It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 66

“Ugh!”

Just imagining it made me retch. I stood up from where I sat. My legs trembled, but I managed to rise by gripping a wooden pillar with both hands.

I had to get away—even a little. If I couldn’t escape from that wolf, the nightmare might not stay a mere figment of my imagination.

I slapped my cheeks with both hands, repeating to myself to get a grip. My ice-cold hands touched my chilled face. As I stayed like that for a moment, I heard the faint sound of water. My throat, strained from running, desperately craved it.

I listened closely to the sound and began walking slowly. The eerie silence around me helped me pinpoint the direction.

As the sound of water grew clearer, I broke into a run again. It was a fairly large stream. I carefully scooped up some water and moistened my lips and throat. A chill spread through my body. Though the thirst was quenched, the cold made my blood feel frozen.

At that moment, I longed for a warm cup of mulled wine. Just a day ago, I remembered Louis pouring me a glass. But now, that memory felt like a fantasy—no longer part of my tangible tomorrow.

This forest was dangerous enough that even heavily armed men with soldiers under their command could be injured or killed. That’s why the protective bracelets were created.

With no weapon, I was nothing more than prey for the beasts lurking in the woods. As I struggled to stand, my foot slipped and splashed into the icy water. The wound scraped by gravel stung.

The moon reflected in the stream distorted, then slowly returned to its original shape. I still resented that moon hanging high above. Beneath it, tall, ghostly trees loomed over me like eight-foot phantoms. A shiver ran down my spine. The trees seemed to stare at me with an incomprehensible, devouring fear.

—Awooooo

At first, I thought it was the wind. Or the sound of water hitting rocks. I wanted to believe that. But the mysterious sound mocked my delusion and echoed again.

—Awooooooo

It wasn’t the wind or the noisy stream. It was the cry of a beast from afar. After just three howls, the sound pierced through the wind and became unmistakable.

I ran. I had to get away from that howl. Even if my bare feet were bruised by stones, even if my clothes were torn by branches—I ran.

But no matter how far I ran, it was still dark. The tall trees above stared down at me with thin, black eyes.

—Awoooof

The cry sounded like a wolf. No, it was definitely a wolf. Had it awakened? Was it calling its pack?

The long howl tore through the night sky. It wasn’t far. It wasn’t an echo from a distant place. The howls continued, as if to say it wasn’t just one wolf.

My hair stood on end. The gray wolf I had seen up close came vividly back to mind. As the imagined number of wolves grew in my head, my limbs trembled. The howl pierced through me, and I couldn’t move.

I can’t stay frozen like this. It’s dangerous.

I forced my stiff body to move, but my legs tangled. I fell clumsily, tearing my dress on a rough rock. A long wound marked my leg.

It hurt. I was terrified.

I tried to stand, but my muddy skirt dragged on the ground, catching my ankle. It felt like something was pulling me into the muck. The mud clung to me like countless hands. My body felt heavy. I couldn’t move.

—Awooooo

Another howl tore through the night sky, even closer this time. Terrified, I instinctively crawled. I lifted my mud-covered skirt and managed to get to my knees. Limping, I walked forward.

My ragged breathing rang in my ears. My vision was blurred by mud. Still, I kept walking.

I lifted my skirt higher and quickened my steps. But then, amidst the rustling leaves, I heard the crunch of leaves being stepped on. I froze.

It’s behind me.

I felt it instinctively. I couldn’t turn around. If I did, I’d be torn apart by the wolf’s claws. But if I didn’t turn around? The result would be the same.

This was the end.

As my eyelids trembled with fear, a large shadow loomed over me. Ridiculously, I tried to dodge. I thought I could escape that massive wolf. As I twisted my body to the right, my foot slipped on the leaves. My exhausted legs gave out. As I fell to the side, something brushed past the spot I had just stood.

I saw it clearly now. It was a wolf. Its fur was white. Not the gray one I had seen before, but similar in size. The massive white wolf bared its teeth, having missed its chance to strike. If I hadn’t fallen, my head would’ve been shredded by its claws.

Maybe that’s my future.

The wolf’s form was blurry. I couldn’t even attempt to dodge.

Yes, escaping was impossible. How far could I run on these bloody feet? Maybe it was better to end it here. This wasn’t even my world. Maybe if I died, I could return to my original world.

Back home, with the heater on, eating my mom’s cooking with everyone gathered around—how wonderful that would be. If I could just endure the pain of dying, maybe that hope could come true. So maybe… just maybe…

The wolf leapt. I shut my eyes tight. I hoped its claws were sharp—so the pain would be brief.

—Thud

Something pierced deeply. But I felt no pain. The groan of agony wasn’t mine. Trembling, I slowly opened my eyes.

The wolf that had lunged at me lay collapsed with a large sword embedded in its body. Blood streamed down the blade. But the wolf was still alive. Its glowing yellow eyes still stared at me. It stepped forward again.

Then my vision was blocked. A pitch-black cloak. A sword sharper than the wolf’s claws gleamed under the blue moonlight. In the next moment, the heavy body of the wolf collapsed with a final groan. Its glowing eyes lost their light.

Everything felt agonizingly slow. I couldn’t respond to the voice calling me. The cloaked figure approached and grabbed my shoulders.

“Arne! Arne!”

A low, urgent voice. I knew that voice. I looked up and saw Giscal’s face.

“Arne, are you okay? Snap out of it!”

I wanted to say I was fine, but my throat was blocked. Only tears kept falling.

“Are you hurt? Please, say something.”

Giscal frantically turned my body, checking me all over. I was too overwhelmed by tears to think straight, and his strong grip shook me even more.

“I…”

“What? Where are you hurt?”

“Stop… I’m dizzy.”

“Oh…”

His firm hands let go. I finally managed to speak.

“I-I’m… okay. Yeah, I’m okay.”

I saw the bloodied sword and his dirt-covered cloak. Despite the bitter cold, sweat dripped from Giscal’s forehead.

Ah…

Only then did I breathe properly.

“Thanks to you… I survived. Really… thank you.”

Tears of relief flowed. I had tried to escape the fear of death with false hope of returning to my world, but I was still scared. Scared to death.

Giscal gently patted my back as I sobbed. I hadn’t wanted to show him such a pitiful sight, but his embrace was so warm that I couldn’t stop crying.

Watching me, Giscal murmured softly.

“Sorry I was late.”

I finally calmed my ragged breathing.

“What do you mean? Sniff… you saved me… But how did you get here?”

“Well…”

Giscal looked troubled and avoided my gaze.

“Did you teleport using the Motus embedded in your cup? I ran so far… How far is it from the first teleportation spot to here? Did you run all the way? How did you know I was here?”

There was no way Giscal could’ve appeared in this deep forest without Motus. I hadn’t expected anyone to show up at such a desperate moment.

Giscal pressed his lips tightly at my barrage of questions, then suddenly raised a hand to cover my mouth.

“Wait, be quiet.”

His crimson eyes sharply scanned the surroundings. Sensing something serious, I quickly shut my mouth.

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