Astor Valenford spent the entire day following his father's death mourning in his own way. But he could only allow himself a single day to grieve. With his new goal in mind, Astor quickly devised a plan to achieve it. His first step: prevent his brother's marriage to Selene Drakenfell.
Early in the morning, unnoticed by anyone, Astor slipped away without being seen. While everyone believed the useless son was still locked in his room, he hid among the underbrush beside the road—the only road leading to his family's castle.
More than a hundred meters away from the path, concealed by dense vegetation, he waited for his prey: Lady Selene Drakenfell, the Lady of the Swamp. The cool afternoon breeze caressed his face, which was covered by black cloth, as he tightly gripped his bow with tense hands. His plan was clear: eliminate her and thwart his mother's schemes.
Astor had carefully calculated the ambush site. The leaves rustled softly under his still body as he waited. He knew Selene wouldn't travel with a large escort, confident in her own strength, and this gave him an advantage. Finally, he heard the sound of horses' hooves. The minutes felt eternal until her figure appeared amidst the shadows of the road.
Selene Drakenfell rode atop a majestic white steed, her dull black armor barely glinting under the diffuse sunlight. Her jet-black hair spilled free from a high ponytail, flowing behind her as if shadows themselves followed her. She rode with a posture both relaxed and alert, more like a hunter than a traveler. Her deep, dull gray eyes scanned her surroundings with meticulous calm. Around her, the guards maintained a loose formation, confident as they entered Duke Valenford's territory.
Astor swallowed hard, grateful for the small escort and the absence of a carriage. Despite the great distance, he trusted in his ability to hit his target. He focused, feeling the familiar tension of the bowstring in his hands. At the exact moment when Selene passed through the clearest point of the path, he released the string.
The arrow flew straight, a deadly promise.
To his horror, Selene turned her head at the last second, as if she had sensed the treacherous wind of the arrow, and tilted just enough to avoid it. The arrow flew past, embedding itself in a tree trunk mere meters away. Her eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
Without hesitation, Selene dismounted with the speed of a wolf on the hunt, darting toward the direction of the arrow. Astor cursed silently and immediately got up, running into the thicket to escape. He knew he had underestimated her. His only option now was to flee and find another opportunity later.
However, Selene's footsteps grew louder. She was faster than he had anticipated; her armor seemed to hinder her not at all. Astor zigzagged between trees, dodging branches and roots, but he felt her relentless pursuit closing in. Realizing this, he decided to change plans and lead her to the clearing where he often trained. When he finally reached the clearing, he rolled onto the ground in a quick maneuver, spinning mid-roll to shoot another arrow at his pursuer.
The arrow flew true, aimed at her face. This time, the distance was just five meters. Astor was certain he could catch her off guard and strike the target.
But Selene twisted nimbly, though not completely. The arrow grazed her left cheek, leaving a cut that immediately began to bleed. Astor allowed himself no satisfaction at the sight of crimson staining her perfect skin; failing to kill her with that strike was very bad news. Selene didn't stop. Her gaze darkened even more, and a flash of restrained fury crossed her face as she drew her sword.
With no other options, Astor shifted his grip on his bow, holding it like an improvised sword. In his other hand, he wielded an arrow sharpened like a dagger. He had no choice but to face her in close combat.
Selene gave no quarter. She attacked with speed and precision, her longsword slicing through the air with lethal elegance. Astor retreated, blocking as best as he could with the bow, which vibrated under the impact of each blow. The bow splintered but held just enough to keep her at bay momentarily. The baroness moved fluidly, as if dancing between life and death. Her style was aggressive but calculated, each strike aimed at breaking his defenses rather than wasting energy on futile attacks.
Astor, on the other hand, tried to use his knowledge of the terrain to even the fight. He moved quickly among the surrounding trees, seeking advantageous positions. In a crucial moment, he hurled his arrow like a dagger at her. While it lacked the power to finish her, it was a swift attack meant to catch her off guard. Selene narrowly dodged it, but the distraction allowed Astor to turn and strike her side with the bow, forcing her to step back.
Selene smiled—a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Not bad," she murmured, her voice low and defiant.
Astor knew he was at his limit. Every time he tried to close in, Selene forced him back with precise strikes. The difference in skill was evident, but he refused to surrender. Although she had the advantage in strength and expertise, his familiarity with the terrain could provide a chance.
Feigning retreat, Astor suddenly rolled to the side and kicked at Selene's legs. She fell, but used the momentum to lunge forward with her sword, forcing him to leap back to avoid the blade.
Both were out of breath, but neither showed signs of stopping. Selene breathed slowly and steadily, her eyes fixed on Astor. Despite the wound on her face, her expression remained unyielding. Astor knew his time was running out; if she managed to pin him down, he'd have no chance to recover.
With a final glance around, Astor decided to play his last card. He used his surroundings once more: a low-hanging branch to his left. Pretending to attack head-on, he suddenly lunged toward the branch, breaking it and causing it to fall on Selene. She dodged, but the split-second distraction was enough.
Astor lunged at her, attempting to drive his arrow into her unprotected side. Selene twisted, catching his hand mid-motion. For an instant, their gazes met: her calculated coldness against his controlled desperation.
With a swift move, Selene knocked him to the ground, pinning him with her sword at his neck. Astor panted heavily, his mind racing for an escape, but she now held complete control.
"Not bad," Selene whispered, wiping the blood from her face with the back of her hand. "But you lacked skill."
Astor breathed heavily, his heart pounding in his ears. Selene had him trapped, her sword firm against his throat, her gaze unwavering. The cold calculation in her eyes made him realize there would be no mercy.
But then, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the tense silence of the clearing. Selene's guards emerged from the trees, having followed her from a distance. Their leader glanced briefly at them as they arrived.
That second was all Astor needed.
With a desperate shove, he pushed Selene's chest with both hands, causing her to lose balance. The baroness staggered backward, falling to the ground with a frustrated growl. Astor didn't stop to check the result. Seizing the moment, he darted into the trees, his legs burning with effort, fear, and adrenaline driving him forward.
"Stop him!" Selene ordered as she leaped to her feet.
The guards tried to react, but Astor was too fast and had already vanished among the trees. Selene moved to follow, determined not to let him escape. The forest around her was a dark labyrinth of branches and leaves that Astor knew well, but she wasn't about to give up so easily.
Just as she lunged forward, she felt something tugging on her cape.
She froze, incredulous. An arrow had embedded itself in the ground, pinning her dark cape like an anchor. She cursed under her breath, frustrated at having missed the move. With a furious yank, she tore the cape to free herself, but when she looked ahead again, Astor was already too far into the trees.
Selene gritted her teeth, glaring at the forest line where he had disappeared. For the first time in a long while, she felt a strange mix of fascination and anger. The man, whom she thought she had defeated, had managed to escape not only her sword but also her vigilance.
"Interesting…" she whispered to herself.
Her guards rejoined her, panting from their failed chase. One stepped forward, concerned.
"Are you all right, my lady?"
Selene nodded slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on the forest.
"Yes," she said, not bothering to hide her frustration. "Let's return to the path. Once we reach the Valenford estate, we'll inquire about this masked assassin."
As the guards headed back to the path, Selene lingered a moment longer, a faint smile curling her lips.
"We will meet again," she murmured, her tone hovering between promise and challenge.
With one last glance at the direction he had taken, Selene turned and prepared to rejoin her escort. Next time, she assured herself, she wouldn't give him any chance to escape.