- 4 -

We must have run for what felt like an eternity. Through the thorny paths, skipping over long roots and swatting away at the thin, outstretched twigs. My feet were sore and aching by the time Caroline felt as though we had arrived at our temporary sanctuary.

I flopped onto the ground, too exhausted to care about the state of my dress. It was probably ripped. We had come across multiple sharp rocks and bumped into large tree trunks, giving its arms the chance to slash away at my skirt. It was now reduced to smithereens, only a husk of the glory it used to be.

"Your dress.." Caroline tweaked her eyebrows. I waved my hand dismissively.

"What's the use of having this dress? I should even rip it apart for more space to run," I gnashed my teeth. The image of the black beast replayed inside my head unconsciously. I leaned back onto a nearby boulder. It was quite uncomfortable, but the situation itself now was unfavorable. "Anyways, what the hell was that thing?"

"It's a monster," Caroline sat down, trying to catch her breath as well. Her chest heaved up and down and I had to look away.

I was tempted to reply, 'No shit, Sherlock,' but with enough restraint, I just looked down at my tattered dress.

"I'm sorry," Caroline's voice sounded far away. I raised my chin and noticed she was seated farther away from me. An unusual and uncomfortable silence loomed over us once realization dawned on us. The two of us ran like headless chickens that we got lost in the humongous forest. I didn't even know what might have happened to the knight that tagged along with us, but I didn't want to investigate. Caroline must've thought that she was the one who led us into the mouth of the beast.

After all, she was familiar with this kind of scenery. What a bunch of baloney.

"Don't apologize for something that was beyond your control. Hearing your meaningless apology doesn't make me feel any better," I sighed. I winched as I touched my feet. Though the salve had managed to cool the wound, it didn't help that I had run for my life back then. Specks of blood started to seep out from the injury, creating an ugly wound on the pristine white skin of Feiya's body.

Caroline didn't reply. I closed my eyes and exhaled softly, wishing for the muddy ground beneath me to magically switch into feathery sheets. But, as I curled my fingers, all I grabbed was a fistful of dying grass. I released my tensed fingers.

All of a sudden, Caroline began once more. "The monster... I've seen it before." She fiddled with her fingers, her golden eyes reflected her terribly scratched hands.

My ears perked up.

She continued. "The Captain was right. The woods are dangerous, especially at night. The thing that we saw.." she squeezed her eyes shut. "It's the pet of the Witch of the West. Have you ever heard of her?"

"It'd be weirder if I didn't," I eyed my shoes.

Of course, I knew the Witch of the West, but I didn't know she had a pet beast that wandered around the forest wrecking havoc, especially in this quiet region where nothing important happened. The Witch of the West was a person that had received divine powers from the Gods. Unexpectedly, The Lady lives with no regrets, was a story that had a magical sub-plot beneath all the terror of murder and schemes.

She was a character that was one of the most crucial, yet rarely made her appearances throughout the story. I'd imagine the author didn't want to let anyone else besides the heroine get the spotlight. But, she was the main reason behind why Caroline's revenge was such an overwhelming success.

Whenever Caroline found herself in trouble, the Witch of the West would pop out of the blue to give out a solution but at a freakish cost. The author used this one paragraph to summarize her character.

'A merciless woman who would point fingers at a dying man and laugh at him. Throughout her life, all she ever sought was entertainment. Anything and anyone who intrigued her never lived long before she crushed them with her own hands. The Witch of the West was a figure that defied God himself so everyone labeled her as a demon.'

I didn't know whether I recalled the details spot on. I had only read the novel recently, but I wouldn't make an effort to memorize anything. If only I knew I would have transmigrated into Feiya Poloro's body out of everyone, I would have worked my ass off to learn the whole book like a student that had crammed all their lessons into the night before a test.

This sadistic woman dangled the key above Caroline's head only to snatch it away and shove Caroline back into the pits of hell. Such a crazy character... I'd understand why the author wouldn't input anymore on her. Though, it was quite a shame. I thought she had plenty of potentials to become one of the most beloved and yet hated characters. If she were a man, there was no thought the author wouldn't hesitate to recruit her into Caroline's sweet little harem of fishes.

Well, the main point was that I didn't expect her rabid dog to start attacking us. Moreover, she had a pet dog? Was it just me or did everything I read about the novel seemed to blank entirely from my head? If only I were a protagonist in some transmigration story, I would've been able to remember all details of a book I had probably read years ago.

