Shayla's heart is on fire, but reality is merciless. There is no sudden awakening of magical powers, no superhuman athleticism to escape.
　Shayla is not prone to emotional outbursts, but when they do occur, she tends to be drawn into them. But Shayla had already learned that this was dangerous.

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　I don't know. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

　Shayla's goal isn't just to get home safely. She wants to get home and save her best friend.
　To do that.

My testimony alone is probably not enough. Belle is the one who led the men, and the boy who gathered them must be someone she knows. This can only mean that it was the Red Roses.

　Even Shayla, who was in the middle of it, finally realized that it was a trap by the conservatives when the man muttered "Marquis". I can only imagine that Shayla's indirect testimony would have been enough to make her say, "He must have misheard 'Count.
　In order to prove that it was someone from the conservative camp who was behind all this.

(Definitive proof ...... would be to catch the guy, if possible.

　Unfortunately, Shayla doesn't have the expertise to do that. If you believe the words of the men, this is a remote place, off the beaten path. Even assuming that a search party has been sent out from the palace, it's annoying to say, but they're right, the well-bred noble knights won't be able to cut a path through the middle of nowhere to get to the outskirts of the city. Don't get your hopes up.

(Then ...... I'll run off on my own and call for help?

　Tell them there are bad guys. Please catch them.
　It's not a bad idea, but it's risky. First of all, I don't know if Shayla can make it to a populated area on her own. They delayed Shayla's murder until nightfall because they thought the drugs would make her more docile. If she shows any sign of escaping, they'll try to stop her and kill her for sure.
　Furthermore. Even if the gods of fortune smiled upon them and they were able to escape safely to the countryside, they would not be able to find someone there to fight. The men seemed to be rough and rugged enough to be involved in such a crime (although I didn't see them, so I don't know what kind of physique they actually had), and it would be difficult to capture them unless they had some experience in martial arts. It's hard to ask a good villager to join you with a spade and hoe.
　On top of that. Even if the gods of fortune are on our side and we have a skilled warrior to help us. There's no way the men are going to stay around here long enough for Shayla to get away and come back looking for help. If they couldn't catch Shayla, they would have already made a lot of money and would have scattered and fled. This is not a matter of luck, it is a standard procedure for any scoundrel with an ordinary mind. I don't know how it's going to play out with that guy who's connected to the Marquis, though.

It's not practical, after all.

　It's not a wise idea when you're already relying on luck to see if you can escape. We should at least try to increase our chances of escape.

For now, we just pretend to be unconscious and gather information. Dee said that information is a weapon.

　In fact, I've learned so much just by eavesdropping on the men's conversations. The more we know, the better chance we have of finding a way out.
　Whatever it takes. Anything to increase my chances of escape and save my best friend.

(Why isn't anyone coming back? ......!

　The kidnappers were so scary earlier, but now I can't wait to see them. Shayla closed her eyes and listened carefully, not wanting to miss even the slightest clue.
　The sound of birds singing in the forest blended in with the sound of the wind. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you're going to need to be able to pay for it. ...... At least we know that this is not the northernmost part of the kingdom, where you have to drive all the way from King's Landing in a horse-drawn carriage.

(See? (You see, there are some things you can learn from sound alone. (...... don't give up)

　Shayla's loved ones taught her that with their backs. Shayla's loved ones have taught her the importance of never giving up, no matter how hopeless the situation, and to keep trying until the end.
　If all Shayla can do now is listen carefully and pick up as much information as she can. Do that to the best of your ability. And then you'll know what to do next.

　Believing, Shayla exhaled.
　--I thought I heard the faint sound of a bell.

(What? ......?)

　Was it my imagination? No, but it was definitely. It wasn't the sound of wind or birdsong, but a high, cool sound.

(But ......, why a bell?)

　Could it be that there was someone else outside the hut besides the men?
　(But why a bell?) Shayla listened more and more in anticipation, but unfortunately she never heard the bell again. Instead, the footsteps of one person gradually approached her.

(Who ......?)

　(Who ?) There was the sound of a door slamming open, and a deep sigh.

"Did you use too much ...... medicine?

　My heart jumped. This voice...

(That person who is connected to the Marquis!

　The main man was the first to return. To be honest, I can't tell if the time Shayla spent alone in the cabin was long or short. I think it was a very long time, and I think it was only a moment.
　But. However, it is a certain fact that Shayla's mindset is very different now that he has returned from before he left.



I won't miss a thing, no matter how small!

