Chapter 10

Once the morning arrives, I continue my way around the hunting ground. It must be the size of a theme park. The trees are all identical so I can't remember which ones I have already passed.

Will my father be searching for me? I've seen him pay more attention to me nowadays although he tries to mask it. The hunt lasts for three days so I should be able to meet someone today if I am lucky and follow them back to the palace. Why do they have such confusing places in this world?

My stomach rumbles as I walk. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon. As I glance around, I see a movement in the bushes. With a sharp-ended branch which I managed to break off a tree, I aim at the bush and pull out a white rabbit. "Sorry buddy but I have no choice right now. I promise I will pray for your soul everyday." I mourn before I try using my fire magic again. I have a little spiritual energy left.

Smiling, I sit down and barbecue the rabbit meat. It tastes delicious and better than I expected. I never had any rabbit meat in my previous life, I can't believe I missed out on this goodness. I'll live this life however I want. As long as I can stop my death, I will aim to become the strongest person in this world.

"That smells so good!" The sound of hooves stop right in front of me and I glance up at the intruder with the meat dangling out of my mouth.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?" I ask as I continue eating.

His dark eyes are full of amusement as he gracefully jumps off his horse. I've never seen someone jump that gracefully and look effortlessly handsome whilst doing it.

"You're enjoying a feast whilst everyone was out searching for you." Francis Tag says, taking a piece of the meat.

I glare at him, "Give my food back."

"You're such a glutton." He laughs as I try to snatch it back from him.

"When will you start teaching me sword fighting skills? I've been waiting so long." I flex my uninjured arm, "I want to become stronger."

"I'll give you extra hours next Saturday. I didn't realise the hunt would be so early this year." Francis says in between bites.

"You better keep your word Master." I say, holding out my pinky finger.

He stares at it in confusion. "This?"

"Never mind." I forgot they don't do things like that here.

"I'll take you back after you've finished. Your father was going insane, even ordering the Royals to do something."

I roll my eyes, "And I thought he was a bad father."

Francis' eyes dart to my injured shoulder and his eyes widen. "You're hurt?"

I give him a small smile, "It's nothing." I don't want to be treated like a weakling. If I want to become strong, I will need to get used to this kind of injury and pain. My pain endurance will have to increase.

Leaning down, Francis tears off the end of his shirt sleeve and reaches over to me. "I'll wrap it up for you so you don't have to keep your hand over it."

"Thank you." I say happily. Would Beatrice have fallen for the gentle and caring Francis Tag if she had met him instead of Laurent?

I can't change her past but I can sure as hell change her future. I won't be the same easily hurt and temperamental woman. In this world, nothing is easy but for me to live a carefree life, I will choose my own paths.

Riding with Francis on horseback is a sensation I have never experienced. As Scarlet Mayer in my past life, I never got the chance to ride a horse.

As the wind rushes through my red locks, my hair flies behind me and I wrap my arms tighter around Francis' waist. The horse is galloping at a steady speed which makes it easier for me to drink in the sights as we pass.

"We're here." Francis announces as the grand palace comes into view. I sigh as he climbs off the horse and holds out his hand to me. The journey was too short. Gratefully taking his hand, I jump down.

"Sister Beatrice! I was so worried, I couldn't sleep at all knowing you were lost." I turn around to see Bella walking towards us. She sounds worried but as I analyse her face, I know that she is faking it. There is no redness, swelling or any eye bags under her blue eyes and she looks perfectly rested. She would receive the Oscars for her acting if she was in my previous world.

Playing along, I smile at her, "Oh, my dear Bella, I am so sorry for worrying you. Where is Father?"

She smiles and grabs my arm. Why is her grip so rough? I really want to pull away from her. "He is awaiting news inside. He missed the hunt today so he could wait for you."

The way she says it makes it sound like she is blaming me for Father having missed the hint. Why did she seem so innocent and angelic in Beatrice's memories? Did Beatrice really fall for her tricks and false pretences?

"I'm happy my father is worried about me." I grin and I notice her mouth twitch a little, "Let's go and see what he collected from yesterday's hunt."

The unexpected bear hug I receive when I enter the palace, almost topples me over. My father is as big and strong as an actual bear.

"My dear daughter!" He cries, "Where have you been?"

I wince in pain as my shoulder hurts and he pulls away, looking at me in concern. "I'm okay." I plaster a fake smile, masking the pain. He would probably kill whoever hurt me but even I don't know who it is right now. All I know is that someone was targeting Laurent Bunter and almost did my job for me. I am already regretting saving him.

"Father, I'll take Beatrice to her room." Bella says softly.

My dad nods and I follow Bella. Is she trying to create a distance between my father and I again? Bella is secretly calculative whereas Beatrice was boldly evil and never tried to hide it under layers of facades like this woman.

I would choose a truthful person albeit evil over a liar like Bella any day. People like Bella are the evilest ones. Showing one face to the people and having another face in private. She matches well with Laurent.

"Bella, could you get me that bag?" I ask, gesturing to my luggage.

Her facial expressions always amuse me. She nods with a smile and brings it to me. "Here you are Beatrice."

"Can you open it for me?" I say with an innocent smile.

"Um, of course sister." She says. Her smile is strained as she opens my suitcase.

"Could you get me the red dress with the blue design?" I grin as I see her eyes flash in anger before she smiles again. She doesn't know that I have caught her real self. Since her default personality towards the general public is the good, angelic one, if I ask her to do anything, she should automatically do it without a question. A snake in sheep's skin.

"I can't find it." She mutters with a hint of annoyance.

I stand up, "I'm going to bathe. Hand it to me when I am done." With that said, I head to the bathroom with a smirk. This girl is fun to play with. If I use her tactics myself, I could get her to reveal her real personality publicly.

After I have thoroughly cleansed my body, I stand near the door for a while and listen to the other side.

"Why should I find clothes for her? Is she a child? She should realise how ugly she is in anything she wears." Bella's angry voice mutters.

Grinning, I open the door and step out with a towel wrapped around me. Bella really has no control when she is by herself. "Did you find it?" I ask her innocently.

She turns to me with her smile and nods, "Here."

"Thanks." I say as I take it from her.

She leaves the room and I change into the new clothes. I feel cleaner and more relaxed. I need to bandage my shoulder now.

All of a sudden, my room door slams open and Laurent Bunter steps in, glancing around.

"Your girl isn't here." I say in boredom as I pull out my first aid kit and slightly pull down the collar of my dress so my wound is revealed.

"I'm not looking for Bella, I came for..."

I glance up, wondering why he has stopped. I follow his eyes which are transfixed on my revealed shoulder and his face is tinted with red. Has this pervert never seen a shoulder before?

"Do you want to eat a fly?" I ask as I continue, dabbing alcohol into my wound.

"Wh–what. No." He says hurriedly.

I laugh at his expression. Watching him acting this way is fun. I can't believe I am destined to be killed by this stuttering fool. As I start wrapping the bandage, I realise I can't reach all the way. I need an extra hand.

"Come here." I gesture to him.

"Why?" His chocolate brown eyes are wide as he hesitantly steps forward. I know he wouldn't dare harm me in the royal family's residence.

"Help me wrap the bandage." I say truthfully.

He approaches me like a deer approaching a lion and warily takes the bandage. "Like this?" He asks as I turn my back towards him.

"Do you want to wrap it on my face?" I ask sarcastically.

I feel his fingers skim my bare skin as he wraps my wound and I involuntarily shiver. Is this Beatrice's body naturally reacting to him because I certainly wouldn't feel like this for my natural enemy?