Chapter 2
A black hand brushed against her back.
The sensation sent chills down her spine, causing her legs to momentarily weaken. Gritting her teeth, she steadied her trembling body and continued to run. She was too terrified to look back, focusing solely on escaping. Tears streamed down her face, and she blinked rapidly to keep her vision clear, stifling her sobs.
She wanted to scream for help, but she knew it would be futile. Her breathing became labored. Instinctively, she knew it was right behind her.
As she reached out desperately, a strong force yanked her hair, pulling her backward. The pain was excruciating, as if her scalp was being torn off. Her body was lifted off the ground and thrown into the air.
“Ahh!”
Regina screamed and snapped her eyes open. She gasped for breath, feeling the eerie sensation of falling. Her vision blurred, but she immediately recognized the soft bed beneath her. Blinking to clear her head, she saw the familiar face of her nursemaid.
“Miss! Are you alright?!”
Startled by Regina’s scream, the nursemaid, who had been dozing off beside the bed, sprang up and rushed to her. Regina, drenched in cold sweat, looked up at her.
“Nanny…”
“Miss, are you awake? Are you in pain? Should I call the physician again?”
The nursemaid’s face was pale with worry. Regina, propping herself up on the bed, shook her head and was helped by the nursemaid.
“No, it was just a nightmare. Could you get me some water?”
“Yes, right away, Miss.”
The nursemaid hurriedly poured water from the bedside table and handed it to her. Regina gulped down the lukewarm water. After finishing two glasses, she finally felt some relief. Her memories started to come back.
She remembered the carriage accident, wandering through the forest for hours, and miraculously encountering her father. She had collapsed into sleep upon reaching home, only to wake briefly to see the family physician checking on her. He had assured her mother and father that she was unharmed, merely exhausted. She then slipped back into unconsciousness.
Running a hand through her sweat-drenched hair, Regina looked at the nursemaid.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“You slept for a full day and a half. Would you like more water or perhaps something to eat?”
“No, I’m too tired. I just want to sleep more.”
Noticing her damp hair, Regina frowned. The nursemaid, seeing this, wet a cloth and gently wiped her face, neck, and hands.
“Yes, rest more. Your body and mind need it. You’ll feel better after more sleep, Miss.”
“Alright. Where are my parents?”
“They stayed with you until late at night but have just gone to rest. The physician said you were fine, only weakened. They were so relieved.”
“I see.”
The nursemaid closed the curtains tightly, blocking out the moonlight, and the room darkened. Regina sank back into the bed.
“It’s such a relief you returned safely from that forest. Truly, it must have been divine intervention.”
The nursemaid sincerely thanked the heavens, offering a short prayer. Regina, sleepy, looked at her and asked a question through a yawn.
“Nanny, do you know that forest? I never knew there was such a large and dark forest on our estate.”
“Of course, Miss. When I was a child, the village elders always warned us never to go there. They said a terrifying Black Fairy lived there and would eat children.”
“Ha, do you really believe in Black Fairies?”
“Oh, Miss, they truly exist.”
The nursemaid’s tone was light, but her belief was earnest. Regina found it amusing and somewhat endearing that her elderly nursemaid believed in fairies. She decided to play along.
“Do Black Fairies really live there?”
“I’ve never seen one, but I’ve heard stories of people who went into the forest and never returned.”
The nursemaid tucked Regina in, and she felt sleepier.
“Have you heard the story about never turning around if someone calls your name three times in the dark?”
The nursemaid continued, patting Regina’s chest.
“If you turn around, the Black Fairy will steal your soul. Then, it takes on human form and hides among people.”
‘That’s just a superstition,’ Regina thought, wanting to dismiss it out loud, but she was too sleepy. Her eyes closed, unable to resist the pull of sleep.
The nursemaid watched Regina sleep, gently adjusting the blankets around her and keeping vigil by her side throughout the night.
