Chapter 39: Run Away, Girl

“Who… who…”

“Shh…”

Rihannan struggled to voice out her words with her mouth blocked, but she stopped resisting hearing that familiar voice.

“Dimi?” she whispered softly, her beautiful silhouette shining through the moonlight pouring through the window.

Her cousin, Dimi, pressed his finger on her lips and quietly mouthed, “Be quiet.”

Rihannan looked at Dimitri with unforeseen astonishment as he handed her a coat, shoes, and a hat and said, “Put this on first.”

“Dimi, what is…”

“I’ll explain to you on the way. There’s no time. Come on. Hurry.”

At his urgent request, Rihannan dressed up frantically. Putting on her shoes, Dimitri grabbed her hand and left the room straight away. She was led outside of the dark mansion and into the stable.

Dimitri rashly mounted Rihannan on the horse and he quickly climbed up and sat behind her. It had taken the duo a short time to leave the mansion.

“Dimi, be honest. What’s going on?” After reaching a quiescent place, Rihannan asked. Regardless, Dimitri remained mute and continued their journey in silence until Rihannan lost her patience and asked again, this time more forceful.

“Leave Crichton for a while,” Dimitri said.

“What?” Started, Rihannan twisted her back as far as she could.

“Eyes forward.” Dimitri twisted her body back. “You’ll stay at the border with a friend I know. It’s safer. Stay there for the time being.”

“What? Dimi, talk to me.”

“….”

“Stop the horse now!”

But there was no sign of stopping. Rihannan forcibly took the reins from Dimitri. Feeling the touch of an unfamiliar stranger, the horse bucked; it lowered its head and stood on its hind legs with the forelegs kicking the air, forcing Rihannan and Dimitri to come falling down.

Dimitri furrowed his brows and said angrily, “Rhia, we don’t have time for this! I need to get you out of Tars by the end of the night.”

“And what will happen if I leave you and uncle like this?” Rihannan snapped.

“Why are you worried about it? We’ll take care of our own affairs, so just focus about your own problems. Do you think it’ll be easy to hide in Tars, in a place where you’re easily recognizable?”

“Dimi!” Rihannan roared. “How can you be so foolish and emotional at a time like this? The crown prince won’t stand still. Don’t you know that?”

“What do you expect me to do, Rhia? You want me to watch you be taken as hostage? No, I won’t allow it!”

“There has to be another way. We can’t go about it like this.”

“Rhia…” Dimitri was pent up with anger. This was the first time he felt so helplessly mad with frenzy. “You’re able to say such things because you don’t know anything. The crown prince, you don’t think he’ll retaliate against Arundell? He’ll never forgive anyone who dares to trample his pride. As soon as Chrichton rebuilds itself, he’ll certainly wage a war against Arundell and you’ll be caught in the middle of it! And what of Arundell’s king? You think he’ll leave you alone once he finds out you’re not the princess? Those bastards will bring the death of you!”

“But this isn’t how we should go about it. This isn’t a proper solution and will only bring about a chaotic mess,” Rihannan sharply rebuked Dimitri and took a deep breath. Then, she grabbed his arm and said gravely, “In the future, you’ll experience much more pain and hardship than this. Even then, if you treat such matters lightly like this, everyone will die. Wake up, Dimi. We’re not children anymore. It’s time we grow up…”

Dimitri had always been a man of integrity… even now. Even in the past Rihannan had been inwardly dependent on him, often exchanging letters.

It was the same now despite meeting earlier than imagined. Six years ago, he was young, small, and immature but she could always rely on him. He would take care of her… like she was his own sister.

Growing up with Dimitri, she learned he had an emotionally spontaneous side to him she was unaware of in the past. Though this was probably his true self. It was just that she’d never had the chance to know him truly before. And now he’s grown up and was still that same reliant, emotional, and spontaneous person she knew.

“What are you saying all of a sudden? What do you mean? What will be harder than this?”

“….” Rihannan bit her lip and looked at Dimitri. She wanted to say it — the truth. Maybe others will call her crazy, but Dimitri, who has the vision of a dreamer, might believe her.

“Rhia…” As he called her name, something flashed nearby.