Aima gazed at the gray sky, releasing millions of raindrops for the umpteenth time. It was almost night, and the anxiety was growing.
She was waiting for Bree, who had not returned yet. Her mistress had asked Aima not to accompany her, as she would be riding a horse from the castle. Aima had obediently agreed, acknowledging she couldn't match the speed of a horse.
However, the growing unease compelled Aima to reconsider and find out what was happening. The heavy rain would make anyone anxious.
"Duchess!"
Aima exclaimed in relief as she finally saw the swift movement of three horses entering the back gate of the castle amidst the pouring rain. One of them, a white figure, belonged to Briar.
Bree must be riding on Briar's back. Despite the urgency, Bree slowed down the white horse's pace, being cautious as the path towards the castle was becoming waterlogged. Bree, unfamiliar with such weather, was becoming drenched.
Upon reaching the back terrace where Aima was waiting, Bree jumped down, letting raindrops fall to the stone floor.
"Oops!"
Bree nearly stumbled but managed to hold onto Briar's back. Her head felt slightly dizzy as she touched the ground. Bree assumed it was because she had rushed dismounting.
"Are you okay, My Lady?" Aima approached, and Bree shook her head.
"No problem. Just a bit dizzy," Bree said, handing the reins to one of the accompanying guards. One of them dismounted to take Briar back to the stable.
"It's better to dry yourself off quickly," Aima suggested, following Bree into the castle. "You're working too hard."
With some hesitation, Aima voiced her concern. Bree would usually get upset if Aima brought up such matters, and this time was no exception.
"I think I haven't worked hard enough!" Bree furrowed her brow, not out of annoyance at Aima but due to the room inside the castle seeming to sway before her eyes.
"Duke Valois is not around. You should rest until he returns." Aime is informing, guessing what's on Bree's mind.
Bree clicked her tongue. "I don't care if he's here or not! I want to practice to master riding and swordplay faster. It has nothing to do with Rad's presence or absence. I will train with or without him!"
Bree retorted a bit sharply. Aima should not think she's working hard because of Rad.
Rad had been absent for four days since their sword training, until today. Bree didn't know where he went, and she didn't care. Rad's absence was not an excuse for Bree to relax, and Rad didn't make Bree relax. He still gave her a training schedule, instructing her to repeat the same sword swings for three days. Rad considered those basic movements crucial, and he wanted to ensure Bree mastered them.
And Bree complied. In the mornings, she would train, regardless of how sore her hands felt from repeating the same sword swings hundreds of times. In the afternoons, she usually practiced horseback riding on the beach to familiarize herself with the horse's movements. Almost every night, Aima prepared warm water to soak Bree's tired body after all the training.
In these few days, Bree increasingly realized her body was indeed very weak. She had been too focused on painting before, neglecting everything else. But the path she chose this time was tougher. Bree wouldn't complain. She had to keep training.
"Aima? Is there an earthquake?" Bree asked.
"What do you mean?" Aima was confused as she hurriedly approached Bree. However, when she reached Bree's side, Bree's body collapsed to the floor.
"Duchess!"
Aima exclaimed in shock, kneeling beside Bree's motionless body.
"Duchess! Duchess!"
Aima called and shook Bree's body, but Bree didn't move.
With a panicked expression, Aima ran to the back of the castle, calling for servants to help carry Bree upstairs. She couldn't do it alone.
When Aima touched Bree's body, she felt intense heat; it's a fever.
---
"Welcome back."
Campy bowed as Rad dismounted, entering the front courtyard of the castle. He walked inside, his face looking irritated. What he experienced in these three days tested his patience.
Rad removed his hood and the outermost coat made of leather to repel the rain. The imperfect coat left many parts of his body wet, but at least it prevented him from getting drenched.
"You should go back to the barracks," Rad said, noticing Edmond still following him into the castle.
"Oh? But what about that issue? Earlier, you..."
"Tomorrow! I'm hungry." Rad's voice sounded like a grumble.
Edmond understood immediately and stopped walking. "If that's the case, I'll take my leave." Edmond bowed and turned to leave.
"I'll prepare your meal." Campy quickly walked towards the side exit of the castle.
Rad wiped the dampness from his arms, walking briskly towards the stairs. His steps halted when he heard a thud, a sound of something falling.
"Duchess!"
Rad turned, looking in the direction of the back door of the castle. It was far away, but his ears could capture every sound clearly.
Again, he heard Aima's panicked shouts, and before Rad could think about what to do, his feet were already moving towards the source of Aima's voice.
Usually, he wouldn't care about something like this. It wasn't his problem if something happened to the inhabitants of the castle, but his legs had their own choice, and he quickly walked towards Aima's voice.