I was deep in my thoughts when Caroline's voice startled me, now especially closer towards me.

"I met her a long time ago. She saved me back then. The wolf is a warning to me. That's why I'm sorry. The beast is usually quiet, but I don't know why it appeared in front of me today.. in front of us. I have.. indirectly killed a person," she grabbed her head but did not make a single anguished sound. Only the sound of her soft breathing echoed throughout the enclosure.

Since the heroine seemed so distraught right now, wasn't it only right for me—her friendship candidate, to comfort her? The Lord gave me a chance and I should take it graciously. Hiding my smile, I shifted closer towards Caroline and clamped my hand over her shoulder, leaning in to whisper into her ear like a demon lulling away an innocent soul.

"They won't have to know if we don't tell them. That way, you won't become a murderer. It's not your fault, Caroline. It's the witch's. We can say that the knight got attacked by a pack of wolves. They have no choice but to believe us. They'll all move on soon. So, don't blame yourself."

Caroline finally showed her grieving expression to me which was vulnerable and beautiful. Her bottom lip trembled and a few imperceptible scratches decorated her white face. There was an innocent sheen of wetness over her golden eyes and their rims were stained a delicate red. I thought Caroline was still pretty even when she cried, if not prettier. It was a weird, intrusive thought, but I couldn't help the hand that stretched out to pluck a strand of blonde hair behind her ears.

"It's too much.. I don't understand. Why? Why do the worst things only ever happen to me? I'm only seventeen. This is a joke... a sick joke. It's something you'd never understand. I envy you. I envy you so much."

Her hateful words entered my ears like I was a Father listening to a confession. Maybe it was because I treated her so well. Maybe it was because I looked to be around her age with the mind of an elder. Words she would have never spoken towards the original Feiya spilled like a perpetual fusillade.

Like an angel that was embracing a sinner, I wrapped both of my arms around Caroline's shoulders, pulling her into my chest. Her face was void of any tears, but her muscles trembled beneath my touch. Her fingers clutched onto my shoulders to the point of bruising them. It hurt. It really did, but my lips pulled into a smile instead.

She was like a naughty child that had been told it wasn't her fault. As though she were the child from years ago, she stayed coddled in my embrace, begging for solace and forgiveness. This was the person that would grow up to brutally murder and poison people. But, as of right now, she was merely a child that would bawl at the thought of blood on her hands. Even the cutest pup could grow up to become the king of the jungle.

"There, there," I patted her hair as you would towards an adorable puppy. I whispered against the top of her head. "Now, let's collect the herbs for Karr and we'll pretend none of this happened today."

Caroline, I wanted to nurture you to become the cruelest, most blood-thirsty, vengeful spirit to save myself. If what you wanted was someone to tell you all your wrongdoings were justifiable, then I was willing to cover your eyes with a mantle and tell you everything was alright.

|•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•|

It was evening, presumably around seven, when we reached our rendezvous. We looked up at the golden gate, each supporting a worn-out expression. I feared whenever I closed my eyes, I'd remember the wail of disquietude repeating itself over and over in my head like the sick tune of a song. It wasn't exactly pleasant. And I was more exhausted than I had ever been in my tears of living. And, that spoke volumes.

I didn't lead a very successful life. It explained why I was here, in the body of Feiya. I had died back in my original world due to extreme exhaustion. When you were tired of everything in life, it was much easier to let go of them. I didn't intend to die back then, but here I was, like a headless chicken running around to find salvation.

If I had input the same amount of effort back into my world, I wouldn't be so miserable living as Feiya Poloro. But if I were to compare, then living as Feiya was more desirable. I wouldn't have to put up with stupid people and their demands and poverty, and lousy, leeching relatives. Which was why I was so desperate to survive as Feiya Poloro.

Perhaps, this was a sick, belated present by God as an apology for giving me such a shitty life before. Perhaps, God and the Witch of the West were similar in some way.

"L.. Lady!?" A boisterous voice spammed me back down to Earth. I faced the newcomer who I recognized to be the knight who was given the punishment of running fifty laps around the training field. His wide eyes scanned over both mine and Caroline's states and the lack of a particular knight behind us made a dreadful realization wash over him.

