Goodness… This is So Much Fun! ♡
“We’ll navigate our way back and ensure the safety of the others! I give you my word!”
“Mia…”
Rafina clenched her teeth, exerting every effort to steady her trembling voice.
Goodness… Goodness…
For some time now, these phrases had been the sole occupants of Rafina’s mind. Mia was positioned in front of her, fervently guiding their horse towards an escape. As Rafina observed Mia from her vantage point, she found herself truly and utterly perplexed.
Goodness… This is so much… Fun!
Certainly, there was no nearby intoxicating beverage that could attribute Rafina’s demeanor to anything but sobriety. Indeed, despite the perilous circumstances, Rafina couldn’t contain her excitement!
I mean… I’ve never encountered something like this before!
Throughout the expedition to the Kingdom of Remno and the more recent escapades in the wilderness, Rafina was consistently the one left behind. The night of the Holy Eve Festival cut particularly deep into Rafina’s heart. Abel, Sion, Keithwood—even Tiona, Liora, and Anne—all risked their lives, collaborating to save Mia. They joined forces, even including Mia herself, solely to rescue Rafina’s cherished friend. However, amidst them, there was no place for Rafina. She stood alone.
Granted, Rafina acknowledged her assigned role. She was the daughter of the Duke governing the Holy Principality of Belluga. Her life wasn’t one that could easily court danger. Nevertheless, it irked her.
Alone, she could not contribute to her friend’s salvation. Alone, she could not stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone. Alone, she was left behind. The sense of desolation weighed heavily on her. But was it entirely accurate? In Sunkland, Mia saved Echard, and Rafina stood steadfast by her side, offering guidance along the way. Together, they rescued the boy. Presently, they were evading bandits, once again, side by side. Her initial venture into horsemanship had transformed into a shared adventure, facing danger with a friend.
This abrupt shift in circumstances had disoriented Rafina and set her heart aflutter!
Why am I…? Our lives are in jeopardy, yet I find this so enjoyable!
Still perplexed, she dismissed these thoughts from her mind.
No, I can’t. I can’t allow a situation like this to lift my spirits! In an effort to save me, Mia had to divert our horse away from our pursuers. Meaning, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to assert that this predicament is entirely my fault.
Rafina comprehended the rationale of their predicament entirely, yet she couldn’t suppress the flutter in her heart. Escaping danger by risking one’s life with a trusted comrade and collaborating with a dear friend was a scenario Rafina had always yearned for. Moreover, that friend was the epitome of reliability and honor.
For a brief moment, Rafina harbored suspicion about Mia’s intentions. She entertained the notion that Mia might compel her to dismount the horse to reduce its burden or even sacrifice herself to ensure Rafina’s rescue. This contemplation led Rafina to strategically position herself behind Mia. In this arrangement, she could shield Mia from any incoming arrows, and if circumstances demanded, she could release her grip, offering herself as a sacrifice to enhance Mia’s chances of escaping with reduced weight. However, Mia’s perspective differed. She opted for a path that would secure the safety of both of them, ensuring their joint return home.
Is there anyone else as reliable?
For Rafina, risking her life alongside such a trustworthy friend filled her with indescribable joy.
“Aaah…”
At that moment, she heard Mia emit a sigh of despair. Swiftly lifting her gaze, Rafina confronted the source of Mia’s concerns. Another cohort of horse-mounted individuals materialized directly in front of them.
This cannot be! We’re encircled!
Rafina promptly surveyed their surroundings. In her peripheral vision, she noticed a patch of rich greenery — a cluster of trees, a small forest, to be precise.
“Mia! Over there! Into the woods!”
In response, Mia gently tugged the reins.
“I had confidence you would rescue us, Rafina-sama!”
The horse altered its course, heading directly for the forest. Judging from Rafina’s assessment, their horse stood little chance against the marauders. Not only were the brigands mounted on more robust steeds, but Mia and Rafina were riding together, placing them at a clear disadvantage. Yet, what if their escape route traversed a dense forest? Could Mia’s exceptional riding skills navigate the obstacles and lead to a successful getaway?
Now, Rafina’s logic harbored a critical misunderstanding, compounded by her lack of horsemanship experience, which elevated Mia to the status of an unparalleled rider. A somewhat unfortunate misconception.
But can we truly reach the forest?
Filled with uncertainties, Rafina looked back. Almost immediately, she discerned an anomaly.
“Huh? Why are they…?”
The pursuers were noticeably losing momentum. It appeared they had encountered the other group that had just emerged.
Is there a breakdown in communication? Or could they belong to different factions?
Lost in her bewilderment, Rafina overheard Mia’s muttered expletive.
“Augh! This one is exceptionally tenacious! Shouldn’t they have given up by now?!”
Rafina followed Mia’s line of sight, verifying her words—there was a lone bandit persistently tailing them. Despite being relatively diminutive compared to the other marauders, her horse outpaced Mia and Rafina’s.
“We’re on the verge of entering the forest! Take cover, Miss Rafina!” urged Mia. Immediately after the words escaped her lips, Rafina heard the crackling of branches as the horse propelled them into the woods. Emerging on the other side of the leafy barrier, they found themselves on a narrow game trail. Maintaining a swift gallop, Mia skillfully maneuvered the horse through the interweaving trees.
Rafina peered behind them in a crouch. The adversary’s horse rapidly closed in on them.
“Augh! Uuurgh! I doubt I can shake them off! We’ll need to find a path through the forest that leads us back to the carriages,” grumbled Mia. Suddenly, the pursuer’s horse vanished.
“Huh…?”
Rafina focused her gaze into the lush depths of the forest. Yet, she discerned no sign of their assailant. Perhaps Mia had noticed it too, as she slowed the horse and turned to inspect their rear.
“Have they stopped chasing us…?” Mia was incredulous. “I suppose this means we managed to outrun them! We di— Aaaugh!”
“Mia?!”
Startled, Rafina pivoted back toward Mia. To her horror, she witnessed a dreadful scene: Mia had collided with a branch and was gradually descending from the horse’s back. Anxiously, Rafina grasped Mia and, with considerable effort, placed her on the ground below. However, just as Rafina breathed a sigh of relief, a dreadful noise resonated in her ears. It was the sound of horses—no, multiple horses—approaching.
Ah, so this is the end… The bandits have caught up to us…
After maneuvering Mia into the underbrush, Rafina bravely stood upright. She no longer had the luxury of concealment. All she could do now was protract the situation as much as possible.
I just hope they don’t discover Mia…
At last, a solitary white horse appeared, and atop it was…
“Huh? What brings you two ladies all the way out here?”
…Lin Malong, looking as if he couldn’t trust his own eyes.
