Chapter 71
9. Stay by My Side
Wanted posters had gone up. Escape was no longer simple.
Marie’s body, still not back to normal, only made things worse.
They couldn’t move fast enough, and their pursuers were closing in with terrifying speed. The gap was shrinking. At this rate, they would be caught. No question about it.
But what chilled her blood more than anything else was the rumor whispering through the dark: The Crown Prince himself had joined the pursuit.
Russell. In person.
‘Why…? Why would he do that?’
Did he mean to drag her back, make her pay for everything? Then what of the child inside her? Would he show mercy?
No, she had to protect it. She had to survive.
That silent fear twisted inside her, growing like a tumor. Her unease swelled, and became a curse.
Arwena’s voice echoed in her mind, sharp and shattering. Marie flinched. Her head pounded. Nothing made sense anymore.
Why am I believing that woman? Why does it feel like she’s right? The thought flared, and died just as quickly.
Marie stared at the firewood crackling in the hearth, her eyes dull. Then, slowly, she turned to look at Ryan — tired, strained, and suffering because of her.
Guilt bit deep. He had done so much already. It wasn’t fair to drag him further into this, so it was time to make a decision.
“Ryan, I’ll go alone from now on.”
Ryan blinked, fully awake now, startled.
“What are you talking about, Marie?”
“The Crown Prince is with the pursuit. There’s no way we’ll escape his eyes. If we keep running, we’ll be caught. And you… you’ll pay the price for helping me.”
“Marie.”
“You’ve done enough. More than enough. I know I’ve asked for something impossible, and you still helped me.”
Her gaze was steady, but her heart trembled.
“So please, Ryan. From here on, I go alone.”
“You can’t ask me to do that. How am I supposed to just let you go alone, like this?”
“Ryan!”
With a theatrical sigh and a look of exaggerated hurt, Ryan finally grinned and gave her a cheeky wink.
“I’m actually kind of enjoying this.”
“…What?”
Marie stared at him, dumbfounded.
“What did you just say?”
Ryan burst out laughing, loud and carefree.
Was he insane? She looked at him, utterly stunned and then, despite herself, she laughed too. It was obvious. He’d said it just to ease the tension.
“You’re a good man, Ryan.”
“Normally when someone starts with that line, a rejection comes right after.”
“I just… I don’t want to be a burden anymore.”
“Marie, if you’ll let me, I’ll be the father of that child.”
“…?”
The words didn’t land right. Marie blinked, completely thrown. The conversation had taken a turn she couldn’t follow.
Her eyes went wide, but Ryan didn’t waver. His voice was steady. Serious.
“I’m not joking. If we manage to escape safely, what then? How are you going to raise that child on your own? I want to help you, Marie. I mean it.”
“No, that’s not right. You can’t make a decision about your future just because you want to help me. And… a child…?”
“I told you. I’m not joking. So let’s do it this way, Marie. I’ll refuse what you said earlier. I won’t go. I can’t just turn around and leave you behind. Not now. Not ever. Got it?”
His smile was laced with sorrow, warm and familiar. And yet, somehow, it broke her heart.
Marie looked at his face — that same kind, foolishly stubborn face — and found herself unable to say a word.
But the next day…
Marie regretted it.
‘I should’ve sent Ryan away.’
If she had, none of this would be happening now.
“Ryan!”
“Run! Don’t worry about me — just go!”
Thud! Thwack!
Arrows struck the ground at Ryan’s feet as he swung his sword at the advancing knights. They were warning shots meant to restrain, not kill, but Marie’s heart nearly stopped all the same.
‘If I stay, I’ll only get in the way.’
But behind her loomed the cliff’s edge. There was nowhere to run. Should she make a break for it anyway? Should she throw herself forward and hope for the best?
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