The Hunting of Snow White: A Grim Tale - Chapter 58

He had said so himself, that it was because she and the knight had been whispering secrets. That was why.

Or maybe it was because he knew that she had been chased by knights, that she might suffer again at the hands of another wicked knight. Maybe that was why. He did it for her.

Anyone can make a mistake.

This was one of those mistakes.

But Prina, are you innocent? You’re not.

Once again, anyone can make mistakes. Hunter made one too. It was only a mistake.

The Lord Himself said that humans are capable of error. What matters is repenting, and not repeating it.

She repeated it to herself, over and over.

That day was just a mistake. So why not count it as if it never happened? Hunter has been apologizing for it again and again. Who am I to reject his plea for forgiveness so completely?

In the end, her thoughts reached that point. She turned the arrow on herself, as though accustomed to it, and rushed to a conclusion in the easiest way possible. She felt despicable, hateful… and what was worse, she couldn’t stop even while knowing it.

Didn’t I say I’d accept him no matter what form he took? Didn’t I say I’d love him as he is? Then I have to accept this too. I have to understand!

She tried to persuade herself, to reason it through.

Prina. There are no perfect people. Am I perfect? Is that why he accepted me?

So this was simply one of Hunter’s flaws. He had lost his temper in the moment. Hunter wasn’t violent. Not to her, not to Lucky, not to Happy. She had seen it herself.

He had clearly said he wouldn’t do it again. He had promised to change. And hadn’t he always said that if it was her wish, he would grant it? Then if she wished it, surely he would change. She would tell him: there was no need to do such things for her sake.

His consideration for me, his sweet gentleness… they couldn’t have been lies. They must have been sincere.

Even when she had hidden away in fear, even when she had been rude, he had provided meals and waited until she could leave her room. He had sheltered her indefinitely, protected her, demanded nothing in return. How could that be false?

And even their union, Prina had wanted it. He hadn’t forced her. He had asked permission, and she had given it. That was all. Even now, he refrained, taking care of himself alone when she didn’t allow it. Didn’t he do that every night?

He had even made her a small garden, though she did all the hard labor. What a bothersome thing to do for someone. And yet he had, for her sake. Yes, exactly.

She had only ever tried to repay him with housework, because she felt it shameless not to do something. He had demanded nothing from her. He had only allowed her to live a comfortable life here.

Prina, could you live without Mr. Hunter?

She asked herself.

She couldn’t. If she left this mansion, there was nothing but dense forest. And the forest terrified her. This mansion was her nest, her shield.

Do you think there’s anyone else in the world who could love you as you are, the way Mr. Hunter does?

Of course not. Which meant, if she wanted to stay by his side, she had to endure.

She was only shocked because it had happened so suddenly. Soon, she would be fine, as though nothing had happened. Hadn’t she already endured decades of harsh days in the convent? Hadn’t she survived Sir Arthur’s violence? Hadn’t she adapted to this mansion as well? This, too, would only take time. She could overcome it.

It was nothing more than a process of becoming stronger together. Like the earth hardening after rain, the two of them would build their little ‘Lucky Farm’ in their secret forest and live on. Happily ever after. Forever.

Nothing else mattered.

And there was no proof that the knight who had died in that regrettable mistake had spoken the truth. He had fallen from his horse, injured his head, and they had exchanged only a few words. How could she put more faith in his words than in the man who had treated her well?

It made no sense. Get a hold of yourself, Prina.

Strangely, the more she tried to think in a positive way, the more drained her mind felt. Even though, if she simply went on thinking and accepting, her peaceful and love-filled days would return to her again.