　(I'm not going to miss a single thing!) I put on a brave face and continued to pretend to be unconscious. Sighing again at the motionless Shayla, the man seems to have sat down somewhere. There was a heavy thud.
　The next thing I heard was a dry, crunchy sound. After a few moments of wondering what it was, Shayla had an idea.

(This ...... is the sound of paper.)

　The man must be opening a piece of paper in his hand. (This ...... is the sound of paper.) The man must be opening a piece of paper in his hand. ...... I believe he said that he was told that he could kill Shayla at night, but that he would check to make sure, and then he left.
　So that means...

(The paper he's holding has the answer to "check" written on it: ......!

　It seems highly likely. (The paper he's holding has the answer to "Confirmation" on it. ......) It seems likely. ...... can't be confirmed by sound alone.
　She was a bit torn, but Shayla was quick to judge.

(The sound of her sitting down was not that close. If I just open my eyes a little, I'm sure they won't notice.

　Shayla's eyesight was not bad. Shayla's eyesight was not bad. She could see what he was holding in his hand as far as she could see.
　Determinedly, Shayla opened her eyes, slowly, slowly. The eyes that let in the light immediately focused on a man sitting a short distance away from Shayla, a man with no distinguishing features other than his strong body. The man had a difficult look on his face, and was reading a paper in his hand.

He read the paper in his hand. "Ah, ......, I knew it. You're not that stupid, are you?

　The man muttered, scratching his head.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.

　Muttering, he folded the paper in his hand and put it in his pocket. Shayla's chest heaved as she closed her eyes again, seeing what she needed to see.

(There's no doubt about it. That paper is an order from the Marquis. If we can get our hands on it, we can show that the conservatives are involved!

　The text he read out said, "Make it look like the work of the Red Roses. The fact that he went to the trouble of telling them to do so was an admission that he was not a member of the "Red Roses" and that he wanted to trap them by making it look that way. --I'm sure that paper will be of great help in saving Diana!

Even if we can't catch him. (Even if we can't catch him, if we can just get that paper and get away with it, ......!

　There was a glimmer of hope. (Even if I can't catch him, if I can just get that paper and get away.

(Don't panic. (Don't be in a hurry.) If we run while it's light, we'll be caught soon enough. Wait for ...... night.

　Yes. On a winter night, when the light is low. There's a chance you can get away with a woman's legs in the shadows. The stargazing party was held on the night of the new moon to enjoy the beautiful starry sky. I don't know how many days after the feast Shayla woke up, but it's unlikely that those hot-tempered men would have left her alive for days, let alone a week. ...... Perhaps the moonlight is still too weak to help us track her.

(When the sun goes down. (When the sun goes down, I'll take the paper from his pocket.

　Judging by the movement of his hand, the paper is in the left inside pocket of his jacket. Shayla, who had often helped her father get ready, knew the structure of men's clothes. If we can find the right place, we should be able to extract the evidence without too much trouble.

Take the paper. Then we'll run as fast as we can.

　Apparently, this abandoned cabin is too old to be locked. The men who think Shayla's unconscious may or may not even be watching. At any rate, it's clear that she could easily escape if she wanted to.
　She goes outside and into the forest to scatter her pursuers. The darkness is dangerous for Shayla, but as long as she can get away from the men, she should be able to find her way back to the village if she is careful not to make any noise and looks for a well-lit road even at night. --I'm not sure how much the men knew, but Shayla had made the long journey to see her father off on several occasions with this. She knows from experience that the streets are well-lit at night.

You'll get away. I'll be back.

　Spring came to me just drifting along, with no idea where I was going. Summer, when I met my destiny, beyond the days of unreasonable violence. Autumn, when I experienced my first emotions to the fullest, and deepened my feelings for each other while being confused and troubled. Winter, when I faced my decision in the quiet falling snow.
　It was disgusting and painful. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. ...... I'm sure it's because Shayla has made up her mind that she wants to live there for the rest of her life.

　I'm not sure what to do. It's not just an inorganic building where you can sit in a corner and stifle your breath and count the minutes that pass by.
　It's a home where you can hold hands with the people you love and build up memories together.
　I have to go back. To protect the people I love. In order not to lose the people I love.

　As if to encourage Shayla's renewed determination, the sun was rapidly setting. The room, which had been bright with light from the outside, quickly dimmed, and the sound of a man moving in the room made it dimly bright again. Apparently, he had lit a lamp that he had prepared beforehand.