"Where's.. where's Edward?" His smile was ugly. Even though he knew the truth, he still wanted to act like a foolhardy man, wishing to be fed lies and then be deluded. But, in the end, the knight, whose name I came to learn was Edward, died in my stead. It didn't make me feel good, but at least I lived. No matter how selfish it was of me to say this.

I tried to search for any type of guilt or ill feeling inside of me, but as I saw the knight's face crumble, all I felt was a relief. Relief that the reason he was making this expression wasn't because of me, but someone else.

I only shook as the response to his dreary question. He laughed, then dropped to his knees, bowing his head. I heard sounds of sniffling and perceived how his shoulders had begun to quake. Seeing as how they were originally guarding the entrance when we came, they must've been close. I felt repugnant, but I couldn't offer negligible condolences. It wouldn't lessen the impact of losing a loved one.

The old Captain came running at the commotion which was the anguished bellows of a man. When he saw my tattered dress and Caroline's emotionless expression and the absence of 'Edward,' he developed an inkling.

"A terrible thing has happened today," he smiled weakly. He bowed his head as though silently mourning his deceased disciple. I lowered my eyes and nodded slowly before brushing past him. As I stepped away from the scene, I heard the knight's voice echo behind me.

"This wouldn't have happened if only he hadn't tagged along on that damned trip..."

The man's voice was filled with venom and was obviously spat out through gritted teeth. If I wasn't the daughter of the Baron and his employer, I could imagine the heinous deeds he would commit towards me. I was thankful for my position and alleviated.

I had intended to move on without kicking up a fuss and garnering attention to my side, but Caroline had other plans. She suddenly whipped around and stormed back to the kneeling knight.

"Are you blaming the Lady for your friend's fate?" She prompted coldly. Her tone so chilly I imagined this was her voice when she spoke towards the perpetrators behind her family's downfall. "It's not her fault. It's not my fault either. Stop blaming us! It's no use pointing fingers at others. He died because he fell behind us. Are we murderers for leaving him behind? Are you saying that we should've died together with him back there?"

The knight wailed at her words. His lips paled and his tearful eyes reflected the fierce face of the beauty before him. "I didn't.. I didn't mean that.. please.. please forgive me! I didn't mean that!"

The Captain stepped between them to diffuse the situation. He tried to muster up a smile but clearly, the circumstances were affecting him too.

Caroline parted her lips, her words on the tip of her tongue when I grasped her arm with my fingers gently. As though a bucket of cold water had been doused over her, she stopped talking and turned back to me, her own face blanched like a ghost. She seemed terrified at the possibility that people would find out and then condemn her. I raised my finger to my lips. She pressed her lips together and nodded her head.

I spoke slowly. "I will reimburse the family and the money to host his funeral. You don't have to worry. Things like this... will never happen again."

Because they would never occur if I was sent to become the bridge of a decrepit man. I only had a year before such the marriage would be finalized. During that time, I should butter up to Caroline at all costs.

I squeezed Caroline's arm after finishing my speech and tugged at her sleeve, implying that we should leave. I doubted Marcus Poloro would be pleased about having to give away money. I was certain I'd be called into the study, today or tomorrow. Thinking about having to sit through his aggravating voice and futile speeches, I felt more tired than before, evidently the slouching of my waist. Usually, a noble would go to great lengths to maintain their posture and grace, but as a modern person, I couldn't keep up this straining behavior.

"Thank you, my Lady," the Captain bowed his head towards me once more. His voice held strength and sincerity, displaying his authority. "It wasn't your fault. Some things happen because of the course of nature. Don't beat yourself up for what God intended."

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. I grabbed Caroline's wrist and tugged her along with me without formulating a response. I didn't know what kind of things I'd say if I took even one glance at his face. The two of us wandered into the building. I furrowed my eyebrows at the thought of meeting Baron Poloro and wasn't exactly looking where I was going when I felt a hand stop above my waist halting me mid-way.

"You don't look okay," Caroline turned around. Her limpid, almond-shaped eyes searched for any distress on my face. "Are you sure you're not sick? I have some spare medicinal herbs for you."

"I'm not sick," I snapped. When I saw how Caroline's face went rigid, I decided it was time to revoke my temper. I mustered up a sweet smile and placed my palm on top of Caroline's arm. Sighing, I continued. "I'm just very tired. I ruined my dress and lost heels along the way. I'm just regretting ever losing that pair. Those were my favorite."

