Chapter 62
A sharp gunshot tore through the air, startling both of them into turning their heads.
A bullet hole gaped in a tree trunk not far from Xenon. Smoke curled from the freshly fired round, and cold sweat visibly dripped down his jaw.
Their gazes snapped toward the source of the gunfire.
Esina muttered in disbelief.
“…Herman?”
The man she thought had ridden off into the distance with the duke had somehow returned—musket in hand.
The smoke still trailing from the barrel made it clear who had just fired.
Click.
Then, the muzzle swiftly swung back—first toward Xenon, then abruptly toward her.
Esina’s eyes widened helplessly as she watched the barrel shift toward her.
‘Huh?’
Her mind went blank. No thoughts of dodging or fleeing surfaced.
The moment her eyes met Herman’s—trembling, locked onto hers—she recognized the emotions flickering through them.
She knew them well.
They were the same emotions she had once seen in her own reflection.
Pain. Betrayal. Frustration.
…And sorrow.
Only now did she realize—the indifference he had shown her these past few days had been masking this.
‘Why?’
Why are you looking at me like that—
‘Herman?’
That single question rose in her mind faster than survival instinct—
“Grr—ROAR!”
A beastly snarl tore through the air as an unexpected weight slammed into her back.
“Esina!”
“Ah—!”
Her startled body was shoved to the ground—her head striking a rock in the process—all in an instant.
BANG!
Another gunshot. Shouts tangled together. “Esina!” A voice thick with anguish called her name.
“……”
Her vision darkened rapidly before she could even process what was happening.
BANG!
Another shot. Xenon’s panicked yell beside her.
“A wolf—!”
“…ina!”
“Call for help—!”
Desperate voices ripped through the air as her sight faded to black.
“ESINA!”
‘Herman.’
Why?
The question lingered as her consciousness snapped like an old rope—
thud.
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