　Soon there was a lot of noise outside. The other men must have returned. There was no one inside the hut, but there was the sound of clinking and the smell of smoke. ...... Apparently, they are about to have dinner.



I told you not to show off!

　The seated man said, and left the hut. Shayla, who was left behind, was motionless and impatient.

(If there's a fire, the light will reach us and they'll know where we're running!

　(If there is a bonfire, the light will reach them and they will know which way to run!) The thought of an unexpected obstacle at this point chilled her nerves, but outside, the Marquis' minions who wanted to put out the bonfire and the men who wanted to eat the crispy meat were arguing with each other. In the end, they agreed to put out the fire as soon as the meal was over, and Shayla was relieved.

Shayla was relieved when they agreed to put out the fire as soon as they finished eating.

　The minion seemed to have been asked to eat too, and he couldn't refuse the invitation. Normally, Shayla should have been hungry, but she hadn't eaten since the feast, and her body seemed to have gone numb. She doesn't feel particularly hungry.
　Eventually, one of the minions who had eaten came back to the hut, saying something like, "It's not good if we don't keep an eye on them.

They're .......

　The man sat down again and remained silent for a while. In contrast to the bustle outside, there was not a single sound inside the hut.
　The only thing that broke the silence was... --The only thing that broke the silence was the faint sound of a man sleeping.
　Shayla's heart jumped in her chest.

(What ......?　No way, did he fall asleep because he was full?

　What if he hadn't slept a wink since Shayla's abduction? That's quite possible.
　Be very careful, open your eyes and take a look. Behind a small lamp in the middle of the hut, sitting with his body facing you, he was indeed asleep.
　There was no way I was going to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
　There was no time for hesitation.

(I'll take the paper!)

　Shayla stood up, carefully so as not to make a sound. Shayla thanked God that it was the middle of the night when she was kidnapped and that she was wearing comfortable loungewear. In her dress and heels, she would stand out, and she couldn't move without making a sound.

　Pulling, thrusting, creeping feet. This was definitely the first time in her life she'd been so desperate to kill sound. Even when I was chastised by my aunt and uncle and snuck into the kitchen out of hunger, I was not this serious.
　By the light of the lamp, I approached the man. --Without hesitation, she slipped her fingertips into the man's inner pocket on his left, Shayla's right.
　She was delighted by the solid feel of the paper, and at that moment...

"Hmm?　I knew you were awake.

　With these words, he grabbed my wrist. All the blood in my body fell with a clatter.

It's a trap!

　It was a gut feeling that skipped logic. I swatted his hand away as hard as I could, and the man's hand, which seemed to have no intention of catching me from the start, came off easily. I reflexively moved away from him and moved closer to the door.
　In the dim light. The man's smile twisted weirdly.

I thought it was strange that you stayed awake for almost a whole day, no matter how much you overdosed. You've been awake for quite some time now, haven't you, young lady?

　Shayla wasn't foolish enough to fall for such a blatant provocation. Just keep quiet and stare at the man. --In fact, she wasn't in the mood to be provoked.

(We were almost there. ......!

　Whether the man was asleep or not, it didn't matter now that it had happened. I got as close as my fingertips, but I couldn't get the paper in the end. I'm really annoyed at my inadequacy.

If you knew this was here, it means you were already aware of it when I was reading aloud. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... What is it about you that makes you 'just a helpless, incompetent little girl who can't live without the protection of authority'?

　That assessment is not wrong. You're right, Shayla is just a little girl with no skill and no great ability. ...... She can't get a single piece of evidence to save her dearest friend.
　I'm not sure what to say.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

I know that what you have in your pocket is the trump card that will save my life and the lives of those we love. Give it to me.
"You think I'm going to give it to you at ......?
I tried to take it from you because I didn't think you would, but if you failed, I'll have to find another way. But I'm helpless, and the only thing left for me to do is talk to him directly.

　At times like this, I wonder. I wonder what Deanna would do.
　Strong, noble, and always looking forward, she would not just slink back and get discouraged because she failed once.
　Before you lament your weakness. Before you get angry at yourself for being stupid.
　You will try to do everything you can.

　The man in front of her, seeing Shayla's eyes never lose their light, his expression shifts slightly.

"...... You're amazing. I'm sure the Marquis is quite blind.
I'm sure you'll be able to tell me the name of the Marquis' family.
What's the point?　Do you really think you're going to survive this?
Of course not. I'm not going to die. --I've got things to do.