"Is that so?" Caroline trailed off. After hearing my pathetic excuse, she made no effort to bring up anything. The two of us walked in utter silence towards the way which I remembered to be Karr's room. We must have spent around twenty minutes trying to patrol around the manor for the correct door, and finally, we singled out Karr's room. Caroline rapped on the door gently and a feminine figure opened the door. This time, it was Rot, as short as ever. Well... she and I were about the same height. The other loss I discovered in this world was my lack of height.

"Mistress..." Rot's eyes widened and she gave me a once-over, reacting in the same way that the Old Captain did. "Your beautiful dress.. it's ruined."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know," I waved my hand and slipped into the room with Caroline doing the same. The two of us, all ruffled and unruly, attracted all three heads in the room; Mapel, Karr, and Rot, who stared at us as though we had come straight out of a painting; one that had been smeared with black grime and red paint all over. I pulled out a twig that was stuck in between my hair and threw it past my shoulder. "We ran into a beast, then escaped, but the knight who was with us died."

"That's horrible!" Maple cried out, her hand clamped over her mouth. A sheen of tears wet her soft brown eyes. Her shoulders trembled and she buried her face in her hands, clearly very pigeonhearted. Though, I couldn't really blame her. It was by luck... or the heroine's shield that enabled us to survive the ambush. As expected, basking under the heroine's presence was like an instant shield blocking harm's way.

"Ma, I'm okay," Caroline approached her mother, gently rubbing circles into her back which I thought would calm her down. Oddly. "I'm fine. I came out unscathed. And I also brought some medicinal herbs for Karr."

"You didn't have to go through all of this for me..." Karr spoke, too moved to even sound coherent. Her rims were red from the tears that had pricked the corners of her eyes. Rot, on the other hand, nonchalantly stepped forth and received the herbs from Caroline's scratched hands. I found myself a little taken aback at the mutilated hand of the heroine before me. I didn't know such injuries could be obtained from simply swatting thin branches at a high speed.

"You don't have to say that now," I eyed Caroline's palm. "We already did it so there's no point. Caroline, come here."

After spilling out most of her bottled-up feelings, Caroline and I seemed to have grown closer since then. She was as obedient as a puppy when I beckoned her over. I had seated myself on one of the most comfortable stools I could find, so Caroline had to kneel down in front of me in a seiza position.

"Hand," I ordered.

Caroline stuck out her left palm.

I lowered my eyelashes. "Both of them."

Caroline stuck out both of her hands. At her actions, I stifled a laugh. Caroline's eyes shone when she saw the corners of my lips turn up barely. I remembered that I had snuck an aloe vera into the tattered pouch of my dress before we had absconded, well, the one Caroline dropped and the one that was used for my feet. Some of the salves were still left so I used my index finger to scoop some ointment and smeared it over her scratches. Since they were tiny, they were bound to sting more.

I blew on her palms, trying to cool the salve faster. Caroline visibly winched and her hands were tensed as though she were about to retract them. But, for my sake, she seemed to have persevered. She squeezed her eyes shut and only reopened them when I reclined back into the seat.

"My Lady, your legs are scratched," Caroline pointed out. Only then did I look down and to my horror, discovered that Feiya's long, slim and white legs were littered with a multitude of tiny scars. Such scars were looked down upon in nobility so I could understand why Caroline was so concerned. I lifted my hand to halt her.

"It's fine. I have some expensive ointment back in my room that I can apply," I dismissed her concerns half-heartedly. Caroline narrowed her eyes, unimpressed by my nonchalance. There was nothing I could do about it anyway, so I turned to face Karr, who was being eased into drinking bitter medicine by Maple. Not Rot as she stood by her sister's side with an impassive face. But, I could tell her worry just from her fingers which were fisting the apron above her black uniform.

I propped up an elbow on the arm of the chair, leaning my chin onto the end of my palm, and closed my eyes for a few seconds. The quiet whispers and hushed language entered my ears. I found myself gradually sinking into this easygoing atmosphere and just when I thought I was finally at peace, a knock resonated from the door.

Beyond the piece of wood, a voice sounded. "Lady Feiya, your father is requesting your presence in his office immediately."

An ironic world that we lived in. You and I.