liked Axelle. Geez, who really can compete with Axelle's kindness?
What was important for Rheannon now was letting go of all Hadrian's guilt. Her husband must be aware that he is being possessed by the demon.