　I've hurt so many people because of a silly faction war.
　Even the girl who stood up to protect everything was seen as a hindrance to the faction. To get rid of her, he played with the hearts of those who truly loved her.
　And now, of all people, he wants to use Shayla's death as the deciding factor.
　I'm not going to let that happen!

　Shayla, standing there with determination in her heart, is so beautiful that she seems to shine from within, even though she is unconscious.
　No matter where she was born or raised. --At this moment, Shayla was definitely a noble being.
　The man who was supposed to be her enemy gasped at her power and almost backed away reflexively.

　--But...

I like your spirit, though. It's going to be tough for a weak girl to beat a rough guy.

　The man turns his face outward and raises his voice. The man turns his face to the outside and raises his voice, loud enough to beat the volume of the five men making noise outside.

"Hey!　The little girl is awake!

　The outside was quiet for a moment. After a pause, the door was opened. A man with a huge body and stubble, with a very typical appearance, smiled at Shayla as he saw her standing near the door.

"Oh. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
Don't be silly, let's get this over with before it gets too loud.
What the hell? You're wrong.

　If Shayla remembered correctly, the voice belonged to the man who had first proposed to kill Shayla, the short-tempered one of the men. The other men seemed to have a high opinion of him, and when there was a disagreement, the discussion was often between him and his minions.
　Even if she wanted to escape, she had to do something about this big man. Looking for a way out, Shayla unconsciously put her hand on the embankment of her clothing and was startled by the ...... hard touch.

(This ......)

　That's it. There was only one thing Shayla had on her.
　I'm sorry, but I gave it to Dee. I'm sure she wouldn't be mad if it got her out of a tight spot.
　While Shayla was thinking, the men continued their conversation.

"Is that what you're saying?　Is there a difference?
You always said you didn't kill until nightfall.
The sun has set. It's as dark as night.
But how many villages in the country are still asleep at this hour?
You don't have to worry so much about people finding you in the dark. Besides, the girl's already up. You don't want to make a scene.
I don't think it's going to do much good for a helpless little girl to make a scene.

　I can see why the minion would want to kill Shayla right away. Shayla has heard him talking to himself and knows that the Marquis is behind this one. It's only natural that she wouldn't want to leave him alive.
　But... But she also knew that the man himself would try to stay out of Shayla's way as much as possible because of the Marquis' instructions.

　In other words. At this moment, the only thing Shayla has to face in order to survive is the big man blocking the doorway.

　Snickering and completely off guard, Shayla did not look away from the large man who was lazily reaching out to her. Just before his hand touches Shayla's shoulder, she lowers herself.

　--With a single breath, she dives into the man's bosom!

"Oh?

　She doesn't give him a chance to be alarmed. She took out Dee's hairpin from the embankment and thrust the tip of it into the man's throat with all her might.

I'm not sure what to say.

　There was a loud scream.

　--A long time ago, when she was just a child. Shayla was a daughter of a wealthy merchant family as well as a noblewoman, and there were fears that she might be kidnapped. Her father did not want to raise his daughter to be a mere guardian of the Kaleld family, which had made its fortune by venturing out to sea.
　He called in a specialist and had her learn self-defense. He gave her the means to protect herself in times of need.

　He also taught me that the throat is the vital point.
　That the human body is surprisingly strong, and that a woman stabbing a man with all her might will rarely kill him, so if you think you're in danger, don't hesitate.
　These are all things Shayla taught me as a child.

　With an out-of-this-world scream in the background, Shayla ran out of the hut. She ran as fast as she could while the men outside, who were apparently watching the proceedings, were stunned.

What the hell are you doing?　Get him now!

　The shouting of the minion, with no time to spare, followed me. There were multiple footsteps behind me, I had to escape into the woods!

Do you think you can escape with a woman's legs?

　You think you can escape on a woman's legs?" Just as he felt the heat on his shoulder, the world flipped. I feel an intense shock on my back. From the stinging pain and the weight on my shoulder, I knew I had been pulled down and pinned to the ground.

Let me go!

　He shook his arms and flailed as hard as he could. He wished he could have poked her in the eye with a frog, but the weapon had been spotted early on and was mercilessly flicked away.
　As Shayla flailed with her arms and legs, a large shadow fell over her.

"Little girl, ......!



　The glittering eyes reflect anger and hatred. The big man, oblivious to Shayla's counterattack, holds a knife in his hand.

"How dare you kill me, .......? I'll kill you!

　In a fit of rage, the big man raises the knife and it strikes Shayla.