* * *
Fortunately, after two days, Regina regained her strength. As everyone in Viscount Evelyn’s household breathed a sigh of relief at her usual vibrant self, Regina suddenly remembered a forgotten engagement with a friend.
“Oh no! The tea time appointment!”
Lounging in bed until late, Regina suddenly sprang up.
“Emma, get me ready to go out immediately! I completely forgot about today’s appointment.”
“What? Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
Emma, who had been keeping Regina company while the nursemaid was away, widened her eyes in surprise.
“But, Miss, the Viscount said you should stay home and rest for a while.”
“What are you talking about? I’m perfectly fine! Don’t worry, I’ll talk to Father. Just get me ready now.”
Regina rolled out of bed and hurried Emma to prepare for her outing, then headed straight to the study. Her dress fluttered with her hurried steps. Emma, worried that Regina might trip over her dress while running, turned pale and tried to stop her.
“Miss, you’ll trip! Please slow down.”
“It’s fine, Emma. I’ll see Father. Just wait here for a moment.”
Regina reassured Emma with a bright smile as she hurriedly packed her things and dashed ahead.
“Father, I’m here!”
As she burst into the study, the surprised faces of Viscount Evelyn and the butler looked up at her. Emma quickly bowed her head. Almost immediately, Regina’s voice could be heard pleading for permission to go out.
“My, the young lady is unstoppable…”
Before long, the study door swung open again. Emma, expecting it to take longer, was surprised to see Regina so soon.
“Miss, what happened?”
Regina, who had successfully obtained permission to go out, smiled triumphantly at Emma.
“Of course, I got permission. Let’s go, Emma.”
“Oh, yes! I’m coming, Miss.”
Emma quickly gathered the things and followed Regina, who was striding confidently ahead.
* * *
-Clip-clop, clip-clop-
Margaret Jenkins’ estate, the destination of Regina’s longtime friend, was about an hour away by carriage. Despite the short distance, more guards than usual accompanied Regina, due to Viscount Evelyn’s concern for his daughter’s safety.
The large number of people slowed their progress, prompting Regina to open the window and anxiously stick her head out.
“Can’t we go any faster?”
“Miss, at this pace, we’ll still arrive well before the appointment time,” Emma reassured her.
Worried that it might get dark, Regina kept urging the driver to speed up, but Emma tried her best to calm her down.
“We’re having tea in the garden today. It can’t get dark.”
“Please don’t worry. Now, sit back down properly. What if you fall?”
Reluctantly, Regina sat back down, but her gaze remained fixed outside, her worry evident.
As Regina focused on the scenery, silence settled inside the carriage. A gentle breeze lightly tousled her curly black hair. Sunlight sparkled in her soft violet eyes, and her slightly pursed lips looked charmingly red.
‘…Was Miss always this beautiful?’ Emma found herself staring at Regina, who seemed strangely unfamiliar.
‘She was always cute, but she never had this mysterious aura. No, rather…’
“What did you think of Lily?” Regina’s sudden question interrupted Emma’s thoughts.
“…Lily?”
“Yes, I still can’t believe Lily was a thief.”
Emma recalled Lily, the red-haired maid who had been incredibly kind to everyone.
“She got along with everyone. She never lost her temper.”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Regina’s visibly deflated mood, Emma realized her mistake. She remembered that Lily had been Regina’s personal maid. To be betrayed by someone so close must have been a tremendous shock.
Feeling awkward, Emma quickly tried to cheer Regina up.
“My father always said con artists are like that. They get close by pretending to be friendly and then betray you. You have no reason to be upset.”
“Upset? I’m just frustrated she’s not caught yet.”
Regina’s face turned sullen, embarrassed, prompting Emma to smile and respond as if she hadn’t noticed.
“She’ll be caught soon. Don’t worry too much, Miss.”
Regina nodded in response, turning her gaze outside. In the distance, across the wide plains, the Jenkins estate came into view, their destination.
